Was it just a week ago I was lamenting Luke’s growing up, and I felt like I was totally missing the silly antics of a puppy? I couldn’t help but think about that yesterday morning when our senior beagle Cricket brought a ball up to bed when I woke up. She left and showed back up a few minutes later with the remnants of a fleece toy that had long ago been pulled apart. Luke had another piece of the same toy and the two of them passed the pieces back and forth, fought over them, and just generally made a big deal about what was basically just scraps of cloth at this point!
I shared one of those photos yesterday, but since they were taken with my phone, they didn’t come out the greatest. Next thing I know the dogs had all gotten up and went outside and I heard Cricket out there barking. Then she comes running in the house with the scrap of another “dead” toy that had been out in the yard in the dirt and rain for weeks. All of the sudden it was the greatest thing. She brought it back up to the bed so I followed her with the camera. She was having a ball with that thing.
I’m here to tell you that with the right motivation senior pets can still act like puppies; even an 11 year old girl with arthritis in both of her back knees. Cricket has been doing so well lately, we decided to cut her dose of Rimadyl (pain reliever) in half to see if she still does OK. It’s been about a week, and so far so good. If she shows any sign of a limp we’ll go back to her old dose. The meds are expensive, but more than that, I just want her to be on the lowest dose she can be so that if she gets worse later we can increase it without increasing the risks of side effects so much.
I don’t know if it’s the meds and supplements finally completely kicking in or the cooler weather but both Cricket and Sheba have been full of it lately (Sheba also has arthritis but she only takes Rimadyl on an as needed basis and she hasn’t needed any for a while now). Sheba has been chasing the ball more, and even bringing it back to us to throw again, which is something she rarely did. She and Luke are constantly chasing each other around the yard, and fighting over toys inside the house. My hubby actually had to tell Luke and Sheba to be quiet yesterday morning, just like they were kids. He was trying to watch the news and those two were carrying on barking back and forth over this toy!
Cricket usually calls it a day and naps for the rest of the evening after her supper, but Sheba is often up and going in and outside with Luke. I toss the ball for them occasionally up until it gets too dark. The only time those two seem to be tired is at the end of a weekend when they usually have a lot more play time.
If you’ve ever thought about adopting a senior but hesitated because you want a more active dog, you might want to rethink that. They can be active, it just sometimes has to be a bit lower key. If you aren’t looking for all that activity, a senior pet doesn’t mind taking a day off. Our girls don’t want to take one off (and rarely do), but if we get rained out of playing outside, they won’t act up like our 2 year old Luke. They don’t have to be entertained quite as much, but if you want to play; they can be up for it. They can be silly and fun and make you laugh just as much as a puppy or young dog can.
Barley’s cousin is a senior and when my sister and I picked him up from his babysitter’s last weekend, he was prancing and dancing just like a puppy. I think older dogs can be even cuter than puppies when they do those types of things. I love hearing these stories about your girls!
Oh yes. My senior “puppy” almost took my arm off the other day when he noticed a squirrel in the yard that I hadn’t. Too late, I’d already opened the door. It was either grab the door jamb and risk hurting my arm or shoulder, or take the chance of face planting on the front step. I chose to keep my face intact and in the process wrenched my shoulder. 🙁
THEN at the vet last night, she opened the exam room door and he launched out of there like a rocket taking off. AFTER we’d just had major discussions about his arthritis. Yes, senior dogs still have lots of spunk. 🙂
It’s hard to remember they even have arthritis sometimes, isn’t it?
My shoulder is perpetually sore, even when we’re not walking as much. I think it’s from throwing the ball…LOL!
I’m glad you didn’t hurt your face though, and hope your shoulder feels better soon! You need to remember to look both ways before opening the door…LOL.
All too true-and love the pics and antics of all!! I keep thinking lately how great that my Nina (cat!) at 9 (is that a senior??), is still racing around the house and chasing toys, etc!
Yup, Lynn, Nina definitely is a senior at 9! I think it’s about the same for cats, 8 to 9 years old. I have another toy for Nina too, that I found when starting my cleaning out!
Love the message as we love our seniors too!
I really loved this post. Your pups are just so precious. xoxo
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
Cricket your so darn cute, love you!
The child/pup in us never goes away – it just rests from time to time. Very sweet post!
What a sweet post. Some day when we’re older ourselves (um, we’re getting there quickly….) I’d love to adopt senior dogs. I miss our old senior beagle. She was very active still at age 12, but unfortunately got hit with cancer. :/ We haven’t had a senior in a while since Abby left us way too young, and Rita’s got a way to go.
Thank you! Out of our first 4 dogs that we’ve lost, Kobi was the only one that made it to being a senior! It’s such a blessing to know that the girls are there and still going strong.
I think adopting senior dogs is a perfect idea for when we’re older (we’re closer than you I think…LOL).
We have three seniors here (if I include the cat) and they are all still active. One of my work pals just switched to generic rimadyl for her dog and said it is a lot cheaper than the brand. She has a senior with arthritis too.
Oh, I didn’t know that generic Rimadyl was available! I will have to look into that, thank you!
Like Emma, senior dogs are not a good fit for our household but I’d be interested in fostering senior dogs down the road.
I think that’s a great idea, fostering is a great way to help without having to give up your active lifestyle for an extended period of time.
It’s nice to see that Cricket still has some puppy in her. 🙂
We are going to enjoy it and hope that it lasts for a long time to come.
We love our senior sister Katie, but for the lifestyle we lead, seniors are not the best fit. We feel bad as we have to leave Katie behind a lot. Maybe some day when Mom is really old, which she kind of already is, she will prefer a pet who isn’t as energetic.
I totally understand that. It is difficult for me to go jogging when I know neither of the girls should go very far, and Luke with his knees….but I hate leaving them behind. Your Mom is SO active, it makes sense for her to have younger dogs (even though you’re technically a senior…right?).
Mom said she will always have a senior in our home
Lily & Edward
Bless your Mom…that is so great!
When I used to walk with Daisy people thought she was a puppy a lot. She was so full of life and they would get closer and see her gray chin and realize she was older. She really only substantially slowed down a few weeks before she died. Such a blessing!! Cricket looks like a puppy in her eyes too 🙂
It is a blessing to have them full of life up until close to the end. Our beagle Kobi was SO healthy up until around when he turned 12. His hind legs were weak but that was really his only serious issue up until about 4 months later when he got seriously ill. He was only with us for about a week after that, and we took heart in the fact that he didn’t suffer for long.
I agree 100%. Bentley will be 8 in December and he is full of energy! It is funny but I also woke up to having a tennis ball in my face yesterday! Pierre sleeps with us and when Bentley wakes up, Pierre goes to get a toy to offer me so that I will get up too. BOL! I am always looking at Basset Hound rescues for older dogs. ♥
Ah, an offering…I never thought of it that way! I’m sure Cricket thinks she’s just making my morning by having me wake up to a toy! She’s like that with her balls when company comes over too…she gets a ball and drops it at their feet. I’m sure she thinks they must be thrilled to have the opportunity to throw her ball! BOL
If we didn’t already have Ducky Doodle Demon Dog, I would definitely adopt a senior Golden to keep Shadow company. We could never replace our sweet Callie – wouldn’t even try – but I think having an older sister again to cuddle with would make Shadow feel less lonely when we have to leave her at home.
Senior pets are puppies too… and for us they will be always kids :o) I hope for a lot of new homes for older pets too… they have a wonderful personality what makes the so special and so loveable :o)
Cricket does seem very frisky for her age! Senior dogs are as young as they feel I guess, just like humans! Love Dolly