Having an old dog means you have to watch where you’re stepping in the kitchen while you cook, as she’s underfoot looking for anything dropped, and she can’t hear you move around.

Having an old dog means you get to open string cheese and actually eat the whole thing because she doesn’t hear the wrapper. Or the fridge door opening.

Having an old dog means you can get up to go to the bathroom at night without her getting up and having to do the same.

Having an old dog means when she does wake up in the middle of the night to go outside she’s serious about it and you better sleep with one ear cocked.

Having an old dog means you don’t travel as much, and never as a couple because someone needs to be home with her.

Having an old dog means shorter walks and longer sits on the deck.

Having an old dog means you smile wistfully when she play bows, or attacks your feet. Because she doesn’t do that very often anymore.

Having an old dog means you stare at her when she’s sleeping, memorizing the way her fur curls around her ears.

Having an old dog means more vet appointments and bigger bills.

Having an old dog means cooking chicken and rice for someone other than your people.

Having an old dog means pointing out the squirrels in her backyard and feeling sad when she doesn’t care.

Having an old dog means sometimes you sit longer in one spot because she’s finally settled and you don’t want to make her move again.

Having an old dog means stepping out of the shower and having to dry your own legs off because she doesn’t come to lick away the water.

Having an old dog means waking her up before you go to the grocery so she doesn’t wake on her own and look for you.

Having an old dog means sometimes finding her looking for you anyway, even though you haven’t left the house.

Having an old dog means reassuring her that you’re still sitting in the same chair when she opens one eye to check on you as she naps.

Having an old dog is keeping all her toys, even her frisbee, out of sentimentality rather than any hope she’s going to play with them again.

Having an old dog means going out in the backyard to explore and sometimes having to carry her back into the house.

Having an old dog means the UPS or FedEx driver can ring the doorbell and she doesn’t go crazy barking.

Having an old dog means checking the floor after she’s been deeply asleep to make sure she hasn’t leaked.

Having an old dog means letting her choose where we go on our daily walks.

Having an old dog means sitting at a picnic table and watching her park rather than exploring much of it at all.

But mostly having an old dog means you are very very lucky.