Pomeranian Grieving Loss of Owner

Do dogs grieve? It has been a while since a new post has been added to this blog. In that time my dear husband passed away, making the simplest of things hard to do. So this blog and other things have been neglected, it is taking time to heal.

But the loss has not just affected me, from the pictures that I share, you will see that Happy, our/my Pomeranian, has also felt the loss of Paul. We were a "pack" of 3, and now it is just Happy and I. I can't tell you how thankful I am to have her during this difficult time, she is a great companion, but she has had to work through things in her own way, the way a dog does. 

I can't get into her mind, but I can observe her body language.

Look at the following picture, this was taken on a quiet day after all the busyness that follows losing a family member had settled.  One of those long alone days that are filled with longing as we learn to adjust.

Each and every day when it was time for Paul to come home from work, Happy would be waiting for close to an hour for his arrival on the back of his favorite chair. This day, within a week of his passing, and in the days that followed, I had to tell her "No, Happy, no more Daddy". Then I would call her over and hold her for a while. It took weeks for her to stop waiting, but she still sleeps close to the door. I don't know whether that is a new habit, or whether she is still hopeful.

Facial expressions like the ones that you see in the other two pictures, were never seen on Happy before Paul died. We were generally a happy and complete family, there was a rhythm to our days. Happy entertained us each evening after dinner with her antics. Now everything was different. I cried frequently, she would come comfort me. I am sure that not only was she missing Paul herself, but she was feeling my pain, as dogs are very sensitive to our moods and emotions. 

But these pictures were both taken some time after Paul died, while she was waiting on the back of the chair for him to come home. Seeing this was so painful for me, adding to my grief. But we both had to work through this and come out on the other side. Taking her for walks, distracting her with things she liked, all helped in time, and probably helped me in the process. 

It is over a year now since Paul died, it feels fresh in many ways, there are still tears, but we are doing okay. Happy doesn't sit waiting for Paul anymore, but does get excited when other family members come to visit. She enjoys the company, and I know she feels my happier mood when there is company as well.

So do dogs grieve? Yes, in their own way, I am sure they do. Plus they are very in touch with what we are feeling, so sometimes, it is hard to know whether the grieving is their own feeling of loss or whether they are sensing the feelings we are projecting. I think it is a bit of both. What do you think?

Just Added a New Yorkie Clip Art Page

I do more than just posts on this blog. You will also find individual web pages written by me if you look in the right margin for "Pages".

The most recent addition is a page on Yorkshire Terrier clip art, as well as free photos and pages to color.

There are quite a few helpful pages available.

Updated 2/27/17

Finding Pet Friendly Beach Vacation RV or Rental Specials

We love the beach and just returned from a long weekend close to the Jersey shore (see picture taken by my hubby). 
We traveled with our Pomeranian, Happy. She is a good traveler and quiet when she should be so we aren't concerned about her disturbing other guests in rentals or hotels. 

We travel with an RV, and find that most RV parks that allow pets require that you:

• Have written proof that Rabies vaccinations are up to date 
• That your dog not bark and be kept on leash
• That you clean up after your dog
• That the dog cannot be left in the RV when you are out and about (some allow this, but most don't....you may find places that offer pet sitting at a reasonable price.)   

When it comes to pet friendly lodging, the biggest concern that many have in my opinion is cleanliness. We recently stayed at a moderately priced hotel and found a few black dog hairs embedded in the underside of the bed spread...this was disgusting to us even though we are dog owners and live in a home that has pet hair here and their from our own dog. So you will want to read reviews when you visit sites or read advertisements about pet friendly hotels and motels.

You can visit this link which provides GOOGLE search results for pet friend hotels to get you started. One thing that we have found is that many people like to travel with their pets, and if you do find a place that you enjoy, you will meet many friendly pet owners and pets along the way. 

We were apprehensive when we took our first trip with the dog in the RV, not knowing what to expect. Granted we can't run into the fine restaurants for meals, and have to adjust to having the dog. We found outdoor eateries that allowed your dog to sleep underfoot, and opted to eat many of our meals at the RV which in many ways was more relaxing than having to figure out where to eat next.

If you have any favorite pet friendly travel destinations that you have found to be to your liking, please let us know in a comment.

Updated 6/26/19

Worms and Worming Your Dog

Worms, ick, I can't imagine any dog having to deal with worms. We got Aspen as a puppy and made sure to keep close watch on what she ate. When we got Happy this year, she was between 2 and 3 years old, so we had to update her shots and leave a stool specimen to be checked for worms. Thankfully, there were none. In spite of our good fortune, we have an article about worms and worm remedies on this blog that was just updated today. Look at the list of pages to the right, and you'll find it, or click the link in the following paragraph.

I think the reason we don't have worms is that we never let our dogs run and we always know what they are eating. If you are having trouble with worms, click right here to go to our article.

Updated 2/17/17

Pomeranian Rescue Brings Happiness After Loss

It is almost two years since we said goodbye to Aspen, the inspiration for this blog. It took me until a few months ago to feel ready to look for a new furbaby to rescue.

During the past 9 months, things have been difficult. I have not been blogging much, but focusing what energy I have on my brother who passed away 2 weeks ago today. My brother, John, had been disabled due to an illness since he was 6 months old, and then he developed a brain tumor on top of this. Due to his disabilities, he was unable to talk, and we could not converse with him about his ailment. We made many difficult decisions for him, and through it all, as long as he was able, he smiled and loved us back as we lavished him with love knowing our days with him were numbered. I shared what I wrote for his funeral in a post that is no longer published on the web, so I share it here: 

Monday my precious brother left this life for his home in Heaven. His difficult journey is finally over.

We had his funeral on Wednesday, it was a simple but sweet graveside funeral as my Mom is 86 and frail and something long and drawn out would have been hard for her. There was singing, and each of us shared, and I'd like to share with you what I shared, written as a letter to my brother, who lived his whole life mentally and physically disabled, but almost always with a smile.

Precious brother,

I am so thankful for the good memories that we have had together that I will treasure until we meet again in Heaven.

I am thankful that my husband was able to be there to be part of these memories with us. He loved you so much.

I remember going to holiday events with you where you worked years ago.

I remember making picnic lunches and taking you out for your birthday a few times to enjoy the outdoors.

I remember taking you on camping weekends to a wonderful place in Pennsylvania, your laugh and what fun we had in the car going to and from.

I remember how God opened many doors so that you could live at a wonderful group home.... You were loved and appreciated for your happy personality, a light to all around you. It was so much fun to attend events with you there.

I remember your courage during these last 9 months of your life spent in the hospital and care center…your ready smile, coloring and doing things with you when you were able; and then holding your hand, massaging your shoulders, praying with you, and stroking your arms with my heart full of love when you were unable.

Now all of that is part of the past, and right now I picture you seeing Jesus, running and walking tall, talking clearly for the first time, and look forward to our first real conversation some day soon in Heaven.
Until then, dear brother, I love you, and will miss you so much.

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” Psalm 116:15

But back to the subject at hand...in May, after much searching, and little time to do so, I asked God if He could once again bring a dog our way, and He did just that. A neighbor's daughter knew the previous owner of the dog we have adopted, and she was destined to be abandoned at a park. 

I saw my neighbor and her daughter walking down the street with the dog as we were getting the car packed to leave on a short vacation...it was love at first sight, so I told her if she still had the dog when we got home, I'd take her. I was sure that a home would be found quickly, and she would be gone when we got home, but she wasn't, and within a couple hours of getting home, we had ourselves a sweet but timid female Pomeranian.

My grown children were visiting for Mother's Day, and my son said I should name her Happy, because she looks like she is smiling, and makes me so happy...so I did.

Happy has come a long way and is not shy at all anymore with my husband and I, and is a very gentle and loving approximately 3 year old 11 lb. Pomeranian. I am in love with a fur-baby once again!

Updated 2/27/17

We Have Owned Many Guinea Pigs

My love for guinea pigs goes way back to when I kept them as pets during my middle and high school years. In fact I had a guinea pig when I was in college that lived for a while in the science department. No, no experiments were done on it, it just seemed the best place to have a guinea pig and the college let me do this. 

I have had litters born and raised baby guinea pigs, these were always born at night...I think this may be a guinea pig trait. The babies are adorable.

My children had pet guinea pigs as well. They are gentle animals, children should be watched when handling them as they are not an animal that will protect itself if being handled roughly. 

If you are considering getting a guinea pig, expect to clean the cage regularly as they do produce a lot of urine. You will want to set up the cage properly for this...but they are wonderful pets.

This is guinea pig adoption month, it may be a good month to see if there are any available at your shelter if they house small animals like this, or at a site like Petfinder in your location.

Public Domain Image Credit: Guinea Pig by Peter Griffin

Freezing Feral Cats Outside My Door

The coldest days of the winter decided to arrive in mid-February this year, and it is at times like this that my heart goes out to the feral cats in our neighborhood. Unlike the picture you see here, the ground is covered with snow from snowstorm after snowstorm, and this and next week are our coldest days this winter season.

One cat in particular, a black cat, likes to sleep on the warm sunny side of my house where on the coldest of days the sun and protection from wind is best. Sometimes it sleeps in our front doorway as the wood is a dark color and soaks up the warmth from the sun.

Our Township has a program in which they will spay or neuter feral animals, but we must first catch them, and take them to the animal shelter. Once the surgery is complete and they have recovered, they are returned to the wild. Their ears are notched while they are in surgery so that we can identify the ones that have been spayed or neutered.

There are two cat lovers in our neighborhood who have managed to catch each one and have this surgery done, which has saved us from having many kittens born...that used to happen pretty regularly. These neighbors have been feeding the cats as well, putting out dishes of food and water. I never got in the habit because Aspen, when she was still with us, would chase them away, but am grateful to the neighbors that do.

I have heard that you can make shelters with, for example, a large Styrofoam cooler that you cut an opening into, and place it somewhere where they are likely to roam, or near where you put out food if you do that. But our property and house seem to provide natural shelter to our "wild" feral cats.

Image via Pixabay

Foods and Plants that will Make Your Dog Sick

During the holidays, there are things that decorate the house and things that people eat that dogs should not eat.  Here are just a few health and safety tips.
 

• High-fat holiday foods that people enjoy can make some of animals sick.  Fatty foods can lead to pancreatitis in pets, just like it can in people, and perhaps easier in smaller dogs. This is a very serious illness, get and can mean staying in the animal hospital.


• Chocolate, coffee and tea contain something that causes cardiac problems and problems with the nervous system in pets, which can lead to seizures and gastro-intestinal upset.  Dark chocolate is even worse than regular chocolate, which is bad as it is.


• If you have a party and serve alcohol, be sure that pets don't get tempted to finish off the glasses, that can be fatal, every year hundreds of dogs die from alcohol poisoning.


• The pretty plant, Holly, causes digestive upset in dogs and cats.


• Mistletoe causes heart problems and digestive upset


• Poinsettias cause blisters in the mouth and digestive upset


• Secure your tree if you have a cat, especially if it's your first Christmas with the cat and you don't know their habits.  They will sometimes climb the tree, and knock ornaments off the tree to play with.


• Cats might swallow tree tinsel, ribbon and other things that can cause obstructions inside that might require surgery.


• Don't have batteries lying around or other little things that your dog might chew on and make them very sick because of the toxins inside.


• Macadamia nuts are not good for pets, they can affect the nervous and digestive system.


• Potpourri, the wonderful smell comes from oils, and those oils can be toxic to pets.

•   Xylitol which is in everything from gum, to candy, to toothpaste and more is very poisonous to dogs.

•  DON'T GIVE PETS AS GIFTS unless you have planned well ahead for them...so many pets end up in shelters or out on the streets because the family isn't prepared and gets tired of them, and that's just plain mean and sad.

A lot of these tips came from a vet in a town not far from here, his site is newtonvet.com.

Image: Pixabay

Are Elderly People Good Pet Owners?

I remember when my grandparents decided it would not be wise to have any more pet dogs.  My grandfather had dogs as far back as I can remember, but when Penny, the last dog they owned, passed away, they figured that they wouldn't be around long enough to get another dog.

That's a sobering thought, but as the years go by, and I get older myself, I understand the importance of this kind of thinking.

Not long ago there was a Senior dog available at our animal shelter, in fact this happens quite frequently, and a Senior adopted the dog, the two will be great companions as they share good times in the later years of life.

As for my grandfather, little did he know that he was going to live many, many more years, until he was 97.

But this is a decision that every pet lover and owner will have to face one day, and we have an article that may help you a bit as you consider this question for yourself, or someone you love....click here for the article.

There is a great need for adopting senior dogs, maybe this is something you feel drawn to do, no matter what age you are. I am back to update this post with a great article on the subject, "Adopting an Older Dog". 

Updated 2/27/17

Silly Questions Only a Dog Would Ask

I received a funny email from a friend a while back that made me look at life from the point of view of a dog. I thought I'd share some of the things in the email just for fun this Labor Day weekend Sunday. I hope that you are having a good weekend, it's a bit cloudy and muggy here, but we are enjoying it anyway. 

Here are some silly questions a dog might ask:

Why do humans smell the flowers, but seldom, if ever, smell one another?

Why are there cars named after the jaguar, the cougar, the mustang, the colt, the stingray, and the rabbit, but not ONE named for a dog? How often do you see a cougar riding around? We do love a nice ride! Would it be so hard to rename the "Chrysler Eagle" the "Chrysler Beagle"?

If a dog barks his head off in the forest and no human hears him, is he still a bad dog?

We dogs can understand human verbal instructions, hand signals, whistles, horns, clickers, beepers, scent ID's, electromagnetic energy fields, and Frisbee flight paths. What do humans understand?

More meatballs, less spaghetti, please.

And here is a list of things a GOOD dog must remember that was also in the email:

1. The sofa is not a 'face towel'.


2. The garbage collector is not stealing our stuff.


3. I will not play tug-of-war with Dad's underwear when he's on the toilet.


4. I don't need to suddenly stand straight up when I'm under the coffee table.


5. I must shake the rainwater out of my fur before entering the he house - not after.


6. I will not sit in the middle of the living room and do any inappropriate licking in front of guests.


7. The cat is not a 'squeaky toy' so when I play with him and he makes that noise, it's usually not a good thing.

Yorkie owners may enjoy a bit more humor, click the image for more information:

Oh, and we'd also like to invite you to visit a friend's doggie blog that goes by the name "Dog Pawsitive Tidbits".

 
We hope the silly little list above has given you a smile, and do wish you a very happy Labor Day weekend!

When You Have to Find Your Pet a New Home

Giving up your pet is a heart-wrenching experience. If you find yourself in this position, don’t rush to action. Before making a final decision, evaluate your situation. Are you thinking of giving your pet up because of his behavior issues or destructive tendencies? These traits can be corrected with proper training. Here are links to a few posts related to training that may help you:

Biting Dogs and How to Stop Them 
Housebreaking and Training 
Training Your New Pet to Sit, Stay and Come 
 
If your dog or cat is having incontinence problems, a trip to the vet may reveal an underlying treatable medical issue. A busy schedule that doesn't leave you much time to pay attention to your pet may be balanced by taking her to daycare.

But sometimes a severe illness or other life-altering situation makes you unable to care for your beloved companion animal. Or sometimes a loved one dies, such as a parent, and leaves a pet behind you are unable to take in. If you must find a new home for a pet, follow these tips.

Get Your Pet Ready

Before re-homing your pet, make sure that all of his vaccinations and other health checkups are up to date. Spaying or neutering is also a must if you haven't had this done already. Get your pet a bath and a grooming session if necessary. Now is also the time to work out any behavior issues that your pet might have.

Put the Word Out

You might not have to look very far to find a new home for your pet. A trusted friend or family member may be more than happy to take him in. Start by asking people you know before broadening your search. And have your friends and associates pass the word along to their trusted friends and family members who may be looking for a pet.

Taking your pet out to meet people is another great way to find potential adopters and for you to evaluate the potential new owner. People love to interact with animals, especially dogs, so bring your pet to the park, go on long walks and seek out adoption events that will let you bring your pet. Also check with your veterinarian’s office to see if they have a community bulletin board suitable for this posting.

Be Discerning

Have a list of questions ready to ask people who show interest in your pet. Make sure that they understand the level of care involved and know what to expect during your pet's transition period. Check references and visit the homes of those who appear suitable. When you find the right place, you'll know. 






Personally I would not sell or give away a pet through a site like Craigslist or Facebook, there is too much potential for problems. You want to have a way to know the new owners background. A shelter or rescue service will do this work before placing a dog in a home.

Shelters and Dog Rescues

If for some reason you can't find a suitable home talk to your vet about local humane agencies with good reputations. Visit the shelters that you're considering, meet the staff and ask questions to make sure that you pet will get enough attention and the proper level of care. 

Updated 2/27/17

Puppies Behind Bars are Trained to Help in Many Ways

I care about all kinds of people, including people in prison. Hubby and I are involved in a prison ministry, but not the one I'm about to tell you about.  Some time ago I watched a program about an organization called "Puppies Behind Bars", and at the time there was also an article in a local paper, so I decided to visit the website.

It is amazing how much it means to people in prison to be able to be part of doing something good.  Through this program they are training puppies so many things, like training inmates to raise service dogs for wounded war veterans, people with various needs and disabilities, to detect explosives, and more. So they are trained to help in the home, in homeland security or law enforcement.  If you would like to learn more, visit the Puppies Behind Bars.

If you know more about this, are part of this organization, or are being helped by a dog that has been through the program, I'd love to hear from you, please share in a comment, and thank you for what you are doing.

Updated 2/27/17

Dog Breeds Most Likely to Suffer Bloat or Gastric Torsion Symptoms

"Bloat" or your veterinarian might call it "Gastric Torsion" can be a very serious and scary condition. If it isn't treated early, it can be life-threatening.

When the condition is present, the stomach in the dogs digestive system twists in a way that makes it hard for food to to move through, and it becomes bloated because of the food decay, and ultimately, unfortunately, can lead to death.

This is a condition that larger dogs are inclined to get. If you own one of the following breeds, you may want to learn more about this so you can prevent it:

1. Big sized Poodle


2. Labrador Retriever


3. Saint Bernard


4. Gordon Setter


5. Great Dane


6. Doberman Pinscher


7. English Sheepdog


8. Irish Setter

It is large dogs with large chest cavities that are more inclined to suffer from this condition.

What are some of the symptoms?

1. Drooling more than usual


2. Signs of pain in the abdomen


3. Trying to vomit, but not producing anything or producing foamy mucous material


4. Not wanting to play like usual, lying around curled up instead.


5. Later when the stomach becomes more bloated, more discomfort and more danger


6. Hard abdomen to the touch where it is usually soft to the touch

Dogs vomit for many reasons, even small dogs can spit up foamy yellow "stuff" which isn't uncommon, especially in the morning before eating because their stomachs are empty, and bigger dogs who play outside and aren't watched are good at finding things to eat that make them sick.  But if you suspect something more, it is ALWAYS best to have your pet checked by your veterinarian.  It may not be as serious as you think, but if it is, at least you will have support and guidance from your Vet.

Treatment:  Very basically, releasing the dangerous pressure and surgery are usually the treatment for this.  Do a search on this condition, you can use the search feature on this site if you wish, to find more information about this condition on the web.

Prevention:  Sometimes you can prevent this by not feeding one large meal a day, but feeding a few smaller meals...when you eat your three meals, give your dog a 3rd of what he/she should eat in a day, too.

When you change to a new food, it is ALWAYS a good idea to do it gradually for many reasons, mixing new food with old and gradually changing over.  Are you buying a dog?  See if any of it's "ancestors" have had the condition.

Updated 2/27/17

Clipping a Dogs Nails Without Causing Bleeding and Pain

There was no way in Aspen's lifetime that she ever was well behaved during a nail clipping. And Happy, our Pom also has had to learn to cooperate with nail clipping.  My husband would hold Aspen firmly against him as I clipped, until she finally would let me clip them in older years because she wasn't as strong as she used to be.  It is good to learn how to do this properly, or you can get very frustrated as a pet owner, and your pet could be injured if you clip the nails beyond the vein that is in the nail.  Here is an article that you might find helpful. 

Improving a Dog’s Response to Nail Clipping Using Paws-itive Conditioning

By: Sandy Tuniewicz

The purpose of this document is to teach the dog owner specific methods of conditioning a dog to enjoy clipping of the nails.

INTRODUCTION

Some pets accept nail trimming without much fuss, but others will not tolerate it at all. This document addresses some methods of modifying the anti-clipping behavior of the dog through training and conditioning.

BRIDGING BEHAVIOR AND REWARD USING A MARKER

Use a clicker or a special word as a marker to show the dog when it is doing the right thing. The marker is a bridge between the behavior and the food/treat. In this example we’ll use the word “YES” as the marker.

Important:

• Keep the dog’s interest during conditioning sessions by varying the food treats so the dog never knows what he’s getting.
• Have several different treats each session.

CONDITIONING/TRAINING

You can condition your dog as follows:

1. Touch the dog’s toe. If the dog doesn’t pull away, say “Yes,” and give him a yummy food treat. If the dog does pull away, try again only touching the floor in front of the toe first, then touching the toe. Note: Yummy food treat means steak, chicken, string cheese, ham or some other special treat that has a high value to your dog and that your dog does not every day. The treats should be in tiny pieces, about the size of a pinky nail.

2. Repeat this process for all front and back toes.

3. Once you can touch his front and back toes, put a little pressure on the nail like you would if you were clipping them. If the dog doesn’t pull away, say “Yes,” and give him a yummy food treat. If the dog does pull away, go back to just touching the dog’s toes, and progressing until you can put a little pressure on the nail.

4. Repeat this process for all toes.

5. Put the toe nail clippers in front of the toe. If the dog doesn’t pull away, say “Yes,” and give him a yummy food treat. If the dog does pull away, go back to just putting a little pressure on the nail, and progressing to putting the nail clippers in front of the toe.

6. Repeat this for all toes.

7. Once you’ve accomplished the above, try clipping one toe nail. Note: Starting with the back nails can work well.

8. Clip one nail per day, just taking off a little bit.

Important:
• Sessions should be short.
• Quit while you are ahead.
• Train no more than 5 minutes per session and several sessions per day.

Author:

Linda Caplan is/was a trainer, professional handler and Weimaraner breeder and has been in the dog fancy for 28 years. Sandy Tuniewicz is a technical writer, Pet Consultant, and the recipient of the 2005 Ulti-Mutt Sales award and the 2005 Dream Team Leader award from Shure Pets, the premier direct seller of pet products.  

(March 2013 update: Sandy's site is no longer available, or has moved...February 2017 update: I found Linda online and have linked her name to a site that shared information about her.)

Is Your Dog Showing Symptoms of an Ear Infection?

Dogs get many of the same ailments that humans do, including ear infections.  A dog will not be able to tell you that he/she has an ear infection, so if they exhibit signs of discomfort, such as pawing gently at the ear, snapping at you when usually even tempered, and not wanting to do the usual things they enjoy, you may need to take them to the vet for an evaluation. 

If you visit this link to an article about dog ear infections, you'll find some helpful information, you'll also find it listed under "pages" to the right. If you have any comments to make, come back here after you read the article, I don't think there's a place to make comments on the pages.

We hope that your dog is being kept warm during the cold months if you are living in a cold climate like we are.  There have been some extra cold days this year.

Updated 2/27/17 

Still A Popular Blog and Thoughts on Getting a New Dog

In spite of the passing of Aspen in August, something that I don't think I'll ever quite get over, though the pain isn't as acute as it used to be, this blog remains one of my most popular.  

As the new year came about, I reviewed each of my blogs, deciding which I am going to let go, and which I am going to keep.  Though tears may come to my eyes each time I see Aspen's face looking back at me in the header of the blog, this one will remain.

I have felt the pull to get a new dog, but am still struggling with the whole thing.  I guess until I "meet" the right dog and feel confident in the decision, the time is not right.  

Careful consideration should always be made when bringing a dog into the home, as you do not want to hurt the dog's feelings...and they do have feelings....by giving them up if things don't work out as you had hoped.  

So, I wish you a happy New Year, we will see what it brings, and I'll keep bringing you articles to help in the care of your pets.

Related Posts:

Grieving a Lost Pet
Saying Goodbye to Aspen  

Updated 2/27/17

The Rewards of Adopting an Older Dog

Depending upon the training, an older dog can be a wonderful companion to those who are not able to keep up with or train a young puppy.  Aspen was wonderful and gentle in her elder years, a little more work keeping up with some of her health needs, but I wouldn't have traded a single minute of my time with her.  

As I look ahead to the possibility of another dog, which is hard as Aspen had such a perfect disposition, I am not sure I have the energy or patience for a puppy...because while not old, I am older myself. 

A long time ago, I saved this article as it was a good one, the owner only wished to have a link back to her site, which at this update [2/27/17] is no longer available.  I hope you enjoy it....and even when considering an older dog, be careful...how they have been raised and their current health are important considerations.


The Companionship of an Older Dog

By: Janie Knetzer

My husband and I have rescued dogs of all ages over the years. Since we love dogs and want to help when we can, we always get our dogs from shelters and dog rescue groups. We have consistently found older dogs to be our favorites. Their gentleness and straightforwardness have always fit well into our hectic lives.

A dog at or above the age of eight is considered to be a senior dog. The great thing about adopting an older dog is that while they are far calmer than a younger dog, they are still healthy and enjoy playing.

In contrast to younger dogs, an older dog does not demand all of your attention all of the time. However, they do till like a regular routine just like a young dog. Dogs are always happiest when they can rely on a regular schedule, regardless of whether they are an older dog or still a puppy.

A regularly scheduled walk, regular feeding times and the opportunity to snuggle up to you while you read or watch television are ideal for your dog. Come up with a daily schedule which works for you and your dog and you will both be happy.

An older dog has a bit less energy than a puppy, so they will spend a little more of their time sleeping. You may need to give your senior dog a little push to ensure that they receive enough exercise to stay in good shape.

Kids And Senior Dogs

If you are thinking of adopting an older dog but have small children, remember that older dogs (just like us when we get older) do have aches and pains, meaning that they may not exactly love having children tackling them all of the time.

Parents should always teach their children to respect animals and treat them as they would want to be treated if their roles were reversed. If an older dog is a pet you’d like to take in, make sure that they are good with kids and can be relaxed in their presence. If the dog tries to escape from children, they likely will be uncomfortable around yours.

This does not by any means indicate that this older dog is a bad dog, merely that they are alarmed by their sudden movements or perhaps have been mistreated by children in the past. Families with small children should look for older dogs who walk up to children happily seeking to greet them.

Senior Dogs Have Little Chance For Rescue

It is very unfortunate, but most people overlook the older dogs when looking to adopt. Never realizing just how much these wonderful dogs have to offer. Their calm, gentle and grateful disposition makes them the perfect candidates for many families, single people and older people as well.

The only downside to adopting a senior dog is that you might not have the opportunity to spend as many years with them as you would like to. Yet, once you witness for yourself their undeniable gratitude and companionship, age no longer matters.

It is our hope that if you are thinking about adopting a dog, that you will please consider an older dog. Those gray muzzles are well worth a look.

Author Resource:-> Janie has been working with dogs for over twenty five years. She resides in Southwestern Pennsylvania with her husband and two dogs. She dedicates herself to educating others about the importance of responsible dog care.

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Updated 2/27/17

Are You Fighting Fall Fleas?

Until we have enough frost, or even a good freeze, pets need to be protected against fleas and ticks.  You can't let your guard down just because the air is cooler.

It is fall where we are, the leaves are changing, the air is crisp, but not crisp enough to kill fleas and ticks.  In fact, during this season these nasty bugs are looking for warm bodies to hitch a ride on, and then to do their dirty work of biting as they live on the blood of warm blooded animals.  

They may even hitch a ride on your pets into the home, and sometimes even infest the home. 

This time of year it is especially important to use some kind of flea repellent so your pet doesn't suffer and your home is kept tick and flea free. 

I have written a page that includes an article about protecting your dog from fleas and ticks.  You can click here to find the article, and look in the right margin for other full page articles.


Image Credit: "Flea Drinking Tea" by debspoons at freedigitalphotos.net
Updated 2/27/17

Grieving When You Lose a Dog

From the time that I started this blog, I knew the day would come when Aspen would cross the Rainbow Bridge and leave me behind.  It has been 5 weeks yesterday since her passing, and as you can see, it has been difficult to write about her.

I can tell you that the first couple weeks were the most difficult, I would think I heard her, or saw her when something was laying on the floor in the spot she used to lay on the floor, and would expect her to greet me at the door. 

Anyone who has had a Yorkie knows that the Yorkie greeting when you come home is so enthusiastic and unforgettable.  Of course during her last year she was not as active as she used to be, but she always managed to muster up the energy for a happy greeting when we came home.

The grief process for a beloved pet, one that was loved as much as Aspen was, is similar to grieving anyone that we love.  It may not be quite the same as losing a child, husband or wife, but the feelings and grief process are very much the same. 

After the first few weeks, there were less tears, but then Aspen started to be part of some of my early morning dreams just before waking, the only ones I remember.  Once we were playing a game that she loved to play, a chasing game.  In another she was in bed next to me, she often slept in the bed between my husband and I until the past year when it was bad for her legs to jump up and down.  In that dream I was petting her and could even "feel" her hair then awoke to the reality that it was just a dream.  These moments bring tears and I quickly rise to get on with the day.

This week I did have a dream about her, but in it, I was convincing someone else that she was now gone, so I guess my sub-conscience is coming to terms with reality too.

It is getting a bit easier, grief can stop life, and life must go on, so I'm thankful that it is a process that doesn't control every moment...but when the grief thoughts come, I engage them for a while, and am not afraid to shed tears, as all of this is part of the healing process after losing a pet that I loved as much as Aspen.  The blog will go on, though, Aspen would want it that way.

Image taken by me.

We Said Goodbye to our Beloved Yorkie

This blog has, for the most part, been written from Aspen, a Yorkshire Terrier's point of view.  Today, I, her owner, am broken hearted as we have finally had to say goodbye to her sweet self.

Aspen, as you know if you have followed this blog, had Cruciate Ligament Tear in both her hind legs, but got around quite well for a year with pain medicine and a Glucosamine product.  She also was going blind and had dry eye syndrome, so her eyes were tended to with cleaning and drops daily.

We have watched her declining bit by bit, and told ourselves (my husband and I) that we would keep her alive as long as she was happy and not suffering.  Yesterday she had a difficult day, and today, she was unable to do anything, just lay trembling.

So we made the painful decision to take her and have her put to rest.  I have cried almost continuously since.  We brought her home and buried her with her favorite toy, the only one that she would play with for the 14 years of her life.

And now I grieve.  She was a precious and sweet dog that brought us nothing but joy during her life.  Her portrait picture is in the header of this blog, and there are other pictures of her on this blog.  In time, the blog will go on, just as she would have wanted.