Up until this time last year, my old Bouvier was still working cattle—though she was definitely slowing down. I knew she was having second thoughts about this work when she hesitated to move the young calves. She advanced on them cautiously. Her vision was failing and I think at that point it was reduced to shades and shapes.

Alice began to consider cattle herding a spectator sport

Not long after that she made the transition from “getting up there” to “up there.” Climbing stairs was a labor to be endured only when going to bed at night. Walks around the ranch became an observer’s sport where she watched Wil and me head out and just “tuned in” to us. Last summer, even her “tuner” was getting old and we’d often surprise her when we got back to the house.

I have had to make accommodations for her lack of mobility, sight and more recently hearing: Continue reading →