Thursday, October 25, 2012

Aging with dignity

Tristan is slowing down a lot at the age of 10. A couple of weeks ago, he had x-rays done. We knew he had arthritis (for which he was on various medications) but not tto what extent. His back hips are grinding bone on bone, and his front elbows are just as bad. So our vet came up with a new drug cocktail for him. And I give him a cartrophen shot every week. I feel like Nurse Ratched!


He still loves to go for a walk, but he's much slower than he used to be. That's okay! The vet said to keep exercising him as much as he wants, so he doesn't seize up. We had a nice walk the other day, and afterwardsTristan sacked out under the black walnut trees.




He is a handsome boy, with just a touch of slobber on his lower lip!



It's harder to get Sophie to sit still for a photograph. She's always a dog on a mission. And by contrast, she has not slowed down one iota, even though she's also 10. Next month will mark five years since the dogs arrived here.  They've now been with us as long as they were with their previous owners. Time sure flies.



Something smelled good on the autumn breeze. Probably the manure spreader next door!



Tristan is aging with dignity.



Sort of.


Um...


...uh...


Okay, so he's channelling his inner pup!



Today he and Sophie came out with me and my friends Ronna and Barb. We went to the back of the farm to sketch and had a great time. The dogs got lots of goodies from Auntie Ronna and Auntie Barb and had a wonderful time!

It's tough seeing the dogs age; they just never live long enough! But there's something quite lovely about a grey-muzzled old dog. :)

20 comments:

  1. I want to kiss his smoochy face..would you please do it for me? Sophie needs one too , can't have the beautiful girl missing out!
    Jane x

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  2. I love old dogs. They have such quiet dignity and grace. I'm glad you're keeping Tristan as healthy and pain-free as possible. My hips were bone-on-bone before my replacement surgery so I know how it feels. You have good days and bad days, but it sounds like you gave him a very good day!

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  3. It will happen to all of us. Lovely to see him living life to the full in his advancing years.

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  4. They are such beautiful dogs. Sorry they're aging but glad you've enabled them to do it with dignity (and some obvious immaturity)!

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  5. I thought the same of our Kane while hiking a bit today. Holy..they do not live long enough, is right. I have never loved or lived with a dog before this one and I would do anything to slow his time with me down. I'm sure you feel the same. They only get so many years so the best we can do is hope they live their full life-span and make it wonderful for them. You have some beautiful photos of Tristan. Wow...I love your camera.

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  6. they are beautiful I think it is wonderful how you can sense the llove they have had from you just from the photos...

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  7. Love going back to see how you got these too. What a sad story though. They are beautiful and you have given them a wonderful life since they came to live with you. Hope the new treatment works to help him thru the cold weather ahead.

    We went from 72 to 37 in a matter of a few minutes with a blast of wind and torrential rain. Get ready since it is heading your way!

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  8. Mom and Dad have a black lab named Lady - she's seven and just starting to show signs of arthritis - but she still a giant puppy!
    Tristan is ridiculously handsome!

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  9. I love the expressions on Tristan's face! He is a good doggie! ♥ and so is Sophie ♥

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  10. Lovely dogs. So sad when they start to show signs of real ageing. Luckily our two are both still only 2 years old.

    Give them both a nice tickle from Uncle Cro.

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  11. I'm so glad you directed us back to the story of how they came to live with you. It's a sad story that has a happy ending for two deserving dogs. How lucky you were there to take them in and give them the love they deserved! ~ Maureen

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  12. We could all take a leaf out of the Book of Dog and roll around on the grass more, sniffing the air and scratching whatever needs scratching whenever it needs it. Lovely hounds.

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  13. Couldn't agree more with The OWl wood... even if in pain or discomfort, the dogs take that roll around o the grass. We could learn so much from them. Tristan is one handsome boy and I hope his new medication makes him comfortable.

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  14. Couldn't agree more with The OWl wood... even if in pain or discomfort, the dogs take that roll around o the grass. We could learn so much from them. Tristan is one handsome boy and I hope his new medication makes him comfortable.

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  15. It'sgood to see him in good form. As long as he is a happy dog....

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  16. Did you know there is a research facility in San Diego, CA that is having tremendous strides in arthritic problems in dogs, horses, and cats through stem cells? The neat thing is that the stem cells are the animals own, taken from the abdominal area. They find vets in your area that are doing this procedure, so you don't have to travel to California.
    I bet the rolling in the grass just feels so good...we should all try it!

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  17. I agree - I love grey-muzzled dogs and cats. They have such dignity.

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  18. It's good to see him still enjoying himself!

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  19. Anonymous2:55 pm

    What a beautiful boy. Looks like he continues living a full and happy life. Such wisdom in those eyes...

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Thank you for all your comments, which I love to read!