late summer/early fall

carver and i just came back from a glorious walk, after a sleepless night. carver came down with a bought of diarrhea last night, which kept us both up all night, taking trips out into the yard, the motion security light guiding our way through the darkness. I ended up sleeping on the couch, listening to his every breath, fully clothed, waiting to jump up and take him out again. but when i arrived home this afternoon, carver seemed cheerful and rested. we began our walk like all our walks these days, by sitting in the yard, carver lying down in the dirt, me on the stoop, reading. I heard a scratching sound coming from the other side of a 10 foot wooden fence that divides our yard from the neighbors. up popped a young red cat, surveying the situation. carver got up closer to sniff, his breath shallow as he took in the kittens scent. then he began to bark, not in anger but curiosity. who are you, what are you doing there, what are you going to do next? the kitten sat on top of the fence, unphased by carer's deep bark. eventually he turned his body and returned to his own yard. carver, inspired by the interaction, decided it was time for a proper walk. I followed carver's lead, heading up the hill, which we have not done in some time. carver seemed to enjoy marking his old territory, climbing into peoples little street side gardens. we took a res tor two, but his back legs, shaky almost all the time now, held strong.
its a beautiful afternoon, long shadows and clean crisp air. the leaves on the tree outside are just beginning to show flashes of gold. squirrels have been eating the faces of the sunflowers I planted in front of the house in April. we seem to be right at the edge between summer and fall. going in to our forth season of three legged carver. I am so glad he still with us, able to enjoy both of our favorite seasons. carver loves to run through piles of crunchy leaves, taking in the cool air. how amazing this old dog is to me-his strength and his joy.