13 Candles on the Cake!

Haiku is only one of two dogs I ever welcomed into the family as a puppy.  He was found wandering the Lancaster Desert at the age of only 4-weeks and taken in by the local animal control.  Fortunately, the nearby Akita Rescue bailed him out and since I was volunteering and had recently lost 3 senior dogs in an 11-month period, the Executive Director said, “You need to foster this puppy!” knowing I’d be a foster failure.

We already had Mr. Rico, a 10-year-old Black Labrador whom we had adopted a a few months before, so Haiku joined the family and got a big brother!

A few weeks later…he got a big sister as we adopted Bonsai (formerly Bonnie), a senior from the Akita rescue as well.  She had just lost her mate (or maybe her son) to a tragic accident and had been living in the desert rescue for 6 months.  She needed love, and we were able to provide it!  I think it did her good to take on a mothering role with Haiku, and did it ever help whip him into shape.  This weekend, my baby boy turns 13-years-young and has stories to account of a fun lifetime so far.  He’s vacationed at the beach in fancy hotels, visited a winery, been on television and had his face on the cover of books and magazines.  Haiku loves early morning walks, eating pupucinnos (and everything) and made a cross-country move with us last year.  He’s had both knees replaced, had a couple small cancer scares but biopsies removed the threats, yet I am always vigilant.  Still full of personality, he is moving gracefully into his seniorhood, so although most of my dogs in the past were adopted in their golden years…my puppy is now officially there as well.  I’m so glad I got to experience the joy of being Haiku’s mom for all but about the first 5 weeks of his life, but puppies are a LOT of work.  Paul’s (my husband of almost 28 years) and my experience adopting seniors has been truly amazing and life changing.

There was Sushi at 9 1/2, Rico at about the same age and Rexy at 10 to name a few. Even though our time with them was shorter, the bond created is unbreakable, and because we were in the moment with them…our time together seemed like a lifetime!

I have so many things I’d love each of you to consider regarding the joys of adopting a senior pet…

They already know their manners, have at least some house and obedience training, are more focused and therefore mellow instead of spastic.  They know what NO means and are happy to just be with you so you have an instant companion as well as time for yourself (including during the nighttime hours when they will sleep straight through).  With an older dog or cat who has already grown into his personality as well as his paws, you have a new best buddy who is oh so grateful for a second chance at a forever home.

Senior pets need homes just as badly as their younger counterparts but often get passed over at rescues for the cute puppies and kittens.  Many were once owned and loved by someone while others are waiting into their golden years to have that special human they can wag uncontrollably over.  Senior pets who find themselves in a shelter because of a death or other tragedy in their former human family usually go through a mourning period themselves – they must adjust to changes they don’t understand.  Once they are adopted however, they usually want nothing more than to please their new best friend, and it gives a terrific pet parent like YOU the opportunity to make sure a dog or cat’s later years are truly golden by having him spend them with you!

Don’t worry that you may only have a short time together.  Although that may be true, none of us knows how much time we have.  Some animals live to 6 while others live to 20+.  A pet could look old but be quite young.  Nothing is certain.  What is important is that you make the most of whatever time you have together.  You can really make those remaining days, weeks, months or years precious for an older animal.

While it’s true that medical ailments have a greater chance of manifesting once any of us get older, that too is not a given.  Some pets go through a plethora of medical treatments at an early age while others live their whole lives healthy and strong.

Before you adopt (and continue even once you are old pals), communicate heart to heart with the dog or cat. Ask him or her what he or she wants and needs from you to make their life whole.  If you’re having trouble tuning in, call on an Animal Communicator to help.  An older pet has a history, hopefully most good, but some not so much leaving the animal with trust, anxiety or other issues you may need to find a way around.  Any way that you can let him or her know you care and reach their heart, is a paw in the right direction!

Don’t be surprised if some of your new lady or fella’s antics remind you of a pet you have said your good-byes to.  Our furry best friends keep watching over us, and sometimes give your new canine or feline the scoop on how to be your very best boy or girl.

If you want to learn how to enhance the life of your senior, tune in to the AGING DOG SUMMIT!  I’m one of 16 speakers with GRReat tips!  https://petsafetycrusader–sizzle.thrivecart.com/aging-dog-summit–fast-action/

Also, catch my VLOG on this topic on Monday 6/18 11am Eastern at www.Facebook.com/Sunny-dogInk

For 20 years Denise Fleck’s Sunny-dog Ink motto has been “Helping people to help their pets,” and she has…teaching more than 15,000 pet lovers animal life-saving skills and millions more on “The Doctors,” CNN, “Kirstie Alley’s Big Life,” Animal Planet and other TV shows.  Denise is a frequent conference speaker, developed a line of pet first aid kits and now offers classes online.  

Note:  The articles on this page are copyrighted.  Please do not reprint or use portions for any purpose without written permission from the author.  Request permission for usage by sending an email explaining how you’d like to use the materials and what parts specifically.  Thank you in advance!

The post The Joys of Adopting a Senior Pet appeared first on Pet Safety Crusader.

With the ceremonial lighting of candle #7 on the doggie bone or kitty fish birthday cake, it is generally assumed your best friend has emBARKed on his golden years.  Giant breeds enter seniorhood around 6 while smaller dog breeds and cats closer to 9.  Though often premature to consider your best pal a senior citizen, it’s a great time to make changes that can ensure a continuing quality of life. Decreased activity and loss of muscle tone can result in constipation, arthritis, degenerative joint disease and cognitive dysfunction, so…get those paws moving, but always speak with your veterinarian before starting any new regimen to be sure it is the best course of action for your pet.

Exercise helps maintain healthy body weight – Just as in humans, excess weight in senior dogs may bring about serious health conditions such as diabetes, congestive heart failure and liver issues.  Exercise also aids in proper digestion and nutrient absorption which are important to overall health.  The best exercise for a cat is adopting a second cat (and we talk all about that in the course mentioned at the end of this article)!

Exercise helps delay the onset of osteoarthritis – We all need our joints to work smoothly and efficiently to get us where we want to go.  Moderate exercise can keep movement fluid, slow deterioration and minimize pain.

Exercise helps maintain mental health – Well-oxygenated blood flow to tissues does a body good, and exercise also removes toxins.  Activity keeps nutrients like glucose at optimum levels in the brain and like every other organ in the body…the brain requires good nutrition to function properly.

What’s a dog parent to do?

• First, talk to your veterinarian to determine what exercises will be most beneficial and which to avoid. Ask if apoequorin might help with Cognitive Function so that your best friend will remain “in the moment” with you.
• If at any time, your dog gets tired, coughs or has problems breathing, stop and call your vet. You know your dog better than anyone else and know when he is not acting normal.  By detecting and treating a problem early, you may save your best friend’s life.
• Remain patient with your older dog and never get frustrated by time needed to acquire a new skill or perform a task. Enjoy each moment together.

What not to do

• Do not let your senior canine exercise for long periods of time or under hot or humid conditions. Most dogs wish to please their owner and will risk their own health to do so.
• Do not force your senior to exercise. If he looks tired or unwilling, call a time-out. Limping, stiffness, lameness, tenderness in limbs and spinal areas are all reason to seek veterinary advice.
• Don’t over-treat during training as older dogs add weight more quickly and lose pounds more slowly due to changes in their metabolism.

According to a team of researchers at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna, “Walking uphill may improve the flexibility of affected joints, particularly of the hip, while walking over low obstacles may improve the bending of the joints in the front and rear limbs.”

While a study in the American Journal of Veterinary Research cautions, “Dogs who have undergone surgery to the tibia, should avoid walking over obstacles which could potentially strain the tendon that joins the knee to the shin.”  Choosing the right exercise makes it beneficial as well as fun.  Learn what is best for Fido’s sake!

Low impact walking and swimming are great ways to increase mobility.  Short 10-15 minute sessions allow your dog to adjust to the routine without becoming tired.  Aqua-therapy might be just the key!  The combination of water resistance and free-joint movement allows senior dogs to enjoy exercise with no harsh impact on their bodies, and many really love stretching their legs in the pool – supervised of course!

If your dog does not love to swim, choose another activity.  Gentle walks during the cooler part of the day can be ideal.  Build upon your dog’s existing strengths and interests.  One canine will be excellent at fetch and release, another might prefer tug-of-war.  “My healthiest senior dogs were flyball veterans,” says KimToepfer of Fresno Dog Training.  “They continued to play well into their teens but with lower jump heights and an emphasis on fun rather than speed.  The combination of mental and physical stimulation made for a great workout.”
As in any training or exercise program, pay attention to your dog and note if he is enjoying it.  Break the activity into small achievable steps and reinforce the skill while encouraging progress.

Consistency is vital for dogs that have lost an important communication tool such as sight or hearing.  Use consistent commands or hand signals and be patient if your dog struggles to accommodate his new limitations.

Refresher courses on basic obedience keep an older mind sharp.  Take your senior through his “sits,” “stays” and “comes.”  Toss in something he never learned before whether it’s that silly “keep the biscuit on your nose” trick or guessing which cup the kibble is under.  Old dogs can learn new tricks.  Be patient and keep it fun.

Nose work can be great for older dogs since it doesn’t require physical stamina and can be enjoyed even by those losing their sight; It’s a great way to keep the body busy and the mind active without over exerting.  And agility isn’t out of the question.  Just slow down the speed and limit or leave out the jumps all together.

Whatever you do, do it together and cherish those golden years!

I am waggin’ my tail over the debut of my SENIOR PET CARE CERTIFICATE COURSE!  Three-hours of online learning take you on a journey through the autumn and winter years of your pet’s life, showing you the importance of tuning in, letting you know what signs to look for, sharing with you the various ailments and different modalities that could you increase your dog or cat’s quality of life allowing you to continue making PURRfectly wondeRUFFul memories together.  Not required, but it is suggested you also get  “The Autumn & Winter of Your Pet:  Makes Those Senior Years Golden” – ebook FREE with purchase of print version!  Scores of 80% and higher on the 36 question multiple choice/True-False exam that follows will receive a Certificate of Completion.  Sign up now to make the most of the later years you’ll spend with your furry best friend!

WATCH MY VIDEO VLOG ON THIS TOPIC AT https://youtu.be/rjrZXpFS4eU

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Denise Fleck is an award winning author and freelance writer.  After extensive training, practice, more training and more practice, she developed her own Pet First-Aid & CPR curriculum and has been teaching animal life-saving skills for close to 20 years with many success stories to share.  Additionally she developed a 5 month long Animal Care course for high school students in conjunction with the Burbank Unified School District and Animal Shelter.  She has demonstrated animal life-saving skills on CBS –TV’s “The Doctors,” Animal Planet’s “Pit Boss,” “Kirstie Alley’s Big Life” and countless other shows. To complement her teachings, Denise created a line of Pet First-Aid Kits, posters and books for children teaching animal respect and care!  Visit www.PetSafetyCrusader.com or call (818) 951-7962.

Note:  The articles on this page are copyrighted.  Please do not reprint or use portions for any purpose without written permission from the author.  Request permission for usage by sending an email explaining how you’d like to use the materials and what parts specifically.  Thank you in advance!

The post You Can Teach an Old Dog (or Cat) New Tricks and Should! appeared first on Pet Safety Crusader.