By 10 most have a little cataract, a bit of blue, easiest to see indoors with dim light in the evening when the pupil is widest. Intact males have often have changes around the anus by 10.
10 is pretty old for a big dog.

Pupperonis and Canine Carry Outs look, feel, and SMELL exactly like PlayDough. Have you noticed?

I take homemade healthy treats or leftover meat to training class. My dog begs for the playdough from other people.



I would be SO HAPPY to get the news you got today. Ripley turns 6 in a month (estimated) and I am already worried that he's a senior. It's like a gift from the Gods, Wendy.

" My dog begs for the playdough from other people. "


Yup .... it's that salt .... it's irresistible! LOL

 Quote: Meredith Hamilton

Pupperonis and Canine Carry Outs look, feel, and SMELL exactly like PlayDough. Have you noticed?

I take homemade healthy treats or leftover meat to training class. My dog begs for the playdough from other people.



I would be SO HAPPY to get the news you got today. Ripley turns 6 in a month (estimated) and I am already worried that he's a senior. It's like a gift from the Gods, Wendy.

Yes, he normally only gets grain free Turkey biscuits or the all natural meat roll thingy. But he LOVED the pupperonies!
and yes, they do smell like play-doh.


In all seriousness it really took a load off my mind.

having to make the decision to put down my previous dog for something as trivial as arthritis still really bothers me now. So when Tucker turned 10 it started bringing back old memories of Taz, and how hard it was for both of us when he hit that 10 year mark.

I was talking to my bf about it the other day, he kept trying to re-assure me that Tucker had lots of good years left in him etc. etc. And you know what, it seems he was right! He's got an extra 2 or 3 good years left in him.

hmmm...i wonder if the vet would look at my eyes and listen to my heart and give me a certificat claiming i was 25 again????

no?

 Quote: Wendy Lefebvre

hmmm...i wonder if the vet would look at my eyes and listen to my heart and give me a certificat claiming i was 25 again????

no?

NO! But Wendy, I'm so happy for you with the news about Tucker.

I’ve always owned bigger dogs and the ages of some of the smaller ones just blows me away – oh... to have 21 years with a pup. At Garrett’s last visit, she noticed a small glint in his eye. Said the beginnings of a cataract. Gave us a bit of a prognosis about how it may progress but said his sight is fine right now. With all his other issues, she said she’s always amazed to see his name on the appt schedule – she’s ruthless and holds back nothing which is why I really like her. He’s 9 ½ and wasn’t expected to make it past 6 months. He’s definitely defying some odds.

We don’t put a lot of expectations on him but we’ve don’t treat him like a sick or old guy either. He’s presented with the same opportunities as the young ones and sometimes he amazes me with what he’s still capable of. I keep telling the vet that 15 isn’t unusual for a healthy husky – and she always stresses the word “healthy”, yet I always leave there with “can’t believe how healthy he is”.

So I don’t put a lot of faith in numbers – they are what they are and I cherish every moment that I get to be a part of their life. Sounds like Tucker’s going to be a part of yours for a long time to come too. Great job in giving him a wonderful life!!

Ultimately it is really their health, not the age that matters. So even if he is 10, he might live to 15. It is VERY common for rescues to be off by a couple years in middle age animals.

I'm late on this conversation- but I'm with Phaedra. Once you have a middle aged dog, and don't have any history on them (like at a rescue) it can be tricky to tell the difference between yucky 3 yr old teeth, and beautiful 7yr old teeth. Some dogs naturally don't build the tater and plaque like other, and some dogs are chewers (like rocks, for ex) which would wear down teeth faster.

Yay for a younger dog! Surprise!