Your new puppy lays there quietly sleeping in your arms; you waited so long for this moment.

Bleary eyed you make your way to the crate; the source of the yelping to be let out.............again.

Patience? It's been growing thin these days, hard when your 3rd pair of shoes have lost the puppy war this week.

Where is that puppy?

You suddenly realize; it's been a while since you've had to clean up a mess in the house.

You stand dumbfounded as your 10 month old comes when called.

Full grown; finally, now you are missing your tiny puppy.

Your indescribable and unbreakable bond is cast in stone.

What a great adult your dog has become; a well adjusted member of the canine society.

In their prime; fit, athletic and ready to take on the world.

Your constant shadow.

Six; is a great age.

As your vet offers you the "Senior" package; you recoil in disbelief.

The sun catches the glimmering grey on their muzzle; something you hadn't noticed before.

The dim light in the evening reveals the tell-tale cloudiness; not there the last time you looked.

Runs distance is shortened; rocketing air leaps for the Frisbee are now grounded.

Runs become walks.

Naps are now an afternoon event.

Food carelessly dropped on the kitchen floor is there to see another day.

Where once a whisper could be heard; now a bellow is barely audible.

Your guardian has become your guarded treasure.

**The steps from puppy to old dog are short ones; enjoy each stage, each moment as they are far too brief indeed.