CHEESE TAX

“Winston’s here!” I called out to my husband Steven and son Alex as I stood by the front window.

Our friends were going on a trip and we were going to be dog sitting. I watched as Winston came trotting up our sidewalk, pausing a moment to get some momentum up, before climbing our front steps.

“Ah…poor little guy.” I said as Steven, Alex, and I walked to the front door together. “He’s starting to show his age.”

Opening the door, Winston was the first in the house with our friend Erika following him carrying his overnight bag. Our friend Kathy was right behind her carrying a set of steps to help him get up on the couch.

Reaching down to pet him I could see even more gray sprinkled in his black fur. “Hey, little man.” I said as he broke away from me and took a tour around our house, his leash dragging behind him.

“He’s got another med along with his eye drops.” Erika explained. “It’s for his cough.” She showed me the container that had his pills in it. “I’ve already split the pill so you give him a half a pill wrapped up in a small piece of cheese twice a day.”

“Got it.” I said as I watched Winston come around the corner looking at me as if he wanted to be sure I was understanding his medical needs. “I’ve got you covered little man. Don’t worry.” I said to him.

Erika unsnapped his leash and draped it over his bag. “We’re also trying to cut back on his treats right now. It wouldn’t hurt for him to lose a few pounds.” I looked at Winston standing next to his Mom realizing his sprinkle of cheese, on his breakfast and dinner, were now a thing of the past. After a few more instructions our friends left for their vacation.

As soon as the door closed Winston started whining. Alex sat on the floor and began petting him. “It’s alright little man. You always have fun here.”

I grabbed his leash. “Do you want to go for a walk?” I said in a sing-song voice.

Winston just stared at me.

“Well, that’s not a good sign.” I put the leash down. “Usually he’s barking yes and heading for the door.”

“He’s a little old man now.” Alex reminded me. He picked him up and put him on the couch where he quickly got settled in the blanket and closed his eyes.

After a few days Winston still hadn’t perked up. He’d go to his bowl look at the dry food I’d put in for him and walk away.

“I don’t know what to do.” I said to Steven as the second day had gone by without him eating. “I’m going to text Erika.”

“Don’t bother her.” Steven said. “She’s on vacation.” He looked at Winston who climbed back up his stairs and was laying on the couch.

“He’s not eating, Steven! I’m not taking the chance that he’s getting sick on my watch!” I grabbed my phone and began texting. “Alright, I just let her know he hasn’t eaten in two days.” I placed the phone on the table feeling better already that I’d reached out.

Several minutes later Erika replied. “She says I can sprinkle some shredded cheese on his food.” I called out to everyone.

With that I heard the jangling of his tags on his collar as he hopped down his steps and came into the kitchen.

“Oh, so you heard the word cheese did you?” I laughed as I went in the refrigerator and got out the bag of cheese.

He began dancing around his bowl as I placed a few pinches of cheese on his food. He quickly began eating.

“You little stinker.” I couldn’t help but laugh. “Working on upping the cheese tax are you? Not only do you get some with your pill but now the meal cheese is back!”

Alex started to laugh. “He’s old, not dumb.” He reminded me.