A Good Old-Fashioned Rubdown

Lamar is just about 14 years old. He's a little stiff going up stairs and climbing on the bed, tires out on long hikes, and has some eyelid growths like older dogs get, but he is really in fantastic health. 

He loves his walks, he gets into playful, happy moods with Fozzie, and he still rubs his nose along his bed and makes happy gurgling noises. 

I've been wondering if there is any particular thing responsible for his vitality, and the only thing that comes to mind is that I've been really concentrating on spending time with Lamar each evening, giving him a really good massage. 

My own back is often in a lot of pain, how must it feel to be about 98, or however old Lamar is in dog years, and to not be able to complain to anyone about it, or buy a new mattress when you start to be in too much pain? 

The good thing is that one of the physical therapists I went to prescribed a series of exercises that make me lie on my back on the floor each night. A perfect opportunity to lie next to Lamar's dog bed, and help his aches and pains while I help my own. 

Giving him a thorough, full body rubdown while I do my ab exercises and leg lifts. Squeezing his legs and paws, rubbing his chest and butt, rubbing the ears and head until he opens his mouth and gets that blissed out expression.

No new age circles of a specific size and speed, just a good old fashioned rub, enough pressure to feel it and relax. 

Whaddya say, Lamar?