Old dogs? New tricks or just wisdom?

As I talk to people about embracing my natural hair colour (which at the moment looks like it will be rather like Cruella Deville!), the question of ageing comes up time and again. We seem to be so concerned by the outward appearance of ageing, and trying to avoid it at all costs, and we seem to have forgotten that there are some distinct advantages to gaining years: getting older means we are still alive for a start, which is a definite plus point in my book, and as each year passes we gain in skill, experience and wisdom. And if we look after our mind, body and soul really well, then we can be fit, healthy and happy to boot. What’s not to like?

So when I came across this story, I just had to share it…

One day an old German Shepherd dog starts chasing rabbits and before long, discovers that he’s lost. Wandering about, he notices a panther heading rapidly in his direction with the intention of having lunch.

The old German Shepherd thinks, “Oh, oh! I’m in deep doo-doo now!”

Noticing some bones on the ground close by, he immediately settles down to chew on the bones with his back to the approaching cat. Just as the panther is about to leap, the old German Shepherd exclaims loudly, “Boy, that was one delicious panther! I wonder, if there are any more around here?”

Hearing this, the young panther halts his attack in mid-strike, a look of terror comes over him and he slinks away into the trees. “Whew!,” says the panther, “That was close! That old German Shepherd nearly had me!”

Meanwhile, a squirrel who had been watching the whole scene from a nearby tree, figures he can put this knowledge to good use and trade it for protection from the panther. So, off he goes.

The squirrel soon catches up with the panther, spills the beans and strikes a deal for himself with the panther.

The young panther is furious at being made a fool of and says, “Here, squirrel, hop on my back and see what’s going to happen to that conniving canine!”

Now, the old German Shepherd sees the panther coming with the squirrel on his back and thinks, “What am I going to do now?,” but instead of running, the dog sits down with his back to his attackers, pretending he hasn’t seen them yet, and just when they get close enough to hear, the old German Shepherd says…

“Where’s that squirrel? I sent him off an hour ago to bring me another panther!”

Moral of this story…

Don’t mess with the old dogs… Wisdom and skill will always overcome youth and treachery! Brilliance only comes with age and
experience.