Senior Dogs: BARK’s current issue

by Christy Caplan | March 30, 2009

My favorite publication is BARK and the current issue is totally dedicated to senior dogs – the articles range from helpful tips, senior massage therapy to delightful editorial and stories about living with senior dogs – first some personal thoughts on the topic:

Every lump and bump and I’m off to the vet to make sure Sandola is ok and every time she has been – this and that has been benign and a fatty cell. I’ve been really lucky – wouldn’t it be fabulous to live with your four legged friend until old age? I know this will be the case with Sandy.

The only thing that has truly changed is her early osteoarthritis which I’ve blogged about. She receives massage and underwater hydro-therapy which seems to help a lot. But what about other things my friends have noticed with their dogs: loss of eye sight, circling awkwardly in an effort to lie down in a circle, and so on. These are the things I’m on the look out for in the coming years. I know they need just as much mental stimulation even if physically they’re slowing down. I’m planning to order one of those puzzle toys this week. Do you know about these? If no – please check them out.

I already have pet ramps and pet stairs throughout the house for the doxie and sometimes Sandy will use them — so I feel good about that… AND I must say that Sandola plays with the two year old Shermie often and nuzzles with the doxie too so the pack is a really positive thing when Sandy may otherwise just be laying around. I encourage the play whenever it’s initiated.

Ok  — now that I’ve painted a picture about my *almost* senior dog: I’m referencing all the resources I found in one of their articles:

  • T-Touch Massage: LindaTellingtonJones.com
  • SeniorPetProducts.com
  • srdogs.com – super cool, The Senior Dogs Project
  • imom.org – gives grants to those having financial difficulty with their aging pets

Ever heard of Old Dog Haven outside of Seattle? – read Lisa Wogan’s article about this home for senior dogs! olddoghaven.org is where you can find more information about someone that truly matters in the animal world. Enjoy the entire current issue -I’m continuing to find nuggets and ripping many of the pages out as I write this!!

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