May 23rd 2001

It is not easy growing old and getting affected by infirmities of old age, but Toke managed to keep his spirits up. There was no doubt about it, he really enjoyed living.

After his first stroke he was rather confused for a while. He totally lost his appetite and it was hard for him to find his way - his organ of equilibrium had become a bit out of order. But he recovered and got to experience another winter and spring, sniffing at the wonderful scents and even laying down in the sunshine to warm his old body.
His balance remained disturbed, so sometimes he fell over - and yes, he felt ashamed of himself...if somebody happened to notice.
We had to carry him up and down the stairs and help him up on his favourite sofa. When he was discontent with the "service", he used to tell us so, loudly and clear, but it was worth all the inconvenience to keep him those final six months.

The little puppy of only 9 or 10 weeks who came to meet me at the station, together with his master, and the tired and grey old gentleman who died under my hands on the veterinary´s table - 15 years between those memories, the entire life of a dog.

The grass is forever green in the Eden of Dogs