Will you wait for me at the corner?

I might reach the usual corner a little later than you remember.

There will probably still be something there worth sniffing.

You know how I usually get up

You’ve seen me rise from my bed thousands of times. If I start hesitating, shifting my weight or taking longer, you may notice before anyone else does.

Please mention those changes to the vet. The same goes for a different appetite, more drinking, disturbed sleep or seeming confused in a familiar place. “She’s getting older” won’t explain whether I’m uncomfortable or whether something could help.

You can jot down what you see and when it happens. A short video of me moving may be useful if it’s safe to take. Regular appointments give you and the vet a chance to review how I’m doing; new concerns don’t have to wait for the next one.

I won’t know how to answer all the questions in the consulting room. Your ordinary observations can come with us.

The floor between my bed and you

Perhaps I’ll stand at the edge of the smooth floor while you call from the other side. You may think I haven’t heard.

Then you look at my feet.

A suitable non-slip surface could make that crossing easier. So could moving water closer or giving me a bed I can reach without a difficult step. If I need a ramp or help getting up, we can ask the vet how to do that safely.

I’d still like a resting place near the familiar sounds of home, with room to be left in peace when I need it. Keep me comfortably cool too. Singapore’s heat doesn’t become easier because we’ve known it for years.

There’s still a walk in here somewhere

We may turn back sooner. I may enjoy a gentle search for food more than a game that sends me darting across the room. You can offer, then watch whether I want to carry on.

If moving hurts or becomes unusually difficult, please stop and seek advice. If I collapse or struggle to breathe, I need urgent veterinary care.

My meals may need a review as well, but we don’t have to change everything because a bag says “senior”. The vet can help you consider my weight, muscle, appetite and health before choosing food or supplements.

At the corner, I finish sniffing and look up. You’re waiting, with the lead loose between us. We take the shorter route, the one with fewer steps and another patch of grass on the way home.

I still get to choose which smell to investigate first.