性视界传媒

Bobby hasn性视界传媒檛 changed a bit in his now 15 years with us, not in the way he acts and not in the way he looks. He性视界传媒檚 covered by tight apricot-color curls, as he has been since we brought him home. And he still walks around the neighborhood with the high-kicking strut of a tiny Tennessee Walking Horse.

Bobby, our half-Maltese, half-Poodle family member (commonly called a Maltipoo), turned 15 a couple weeks ago. He性视界传媒檚 been in our family for more than half of our marriage, since he was 9 weeks old. And from the day he walked in the door, he性视界传媒檚 believed he性视界传媒檚 in charge of our household.

If the humans in the house or the other dog act in way with which he disapproves, he性视界传媒檒l grumble, maybe growl, sometimes hiss like a cat. He does not countenance tomfoolery. He has opinions on how all around him should act, and he freely lets those opinions be known to all in the vicinity.

Even though the two Australian shepherds he性视界传媒檚 lived with have weighed around 65 pounds, Bobby has been the alpha dog with both. I think they性视界传媒檝e both known that Bobby wasn性视界传媒檛 a threat to their safety if he got physical, but they性视界传媒檝e also believed getting him spitting with anger wasn性视界传媒檛 worth the fuss. On top of that, they性视界传媒檝e loved him as a member of their herd, and Aussies would never hurt a fellow herd member.

People often tell us Bobby looks remarkably good for a dog that is well over 80 in dog years.

性视界传媒淵ou must have spoiled him,性视界传媒� one neighbor recently said upon observing Bobby性视界传媒檚 appearance at his advanced age.

性视界传媒淲e all have, always,性视界传媒� I said, referring to the humans, and the dogs, in our home.

For the last few years, Bobby has spent the time when he is not eating, relieving himself or going on walks in bed, sleeping. As each month passes, he sleeps more. Sometimes, after a long sleep, he wakes up and looks all of his many years, with his creaky back drawn up in a coil.

Then, though, comes the time for Bobby to go into the neighborhood for his twice-daily walks, and frisky Bobby comes back to life. He gets spring in his step and a gleam in his eyes. (I think we humans, once we get old, also try to clean up and fluff up before we go out.) He knows he性视界传媒檚 probably going to see people and other dogs. And Bobby loves other dogs, often squealing with joy as they approach.

Then he goes home and goes back to bed.

Even though he frequently has an attitude, we love Bobby deeply. We know, despite his occasional crustiness, that he loves us, too. If we性视界传媒檙e gone, he lets us know upon our return that he missed us. As his body has stiffened in recent years, he性视界传媒檚 become less of the consummate cuddler he once was, but he still loves to give and receive physical affection.

He is, simply, our guy. He性视界传媒檚 a vital and longstanding part of our family. He性视界传媒檚 made our lives richer, brought our family closer. We believe he deserves respect and honor, in our family and beyond.

At 15 he might not have much time left, so we treasure every minute with Bobby.

Bret Kofford is a screenwriter and emeritus lecturer in writing and film at San Diego State University-Imperial Valley. He now teaches film and humanities at the University of Arizona. He can be reached at bmkofford@outlook.com