Local senior puppies living their best lives.Written by Elle Williams, CPDT-KA
Pet Columnist, Canyon Lake Insider
Senior dogs are definitely the best! That cloudy face, the snorting slow walk, and the couch that is no longer a chew toy, these are the golden days.
Contrary to popular belief, dogs do not age slowly and steadily. They mature all at once after a long period of ripening. Puppyhood happens in the blink of an eye. Six months of toilet mishaps and hilarious social media-worthy moments.
Puberty seems to last for a year and a half due to the influence of hormones. However, this time can be the most rewarding. Watch them learn and grow.
Then, it feels like the average life span to adulthood is 4-8 years. But senior years can come suddenly. One day your pup is surfacing on the bed and the next you're installing dog stairs.
This is not an article about the cons of owning a senior puppy, this is a celebration of seniors. Canyon Lake resident Jayne Ashton declared, “Blessed are those who find the love of a senior dog.”
Senior dogs may slow down physically, but I guarantee their minds are still running at full speed. “I love how senior dogs remind us that even though we're getting older and a little slower, there's still so much you can do,” said dog lover Kelly Welty of Canyon Lake. Told. “Our senior rescuer Chris is deaf, but he's still the coolest kid.”
Some senior dogs don't show their age at all. Canyon Lake resident Dennis Gehring knows this all too well. “My senior had no idea he was 17 years old,” Goering said.
This is the perfect time to engage your senior dog's senses with fun games, slow sniffing walks, and lots of cuddles. “There's nothing I love more in this world than cuddling with my older dog, KC,” said Michelle Robinson, a Canyon Lake resident.
If running or hiking is no longer fun for your senior dog, there are hundreds of enriching games, alternative exercises, and toys to help your senior dog think. Lindsey Cooper, who lives in Canyon Lake, found swimming to be one of her senior's favorite activities. “I love seeing her jump in the pool every time she walks, even if it's 50 degrees outside,” Cooper said.
When it comes to keeping your senior dog's brain healthy, scuffle mats and puzzle feeders make for great mealtime nourishment that gets the brain working. Encourage your dog to use his nose and brain by hiding toys under his pillow. Just petting them on their super fluffy surfaces or brushing their fur will enrich your senses.
Senior dogs have a routine, are more likely to feel secure in a good home environment, and are less likely to show irritation. They find joy in those simple moments. Sherry Griffin, who lives in Canyon Lake, reflected on her older dog's love of simple things. “Rollypop really enjoys a simple life,” Griffin said. “She's almost completely blind and going deaf, but she doesn't miss a beat. She enjoys the little dog park in the East Bay almost every day. She has lots of friends and every day… I love going out.”
All senior dogs are individuals, so my experience is limited. When we asked the Canyon Lake community what they love most about their senior dogs, the love was, unsurprisingly, poured out.
“They're very happy,” Darlene Swaffer said. “We have now rescued two elderly people (both were 8 at the time of rescue). Complete dedication and love.”
“My love for her was put to the test for the first time when Mia was in her senior year, and that's when I realized how strong my love for her was,” said local dog trainer Holly Stephen. “I will be forever grateful to her.”
Colleen Hensley, who runs a mobile pet grooming business in Canyon Lake, said, “Grace, my senior foster parent, taught me that it's better to love and lose than never to love at all. It's much better to stay home and get enough rest for a morning dog walk than to stay out late, and adopted dogs aren't the only ones who get a second chance at life. He taught me that.”
It seemed like a good time to mention a somewhat local rescue operation that does an amazing job of saving, fostering, and adopting just the elderly. Frosted Faces, located in Ramona, California, is on a mission to find families for senior dogs. They go above and beyond when it comes to healthcare. “We cover a lifetime of medical expenses and medications for chronically ill seniors at our affiliated veterinary clinics,” the rescue group said. For more information, to view dogs available for adoption, to foster or to donate, please visit www.frostedfacesfoundation.org.
In conclusion, one of the most impactful responses came from Canyon Lake resident Beverly Chavira. When asked what he loves most about his senior dog, Bunny Boo, Chavira replied, “I love him more than he loves me, and I love him.” Isn't that true? No matter how much we love our dogs, they find ways to love us even more. So let's love them at every stage of life. Their time is limited, but the love we receive is infinite.
Elle Williams is a local in-home dog trainer and owner of Give a Sit Dog Training. She is certified in canine psychology, nutrition, and grooming, and specializes in basic and advanced obedience, puppy preparation, and behavior adjustment training.
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