OH TO BE YOUNG AGAIN Shalom Freedman
As I watch my faithful companion slowly overtaken by the evils of old age, I find myself reflecting on those magical times of his joyous puppy hood. He was sleek and slender, alert and anxious, and had a real knack for attracting the ladies. Chase games were sacred; either through the yard pursued by me, deviousness with Geo our cat, headlong at the riding lawn mower, circular attempts to herd young children or supercharged lightning after an apprehensive cyclist. His hearing was stuff legends were made of; my heartbeat from 15 feet or a cheese wrapper at 100 yards. Although at times I felt he was the embodiment of worry, I realize he taught me a great deal about peace, simple joy, faithfulness, forgiveness and living in the present. I often wonder what Max would put in his obituary. He never achieved fame, fortune or possessions. He never wrote a best selling novel or invented a printer that doesn't need expensive ink. I do believe he had discovered that which is most important: family, friends and love ones. In our typical self absorbed fashion we believe we are the masters who will teach our dog. Maybe the reverse is true, God put them here to teach us.
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