28/10/2022
So, what helps me to cope with my declining health?
As a mature dog, some people we encounter seem to assume I’m pampered. I have to wear my jumper when it’s cold and my mum pops me in my stroller when I’m tired.
I see the knowing glances from the people who get my situation but I also see the way some people look judgemental towards my mum.
I’ve heard the term ‘ableism’ and didn’t know what it means until now.
I’m not particularly grey and I look quite youthful and I’m not quite 10 yet. So… I should be full of life and sadly I’m not. My appearance doesn’t show my many years of food intolerance, my bout of pneumonia at 1 that nearly killed me and my major surgery at 8 that kept me alive. I feel very lucky to be alive but my body knows what it’s been through and I’m on a permanent go slow 🐌.
So I have 2 choices - to feel sorry for myself or to work with my mum and adapt. I’ve chosen the latter so I can lead my fullest life.
Luckily my mum is a therapist and doesn’t care about some silly comments or looks some people make. She puts me first.
I cannot run - I develop a limp pretty quickly, I can however walk and get excited. Sometimes I can sit in my buggy and stick my head out smelling the beautiful scents. I also bimble along sniffing plants and bushes and eating the odd clump of grass or two (or ten!).
I can say hello to doggie friends and squeal when I see a cat. I can say hello to everyone I meet or lie down 50m away from an approaching dog - I’m no threat honest!
You see, I focus on what I can do and not what I’ve lost so why do people judge so harshly. I don’t just need a good walk. My jumper is because I shiver without it unless it’s warm, probably because of my arthritis or whatever causes me to be so slow.
I don’t need ableist attitudes - I simply need understanding, love and support and to be accepted for who I am and not who some people think I should be.
Wow, me and mum have had a good chat about it and we’re happy the way we are.
Here are some beautiful photos of a couple of recent walks near home. I hope you like them. Feel free to share my posts.
Thank you
Sidney 🐾