Senior Dogs Are Special!
Wednesday February 18, 2009
The recent triumph of Stump, a ten-year-old Sussex Spaniel has brought new attention to senior dogs. Stump became the oldest dog to win Best in Show in the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. To me, the best thing about his victory is the way is shows how wonderful senior dogs can be! Middle-aged and senior dogs are much more difficult to adopt out than puppies and young adults. I really hope the world will see that older dogs can still be quite spry - these precious canines deserve to live out their golden years in the comfort of a happy, loving home.
In general, dogs are considered seniors around age 7-8. However, I feel that this number is creeping up over time due to the advances that have been made in veterinary medicine and the fact that dog owners are taking better care of their dogs. My own dog just turned 14 and has only recently begun to show truly geriatric signs. However, there has been a gradual "slowing down" over the last few years, which is to be expected. Though they require special care and attention, senior dogs can bring such joy into our lives. As your own dog ages, be prepared to take steps to keep him happy and healthy! Are you the owner of an aging dog? Tell us what it has been like for you!
Photo © Kimberly Zwaagstra
Comments
my beloved dog Maurice (a griffon) turned 16 on feb 13. he was fine until 14, when he started having health issues. last year, he had testicular cancer, and had to be castrated at 15, he now has arthrosis, bad sight, bad hearing, awful breath, he must be carried down the stairs and must be taken out quite frequently. i even found a lodging near my work so i can come back more easily. last year, he also developped kidney failure, and he now takes specific food, complements, plus artichocke extract every other week, to help him get rid of the excess urea.
he scared me several times since he has such a deep sleep that he doesn’t wake up when i kiss him in the morning, and I’ve thought quite a few times he had left me in his sleep
but whatever the bill at the end of the month, i love him so much, i will be devastated when he leaves me.
and i will definitely adopt a senior dog, they indeed are so special
My “mutt” and very best friend is 19 years old. She was lost or abandoned at about five months old when I found her.
I was a long haul truck driver at the time, she was small, skinny(every “knot”in her tail showed), belly full of parasites and flee and tick ridden, when the clerk at a small fuel stop threw (literally) her out the back door. I picked her up in my arms ,she looked up at me and tucked her nose under my elbow, that was it, I was in love. We have been all over the U.S. together.
She has had some problems through the years, I didn’t know proper care, but she has had a great long life dispite having seizures regularly. She now has cataracts can hardly hear and is very white faced, but still climbs stairs, albeit slowly.
The day she goes will be heartbreaking, but she has lead me to change careers (Certified Vet Tech), I adopted another older dog, and has filled my life with love and companionship. I love old dogs!!
Out of my 5 pack, the paraplegic Jack Russell is 10 or more. He is in great shape physically and mentally. Still likes to play and watch TV. He is most happy curled up against me watching TV while I am reading. The Boston Terrier in my pack is, at least, 12 and is the
puppy in the the pack. He initiates most of play with the younger dogs in the pack and when the won’t play, he gets out his slobber ball and goes at it. He is in excellent physical and mental condition, very smart, and is the alpha of the group which includes a shepherd mix 4 times his size. He enjoys life and helps us enjoy life. He has been even more helpful at giving us consolation since the recent death of my grandson who Was the favorite of the whole pack – dog and human.
Some years back I adopted a black lab/collie mix (privately) whose owner had passed away. She wasn’t taken care of very well by the grandson, and neighbors were concerned. I was told she was 8. What a surprise when I received the records from the vet: she was actually 14! A little stiff but overall healthy, she enjoyed another 3+ years of retirement in the country. She’d let you know how happy she was: she’d be running in the backyard, then stop and “ROOOROOOROOO” to the world with a smile on her face. I’m very grateful for having had that experience and would gladly do it again.
My current oldest, an Anatolian, is 11, and I’m looking forward to many more years with her (they can get quite old, despite their size).
Thank you for reminding people that senior dogs can be wonderful.
I have a 13yrd old Boston female, totally deaf and blind in one eye, but she still loves to play and is left alone for 9hrs w/out any accidents. She is the light of my life, even with her deafness, we communicate very well. It will be a sad day when she passes, she has been my best friend.
We adopted our dog Buddy at age 10 from a shelter. We had him for 5 wonderful healthy years. Buddy was an Akita/Shepherd mix, and I like to say he was the best of both. Actually he turned out to be one of my best dogs — and I’ve had many, having managed a professional kennel and shown purebred dogs. I am a great proponent of adopting SENIOR DOGS!
My little girl found my baby on a rainy evening in February 11 yrs ago! Peanut is possibly a cocker-poo…I don’t know and don’t care lol..
She is the light of my life and hubby says they will have to put my on tranquilizers when she goes! She is a little hard of hearing (or better at selective hearing!) And thinks she doesn’t have to mind occasionally…just like a kid lol…But she is the best dog I have ever had!