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.

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

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

A fun look at the unbelievable rear suspension on the Dogger dog stroller. You don’t see shocks like this everyday.

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For more info or to order your own Dogger click here

Oprah Winfrey is one of the most influential people in history and beyond that she is an amazing dog lover. She has had many dogs past and present and understands how big a part of the family our dogs are. If you witnessed her heartbreak at losing her beloved cocker spaniels Sophie and Soloman as they struggled in their senior years and eventually passed on, you would understand why so many dog owners can connect with Oprah on such a deep level. It takes a true dog lover to understand the significance of losing one of our four-legged family members.

I would love to be able to talk with Oprah about all the wonderful options people have for their older dogs. I have been there, when you are heart broken at seeing your once vibrant dog struggle with the challenges of age, not knowing how to help and feeling powerless. My mission is to raise awareness among senior dog owners, letting everyone know how they can help improve the quality of life for their older dog. There are amazing, life changing options that can help extend the time you have together, so here is what i’d say if Oprah would listen.

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If you feel that Oprah should do a piece on older dogs please let her know – suggest a show topic

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