when is it time to put the old dog down?

when is too old?

when the memory goes?

when

the words

are lost,

when there's a dollop

of oatmeal

on

your chin.

ketchup on

your shirt.

when you mistake your

wife

for a friend.

when the zipper is down

again?

when you can't

remember

where you live or

who are,

when you stare off

into the distant

for minutes on end.

when is it time 

to put the old dog down?