Two things can be true at once that often seem contradictory. It’s so weird to me that my dogs can look so old and so young at the same time. old because they are old for their species. and young because, well, they’re my little babies, and also, as a breed, chihuahuas are so tiny and cute.

I keep having to repeat to myself, again and again like a mantra: “Our babies are not babies.”

They’ll always be our babies, even if they’re not babies any more. Our only responsibility is to make sure they’re safe and loved for their full lifetimes.

Hopefully it can take the sting out when the inevitable happens and I can reframe the loss as a promise kept, one I made when they were little and without a care in the world.