Keeping my nose to the ground… lesson 1
by Christy Caplan
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February 5, 2009 
the hounds
My first post on my life with dogs – three hounds to be exact. What I want to address in this first post is the lesson these furry kids are always teaching me when we’re on walks. I watch them keeping their nose to the ground for new smells, nature, garbage (gross!) and just about anything *new* – they’re hounds and therefore bred to do this. This behavior is wired throughout their sweet wiggly bodies. Since I handle public relations for clients I also am bred to keep my nose to the ground hunting for editorial opportunities. So we’re a lot alike – one happy pack. While they’re actual hounds I’m a *news* hound! Corny… So in this blog I plan to share stories about my life with dogs but also tips, tricks, articles, PR advice and anything that I think will add value to the lives of those reading.
My first post is focused on senior dog wellness. Why? Well I’ve been concerned about Sandola’s overall well being lately as she’s closer to 9 now then she was two months ago. Sandola is the hound on the far left of the thumbnail photo posted above. My next post will be about the water therapy she participates in once a week but here’s some thoughts on vitamins for our senior pets – I’m referring to an article I’m reading in Whole Dog Journal and another article I’m reading in the Cornell University Newsletter, Dog Watch.
According to Whole Dog Journal the following vitamins are important as dogs age: Vitamin E, Vitamin C, L-Carnitine, Alpha-lipoic acid, antioxidants like fruits and veggies. Stay tuned on deeper descriptions of some these recommendations as I’m still doing further research.
According to the article in DogWatch dogs of all ages should have Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, B Vitamins, Vitamin C – it’s worth checking to see whether the food you’re buying has all these necessary vitamins although I’m sure most good dog foods do…
If it’s worth anything I’m giving all three dogs the following vitamin/supplements: Nupro Plus for joint support as well as a daily vitamin. In addition – I add Sojos Europa which is a combination of dried/hydrated veggies including sweet potato, carrots, broccoli, celery, apple, whole egg, flax meal, parsley leaf, calcium carbonate and other good healthy stuff. I also add an Omega-3 supplement with Alaskan Salmon Oil.
So I’m recommending anyone with dogs read these two articles and I’m attaching links in the blog roll – more on this topic in a future post. Hope this was worth the quick read!
Congrats Christy! I look forward to reading your attached articles as well as your upcoming posts!
Thank you Cherish! Any recipes you’d like to share just send them over 🙂
Great stuff! Good for you for blogging — I like your writing style — its fun. And now I know why my dog loves squash and sweet potatoes. He must be craving those vitamins. I’m looking forward to your next post.
Love the theme of your posts! will be a regular visitor –
I’ve been looking for information about senior dog care, since mine are getting up in years there as well. Good to know about the vitamins that they need!
I’m adding your blog to my blog roll. YAY CHRISTY!
Great job, Christy!
I like it, and I like the idea someone can relay useful information after they’ve already read and waded through the numerous sources out there. It’s hard for most people to find the time to read, let alone summarize the tools they’ve gleaned.
You’re already an asset to the animal world in a lot of ways (and we know this personally!) and this is just one more way you’re contributing. THANK YOU for that!
Thanks so much Heather – I’ll use this blog as a forum to talk about the GREAT work Indigo Rescue does and all the exciting events we have coming up. The animal world would be lost without YOU. Hopefully I’ll find some good fodder in articles I read that folks will find useful.
Great information! I also am concerned about dog wellness as my lab turns 9 this year. She has some hip problems but is fine now. But I watch her very closely. She loves to walk as well and is a great teacher of life to me. Aren’t they wonderful? Dogs are awesome. Lots of love to your furbabies!
Thank you Ming! They are wonderful! I’m watching two of the furbabies chase each other around the house. Chaos? – nope! I’ll add your blog to the blog roll. Appreciate your comments!
Congratulations on having the courage to publish your blog! Really looking forward to your updates as I already subscribed to your feed… One tip: Believe me, I’m no expert at this (not yet, at least) but you should think about including links to other blogs/sites. On your post a link to the DogWatch article would’ve been great. I know it helps your traffic build-up and offer your readers more info in case they need it.
Count me in as a regular and welcome aboard!
Absolutely LOVE this! Congrats on the 1st leap – I know you’ll build a large and failthful following! 🙂
I love the site! Daisy is turning 10. She goes to water therapy for her arthritis. I also take her to a Chinese doctor for natural glucosamine meds!
This site rocks, Christy – will be sure and turn dog lovers everywhere onto it –
This site rocks, Christy – will be sure and turn dog lovers everywhere onto it –