As many of you are aware I lost my 15 year Pug (Mackenzie) a few months ago and it broke my heart. I think about him and miss him everyday. During this time I have ben able to reflect on all the amazing memories he gave me over the past decade and a half, and the many lessons he taught me about myself and about life in general. I am a better person because of Mackenzie so I wanted to share the lessons he taught me.

Take time to smell the roses

Our lives are hectic and it is so easy to get caught up in the chaos by letting the stress overwhelm us, but sometimes all it takes is to see the world through our dog’s eyes. Mackenzie had an amazing ability to soak in everything around him. He would take his time (no one was going to rush this guy), smell every little thing in the yard or on a walk, savour every bite of his meals like a food reviewer, appreciate every sip of his water like it was the first time he’d tasted it and embrace every touch from his family. Sometimes when I was feeling stressed I could almost hear him saying “relax, slow it down and enjoy.” I learned to appreciate all that I had and not let life pass me by.

Know yourself

Having Mackenzie since he was 8 weeks old until he was 15 1/2 years old meant that I had the priviledge of seeing him move through many stages of life. He started out as a very anxious and insecure puppy and then as a result of many adventures became the most self aware individual I knew. Over time he really understood what he needed, what he liked, what he couldn’t be bothered with and who he wanted to be around. I truly believe knowing who he was and what he wanted from life was a big reason he became such a laid back dog – a transition I would not have believed possible if I wasn’t there to see it. I know many humans that are incapable of change, but my pug took life’s experiences and used it to explore and understand who he was. I found it comforting to be around such a secure man.

Keep an open mind

Some dogs love to run and play, but Mackenzie was more along the lines of an adventurer and scientist. While my other dog would be chasing a ball, Mackenzie would circle the area inspecting everything in great detail. Once the exploring was done he would sit and think – in my mind it was as if he was solving the world’s problems. His curiosity continued throughout his entire life. He was always open to new things and would light up when we would go to different areas, take road trips, visit new parks etc because he loved having something different and interesting to explore. Whenever I find myself unmotivated or stuck in a routine, I think of him and try something new in my life.

Life is about change

If you have ever had a dog in your life, no matter what age, one thing you will undoubtedly see is the changes they go through as they pass through the various stages of their lives. The whole reason I started Dog Quality was because I wanted a better life for Mackenzie and Churchill as they began to face the challenges of old age. I learned very quickly that getting older doesn’t mean the fun has to stop, it just means that you need to have fun in different ways.

When Mackenzie struggled with mobility issues, we continued to have adventures thanks to the help of  a dog stroller. When he had trouble walking on tile and hardwood I gave him traction socks, when he became stiff I made sure he had an orthopedic bed. And when he had so many teeth removed I gave him softer food so he could continue to savour every bite. Throughout all this time Mackenzie had a blast. He continued to enjoy life, he continued to show me love and appreciation and we continued to have an amazing time together. He taught me that life is about change, so rather than fight it, just embrace it and enjoy the ride.

Family is everything

From the very beginning, Mackenzie has been a family man. When he was 2 months old I brought a little French Bulldog into his life named Churchill. The two of them were inseparable from the first moment they met and together the 3 of us became a family. Wherever one went, we all went. Whether it was around the house or across the country we were always together. I can honestly say that I appreciated every moment we spent with each other – I always knew life was short and I reminded myself constantly to treasure every moment which we all did. Mackenzie and Churchill showed me how strong a bond between dog and parent can be – they would have walked to the end of the earth for me and I would have done the same in return.

The love I felt was unconditional and something I will never forget. It taught me that no matter what is going on in your life not to worry because the important part, the part that really matters, is right there next to me. Even with both Mackenzie and Churchill gone I still feel them with me in my heart and in my memories and I find comfort in that.

I have Paige (my 6 year old French Bulldog) who I adore and eventually I will open my heart again to new four-legged family members and I am sure I will continue to become a better human being because of the lessons my dogs teach me.

What have you learned from your older dog?

Ann-Marie Fleming is the Founder of DogQuality.com, a site focused on products that help older dogs enjoy life.

Today when I was out on a walk with my younger dog on a leash and my senior dog in his stroller, I was reminded of how amazing a dog stroller can be. If you are like me and have one dog who can walk without issue, and another who can only walk for a few minutes then you will appreciate what I am saying.

Having the ability to take both dogs out for the walks they both enjoy so much is so rewarding I don’t know what I ever did without one

For those of you who are new to the concept, here are the top 10 reasons to use a dog stroller.

1. Allows your senior dog to come on long walks again.

2. Older dogs can walk when able and ride when they need a rest, allowing them to continue to get the exercise they need to stay healthy.

3. Getting your older dog out and about helps to keep their minds stimulated, contributing to better mental health.

4. You no longer have to look into the disappointed face of your senior dog as you tell them they can’t come with you because now they can!

5. Dog strollers are easy to transport so you can bring them anywhere.

6. The right dog stroller can last years giving you extreme value for your dollar.

7. Older dogs love the view from the dog stroller. It keeps them young at heart and can breathe new life into your senior dog.

8. Not only can a dog stroller help to keep your elderly dog active, but you might find yourself shedding a few pounds as well with all the walking or jogging.

9. If your dog has arthritis, is injured or disabled, a dog stroller is a great way to help them travel safely whether it’s to the vet, groomer or to the park.

10. Many dog strollers can fit two dogs comfortably so even if you have two older dogs, you can all get back to walking again.

Can you think of some reasons I missed? Share your thoughts or experiences with your dog stroller.

When the idea of a wheel chair for dogs was first mentioned to me I immediately saw the sense in it. In fact, most mobility devices designed to assist humans can be adapted in some way or form to dogs, i.e. dog strollers, wheelchairs, harnesses, carriers etc…The selling point for me in any of these products has always been its functionality. In other words, its purpose must be practical not some superficial reason.

To me, carrying a healthy dog in a front baby carrier is not only confusing but also serves to undermine to intention of the product and subsequently prevents potential buyers from considering it as a useful tool for dogs with mobility issues. It’s easy to understand why a pet owner might consider these products for their aging dogs and nothing drives the point home more than actually seeing one being used properly.

Just yesterday I saw an older dog using a wheel chair and while it saddened me to see that it had lost the use of its hind legs it was really uplifting to see how excited it was to be outside actively engaging with other dogs.

I believe that it is our responsibility to provide the best quality of life for our dogs and denying them there natural right to an active life is not only unfair but also abusive.

This is why it is important that these devices be marketed in a manner that promotes practicality rather than as an extension of someone eccentric personality.

The Guinness Book of World Records claims “Chanel”, a 21 year dachshund owned by Denice and Karl Shaugnessey, became the oldest dog alive after a 28 year old beagle passed away in the spring of last year.

Despite having to wear special goggles for her cataract eyes and being limited to a strict diet Chanel is a very healthy and happy dog. I know that for any dog to live this long there has to be a lot of love between the owner and pet.

This is something that I feel should be promoted more when selling the idea of owning a pet. Not to sound like a financial advisor here but in order to maximize your investment you want to create an optimal environment in which it will prosper. I know in our family, in addition to proper exercise, diet, and regular trips to the vet, we have always shown a lot of love towards our pets and each one has gone on to live beyond their expected lifespan.

So while it may be an obvious statement it is still worth reiterating if for nothing else but to get your dog in the record books! Hahaha. Remember….health and happiness are intimately linked and best sustained in loving environments.

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Watching our 13 year old pug – Mackenzie – hobble out into the yard for his daily outdoor exercise has often made me wonder if there was a cure for some of his ailments. Stem cell research for humans represents a promising new field of “regenerative medicine” but how about for animals? According to ABC news and their article A Dog’s Stem Cell Life “stem cell therapy for animals is ahead of treatment for humans because it is not so strictly regulated. It’s not experimental — it’s here!” In addition to embryonic stem cell research, doctors can now use adult stem cells recovered from body fat. The advantage here is that there are no side effects and rejection issues are non-existent as the patient is also the cell donor. Ailments such as hip dysplasia are now being treated by taking body fat from anywhere on the body, separating its stem cells and then re-injecting them into the hip in greater concentrations than normal. Since the stem cells come from the host there is little controversy over how they are harvested and subsequently no red tape hindering its growth potential. “Stem cells show great promise for healing animal joints, hearts, livers and kidneys and also have the potential to regenerate damaged spinal cords within hours of injury”. This is exciting news as there is now hope for dogs like Mackenzie whose age related injuries can now be relieved.