An elderly man living with Parkinson’s discovered a shivering senior dog at his gate — and somehow, their unsteady bodies became a source of calm for one another.

decline in steps rather than gradual slopes.

“You may have good months left,” Ellen said. “Maybe longer. But we should talk about comfort markers.”

I hated that phrase.

Comfort markers.

It sounded too much like beginning to count what remained.

Still, we made the list.

Eating.

Resting.

Interest in walks.

Ability to rise with help.

Pain control.

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