He is grey of hair and long of tooth. He has trouble getting up in the morning and he sure does pee a lot. No it isn't me looking in the mirror... it's Toby on his birthday. He is 17 today. 
We both have walked many miles, hiked a few mountains when we were both a bit younger. He can still sprint down a trail when the air is cool and the path is smooth. I have to help him in and out of the car, and sometimes he resists with a low growl or bark. He knows that he cant get in by himself but growls at me and I kinda think he is showing his pride and saying " leave me alone old man..I'll bit your hand off if you don't put me down." most of the time he is loving and slow. I wake him up to get him to go out and I sometimes wonder as he is lying there is he....ummm....???....no he is breathing  (whew). I know that he is only a dog and he wont live forever but as anybody who has had a pet knows he is part of the family. Happy Birthday old man.