Senior Dog Blog

Any dog owner has heard the phrase human grade to represent a higher standard for dog food. In other words, if it good enough for a human to eat then it must be safe for our dogs. I am not arguing this point...there should be a standard by which we equate our dogs health and safety to our own, but it has me thinking lately. Maybe instead of saying human grade we should be changing the perspective and describing top-tier dog products as being of dog quality. Yes I realize that dog quality is also the name of my business, but I picked it for the same reason I am writing about it.

A higher standard for dogs is not restricted to dog food and should be across all dog products. The coats they wear, the toys they chew, the dog strollers they ride in etc should all be held to a high standard to make sure it is... well ...of dog quality.

I guess part of my reasoning for not wanting to describe higher standards for dog products using 'human' is that I think dogs can stand on their own. What I mean is that dogs have unconditional love, they are loyal, they see the glass half full and live life to the fullest. Are we selling them short by not using the term dog as the standard by which all is compared?

I just thought I'd share my abstract thoughts...dogs are great, people at times disappoint so why do we use humans as a standard for higher quality? I for one may start using dog quality for anything I think raises the bar. :) 

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I was at my vet's last night picking up some refills for the various medications Mackenzie my 12 year old pug is currently taking. While I was there an emergency case came in. It was an 8 year old Golden Retriever. I don't know exactly what was wrong with him, but one look at the faces of his family told the whole story. There were three family members, a father, mother and daughter all with tears in their eyes. In speaking with the Practice Manager I learned that they were forced to put the dog down and while I was waiting (for good reason) I witnessed the whole ordeal, from the father explaining this to the rest of his family, to seeing them standing beside the dog at the back of the clinic, to observing them sitting with their dog after he had passed away.

I have to tell you I almost broke down crying. My heart went out to them and I wished I could take away the pain I know they were feeling. I was so close to tears and I immediately starting having flashbacks to losing my precious Churchie, my French Bulldog, my protector and a huge part of my life for over 12 years until this past summer when I lost him due to complications from a heart tumor. I still cry all the time and wonder if I will ever not feel like a piece of my heart has been lost forever. When I saw this happening to another family it hit me hard as I relived the shock, trauma and ache of losing someone I loved.

Our dogs really are a major part of our family and bring us so much love and happiness how can we not be broken after they leave us? The reason I wanted to write this post today was not to depress you or to relive a very sad part of my life, but instead to commend the efforts of my vet. Dr. Maks at Huff's Animal Hospital in Tsawwassen, British Columbia and the girls that keep the clinic running, pour their own hearts into each and every pet they treat. I have never had such a positive relationship before with any other caretakers, human or dog, like I have had with Dr. Maks and her team.

When I was going through the roller coaster ride of care for Churchill and as I continue to have Mackenzie and our newest addition Paige (a brindle Frenchie) looked after, they have had our best interests at the top of their list. Seeing them last night trying to save this dog and take care of the family showed just how much they care as they were so emotionally impacted by what was happening, it was as if they were treating their own dog.

Witnessing this type of care and while extremely sad, seeing the family's love for their dog just shows again the powerful impact our dogs have on our lives. While losing one of our loved ones is like losing a piece of ourselves, I wouldn't trade the time I spent with any of my pets for anything in the entire world. Each one has left me with the most amazing memories and they will be forever in my heart. I miss you Churchie. If anyone has the strength to share stories of their amazing pets that have touched their lives either past or present, please leave a comment. Thanks for listening. 

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A recent article by Pete Keesling about older pet care reminded me about a very important point when taking care of your senior dog. He describes the need for keeping your dog active to help keep both mind and body healthy. As dogs get older they typically become less active because of arthritis or other health issues that slow them down. However, this is something that with the help of your vet, you can help to alleviate in most cases.

The bottom line is that you need to do what you can to keep your dog walking, exploring, and playing to keep his or her mind active as much as his or her body. This point is something I had almost forgotten. I have a 12 year old Pug named Mackenzie who suffers from arthritis. I have just put him on Metacam to help him since he has been in pain due to one leg in particular, and as a result we have not been able to do much walking. My focus has been on alleviating his pain which of course is the most important thing, but at the same time I was ignoring the benefits that having him mobile can bring.

Even with his pain under control I realize that Mackenzie will not be able to go on long walks, but that is ok. He has his dog jogger, which is our favourite thing in the world because it allows him to walk for a bit and then ride for a long period of time. This accomplishes two key things. He gets his much needed exercise to help keep his body healthy and he gets to enjoy the fun of riding in his jogger, which keeps his mind stimulated as he sees new things, new people and gets out of the house.

Often we are so worried about our older dogs that we treat them like fine china. Senior dogs still need to get out, move around, play and experience life to the fullest. The health benefits of keeping them stimulated are numerous so find the right balance and start enjoying life with your older dog. 

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If you have a small dog and need to take them with you then try this terrific front carrier. This legs-out carrier is perfect for senior dogs that may not be able to walk very far, but would love to come along for the ride. This video shows 13 year old Sheba, a wonderful Yorkie-Poo in her favourite way to travel.

This padded front carrier is very comfortable and secure and she just loves being able to come with her owner instead of being left behind. This carrier lets dogs have their legs hang out rather than being squished, which for older dogs many times is a necessary feature to ensure comfort. 

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Watch as I review the Petzip dog stroller, a lightweight and extremely versatile dog stroller perfect for older dogs. You will see this stylish dog stroller in action and how easy it is to fold and transport. This stroller is lightweight so it makes for a convenient way to travel with your dog.

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Anyone of us who have lost their dog has probably asked the question "what happened to my dog after death?" Even those people who are not religious have posed the question of afterlife. I know because I have done the same.

I read a great article the other day entitled Do pets go to heaven? It depends on your religion and what I liked about this article is that is showed the various perspectives across a variety of religions such as Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, Buddhism, Judaism, American Indian, Hindu and others. Each religion sees the question of a pet's afterlife differently.

If I was to pull the most consistent point made across the different belief systems I'd say that if a pet makes your life better then once they pass they will be reunited with you once again in the afterlife. So what if you don't believe in the afterlife? Many people don't believe in Heaven for humans let alone pets. I believe that religion and spirituality is a very personal experience and how much or how little is up to each person. Religion offers comfort for many but questions for others.

One thing I do know is that the idea that there is a perfect place where we will all be reunited with our pets is a dream come true...do I believe it exists? Well that's a loaded question. As I have mentioned in previous posts I have recently lost the love of my life, my French Bulldog named Churchill who was 12 years old. When he left I wanted nothing more than to know we would meet again or to somehow get a sign from him. I can't say that I believe in a dog heaven, but I have been thinking about another theory which says that energy cannot disappear and that it needs to go somewhere. What form that takes or where it goes I have no idea, but if this theory is true it means that Churchill is still around and that is comforting.

Am I 100% sure? No, not at all, but maybe that is the point. Maybe it is good for us to not know everything. Maybe the quest for answers is more important than getting to the absolute truth. So what does that mean exactly? Well it means that if you believe in dog heaven then great because it means you always have your dog in your heart and on your mind. If you believe that energy transforms but never leaves, then the same holds true. The bottom line is never stop thinking about the pets you have lost because one thing I do know for sure is that if you keep remembering them and how much love they brought to your life, then they can never be truly gone. 

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Halloween is a great time for children and their parents, dressing up and collecting all those sweets, but it can be a terrifying night for your senior dog. As dogs get older they may become a little less sure of themselves, a little more anxious and a lot less tolerant of the excitement that comes with Halloween. Here are some tips to ensure safety and reduce stress.

• Place your dog in a quiet and safe part of the house, preferably out of sound of the doorbell. People ringing the door or knocking on the will cause your dog to get agitated and could induce different behaviour which may cause you concern, specially with small children.
• Another suggestion I heard is play soft music to drown out the noise. Another no-no is keep chocolate out of reach of your dog as this could prove fatal. If you suspect your pet has consumed chocolate call your Vet giving his/her weight and approximate amount consumed.
• Decorations are another concern; dogs could chew on streamers, and synthetic spider web which could cause stomach blockages.
• Don't dress up your dog for the night as these can restrict movement, sight hearing or impede breathing.
• Finally make sure your pet has proper identification, accidents will happen and if your dog escapes and gets lost check with your animal control and your local Humane society.

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As our dogs get older you can't help but worry about how much time is left and if you are like me you start to overthink each sound or change your dog goes through. Eventually you have to put all your worrying aside and just embrace each day and know that love, happiness, some cool products to help them get around and a good diet can combat many of the challenges of aging. But what about the notion of cloning? Have you ever thought about having your dog's DNA preserved to one day go through a cloning process?

Well this is a topic that is getting discussed more and more these days and one that is no longer just a plot in a sci-fi movie. Cloning is quickly becoming a reality as companies like BioArts International make this service possible. The price is around $150,000 and unlike movies such as the 6th Day, cloning does not produce an exact replica of your beloved four-legged friend.

As I discussed in an earlier blog on cloning I am unsettled yet curious about the process. I am torn because of a personal experience I am going through with the loss of my best friend Churchill, my 12 year old Frenchie and so this concept, this possibility, is intriguing to me, but at the same time super weird. If cloning was covered by pet insurance or was under $5000 would people be flocking to these companies? Is it the price tag or the act of cloning itself that has created so much mixed emotion on the subject? 

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Watch as I take the Jeep Rubicon dog jogger across a variety of rough terrains to show its versatility. Mackenzie, my 12 year old senior Pug, comes along for the ride as we walk this durable dog jogger across a forest path, a gravel road, foot long grass and a rocky terrain. For those dog owners looking to bring their senior dog along for many adventures, this dog jogger can handle almost anything. 

UPDATE: This dog stroller has been discontinued

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For those dog owners looking for a durable and easy to handle dog jogger then the Jeep Rubicon jogger is for you. With its air filled tires, spacious interior, loads of storage and canopy with mesh for added protection you will be able to walk or run with your dog on a variety of terrains. While not the the best choice for maneuvering around crowds, this is definitely a solid pick for those that enjoy the great outdoors. 

UPDATE: This dog stroller has been discontinued

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