WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOUR DOG GROWS OLD?

Short considers the greatest gift we can give our pets: loving and supporting them as they age.

“What do you do when your dog grows old? // When their feet are tired and their pads are worn.” This tenderhearted picture-book poem considers the shifting dynamics between owners and their elderly pets. One of the greatest sorrows of owning animals is watching them grow old and eventually die, but Short, who crafted this text while reflecting on the time she still had left with her beloved service dog, urges readers to embrace their aging four-legged friends: “You love them. // You rub the feet that carried them by your side. // You praise them louder and harder; you show them your pride.” Each line is accompanied by an expressive watercolor illustration of a dog, set against a splash of color in front of a stark white background. Pickett depicts a variety of breeds, many with white or gray muzzles, resting or playing, all sweet-faced and winsome. Author and illustrator have created a sentimental, straightforward tale to buoy anyone who’s ever confronted a pooch’s demise. While some may find the story on the schmaltzy side, parents seeking books to share with youngsters about older pets will find comfort in the tender, uncomplicated sentiments expressed here—as will many adults.

A simple, uplifting look at the emotional realities of loving an aging canine companion.