Great post, Joe. My dog Phoebe does the same thing when I try to play fetch with her. We call it the "Whatchu talkin' about Willis?" stare (in honor of the look Arnold gave his big bro on "Different Strokes.") Every dog has its favorite ways to play and show they love you. My family's beloved dog Murphy was a fetcher, Phoebe is a cuddler. Westley likes being chased. I hope you have many more chases together (whether long or of the two-step variety).
Great post! Westley is my spirit animal! As the happy to help husband of a four(!) dog owner I need all the naps I can get after all the vacuuming and poop scooping is done.
Wonderful piece, Joe. It reminds me of our late Homer, whose philosophy seemed to be, "today is the best day ever!" He liked to chase a ball, but we never knew if he was going to bring it back to us, or lie down where he got the ball, or head in the opposite direction to find some shade. Whatever he did, he always seemed to have a twinkle in his eye.
Tara then Tess. Sally and Pete and Frank. Carmichael then Bear. You can tell much of the story of my nearly 60 years through the dogs who've owned me. I'm pretty sure that my now wife only agreed to date me because she really liked my dogs. We had to put down Bear this past Fall. He was 14 and let us know in all the little ways that it was time. I still find myself walking to the back door to let him out or wonder why he isn't sitting just outside my home office keeping tabs on my progress.
My Rem is 13.5 years old, still answers to "Puppy," and still can't catch bunnies or chipmunks. But he also loves to be chased, and still bravely protects me from invading armies of rabbits and squirrels.
Hey, Joe. Beautiful piece. A decade ago I wrote a book on Old Dogs. It's called, um, "Old Dogs." (The subtitle is "Are the Best Dogs." ) It includes profiles of about 50 old dogs, with photos by Michael Williamson. I mention this both because it is the subject at hand and because one of the dogs in the book is named Westley. These are the only two Westleys of all the dogs I have ever known or heard about, and I'm (even) older than you are. https://www.amazon.com/Old-Dogs-Are-Best/dp/1416534997
Hi Gene! I read "Old Dogs" and loved it (like everything else you write). You are still the best editor I ever had, even if it was only for about 10 WP Style stories. I wish so much there had been hundreds more... but life had other plans.
Yes. While sad to see our pups grow old, there is still joy in their love, their desire to give us joy, to allow us to pet them so we get that wonderful feeling of being with a loyal friend.
I'm not crying -- the other readers are crying!
Great post, Joe. My dog Phoebe does the same thing when I try to play fetch with her. We call it the "Whatchu talkin' about Willis?" stare (in honor of the look Arnold gave his big bro on "Different Strokes.") Every dog has its favorite ways to play and show they love you. My family's beloved dog Murphy was a fetcher, Phoebe is a cuddler. Westley likes being chased. I hope you have many more chases together (whether long or of the two-step variety).
Great post! Westley is my spirit animal! As the happy to help husband of a four(!) dog owner I need all the naps I can get after all the vacuuming and poop scooping is done.
Wonderful piece, Joe. It reminds me of our late Homer, whose philosophy seemed to be, "today is the best day ever!" He liked to chase a ball, but we never knew if he was going to bring it back to us, or lie down where he got the ball, or head in the opposite direction to find some shade. Whatever he did, he always seemed to have a twinkle in his eye.
Tara then Tess. Sally and Pete and Frank. Carmichael then Bear. You can tell much of the story of my nearly 60 years through the dogs who've owned me. I'm pretty sure that my now wife only agreed to date me because she really liked my dogs. We had to put down Bear this past Fall. He was 14 and let us know in all the little ways that it was time. I still find myself walking to the back door to let him out or wonder why he isn't sitting just outside my home office keeping tabs on my progress.
My Rem is 13.5 years old, still answers to "Puppy," and still can't catch bunnies or chipmunks. But he also loves to be chased, and still bravely protects me from invading armies of rabbits and squirrels.
A house is not a home without a pup. "The more people I meet, the more I like my dog" is easily the most true statement you can ever read on a magnet.
Beautiful, beautiful piece, Joe! I’m glad that he’s in your family and loved as much as he is
Hey, Joe. Beautiful piece. A decade ago I wrote a book on Old Dogs. It's called, um, "Old Dogs." (The subtitle is "Are the Best Dogs." ) It includes profiles of about 50 old dogs, with photos by Michael Williamson. I mention this both because it is the subject at hand and because one of the dogs in the book is named Westley. These are the only two Westleys of all the dogs I have ever known or heard about, and I'm (even) older than you are. https://www.amazon.com/Old-Dogs-Are-Best/dp/1416534997
Hi Gene! I read "Old Dogs" and loved it (like everything else you write). You are still the best editor I ever had, even if it was only for about 10 WP Style stories. I wish so much there had been hundreds more... but life had other plans.
Gene, I can't believe you're here! I love that book. The title here was an homage!
Thanks. I am Here. Also, now I worry that MY Westley was actually named Westleigh. I shall have to dig out the book and check.
Yes. While sad to see our pups grow old, there is still joy in their love, their desire to give us joy, to allow us to pet them so we get that wonderful feeling of being with a loyal friend.
"What a good boy!"
Enjoyed. Thanks for sharing.
Give that good boy lots of pets.