Keep Your Mind Active

As humans we've heard the benefits of keeping our minds active as we age.  I also know that it's beneficial to give dogs distracting, mind-occupying toys if they are bothered by separation anxiety.  What I had not realized was that I would be finding mind games to keep my 16 year old dog occupied.  The games all involve food (since Sam loves to eat) and our favorite one is the Can Game.  I take an empty (but not rinsed) cat or dog food can and put pieces of carrot, broken up treats, and sometimes bits of pizza crust (pizza bones, as we call them) into the can.  Then I give the can to Sam and he works diligently to lick the can clean and remove and eat all of the treasures.  He loves the challenge and goes at his work with enthusiasm - using both paws and twisting and turning his head to reach into the can as well as picking the can up with his mouth and dumping morsels out and pulling himself toward the can if it slips out of reach.  I think this is called occupational therapy :)

I'm glad that I have to think up ways to keep my old dog entertained - it works my mind in new ways too...  Sam's message might be, "Use it or lose it!"  He is mentally sharp as a tack and I think that his improved mobility (for as long as it lasts) is a gift to him in that he can again, plan and execute tasks.  His frustration at being able to conceive of things (including bodily needs and functions) and not being able to implement them was tough to watch.  I'm reminded to be grateful that I can lift what I need to lift, walk where I need to walk, climb what I need to climb, and that there is help if I can't.  Sam's lesson to me today...