My Two Writing Teachers colleagues and I are hosting the 15th Annual March Slice of Life Story Challenge, in which teachers from around the world participate by posting a story per day.
My dog, Indie, is fourteen years old. He’s a cute little border terrier (he looks a little like Benji). He’s very old, and he lost his hearing a few years ago. He’s got cataracts, and his legs shake a lot but… even though he is ancient he still gets frisky and playful. He still brings us his toys to toss, and snuggles up with us to watch movies, and visits each bedroom during the night, taking turns sleeping in each bed.
Today I was doing work on my laptop and he brought me one of his toys, a heavy rubber ball that lights up when you move it. It’s his least favorite toy and he doesn’t usually choose it. I suspect that it’s too heavy for his teeth, which cause hime pain sometimes. So, I was surprised that he brought me the light up ball.
I don’t want to hurt his teeth, so instead of pulling it from his mouth like we used to, I hopped out of my chair and tapped my legs. Whenever I do this, he gets all excited and hops around like a bunny, even though his back legs are stiff and straight.
Then I chased him around the house, which he loves. Sometimes I catch him and gently scratch him all over, and then he hops away again, growling playfully with the ball in his mouth.
He can’t play tug any more, or chew on his toys, but he’s still a puppy at heart. Right now he’s in the backyard, barking at squirrels. He’s old, but he’s still himself. I hope to be like Indie when I am very very old.
