The Crying Game

Animals recuse themselves as they prepare for death. You may reach down looking for the furry top of your dog's head which has always been such a source of comfort only to find yourself reaching and reaching until you open your eyes and realize your pet wants to be alone. It's that way with some old people. Rather than closing ranks to create their own supportive little community, they often find themselves in an isolation that's exacerbated by diminishing numbers of their cohort. With less to choose from, you often end up choosing less.