Typist: Bethany
When Tynan started to get gray, people still guessed his age as way younger than he was as they always had. His attitude exuded youthfulness. But when people saw his white tummy and silver muzzle they would guess he was a border collie or cattle dog mix. I doubt, though, that he was as charmed by the mistakes as I was when I used to get carded to buy liquor. Part of his sprightly demeanor was that he was very humble.
When Tynan started to get gray, people still guessed his age as way younger than he was as they always had. His attitude exuded youthfulness. But when people saw his white tummy and silver muzzle they would guess he was a border collie or cattle dog mix. I doubt, though, that he was as charmed by the mistakes as I was when I used to get carded to buy liquor. Part of his sprightly demeanor was that he was very humble.
 Tynan had lived with me for 3 years in March of 2004 and was around 5 years old. Tynan's first bout with cancer in 2005 aged him rather rapidly all at once. Before the surgery to remove his tumor and the chemotherapy, he didn't seem or look like a six year old dog. He would Rollerblade with me several times a week, run with Jason and accompany us on long walks and steep hikes. But all that changed for a while. As he recovered, he had booties to protect his feet from getting raw on walks and a coat to keep him warm |  Tynan was a very handsome silver muzzled boy at approximately 11 years old in March of 2010 just five weeks before he passed away. |
and dry while his fur grew back to it's original luxurious, oily thickness. He actually loved his coat so much, he continued to wear it, especially when in his golden years we discovered his passion for snowshoeing.
Tynan took a little less than a year to get back to his old self. As a seven year old cancer survivor we did less Rollerblading and running and more hiking and walking. Tynan walked more than a few half-marathons to help me train for a whole 26.2 miles. He did still run, but we allowed him to do it more on his terms, off-leash at the dog park or in wilderness areas with no leash requirements. And he did still have the stamina and drive of a young pup.
I was often told Tynan was too skinny. Even my own mother thought you could see too many of his ribs. But I firmly believe that Tynan's lean frame, healthy diet and fit lifestyle is what helped him to bounce back from his first tumor and continue on with such energy. It was also just the way he was. Nothing ever deterred him from a smile and a circle tail. He even had a sunny and positive demeanor the day I met him at the Humane Society. And I know he hated it there!
Tynan took a little less than a year to get back to his old self. As a seven year old cancer survivor we did less Rollerblading and running and more hiking and walking. Tynan walked more than a few half-marathons to help me train for a whole 26.2 miles. He did still run, but we allowed him to do it more on his terms, off-leash at the dog park or in wilderness areas with no leash requirements. And he did still have the stamina and drive of a young pup.
I was often told Tynan was too skinny. Even my own mother thought you could see too many of his ribs. But I firmly believe that Tynan's lean frame, healthy diet and fit lifestyle is what helped him to bounce back from his first tumor and continue on with such energy. It was also just the way he was. Nothing ever deterred him from a smile and a circle tail. He even had a sunny and positive demeanor the day I met him at the Humane Society. And I know he hated it there!
 Senior Tynan in 2009 |  "Baby" Tynan in 2002 |
We are so very lucky that Tynan was the same wonderful guy from the age of (around) two when he came into my life to the age of (approximately) 11 when he peacefully left us. Many other senior dogs I shared my youth with changed a bit as they aged. There were never any horrible changes but still, we had to all go with the loving family flow. This has been the same aging process I have seen with Gryphon, Bobbie Birdie and Emily. But Tynan... if it wasn't for the gray fur he was the same dog with the same attitudes and routine from young to old, through illness and wellness. And if that isn't the perfect model of aging gracefully, then I don't know what is.
All the furry boys, January 2010
“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”
~A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh
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