Oliver turns 16 today.

I have to admit I didn’t think we’d be celebrating this birthday. But I’m quite pleased we have had him with us for another year.

Quite an achievement for an Aussie. Mini Australian Shepherds like him have a typical life span of 12 – 13 years.

For his age he’s doing well.

He likes his walks. He will still charge out the back door, barking to announce himself to the world – even when he goes out by himself.

Still enjoys eating – particularly if it contains ground turkey or beef crumbs, or his now favorite canned dog food.

That’s not to say signs of his aging are nowhere to be seen. 

At times there are signs of mental confusion – sometimes he stands in the upper yard staring,  and I have to lead him back to the house.

He has some cloudiness in his eyes, though the vet said it’s not too bad.  The vet said his heart and lungs all appear strong.

He has some weakness in his hips and doesn’t turn as well, with him sometimes settling back into a seated position.

And he can be a bit fragile around Henry and Grace when they gang up on him – something guaranteed to bring me charging in to get them to back away.

He used to come upstairs at night and jumped on the bed to sleep with us.

As he became unable to jump up on his own, we had to use a sheepskin harness to lift him onto the bed.

Now, within the last two weeks, he won’t come up – even with coaxing and treats. It appears less physical than fear, looking up the stairs and seeing his siblings at the top.

So, that’s another part of his life with us that has passed.

He now sleeps downstairs – on the floor, but appears quite comfortable.

I typically stay downstairs until he’s asleep.  He probably doesn’t care either way; but it’s important for me.

He’s done so much for me – it’s the least I can do.

Each birthday means the next one is even more uncertain. And that’s not something easily contemplated. But that should not be the focus.

It’s that we treasure every day with him and show him how much he means to us.

Maybe that’s a lesson we should all remember with everyone in our lives.