Boomer’s First Jacuzzi: Four Paws Navigate Second Adulthood

“When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.” ― Margery Williams, The Velveteen Rabbit
Improved medical attention and nutrition have enabled longer life, greater health, and sharper mental processes during later years. Mary Catherine Bateson suggests that 50-80 year old adults can enjoy vibrancy and success for decades. We humans get time to explore talents and interests that evaded us in younger years. Recently I helped Boomer, our 8-year-old Portuguese Water dog, enjoy his own second adulthood as he luxuriated in his first Jacuzzi in our 40-gallon peach tub. As he quickly adapted to this new life pleasure, I was struck by how his life exemplifies many of the principles of human lives in second adulthood.
Boomer’s teddy bear eyes captivate first. Small and button shaped, they drink you in with a quiet intensity that defies turning away. Then, just as you find yourself pulled in to the sumptuous brown velvet tunnel of connection between the world you had inhabited and the canine soul you are entering, those eyes shift slightly, studying you from the side. Rimmed in white, they burrow a hole in your heart that remembers that, as the velveteen rabbit knew, you become real when somebody really loves you.
Once Boomer releases you from the spell he has woven, you can admire his magnificent body: thick black curls encircle his head, with touches of grey on his ears, creating a meadow of ringlets that beg you to touch, to seek solace in the curly locks that create 54 pounds of a solid, wise male canine presence. With the offhand ease of Paul Newman, he seems to say, “I know, I’m handsome. Big deal.”
And Boomer has a big prior life on the silver screen of dogdom. Born with the official name of Dream Come True, master PWD trainer and breeder Marlene Nicewander helped him be selected as the best PWD pup from a choice of hundreds.
Understanding the sagacity behind “A fine mind is a crime to waste,” Marlene trained him in obedience, rally, water work and agility. As time passed, Marlene and Ron moved their increasingly demanding canine brood to an idyllic home in rural North Carolina. Although he lived in doggie heaven, Boomer became listless: an ongoing parade of puppy princesses replaced him on the show circuit while Boomer sired championship puppies who created lucky Boomer grand pups.
Boomer captivated me at first meeting. When John and I visited Marlene to purchase our pup Oakley, I gingerly tried to pet the only male dog I saw. Boomer grumbled at me: I had not passed the entrance exam. He hung around listlessly, hoping for food and attention scraps. Marlene’s deep love drove her to decide that something needed to be done and one day, Marlene asked quietly if we thought Boomer would make a good second dog for us. Tears filled my eyes. Boomer and John, both powerful understated males, understood one other, and she thought Boomer could thrive with us. Thrilled, we drove 700 miles three days later to bring him to his new home, where he sized us up, declared life fine, and relaxed.
Boomer has moved effortlessly into his second adulthood. The keys to our Victorian castle are Boomer’s. As do humans, he recycled earlier learning and effortlessly began to enjoy his many new options. No longer grumbling when touched, he relishes belly and ear scratches. His eyes light up when he is greeted by the sticky fingers of small granddaughters who squeal, “Boomer!” on first sight. He walks in the park with us, spends time at our beach cottage, swims in pools, visits clients in the offices and loves to go on car trips.
This week, disgusted by the odd weather, we invited Boomer into the huge pink Jacuzzi housed next to his soft taupe donut bed. Eyeing the deep warm water with a mix of uncertainty and hunger, he quickly decided to relax for 10 minutes while I shampooed and conditioned until his curls were soft to the touch and fresh to the smell. He then retired to his bed for his post-Jacuzzi nap and treat. Boomer enjoys the best of second adulthood, informed by the active wisdom gathered earlier in his life.
Boomer has recycled earlier learning in the service of a new life era. He is thriving. From the prize winning pup to the gentlemanly Jacuzzi user, Mr. Boomer graces us all with his long and varied life. Might we all be so fortunate.
To consider: How might your next era be even richer than those to date? Would the effort be worth it?
To view: http://www.marycatherinebateson.com
Judith Coche, PhD has worked with therapy dogs at The Coche Center, LLC, since 1985. Find her at www.cochecenter.com, a Practice in Clinical Psychology with offices at Rittenhouse Square and Stone Harbor.