Time for our little poodle's annual check-up and booster shot. A visit to the veterinarian used to upset her dreadfully. She was anything but confident or complacent, sitting there, waiting with us for that yearly inspection of her health condition. Even now, though she has mellowed with age, she trembled visibly. Holding her helps, it is reassuring to her.

The medical examination, brief enough, although the period of time we spend talking about her with the vet, disclosed the usual. That, despite her agedness she remains in good health. Heart, lungs, kidneys all fine. She was due for a rabies shot. She still has some hearing and some eyesight capabilities, although very much muted. But then, the veterinarian who looks after her hasn't very many patients her age.

It was eighteen years ago that he began practising at his brother's clinic. His brother is now retired, he himself now heads the clinic, and one of his original patients is still around and doing very well.

She still goes along with us on a daily hour, hour-and-a-half walk, brisk at times, uphill and downhill in our nearby ravine. She eats heartily, and sleeps well. She's a champion. She has memory lapses and bouts of confusion and that is painful to observe. But we manage, we and she, to negotiate these episodes and enjoy one another.