Living to Ripe, Old (Really Old!) Ages

I'd heard on the news last year about the passing of Bella, the lab mix who died at the ripe old age of 29. The story of her long, loving life brought a big, ol' smile to my face. A friend of mine recently reminded me of that story, and I found myself on a roll, researching the world's oldest dogs and cats, both living here on earth and living over the Rainbow Bridge. I just learned that Chanel, a doxie mix from Long Island, N.Y., recently celebrated her 21st birthday! Ahhh... what good lovin' and good livin' can do for an animal.  I've been cooking for Opal and Dixie since they were pups. I feed them nutritionally balanced, veterinarian-developed recipes along with my daily multivitamin and Flax Fur Pets supplement. I also make sure they get plenty of exercise and fresh air, that their toys and beds are organic, that I use only non-toxic household cleaning products and that they get plenty of massages and belly rubs. My intention is not just that they live long lives, but that they live long, HEALTHY lives.  This is my hope for all animals. 

 

 

Comments

I smiled, but also cried as I read this. Several years ago our 12 year old Golden Retriever Jethro was diagnosed with a growth that attached itself to his lungs and heart and was weakening him at a terrifying pace. We decided to go ahead with a very expensive operation to remove the tumor, although we were told that odds were 70/30 against a full recovery. We were not prepared to see Jethro suffer, but were not ready to let him go, so gave it a shot. The vets removed as much as they could, but had to leave parts of the growth attached as it was too dangerous to remove from certain parts of the organs. A month after the operation he was full of energy, active, happy...his former self. However, about 5 months later the tumor started growing and we could see the pain in Jethro's movements and in his eyes. We realized that there was nothing that could be done and we could not watch him continue to suffer. We were heartbroken, but had to put Jethro to sleep. We'll never know all the reasons why the tumor started, or if was just one of those things that happens and there is nothing that can be done about it. I do know, though, that a healthy diet of good food with no artificial additives, natural products with minimal chemicals, and lots of exercise and love can only help our pets and lead to healthier and longer lives. Hey...sounds alot like the same thing as with people, doesn't it?!!! We give our lab-mix Opie & Dixie vitamins and wash him (reluctantly on his side...hates baths!) with Opie & Dixie shampoo, and he's a bounding, rolicking, happy little (105 lb!) 7-going-on-3 year old. I call him "the world's biggest lap dog". Knock-on-wood he's healthy as can be, and I think with the right food, products, care, and exercise, he's got many, many years ahead of him!!!

Thanks so much for the comment. I was lucky enough to know Jethro, and watching you lose him broke my heart. I'm thrilled to know Mason -- crazy, kooky Mason who is going to live to a healthy ripe, old age!!!!!