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.

By Marcella Durand for The Dog Daily

Getting old is no excuse to become a couch potato—and that goes for dogs, too! As your dog ages, regular exercise keeps its muscles toned, his joints protected, his body trim and his mind sharp. He may no longer be able to slaughter the Frisbee like he used, but an exercise routine tailored to his individual likes and needs will make his remaining years truly golden.

“The most important thing with older dogs is making a routine,” says Nann Dawn, shelter manager at the Oakland Adoption Center in Oakland, California and one of the founders of the shelter’s innovative Silver Muzzle Club, an adoption program for pets eight-years and older. “Make time for exercise every day. They can’t afford at their age to be weekend warriors.”

Whether your dog’s idea of fun is swimming, walking, or playing with other dogs, build up slowly. If it’s walking, start with a few blocks and gradually progress to a couple of miles a day.

Beware of overstraining your pooch. An older dog will want to please you and might end up playing beyond its limits. Monitor the situation closely and make sure your dog doesn’t become dehydrated, overheated or too tired.  “The key is not to push a dog,” says Chuck Keicer, DVM, at the Heartland Veterinary Hospital in Kentucky. “You don’t want to push an animal beyond a comfort zone.”

Steer clear of high-impact activities like jumping which can stress aging joints. Keicer recommends swimming as “absolutely the best” for older dogs because it is low-impact. Walking is a close second for the same reason.  Surprisingly, however, Keicer also likes agility training, which he says can be easily adjusted to suit a senior dog’s ability. “There are lots of ways an agility course can be modified for an older dog,” says Keicer. Lowering jumps is a good example. “It can still be a blast for them to participate.”

Obedience training is another option to get senior dogs moving. “Every adult dog who joins the Silver Muzzle Club goes through obedience work,” says Dawn. “We have yet to find one that doesn’t like a little round of treat training,” she says. And a lot of the senior dogs have gone on to do pet therapy. “Most dogs don’t make it to old age without being really good dogs.  Sometimes they’re really ready to work.”

Dawn also recommends at-home toys, such as Buster Cubes and Kongs filled with kibble, because they keep a senior dog entertained and exercise the jaw muscles. As for social activities, she prefers large dog parks where an older dog might avoid getting bullied or crowded by younger aggressive dogs.  “Older dogs can’t take those adolescent body slams,” she says. “Most of them can’t keep up with the youngsters.”

By knowing your older dog’s likes and limitations, the two of you can develop an exercise regimen that will keep both of you having fun for years to come.

By Brad Kloza for The Dog Daily

As a senior emergency clinician at New York City Veterinary Specialists, Trisha Joyce, DVM, has seen her share of doggie trauma. But she says some of the saddest cases are the least dramatic: dogs suffering from severe arthritis.

“One family brought in their Labrador that was so arthritic he couldn’t even get up to go to the bathroom,” Dr. Joyce says. “His overall health was OK, but he was just too big and too arthritic. The owners came in to euthanize, which was a really hard decision because it’s not like he had a life-threatening disease. But there was no practical way to manage it at home.”

Dog Arthritis Is Common

Scientific studies indicate that 20 percent of middle-aged dogs and 90 percent of older dogs have osteoarthritis in at least one joint. it’s hard to stop the disease once it has set in, according to James Cook, DVM, at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

“There are two problems we see in osteoarthritis,” explains Dr. Cook. “One is we don’t have a cure, and the other is that we still see progression of arthritis even after the best treatments. Both of those problems come from the fact that we diagnose it too late.”

A Research Breakthrough

Dr. Cook and his research team, however, may have found the key to early diagnosis. It’s what he calls “the Holy Grail” in the fluid that surrounds and lubricates the joints of both dogs and people. Dr. Cook sampled this fluid from dogs known to have osteoarthritis and from others without the disease. As he wrote in the American Journal of Veterinary Research, when he analyzed the proteins in the fluid, a pattern became evident.

The scientists noticed that quality and quantity of this fluid were altered in arthritic dogs. Examining the fluid even more closely, they identified seven proteins that appear to be linked to arthritis. The proteins increase and decrease in patterns that “are consistently different than [patterns] found in normal patients with no arthritis at all,” notes Dr. Cook.

The Next Steps

Dr. Cook and his team plan to follow healthy dogs over time to see if the pattern can correctly predict which dogs end up getting arthritis. If everything happens as theorized and according to schedule, he hopes that a screening test will be available for young dogs in three to four years.

Until then, here is some practical advice for dog owners worried about, or already dealing with, canine arthritis:

• Warning signs Watch for decreased activity and signs of pain. These may be overt (e.g., limping, lameness, whimpering) or subtle, like a typically pleasant dog becoming snippy. Some arthritic dogs may consistently stop doing only specific activities, such as jumping on the bed or into a car.

• Diagnosis If you think your dog has arthritis, schedule a visit with your veterinarian for a comprehensive diagnosis of the problem. Knowing which joints are affected, and how severely, can greatly help determine which treatment options to consider.

• Treatment Dr. Joyce says that while arthritis is forever and can’t be undone, certain medications can alleviate pain and symptoms. Other considerations include alternative treatments like acupuncture and hydrotherapy. Surgical procedures are an option for extreme cases. Most dogs will achieve a higher quality of life with any of these treatments.

• Activity The best way to treat and prevent arthritis is to help your dog stay in good shape. Maintain its weight in the low end of the normal range and keep your pet active just enough to sustain muscle tone and strength. Start with moderate levels of activity — a brisk walk, limited periods of playing in the park — and work your way up. Through trial and error with careful monitoring, you can find your dog’s “sweet spot” of exercise for optimal joint health.

• Diet A healthy diet is a big part of staying in shape. Dr. Cook recommends going with name brands that commit to putting science into dog food, offer well-balanced nutrition and are tailored to specific breed sizes. He says that while supplements cannot prevent the disease, they can help alleviate pain. “Pet foods with glucosamine and chondroitin or fish oil can help manage the disease because they reduce inflammation and degradation,” he adds.

A Cure on the Horizon

Is the ultimate solution — a cure for arthritis — within reach? Dr. Cook says he hopes his research is starting to point in the direction of a cure. If his pattern of biomarkers can truly predict arthritis, scientists will be closer to determining the root causes of the disease.

“Now we know earlier steps in the process,” he says. “If we can address those steps, we could potentially have a cure. We are getting to the foundation steps, or the critical cogs in the wheel, of what becomes arthritis.”

Brad Kloza is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in The New York Times Magazine and Discover.

How many times have you left your older dog behind? Perhaps you have a younger dog that is still full of energy and your senior dog can no longer keep up? Or maybe your older dog has too many mobility issues to even make it down the street.

I know this because I live it. I have a 5 year old French Bulldog who is extremely active and I have a 15 year old Pug who suffers from arthritis. I personally can’t look at Mackenzie’s face and leave with just Paige and equally so, I can’t look at Paige and say that we can’t go for a walk today.

The Dogger is the perfect way to help both your dogs. I can walk Paige while Mackenzie rides. He gets out for as much exercise as he can manage and enjoys the ride the rest of the way. It is such an amazing way to keep everyone active – including you

Enjoy the video

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

In human medicine, a grading system is used to assess the severity of arthritis in human patients. In my veterinary practice, I have formulated a similar system for dog arthritis. I use four grades: one refers to the early onset of the disease and four describes the most advanced stages and signs.

I find this grading system quite helpful because my clients can have a better understanding of their dog’s condition. In addition, I use it as guide when I recommend treatments. The following will be a brief description of the four grades along with their corresponding treatment options:

Grade 1 Dog Arthritis: This stage describes the beginning of dog arthritis. The damage to the cartilage is very small. X-rays and endoscopy will only reveal the softening of the cartilage tissue. Your dog will experience pain but it will be mild and will have little trouble concealing it.

Treatment: Weight loss, Physical therapy, Dietary supplements such as SAM-e, Low molecular weight chondroitin, and Glucosamine HCL), and preventive surgery (for dogs having and orthopedic condition).

Grade 2 Dog Arthritis: X-rays and endoscopy will reveal the beginnings of cracks in the cartilage and the growth of bone spurs. Your dog will be experiencing some intermittent mild lameness. Your dog will be experiencing some pain especially when the arthritic joint is touched. The joints will be slightly inflamed.

Treatment: Grade 1 dog arthritis treatments, Tramadol, and dietary supplements (Fish oil omega-3 and more)

Grade 3 Dog Arthritis: This grade refers to moderate to severe dog arthritis. X-rays and endoscopy will reveal bone spurs, thick fissures in the cartilage, and scar tissue around the joints. Your dog will be experiencing chronic pain and inflammation. The lameness will be more frequent and more pronounced.

Treatment: Grade 1 and 2 dog arthritis treatments, Neuropathic pain medicines (NMDA antagonists), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and more dietary supplements (anti-oxidants can help, as well as others).

Grade 4 Dog Arthritis: This grade refers to advanced dog arthritis. Your dog will most likely be near paralyzed because of intense chronic pain and inflammation of the joints. X-rays and endoscopy will show large bone spurs, extensive cartilage loss, “bone to bone” contact, and dense scar tissue around the affected joints.

Treatment: Grade 1, 2, and 3 dog arthritis as well as heavy duty treatments such as stem cell therapy or cortisone injections.

There is a LOT more that can be done but you need to be careful of the side effects and that you do not get confused by the amazing variety of supplements available. If you are interested in finding out more you should start by downloading my ebook “The Risks of Prescription Medicines in Dog Arthritis” which you can pick up for free from: http://www.dogarthritisplan.com

Wishing your dog the very best of health!

Dr. Christoper Durin is a veterinarian and creator of Dog Arthritis Blog, the authority site for dog arthritis.