Caring For Senior Dogs

“Those were the days my friend, we thought they'd never end...” – Mary Hopkin

Those were the days of frolicking, running out the door at top speed the minute my pet-mom opened it, jumping up to catch the biscuit my pet-sister held up, bouncing up on the beds when no-one was looking... and getting screamed at by my pet-dad for excitedly ripping up a cushion… “PEPPER !”

Today, at 17 years of age, I move around with effort, and sometimes am unable to get up without help. I have arthritis and an enlarged heart, weakening eyesight, hearing and sense of smell. Nights are painful for me and my family, as I tend to pace up and down and stare and bark at walls, because of certain changes in my brain, similar to Alzheimer's disease. Yes, we too have human-like geriatric problems.

But I'm lucky to have a loving and caring pet-family. They provide me with a soft bed for my arthritis, anti-skid socks to help me walk without slipping on the tiled flooring and doggie diapers for when I can’t control my sphincter muscles.

Medical care and monitoring
I am given my medicines hidden in tasty chicken treats so I don’t get the bad smell and take them easily.

 I’m taken for regular checkups to the vet if I –
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• Eat less
• Drink more or less than normal
• Have smelly breath
• Lose weight
• Have stiffness, a limp, difficulty in jumping on things
• Have lumps or bumps, specially if they are rapidly getting bigger
• Get tired after walks
• Have a cough, sneeze or snore
• Have trouble answering nature’s call
• Am dull, disoriented or have imbalance
• Have any discharge

Food and exercise
At my age it is important to keep my weight under control, especially since I’m not as active as before. I am glad my pet-mom has been particular right from an early age regarding  a healthy, nutritious diet. My pet-sister ensures I get adequate exercise, taking care not to tire me.

Grooming
I soil myself frequently these days, so it’s important for me to be cleaned often, and bathed with care. I need to be dried completely or I can catch a cold. Many itchy spots are now unreachable,  so I need help with a soft grooming brush, which does not hurt my old-age related warts.

My pet-parents ensure my good health during my senior years by providing me with –

• Nutritious diet
• Adequate exercise
• Healthy weight
• Regular check ups
• Dental care

With love and good care, we too can enjoy a good quality of life in our old age.