Pearl Bailey turned ten years old this year; it is hard to believe that more than 9-1/2 years have passed since my gaining stewardship of this great dame! Antics aside, I feel oh so fortunate that she come into my life. By Pearl Bailey’s presence in my life, I was able to move past mourning my two boys dogs that I loved for years and lost – both within five weeks of each other. There is so much healing that comes from the human/canine relationship.
So here we are, Pearl Bailey and I, both aging – and if you calculate her age in dog years, she and I are of the same vintage! In this regard, it should come as no surprise that Pearl Bailey has held onto a ‘few’ extra pounds as is common in many mature matrons. After all, Miss Bailey is a chow hound, never missing her meals and stealing another’s food if ever given half a chance!
Being that she was due for her normal phase of inoculations, I made an appointment with her veterinarian. I have always been very happy with the connection I have with this compassionate and highly intelligent vet. Pearl Bailey and I spent more than a couple hours at the visit while the Doc completed her physical exam and went over her senior blood panel. When the weigh-in time came and Pearl Bailey tipped the scales at 97 pounds, I knew I was in for some prescribed changes coming down the road.
Yikes! Can you say major diet? Well, that is exactly what our resident diva is in for. Now, I know she is going to think I am being unfair and starving her, and she will stop at nothing to implore that to me. However, I am going to follow the comprehensive dietary meal plan that was prescribed, and increase her exercise each day to help facilitate the process and get us to her ‘goal weight’.
So, listen you well-meaning fans, if you receive any communication from Pearl Bailey on how harsh the living conditions are down here in Siesta, please pay them no mind. After all, she is a drama queen and has a propensity towards exaggeration! DO NOT FALL FOR IT!