26 Comments

Sounds like your work is an act of attention and meditation.

Expand full comment
Sep 6Liked by MK CREEL

A bittersweet privilege. May your sweet pup have joy in its last days (as you are assuredly providing) and a peaceful passing.

Expand full comment

Oh, dear. Hard times. This is the part of a dog's life where the heartbreak begins.

Expand full comment
author

so true

Expand full comment

I appreciate you sharing this poem about your elderly dog EisIey. Their time with us is so concentrated and compressed compared to our own. I remember watching my old dog Choco in her later years and I could still see the young feisty pup like a mirage or reflection. Thanks for sharing.

Expand full comment
author

Our time with them is truly a gift.

Expand full comment

God bless you.

Expand full comment

“These days, we are both

unsteady, counterbalancing

the other & relying on

routines to stay grounded.”

Such wisdom and love in just a few lines. ❤️

Expand full comment

Tears. Love this and that picture of a sweet old dog.

Expand full comment
author

Thank you, Dottie.

Expand full comment

This is so beautiful, so bittersweet. I accompanied my old kitty through those days, just lying beside him on the bed. This brings those sweet days back.

Expand full comment
author

Thank you, LeeAnn. This time also reminds me of caring for our cat Mena, who was 21 before we had to say goodbye.

Expand full comment

My Henry was 18.

Expand full comment

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. I too cared for my old dog with patience and grace in her final year. I would still be carrying her up and down stairs to save the strain on her joints if I could.

Expand full comment
author

Thank you. And yes, we would do anything to take away their pain.

Expand full comment

This is lovely.

Expand full comment
author

Thank you.

Expand full comment

A portrait of mutual devotion. How gorgeous, M.K.

my Killy is 14 now-- I feel you. 🤎

Expand full comment
author

Thank you, Ann. Eisley is also 14.

Expand full comment

"...where she naps, folded

like a pocket knife, Old Timer

on a faded gray blanket."

That's such a lovely image!

Expand full comment
author

Thank you, Sarah

Expand full comment

Ohhhh, so lovely. How do you manage to break my heart and fill it with joy at the same time?

Expand full comment

They are the dearest creatures, thank you.

Expand full comment

'a slow shuffle

alongside the old dog'

This perfectly describes my daily dawdles with our 13-year-old who only months ago was so sprightly. You have expressed this period of our lives together so perfectly, thank you.

Expand full comment

This brought tears to my eyes! So beautiful! ♥️

Expand full comment
author

Thank you, Susanne

Expand full comment