Tough Times

I found out recently that Boy, my first love, has cancer.  He has lymphoma.  He is 13 years old, and while I know he has lived a long life for a dog, I am still devastated.  His health has declined over the years, he can hardly see, is nearly deaf, and his legs shake sometimes.  Boy lives with his sister and my parents in Maryland.  Last time I was home, he tripped and fell over one step.  He had difficulty just climbing one step.  The memory still makes me cry. 

He is currently on powerful medication and the lumps in his throat have dissipated.  My parents tell me he is doing better.  Unfortunately, the research I’ve done says the medicine is just a temporary fix and he doesn’t have more than a few months tops to live.  I will not be okay when this happens.  I’ve been really lucky that I have yet to experience real loss in my life.  I can’t imagine going home for Christmas, and not having him cuddle by my side.  How do people get over this?  Why can’t dogs live as long as humans?  Or at least 40 years. 

Here are some pictures of my sweet, little old man:

His sister, Princess, is doing fine!