Annie, my family dog, has been getting more and more ill in the past week. She is spending most of her days and nights sleeping. When she is up, her movements are slow and difficult. She has lost a great deal of weight and is hardly eating.
I often dream of moving to a new home, spending time learning the ins and outs of a sprawling house and walking the length of a massive yard. Last night in my dream, I took Annie on a walk along a stream that passed behind the neighborhood. The walk started slowly as she was walking stiffly, but as we continued on she regained her vitality.
We had passed several houses when suddenly there wasn't a leash and Annie took off, galloping around the yards, circling me. I tried catching her in her game of tag, but I couldn't keep up. It didn't matter as she kept coming back, daring me to chase her.
I woke and wept for the joy of the dream and the pity of reality.