Grow Old with Dogs Poem

Posted by Barbara Techel

Thank you to my mom for spotting this on Facebook… oh, did I need a tissue for this one!!  It is too bad the author is unknown…this is so beautiful.  I hope for my entire life I can always be surrounded by dogs… I just can't imagine my life without them.

Grow Old With Dogs

When I am old…
I will wear soft gray sweatshirts…
and a bandana over my silver hair…..
and I will spend my social security checks on wine and my dogs.

I will sit in my house on my well worn chair and listen to my dogs' breathing.
I will sneak out in the middle of a warm summer night and take my dogs for a run, if my old bones will allow…

When people come to call, I will smile and nod as I show them my dogs…
and talk of them and about them…
…the ones so beloved of the past and the ones so beloved of today….

I will still work hard cleaning after them, mopping and feeding them and
whispering their names in a soft loving way.

I will wear the gleaming sweat on my throat, like a jewel and I will be an embarrassment to all…
especially my family…
who have not yet found the peace in being free to have dogs as your best friends….

These friends who always wait, at any hour, for your footfall…
and eagerly jump to their feet out of a sound sleep, to greet you as if you are a God.

With warm eyes full of adoring love and hope that you will always stay,
I'll hug their big strong necks…
I'll kiss their dear sweet heads…
and whisper in their very special company….

I look in the Mirror…and see I am getting old….
this is the kind of person I am…and have always been.

Loving dogs is easy, they are part of me.
Please accept me for who I am.
My dogs appreciate my presence in their lives…
they love my presence in their lives……
When I am old this will be important to me…
you will understand when you are old….
if you have dogs to love too.

~Author Unknown

Tribute Continues for Baxter, the World’s Oldest Therapy Dog

Posted by Barbara Techel

If you are regular followers of my blog, you know how I have loved following the journey of Baxter, the world’s oldest and greatest therapy dog, who sadly passed away on Friday, October 16th at the age of 19 1/2.  You can read more from a previous post.


All proceeds from Baxter’s book are donated to various charities in honor & memory of Baxter

Two days after Baxter’s passing, his Mom and Dad received the news that his book, Moments with Baxter won the presigious USA Book News National Best Book Award 2009.  I can only imagine the swirl of emotions they had with this news.

The book and inspiration behind it would not have been without Baxter.  The positive attention and love they brought to hospice, animals, and this important therapy work is incredible.  This is one of the best books I have ever read, and I recommend it to everyone!  It is filled with dignity, grace and compassion that we all need to know exists.  Baxter truly knew what his life work was, and the love of his human parents brought it to the forefront.  I can just imagine how blessed and hollow they feel all at the same time with the loss of Baxter at this time in their lives.

I can’t even tell you how many times I have gotten so teary-eyes and choked up over this.  But I think it is because I really do understand that special bond Melissa and Dennis shared with Baxter and sharing him with others, as I do with Frankie.  It is something one must experience in order to truly know the depth of it.

So, I say a deeply heart felt congratulations to Melissa and Dennis for their beautiful work in sharing Baxter’s soul work with the world.  One of my wishes when I get to heaven, is to meet Baxter, hug him close and thank him for all he did.  God Bless You always sweet little angel.