It was estimated that Riley was 8 when we adopted him in 2012, which means he is now 13 years old. That is very old for a Doberman. He has gotten slower, and lumpy, and smelly, the way all old dogs age. But he also continues to eat heartily, and he enjoys his treats at night with his dad, especially potato chips. We're grateful that he gets to experience old age.
Riley had an exam in November and we spoke to the vet at that time about the lumps on his body. All the Dobermans we've had grew lipomas at the end of their lives. Harmless, fatty lumps, common for the breed. But if you remember, Riley had a melanoma removed from his lip in 2012, just a freckle, but still cancer. At that time we were told that it would come back, "with a vengeance." So some of the lumps Riley currently has are a little suspicious. He is not showing us that he is in pain, and his appetite is good. If we chose the biopsy-treatment route we know he might not survive the anesthesia or surgery. He's a very old man. So we're just watching for changes and happy for every day without pain.
He celebrated his 13th birthday by playing in the mud. Smells remain the most important thing to him, it's how he sees and how he navigates the world. The rain these last two weeks has left his yard green and muddy and deeply rich with smells - just the way he likes it. He looks like a puppy to me, not an old man. I won't be quick to wash his face, he's just too cute.
When we brought Riley home in 2012 we didn't think we were going to have much time with him. Maybe a year. But he survived, and even thrived. And here we are, five years later, with a 13-year-old senior citizen of a dog who has beaten all the odds. He survived his past life because he's made of some pretty tough stuff. I hope I have some of that in me, I hope that we all do.