If you’ve ever loved a senior dog, you know.
You know the quiet weight of responsibility that comes with every new gray hair, every slower walk, every anxious glance when you pick up your keys. You know the guilt of leaving them behind, even if it’s just for a few hours. And you know the way your heart melts when they curl up against you like they did when they were a puppy, as if time hasn’t touched them at all.
My dog is well into his senior years now, and separation anxiety has become one of our biggest hurdles. Trips that used to be simple—heading off to shoot a jackpot, a weekend away, or even just a late night at the office—now come with extra planning, adjustments, and a whole lot of emotion.
Some days, it feels like I’m living three lives: desk job professional, event photographer, and full-time dog mom to a senior pup who needs me more than ever. Add in a new relationship and a house that constantly demands attention, and let’s just say… balance is not the word I’d use.
But here’s the thing:
I wouldn’t trade it.
Because behind every chaotic day is a dog who has been my constant. He’s been with me through moves, breakups, career shifts, and now—this chapter of first-time homeownership and new love. He’s the reminder that the little moments matter most: a wagging tail at the door, a deep sigh as he falls asleep beside me, the way he still insists on squeezing himself into spaces far too small for him just to be near.
Life isn’t neat. It’s messy, unpredictable, and rarely in focus. But if this season of juggling has taught me anything, it’s that love—whether in the form of a partner, a passion, or a senior dog with big feelings—is always worth making room for.