When The Time Comes To Cross The Rainbow Bridge

Dogs add so much to our life, we put it out of our mind that their time has come to cross the rainbow bridge. Yesterday, that day had come for Cookie.

We had brought Cookie into our life for one main reason. Our other dog at the time, Elvis, had stopped eating because he lost his best friend Cosmo. Elvis had come from backyard breeders, and was a fearful dog by nature. He grew up with Cosmo, with them both being a month apart in age. Losing Cosmo, really struck a chord in him. He lost his appetite and his weight dropped from 75 to 60 pounds. After two weeks of my mom and I seeing Elvis going through this, we knew he needed another companion or he would die from a broken heart.

I knew it couldn't be a replacement for Cosmo, who happened to be a black, tan and white Siberian Husky/German Shepherd mix. I figured getting a smaller female dog would be a good solution but not let Elvis think that I was trying to replace his buddy, but rather help him through his grief. When I brought Cookie home, Elvis was at first confused but surely warmed up to her. Her gentle, sweet demeanor helped Elvis become himself again.

Cookie was about two to three years old, when we adopted her. But that's only a guess. She was a dog picked up off the street who had given birth to puppies and was left to fend for herself. Thankfully she was picked up and taken to the city pound.

Elvis was an older dog by then. But Cookie being in his life, helped him live an extra year and a half. Soon after, Cookie was just so grateful to have a home, she was happy enough to be by herself for a while. A few years later, my mom wanted a companion for her, and then Gigi came into the picture. But Cookie, no matter what or what pets came into our life was the same. She was grateful she had a home and a family that loved her.

Thirteen Years Later

On my way to my mom's house, I had a feeling that her time was near. I didn't want it to come, but I couldn't stand to see her suffer unnecessarily. I went to my mom's house to take Cookie for a vet visit. When Cookie greeted me, her legs gave out on her. She was having constant accidents, and because she had epilepsy all her life, her seizures had increased much more in frequency.

I took my mom with me to see the doctor. I unfortunately couldn't make the decision because I had moved out when I got married at the end of 2014. My mom who is retired, was there day in and day out. She spent the most time with Cookie, so in all fairness it had to be her choice. When my mom told the doctor, that Cookie just isn't Cookie anymore, I knew.

It's never easy to say goodbye to your pet. I didn't write this to make you all sad, but since Cookie was one of the reasons I created this blog in the first place, it seemed the only fitting way to let you guys know, since she was such a big part of this blog. It is seen said that dogs live for less time than humans, because they've taught us all the lessons we need to learn from them. That definitely was the case with Cookie.

I'd like to thank you all that have come to support me and my dogs here. I still plan on blogging with all types of topics, not just the sad ones. For all of you who are in similar situations like I was with Cookie, my heart goes out to you. Thanks again for visiting, and I'll be back with new posts soon.

Conservative Management Yields Success

Cookie Living It Up

Many of you may remember last year when Cookie had not one but two torn cranial cruciate ligaments in her hind legs. At the time, surgery was not an option so instead we watched her to see that she wasn't overexerting herself and limited her motion.

This meant watching when it came to going up and down the stairs. Since our house only has a basement, I was adamant about keeping her upstairs. If she ever went down to the basement, I would carry her down the stairs.

Another thing we did was watch her during walks. If I noticed limping, it was a sign to take her home. As many know, dogs conceal more pain than what we see with them. Cookie is the type of dog that aims to please and she goes above and beyond when it comes to activities.

My mom and I measured her food so she wouldn't overeat. In the past year, it's apparent that Cookie has slimmed down. She still is barrel-chested for a pooch but her shape is more streamlined. I am certain that it's made a difference when it comes time for her to exercise.

Final Thoughts

Sometimes the road to recovery takes longer thank anticipated. With the right amount of patience, dedication and follow through, what was once thought impossible can be possible after all.

Let's Discuss!

Have you had a dog who's had a recovery like Cookie?

Wordless Wednesday

Cosequin DS Review

Cosequin DS is a joint supplement that helps dogs achieve greater mobility.
As many of you know, Cookie my Cockapoo has had difficulties with her legs. The left hind leg was partially torn and the other hind leg also torn. We're not sure to the extent because it's hard to get good x-rays with her bone structure. Until we have the correct amount saved up for surgery, treating Cookie conservatively is the only option.

Still, she manages to go on walks every day. Many times by the end of the day, she'll be limping. At 10 years old, her joints aren't like they supposed to be, so when the vet recommended Cosequin, I always kept it in mind.

Cosequin And It's Results

These were the things I noticed after Cookie started taking Cosequin DS:

• She goes the whole day without limping.
• The tablets are tasty enough to give them to her plain.
• She is able to jump more easily.
• There are no known side effects.

Final Conclusion

I highly recommend Cosequin if your dog needs treatment just like Cookie. It's easy to administer and is readily digestable.

Let's Discuss!

Do you have a dog with the same health issues as Cookie? How do you deal with healthy joints?

It's All Related!

At The Vet's Office, Part II

Cookie Update
Follow Up
5 Tips For Walking A Senior Dog
Cookie Hurts Her Other Leg

Adventures In Doggy Day Care

Dogs are great pets, but sometimes, it's hard to fit them into our day to day routine. Most of us have to work, and many times, dogs aren't allowed in the workplace.

Ever since I've been working a contract position full-time, I've been taking Homer — and in some cases all three dogs — to doggy day care. The main reason I started, was the fact that Homer has such extreme separation anxiety issues when all of the dogs were left home alone. Homer would bust through the baby gates into the area of our house that we had sectioned off. His only way to cope was to run around, even if it meant going to areas of the house that were off-limits.

While the Thundershirt worked pretty well, it got to the point that whenever Homer saw it he would run and hide. Why? Because any time I'd take it out, he'd associate it with being home without humans.

That being said, the Thundershirt is a great product but in order for me to have it work in the best way possible, I have to start putting it on Homer on times where there's someone at home, to desensitize the situation for him.

A New Routine

Because my time has been limited, I decided to try out doggy day care as an option. I called the daycare center to learn about their program. After taking Homer the first day when I was most concerned, I received no phone calls at work. Instead I called the center more than once because I was uncertain of Homer's actions toward other dogs. To my surprise, I was told that Homer was being a good boy and if that he started misbehaving, I would have been called. Many times while I was walking him on leash, his encounters with other dogs would be unpredictable.

When I came to pick up Homer that day, I was relieved to hear that he had a good day. He of course was elated to see me, yelping cries of joy. When we got home, he was pretty tuckered out and mellow.

After a couple more daycare sessions, I noticed a change in Homer on our walks. When we would come in close proximity to other dogs, he didn't feel the need to challenge them. His reaction was more like I want to say hello and be your friend. It was apparent that doing day care was an ideal solution for weekdays when everyone in the house had lots to do.

A Recent Discovery

Probably what surprised me the most about my dogs at day care was the reaction of my oldest dog Cookie. I had forgotten that Cookie hadn't been crated in a long time. I had let the center know that she had past injuries and to be careful when handling her.

Since it was her first day, I called the center again just like I did with Homer. The lady told me that Cookie let out a horrendous cry when they tried to put her in the crate. (The dogs are crated for a short time before their play session would begin at 9am). Instead, Cookie was staying with one of the workers while he did his tasks and they kept her separate from other dogs.

I then told the center that Cookie would be fine with other dogs, she just doesn't like being crated. Cookie has always been a good girl, we never really had to crate her since she way past her puppy stage when we brought her home. The center worker agreed to mix her with the other dogs, and I checked in later. She then told me everything was fine.

Positive Results

I think that doggy day care is an excellent alternative for handling their schedules on days one needs to work long hours. Here are some of the benefits:

• They get socialized with other dogs in a neutral territory.
• A full day at day care will tire out your pooch. It's a great release for excess energy.
• You know that someone will be there looking after them. They are experienced in handling dogs and will make a dog's stay as comfortable as possible.
• The cost is pretty reasonable. While taking your dog every day may add up, taking them occasionally is the price equivalent of two walks.

Some important features to look for in a good dog daycare business are:

• It's important that the place is clean. Most day care centers will have a doggy odor smell but that's a given considering so many dogs are staying in one area. It's common to see them constantly wiping up accidents with a mop and pail nearby.
• The way the employees treat their customers. I'm far more likely to take my dogs to a place where the employees are glad to see my dog instead of acting like everything is routine. While taking care of dogs isn't the most glamourous job in the world, people who choose to work with dogs, do it because they love it. A dog owner shouldn't settle for less.
• Find a place that has ample space. All doggy day care places are not alike. Some places segment their areas and the dogs are kept confined most of the day. A good daycare establishment will have access to indoor and outdoor spaces.

Other Alternatives

While most big cities have dog daycare centers, smaller cities and towns may be more limited with this option. Other alternatives may be hiring a dog sitter or dog walker, having your dog as an outside dog during the day or leaving him with a close friend or relative during the day.

Let's Discuss!

How do you balance work and life with dogs?

Related Posts

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Anxiety Under Pressure
The World Of Petsitting
How I Found A Dog Walker On Short Notice

A Tale Of Three Dogs

Cookie, Gigi and Homer (from left to right)

When you have three dogs, there's never a dull moment. Cookie, Gigi and Homer have all had interesting situations lately.

Cookie

Some of you may remember a few months ago when Cookie hurt her leg, and the vet's prognosis was that she needed surgery. Yet, a short time later, Cookie was able to walk better. The initial thought was, her CCL was completely torn and that she would need surgery to repair the tear.

It turned out that the x-ray wasn't read as easily as it should have been. Cookie's bone structure can make it difficult to get an accurate reading on an x-ray machine.

Future Steps

While it's most likely that Cookie won't have surgery, I hope to be able to take her to get another x-ray. If it turns out to be a partial tear, then I will do conservative management to get her back to her normal self.

It helps that her activity has been limited and that she doesn't use the stairs much. It has been said that animals adapt to their environment and in Cookie's case, this is correct. I am hoping to get her an x-ray that is more accurate to see the injury more clearly. In the meantime, I'm grateful that her condition has stabilized.

Gigi

A few weeks ago, Gigi had a huge bulge in her neck. I took her to the doctor that same week and after removing some blood from the affected area, it was apparent she had an infection. The area was drained and there was a sample sent to the lab for testing.

Ten days later, I received a call from the veterinarian stating that there was lab error. Shock that the cost for these tests cost me over 40 per cent of my veterinary bill, I went to the clinic to see if I could get a refund or at least a portion of the money I paid back since both tests were inconclusive.

Two days later, I get a call from the vet tech telling me that the infection "cleared itself up on the way to the lab" and that's why the tests didn't work out. Translation: You're not getting you're money back. Part of me was angry that this happened and felt this reason was fabricated and the other part felt like it was par for the course when it came to the vet.

The Lesson I Learned

In the future, I will be more scrutinizing about lab tests. It's my belief that many doctors take advantage of pet owners' desire to give their pets the best possible care and will suggest extra tests they don't need.

When Gigi had her infection, she was tested for both aerobic and anaerobic infections. If I had only done one test, it would be an accurate enough indicator of what she did or didn't have. The extra test was unnecessary, but I didn't receive the cost breakdown till after I paid.

While this vet has always been caring towards my animals, I will be trying a new vet in the future. I was recommended a vet through a family member and think that at least, this new vet will be more upfront.

Homer

Homer is a fearless dog. He will chase any rabbit and chew up almost anything. He loves to patrol the backyard and barks with pride to protect his territory. However, the 4th of July changed all that.

Homer became a different dog. The bold dog who loved to prowl the neighborhood, couldn't wait to get home and wouldn't budge until I headed in that direction. I thought that once the holiday was over, he would be fine. However, the next few times I tried to take him out, he would act the same.

It seemed unreal. Even after the holiday was over, he would still hear noises on his walk that resembled firework sounds.

Steps To Getting Past The Fear

After talking to one of my friends on Twitter(@fearfuldogs), she informed me that you have to be proactive with sound phobias since they only get worse.

While I can't control how Homer feels about darkness, I can control how he goes outside. Last night, I took him for a car ride before sunset. He loved being in the car and being at the park put him in a neutral environment. Other options are taking him to the off-leash dog park, the dog beach and the local pet store. While I can't do that all the time, it's good to know that's an option I can use.

I think it will take time, but with persistence, I hope to get his phobia more manageable.

Let's Discuss!

Have any of you experienced problems that were similar to the ones written in this post? If so, how did you handle it?

Related Posts

A Rough Road Ahead
Cookie Update
The Unforeseen Affliction
One Little Firecracker

Cookie Update

Today, I took Cookie to the vet to check her weight. As I'm still not able to have surgery, I've taken some steps to conservatively treat Cookie until surgery is possible. As it turned out, Cookie has lost about 1.4 pounds. While she still has a way to go, it's a step in the right direction.

Keeping Quality Of Life A Priority

In addition to working at getting Cookie to lose weight, I've been taking her along in the car while I do dogwalking. Since she can't walk big distances, she loves her car ride and with the weather still being cool, she doesn't mind waiting while I do my work.

She is walking better too. We've been giving her fish oil and Dasuquin (a joint supplement) every morning to help keep arthritis at bay. I've had the best luck with the salmon oil I picked up at Pet Supplies Plus. At night, she gets 200IUs of Vitamin E along with her regular food.

Looking Forward

Her walking is now more secure, and she still tries to jump up on furniture. I am hoping to be able to do surgery at the end of the summer, but right now, everything is tentative.

Thanks for all of you who've stopped in. Hope you are enjoying the week.

A Rough Road Ahead

Hi Everyone,

Many of you may know Cookie from this blog. Yesterday, my mom and I took her to the vet. It turned out that she needed x-rays. After we came back to pick her up, we found out the news:

Her right ligament had completely snapped.

I am devastated. She was just back to herself, having the stamina to handle two walks a day. Now, she has to use her left hind leg to walk and her weight has ballooned to 28.5 pounds (12.9 kg) which was a shock. We had been measuring out her meals and it still happened. I think part of it is due to her breed because Cocker Spaniels love food and can gain weight easily.

The Prognosis

It is imperative for Cookie to lose weight. I will probably be getting a high quality food like Bil-Jac light since it doesn't require as much food to feed your dog as other dog foods do. Without Cookie losing the weight to get back to a manageable size, she won't be able to have the necessary surgery to repair the ligament.

Cranial Crucial Ligament Surgery

This surgery is ideal for dogs in Cookie's situation. Without the surgery, she will not be able to have full mobility of her legs. With the surgery, she will be able to walk using all four legs again.

The surgery is very expensive. With my current income, the only way I'll be able to do it is with financial aid. I will be checking all of the resources to see what's possible for Cookie. Thank you all for stopping by. I will keep you updated on Cookie's status.

Let's Discuss!

Have any of you had dogs in the same situation as Cookie? What steps did you take for your dog?

Cookie Hurts Her Other Leg

Hi Guys! It has been a hectic weekend. I was out of town at a convention for school. It went really well. I came back to the dogs elated to see me. However, later in the afternoon, Cookie jumped down and hurt her other leg.

Not sure if the same thing happened as when she tore her CCL. So I am going to wait two days till we know if it's a sprain or something more serious. I am using an ice pack because it's hard for her to put weight on it. So far, she's sitting quite a bit and is a little uncomfortable. I think I'll have a better idea by the morning. Anyhow, I'll keep you posted and hope to do more posts during the week.

Thanks for stopping in. And for discussion, if anyone has any suggestions, please let me know.

Elena

Winter Rejuvenation

Last summer, many of you may recall reading about Cookie. The hot, humid weather had her leg injury flaring up. It was a little disconcerting because she's an active dog. With the partial tear on her CCL, she would have her good days and her bad days.

I had begun to accept the fact that as she was only getting older, her injury would worsen with time. Then a funny thing happened. With Homer wanting to sleep near me, Cookie had no desire to be anywhere near him. They get along, but both have strong personalities where they want to be the boss. Cookie however, wants peace above everything else, so she gives Homer the final say on most matters, unless I intervene on her behalf.

As a result, Cookie hasn't been using the stairs as much as she had in the past. With the combination of the cold weather and avoiding the stairs, she has become a rejuvenated dog. She's no longer limping, and is handling walks much better.

She can last much longer on a walk. It used to be she would insist on turning around to go home after a few minutes. Now, she will resist if the walk is too short and will want to go longer. Thankfully, she's been understanding when I take her in the morning before going to my temp job. All three are just happy with a short jaunt around the block.

Extra Rest Is Underrated

In the past, the doctor was adamant about Cookie staying off of her feet. I always thought I complied but obviously, it wasn't enough in the past. Now, I realize that every dog has their limits and that time can make all the difference.

Going Forward

I've had Cookie avoid the stairs as much as possible and keep an eye on when she wants to jump down from high places. Because she never had surgery for the tear, it's always better to take extra precautions. I won't be taking her roller skating like I had in the past because it's too much of a risk. However, I'm hoping to build her up slowly to longer walks when I have the extra time to do so. Taking the dogs to the dog park always works well because Cookie can be as active or as lazy as she wants to be with no leash required.

Let's Discuss!

Have you ever had a dog in a similar situation like Cookie? What helped them to make a great recovery?

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All About The Snow Baths

Today, we are expected to have two feet (.6 meters) of snow in the next two days. One thing Cookie loves to do is take snow baths. She'll roll over in the snow. I'm not sure if she does it because she's hot, or she finds it's a great way to scratch her back. Whatever the reason may be, she loves her snow baths.

Let's Discuss!

What do your dogs love to do when there's snow?

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Swim Time For Cookie

Cookie Gliding Effortlessly

Time For A New Workout

As the owner of a senior dog, it's been difficult getting Cookie exercised because of her injury and age. Many times, I'll take Cookie with the younger dogs on a walk and before we've even started, she'll want to turn around and go home. I don't fight her on it because I know that if she would walk if she could. It has been said that swimming makes a body 90% lighter in water so I figured this is an ideal way for Cookie to slowly get better.

I've been taking her on average of once a month. Hopefully, when I find a job in my field, I'll be able to increase it. In the meantime, I'm making the most of what I can do with it now. I started taking her last month and she was a trooper. Gigi had come along for moral support. To motivate Cookie to swim and not give her handler grief, I would walk with her around the perimeter of the pool.

Cookie and Eduardo

This second time, it was just me and Cookie. She was hesitant but a good sport. As she's getting older, it's getting harder for her to keep off the weight. It was apparent to her handler that she was a little heavier this time around. Even with cutting back on her food, with dogs like Cookie, it's more important than ever to find the correct method of exercise.

Swimming Benefits For Dogs

Swimming is becoming more popular these days for many reasons:

• It's a no-impact workout with high impact results. I don't have to worry about Cookie risking further injury.
• The place I take her to swim has a swimming pool (pictured right) made specifically for dogs. It's a nice square shape that is only 4 feet (1.21 meters) at its deepest point. There's little reason for dog distress.
  

The Stillness Within

• They have people specially trained to help your dog swim. Today, Cookie was very reluctant to go into the pool. Eduardo was very patient with her and was able to coax her in for her workout.
• It's climate-controlled. Because this pool is located indoors, I don't have to worry about the elements affecting Cookie. She can focus on swimming.
• Dogs always wear life jackets. Even though most dogs can swim, it's too much of a risk for them not to wear a life jacket. It keeps the dogs calm and they can keep going. For me, it was good peace of mind to know that the ultimate safety measures have been taken.
• No Towels Are Needed. Since this is a business, they dry your dog thoroughly. Cookie was a little damp underneath the ears but it was a huge relief to be able to drive home and know that she's ready to go.

Hopeful Healing

I'm hoping that by doing this type of workout with Cookie on a regular basis that her injured leg will get stronger. With a stronger back leg, she will have better balance and hopefully lose some of the extra weight. Considering that exercise decreases appetite, Cookie will be less likely to nudge my mom or myself for a treat. Since I've taken her today, she hasn't asked either of us for a treat because she's been too busy resting.

A Real Trooper

Let's Discuss!

Do any of you have a dog that's in a similar predicament? How do you feel about swimming as a form of exercise for dogs?

Related Posts

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Follow Up
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Five Signs Your Dog Is Not Getting Enough Exercise

How Cookie Came Into Our Family

My Sweet Cookie

Many of you know Cookie from this blog. She is the wise woman of my dog trio. I've never had such a grateful dog as this one. There isn't a day that goes by where I see the gratitude and appreciation in her soulful brown eyes. As part of Animal Adoption Month, I thought you all would be interested in how Cookie came into our family.

A Look Back

Before Cookie joined our brood, we had two dogs, Cosmo (Siberian Husky mix) and Elvis(Rhodesian Ridgeback). We first had Cosmo and a month later Elvis came into the mix as a young puppy. The dogs were basically a month apart when the met each other as young puppies.

Elvis and Cosmo

Elvis was adopted from a farm where the breeder regularly hit him. He was hit so often that his head was bumpy from broken bones as a puppy. My brother found him covered in feces so at that moment, he decided to rescue him in 1995. He was so scared the first day, he refused to move from the spot he was laying down. It wasn't until I picked him up and put him outside and then went over to the garage to give him space, that he actually felt free to move around in the yard.

Cosmo, on the other hand was very outgoing and enthusiastic. He was able to help Elvis get used to living with Blackie, our other dog and my family. Soon, Elvis came into his own, and you couldn't find Cosmo without Elvis nearby.


In 2004, Cosmo had been stricken with cancer. He was only nine years old and his cancer was very aggressive. Surely enough, he was suffering and crossed the rainbow bridge shortly after. Elvis was at a loss. He was nervous, panting constantly and drooling excessively. He had severe separation anxiety when we would have to go. He never knew what it was like to be the only dog because even when Blackie passed, he still had Cosmo.

Mom and I had given him two weeks to see if he would get better and he was just getting worse. He refused to eat and was constantly scared. We knew that he would need a companion before he could be himself again. We also didn't want to get a carbon copy of Cosmo because we didn't want Elvis to think we were replacing Cosmo. Cosmo was a true original and we all knew it.

Our Trip To The Shelter

My mom and I headed out to the major animal shelter in the city of Chicago. We decided that we would have a smaller dog who would be a female. We looked among the dogs and then we came across Cookie. To see her at first glance, one would do a double take.

Cookie, Short and Sassy

Cookie was a site to be seen. You couldn't see her eyes because she had so much hair covering them. She had mats the size of golf balls behind her paws. She probably hadn't had her hair cut in six months. She smelled because she was a stray picked up on the street. To top it off she gave birth to puppies on the street which had already found permanent homes. It's because of this, she was available after 24 hours. Small dogs are usually adopted quickly. It was estimated that she was three years old but since we didn't know when or where she was born, it was a guess at best.

Getting to know her, the first thing I noticed was her sweetness. We were holding her on the leash and all she wanted to do was be petted. Both of us realized that she was a gem and knew she had to be part of the family.

When Cookie Met Elvis

When we brought Cookie home, Elvis didn't know what to think. She looked nothing like Cosmo and smelled dreadful. She also had a nasty case of kennel cough which Elvis caught from her since it was contagious. After taking Cookie to the groomer, she was wetted down and basically shaved all over since she still had stitches from her spaying. The groomer had removed so much hair, she couldn't believe how much lighter she felt and shook her body with excitement. After the stitches were removed we took her back for another bath. She was a brand new dog.

In addition to getting Elvis and Cookie comfortable with each other, I had to deal with the fact that Elvis had no appetite. Nothing would get him to eat. He wouldn't even succumb to canned food. I asked my friend who was an animal rescuer what I could do, and she told me to force feed him baby food. Considering Elvis was down to 60 lbs (27 kg) and looking really emaciated, I had nothing to lose. Sure enough, it worked and after a few days, Elvis got his appetite back. He came around to accept Cookie to and acted like a big brother to her.

Elvis had gotten to live with her for a couple of years. He lived a long and healthy life but got hit with cancer the same way Cosmo did. He did have a great companion in Cookie and I am certain that without Cookie, he would have passed away before she was part of the picture.

Cookie After Elvis

After Elvis passed, Mom and I decided to keep Cookie as a solo dog. She seemed to enjoy the extra attention and it seemed like the right thing to do for our family. In 2008, my mom missed having a second dog and that's how Gigi came into our lives. Even though we've had ups and downs with Cookie (more ups than downs), we've always felt that her presence in our lives has been a gift that keeps giving.

Let's Discuss!

Do you have a story where animal adoption has changed your life?

Thanks for all stopping in. I hope you have a happy and safe Halloween.

5 Tips for Walking A Senior Dog

When Your Dog's A Senior

As you know, my dog Cookie is a senior dog. She will be nine later this year. Ever since she tore her CCL last year, her activity level hasn't been the same. She still loves going on walks, but humidity and hot weather will tend to shorten our walks. Considering I have Gigi who is much younger, this can present a problem in finding the happy medium in walking them both. Still, walking is one of the best forms of exercise you can do for your dog.

Here are some tips for walking your senior dog:

1. Give 'em a rubdown. Before walking your dog, it always helps to rub their leg muscles. With Cookie, I gently rub the area that was affected by the injury last year after the walk. It's a good way to notice if your dogs joints are swollen as well.
2. Be conscious of the weather. When I take the dogs on the walk, I think as if I were a sunbather. You always hear to avoid the sun between 10AM and 3PM. We get temperatures over 90°F (33°C) especially with summer on the way. When you compound it with the humidity, it can be a huge double whammy for your senior pet. Taking them out early or late gets the best possible results for the necessary exercise.
3. Walk in stages. I've found that stopping for a minute or two is a great way to keep your dog going. They just don't have the stamina they used to when they were younger and resting a few minutes will give help them complete their goal.
4. Walk them indoors.I've found that walking the dogs at a pet superstore like Petco, Pet Supplies Plus or Petsmart is a great way to get them the exercise they need. It's climate-controlled so temperature and humidity aren't a factor. You also get other dogs' scents and may even run into one for your dog to greet. It's especially useful if you need some pet food too.
5. Take them to a dog park. Although this isn't a traditional walk, this is an effective way to make sure your dog has enough exercise. Most dog parks give your dog the freedom to run off-leash, and if they're well-behaved and get along with other dogs, they can pace themselves accordingly. Most of the dog parks where I live require memberships but it's well worth the investment if you have a senior dog.

Let's Discuss!

What are some ways you keep your senior dog in shape? What is your biggest challenge in walking them?

Senior Dog Websites

The Senior Dog Project
Senior Dogs
Muttville

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The Benefits of Walking Your Dog Part I
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Follow up

Yesterday morning, Cookie went to the doctor for her follow-up. Some of you may have read this previous post. Even though, I've noticed an improvement, it was good to hear things straight from the doctor herself.

After testing her out the doctor concluded that her CCL is partially torn but is forming scar tissue over it. It will take some time for Cookie to get back to herself but whether we take the conservative approach or surgical approach, Cookie will never be 100%, like she was. Still, from this diagnosis, it makes complete sense to go the non-surgery route.

So, where does she go from here? Well, the doctor prescribed more anti-inflammatory medication. I'll be back to being able taking her on walks and to help heal faster and stronger. Also, I'm going to be taking her to the local dog beach to get back on track. As I write this, I feel a huge sigh of relief. It will be interesting to see what happens in the next few weeks. I hope that none of you guys are ever in this situation.

Well guys, thanks for stopping in. I love to hear from you as always and I hope you have a great week.

Cookie Update

As some of you have read in the previous post At the Vet's Office Part II my dog Cookie had an unfortunate incident where she injured her ligament. Since all that showed up on the X-ray was inflammation, it's been decided to wait things out.

It's been a week since it's happened. At first I tried to take Cookie on short walks with Gigi but it seems that it wasn't helping her. So, she's limited to just being let out into the yard. Now, her walk is improving and getting more steady but she can't lift herself up or jump up like she used to. Still, she's a trooper and this improvement is a step in the right direction. We will know the results by next Monday. I am just keeping my fingers crossed that she can make a full recovery.

Thank you all for your support. I hope all of my American readers had a great 4th and that my international counterparts had a great weekend. I'll be back with another post tomorrow. We have a beautiful day here, I hope you have the same wherever you are.

Obedience Training with Gigi

Tonight, I took Gigi (the little black dog) obedience training. She really loved it. Whenever she goes there all she wants to do is play with the other dogs. I told the teacher the biggest things she's guilty of is loving everyone too much.

We worked on having our dogs come to us and worked on walking with them. Gigi is finally learning the basics. Anyhow, I have more training to do but it will be good for her and I can also work at home with Cookie too.

Welcome to my Blog!

Hi All!

Welcome to Too Kool Doggies! I decided to create this blog because I am a huge fan of dogs. I have two dogs, Cookie and Gigi who are going to be a huge part of this blog. Cookie is a Cockapoo who is 8 and Gigi is a Lhasa Poo who is 1 1/2. They both are clowns who crack me up on a regular basis.

Also, I'll be writing about various pet products and trying to include articles that benefit the dog owners everywhere. Also, If you would like to submit anything about your dog or a great dog, please drop me a line.