Dear Curtis,

-------- I’m what you might call a senior citizen, being over 16 years old, and I’ve taken care of my family since I was a pup. It’s been a good life but now I’m having a hard time seeing and my arthritis is killing me (especially typing this letter).

-------- My back yard has rabbits, ground hogs, squirrels, chipmunks and other playmates whom I love to chase. Sadly, I can’t run anymore so they just stand there when I come out to play and laugh. Curtis, what advice do you have on how to get “back up to speed?”

-------- Elder Speedster

Dear Elder Speedster,

-------- Congratulations! Your 16 dog-years translates to about 80 human-years and that’s quite an accomplishment for both a dog and a human! And, I’m thrilled you consider your life to have been a good one despite the relatively recent degradation of vision and the presence of arthritis as a daily companion.

-------- If arthritis is truly bothering you, I’d get your humans to consult with your vet (if they haven’t already) to see what type of arthritis you may have and whether there are medications or dietary changes that would help.

-------- As far as your backyard playmates, looks like their last laugh is on you and that you might have to find some new tricks, which I know is not easy for an old(er) dog. So, if you can’t chase them, outsmart them! Learn where their entry points are in the yard and stake them out, or find a way to make them come to you. Should that fail, perhaps it’s best for you to accept and celebrate your stage in life. You’ve earned it and it may well be time to smell the roses rather than chase the rodents.

-------- Curtis the Dog