Today is Malibu’s half-birthday. She is fifteen “and a half.” For a dog her age, Malibu has excellent mobility. Going for walks is one of her favorite activities, and she enjoys two or three each day. About a month ago, I noticed her limping, so we took a break from our walks. Malibu must have only tweaked her leg because she bounced back quickly. We were out on walks again in less than a week. It made me think about how lucky I am to have a senior dog who is still active.

A carpet of flowers beneath her feet.

Puzzles used to be another top activity, but Malibu lost interest, and I couldn’t figure out why. When she was diagnosed with canine cognitive dysfunction last year, I learned that her lack of interest was a symptom of CCD. Earlier this spring, I pulled out an easy puzzle and tossed some food in it. To my surprise, Malibu interacted with it. For now, I’m just using this simple puzzle. If Malibu continues to show interest, I will slowly re-introduce her other puzzles.

Puzzle Time

Another surprise came on Easter. I put plastic egg halves upside down on the patio. Treats were underneath them for Malibu to find. I wasn’t sure Malibu would even go near them. Last year, when I put out a few closed plastic eggs, Malibu became spooked and wouldn’t go near them.

This year, not only did Malibu go up to the egg halves, she picked them up with her mouth and tried to crack them open. She didn’t seem to realize they were already open. Malibu only needed to nudge it with her nose or paw to reveal the prize. But she continued picking them up with her mouth, which I had not expected. She would pick up an egg, and I would show her the treat on the ground. Without my assistance, I don’t know if Malibu would have realized the point of the activity. Games like this can be challenging now.

I thought back to past Easters when I would fill plastic eggs and toss them around the backyard. Then I would release the girls from the house to go and “find the eggs.” As soon as I opened the sliding door, they would race out of the house and off the deck. They would grab eggs and crack them open as I followed them with my video camera. The girls knew how to play the game and loved it.

Malibu’s cognitive issues may present challenges for some of the things we used to do, but I am so grateful for the things we can still do.