To Love a Dog

Eyes blind, ears deaf, bewildered,
he paces, paces.

The floor is wet
where he has tripped and spilled his water,
food spread all over.

He falls on stairs, so is carried,
both up and down,
hind legs no longer strong.

How long can this go on?

He clearly enjoys his walks,
familiar sniffs
and also those not so familiar.

He sucks scents in.

I know this joy of reading,
a thing he loves,
along with the scratching of his ears.

He shows his pleasure with grunts.

How can I put him down
while he still feels joy?