Old Wolf Dog: Searching for wild Buffalo Grass
Every day I walk my 15 yr old Wolf dog. It takes us about 1 hour. We manage a spiritual mile a day at slow motion. Like an old medicine man he searches for wild Buffalo Grass. With one good eye he analyzes the near sighted horizon and when a blade of coarse high grass waves in the air he leads the way. I guess it must be an Herbal stomach relaxer.
I am a fast walker with long strides and this slow procedure used to drive me crazy. There was a day when Chinook and I walked the forest trails together at a fast clip. No more. Increasingly I am aware Chinook is more Soul Mate then any man I have had. I will care for him with intense watchfulness during his last days. When autumn comes I will remember the Indian Philosophy “it is a good day to die.”
What is a good day for an old dog to die?
A good day to die is when the wind blows through your hair, you are at peace with the world, acceptant of your place in the Universe and a song is in your head. Chanook is a 100 lb White wolf / Husky cross. The last 15 years he’s seen all my life chapters, analyzed my every move and protected me. I love him more then my self.
For that reason, before the cold winds blow and ice laces the walks, I will not allow Chinook to die screaming with a broken hip. I will not allow the Cancer in his ears to grow so bad his quality of life is gone. I will prepare his Crossing Over for a Beautiful Day.
How am I preparing for his Crossing in autumn?
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I am recording a cassette of all the songs I whistle and sing to him during our walks. I will play this on the time of his crossing over…..as I know it will comfort him when I am crying as he lies in my arms.
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I will give him a last mile walk to search for Buffalo Grass under blue autumn skies and a crisp breeze.
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I will give him a convertible ride in the back seat on a blanket, while he is still able to sit up without screaming in pain.
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Chinook will be ready for his Old Man nap from his good day.
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I will be escorted into a lovely quiet room at the Vet.
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This is when I will play the cassette I have recorded of my walk songs;
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I will allow the Vet to give Chinook a tranquilizer to relax him even deeper.
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As the last shot is given to Chinook he will rest in my arms.
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I will be with him as my Golden Retriever’s Spirit, Jazz, bounds up to Chinook and they run off together where dogs become Wolves again.
This I know. To me, it is not love to make a Soul Mate Pet die in Agony. I will take advantage of the fact that in America Pets are allowed to die with dignity, but humans are not.
In the mean time, I will take slow bonding walks in search of Buffalo Grass with Chinook, my 15 yr Soul Mate wolf dog.
This is an old newspaper clipping of Chinook, Jazz and I {and my first publisdhed book "Swirls on a Green Plate."}