January 5, 2013
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Just a dog
Why do people say that? I think people who would think, “well, he’s just a dog” should never be allowed to own one.
My sister has an ugly little Schnauzer. His name is Wilson (from Cast Away). Wilson has a weight problem that she can’t get under control because she has a two year old and a 7 year old. The fat little guy can get anything he wants from them! Long story short, Wilson is diabetic. The insulin caused pancreatitis, which is very dangerous in dogs. Wilson went to the hospital a week ago, and things look grim.
Wilson is fighting for his life, though. He hasn’t given up the fight to live, and therefore she won’t put him down until he does. They have spent more than $4,000.00 so far to give him his best chance. Someone she knows actually told her the most horrible thing imaginable – she said, “$4,000??? You could buy a new schnauzer and go on a cruise for that. He’s just a dog!”.
I have been spending extra love on my dog since Wilson got sick. It’s a scary reminder how much they mean to us when they get sick. Here he is at the park:
I would mortgage the house to try to save my sick dog. Is there something wrong with me, or is there something wrong with the lady that said that? When do you know you have tried enough on someone that is part of your family and means so much to you?
Comments (120)
Poor Wilson!
There is something very wrong with that woman. I guess she just doesn’t understand the relationship between a person and their dog. My puppy is part of the family – I have already made a bad habbit of putting his needs before my own.
I get it. :) I stopped my mom from putting my cat down when we found out that surgery/treatment was going to be VERY expensive. She knew we’d never forgive her, so our kitty got it. Favorite tripod kitty ever!
Wilson is adorable! I hope he will be ok, poor baby.
The person who said that is an idiot. I believe that somebody who would say that should never have a pet. I’d sell everything I own, and spend every penny I had, and go into debt, if my dog was sick and needed me. That’s part of the responsibility of having a pet. He’s a member of my family, and anybody who doesn’t get that is a stone-cold person without a soul.
Los Angeles just did a symbolic no death for unwanted cats and dogs at shelters and pushed adoption. Symbolic in some ways in that they will probably make room by doing deaths in January.
An animal that is a family pet is a lot closer than a stray. Some people quietly take the less heroic method and others do perform a more heroic life saving approach.
Will I do a more economically frugal approach to the pets that I will come into contact? Yes I did sell the parrot that we were caretakers for. I suppose I should have done more due dilligence of checking out the future home. That is on my side where, I confess I have not tried harder.
a pet is a part of the family.
I’m going to be a total bitch here as it seems to be my role within the xanga society
I have a dog and i love my lil ugly Mei, i do… would i spend any amount of money on her? prolly cuz I’m selfish and i want to have her with me. would that be right? I don’t think so, there are millions of children (my own species cubs) that are dying of hunger and health issues around the World, Israel is murdering thousands of palestianian children on daily basis, 3000 kids have been murdered in my country and millions are in extreme poverty, so why in hell would be right to spend any cash in animals and not in our own kind?
So would i spend money on my dog, sure. would that be wrong? hell yeah.
A pet is family. Am more partial to dogs but if you show affection to a pet, they return it ten fold.
@specialxplaces - Right? They give their entire lives to us, in our care, and when bad things happen that shouldn’t make them disposable!
@SasGal - Ha! You should post a pic of her
I know that in some cases, it is more humane to let them go – but if they have a chance to live (even with three legs) I can’t imagine choosing the other way
@meddwl - So do you spend money on food? Entertainment? Clothes? Make-up? How can you when there are children suffering? If you have a pet that pet is your responsibility. You aren’t doing something naughty by fulfilling that responsibility. And anybody who thinks they shouldn’t do it should never take in a pet. The “people are suffering” argument makes me impatient. The two are not mutually exclusive. No matter what you do in this world, it means you aren’t doing something for somebody else. What matters is that you do something, period, not whether you haggle over who deserves it more.
@EmilyandAtticus - A member of the family is right, not a disposable object! I was outraged by her, personally, but she is family (sort of) so I couldn’t say anything beyond “keep those opinions to yourself”. I wonder if I will be able to have a civil conversation with her after this? Evil, she is evil.
@EmilyandAtticus - heh I do spend money selfishly.
That doesn’t makes it right. I don’t pretend to force my beliefs upon no one, I’m just expressing how I feel about it.
@BoulderChristina - This was back when I was a kid… about 6 months later, she got outside and we never saw her again.
@BoulderChristina - Seriously evil!!! You, on the other hand, are wonderful.
@meddwl - My point is that spending money to give proper health care to a living being after you took over full control of that being’s life isn’t selfish. It would be selfish not to do it. And irresponsible.
@PPhilip - I can understand how difficult it would be to run a shelter and how it can be (in some circumstances) better for the animal to be put down than live in a shelter. It is saddening to see animals lose their homes and families, sometimes for economic reasons, sometimes because of abuse, sometimes just because the owners don’t care. I hope the shelter is successful in your area with the adoption drive, and the LA people find rooms in their hearts and homes for the unwanted animals.
@EmilyandAtticus - taking an animal life to fulfill ones need of company/love is selfish itself…i know there’s no way pets stop being pets, but i don’t think it’s the right/natural way of living either.
Emily, we can go on and on and i don’t like arguing over stuff I feel cuz are just my feeling and not something really relevant. People don’t always have to agree, that doesn’t means much, just that we feel different about a topic
@promisesunshine - Yes. Even extended family. I have teased my sister about her fat little ugly dog since she brought him home, but it will break my heart to lose him. If he lives, I will stop calling him fat and ugly, just for principle sake.
@meddwl - Well if you answer me, it’s kind of not right to tell me you have to have the last word. Taking a husband to fulfill your wish for companionship is selfish by your logic. So is having kids. People do things to enhance their own happiness, and it would be odd for them to stop. Taking in an animal also often saves a life, which is the opposite of selfish. I saved my dog’s life when I took him in, and I won’t be told I was selfish to scoop him up off the side of the road and rush him to the vet, and pay for his care, and nurse him to health, and give him a loving home. The selfish thing would have been to leave him there suffering. Pets aren’t toys. They include responsibility. And those who don’t meet that responsibility are the selfish ones.
If someone ever told me my beloved Zephyrus (my Doberman) was “just a dog” chances are they’d find themselves in the fucking ER. Zeph is more than my dog. He’s my best friend, companion, and dare I say it my lifeline. He’s the only family I have, since the rest of my human family members deserted me.
I love my dog. He’s more than just a dog, and it makes me sick when people say someone’s dog is “just a dog” (or cat, or whatever other animal). They view animals as property. Those people should not be allowed to own a pet of any kind.
@meddwl - When you pull way back like that, I can see your point of view. Owning a pet is selfish, we do it for selfish reasons, but the love we develop with them is not selfish. I know that personally, I already do what I can to donate and volunteer. If Salem (my dog) needed surgery and I didn’t have the cash, I would get it. Whether it was from selling or borrowing, I would get the cash he needed to be well where I probably wouldn’t do it for a non profit cause. It’s a matter of tangibility, and that doesn’t make it right, but it’s real.
Selfish or not, I am with you, I would spend it to keep my dog healthy.
@EmilyandAtticus -
@meddwl - @EmilyandAtticus - Whoa ladies! I didn’t mean to stir anything up here (well I did, but not against each other – against that mean girl on facebook!). We all look at things differently, and we can just agree to disagree here. No need to get so upset at each other. You’re both good people with different ideas here.
@SasGal -
@BoulderChristina - I’m not upset. I’m just right.
@BoulderChristina - heh i don’t like to piss people off but I always try to offer a different perspective. I often fail at not pissing people off though
@secretbeerreporter - My thoughts exactly! They mean so much to some of us, it’s unimaginable how they can be treated so callously by others. My blood boils when I run across these people.
I would do whatever it takes to save one of my cats. You can’t put a price tag on the love your pet brings into your life. :)
@CuddlyKat - Exactly. They give us so much, our lives would be emptier without them
Many years ago i found a sick stray kitten, she was very ill and only lived two weeks..i had the time of my life looking after her. when she died I had her buried in a pet cemetery with full family honours. i never kept a pet since because it broke my heart..this reminded me of her, thank you for that. I never cared about the expense either in terms of vets or putting her to rest, its all part of the course and i will always be grateful that I found her and had the chance to look after her in the way that I did.
I would pay whatever it took to keep my Ali healthy but if she were in pain and it was not going to get better, i would let her go. She is not just a cat but one of my fur kids.
I would never judge someone for spending money to save a pet. Personally, I wouldn’t spend so much as to sacrifice my children’s welfare, but I’ve spent money to save my dog and my mother spent a LOT to save a dog or two when I was growing up. Ultimately, you try to do what’s in the best interest of your pet, if at all possible. I believe in the same thing for humans. Then again, my wife is a physician and has seen a lot of people push ‘keeping Grandma alive’ to the point of abuse, so I might have a unique perspective.
I went to great lengths trying to save my cat this summer. I didn’t spend that much but I spent a bit.
@godfatherofgreenbay - Did it live?
@distractedbyzombies - I know exactly what you are saying. When keeping them alive is in our best interests but not the pet (or patient) we need to let them go. I signed a DNR for someone very special to me rather than put her through more futile, experimental treatments. The thing is – I haven’t lived a single day wondering if I did enough? Did I give up right before the miracle happened? That line of thinking will stick with me to the end of my days. I realize a family member and a pet aren’t
exactly t
he same – I would choose my kids first obviously, but I also could never bring myself to giving up on my beloved dog if there was any hope left in his eyes. That remorse and obsession of “did I do the right thing” won’t catch me again!
@Grannys_Place - There is definitely a line – a line about whether it is for you or for them. I would hope that I would be strong enough to do what was right for him and not make him suffer, but I would toe that line as close as possible! How are you??
@andreas_d - You are so very sweet
Yes, getting your heart broken like that makes you tread much more cautiously, doesn’t it? But it is the tender hearted people in the world that do the most good for the critters, and also pay the highest price when they die.
yes and she’s currently sitting on top of my computer with her tail hanging on the fan making me have to clean out my computer more often. She’s curled up on my modem.
@meddwl - I wasn’t pissed off. You were just wrong. That isn’t anger. But you don’t seem inclined to budge from your view or consider what I say, even if it shows you to be wrong, so have a good evening.
@godfatherofgreenbay - Good! I hope she walks across your keyboard when you aren’t looking too!
no, she only does that when I’m trying to write something
@godfatherofgreenbay - Are you sure? Because it wouldn’t surprise me if she was the one responsible for the Homework assignments that pop up on your page..
yes, he/she is a part of the family.
I felt the same way when I was younger – that is, until I got a pet of my own. Then I realized they ARE family members and I WOULD spend lots of money if necessary to keep my pets well.
This post truly brought back memories of my three beloved K-9 friends. They all lost their battles with cancer. I didn’t even care how much their veterinary bills cost. I don’t regret the money I spent on them trying to make them better. I just regret not doing it a lot sooner
In total, I had 39 great years (13 for each one of them) of their companionship. I feel fortunate to have had them.
That has always been one of my biggest pet peeves. I don’t want anyone in my life that could ever say that to anyone. I understand to some people it IS “just a dog” but you don’t say that about someone else’s dog. That’s just wrong. I would sell everything I own and give up Internet to save mine. They are so important to me. Poor Wilson. Kids can and should be taught proper dog care, even young ones can learn not to feed the dog people food.
@BoulderChristina - hugs.
@meddwl - some people are just piss-off-able. ultimately we are selfish beings and everything we do is for selfish reasons. but there are selfish reasons that are far more acceptable than others.
Oh my.. I love all animals. Although expensive to care for when they’re sick, I would take care of them.
As a christian owner and breeder of some of the most awesome canine companions and partners in the world, I believe we have a responsibility to behave generously, kindly, and mercifully toward the animals that are entrusted to us.
A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. (Pro 12:10)
Life is God’s technology – all life. He makes all things for a purpose, and look at what these animals do… they love us! They’re transmitters of a heavenly Father’s love for us! A pile of dirt can’t love anything. Until God gets His hands on it and shapes it into a dog, or a cat or another human, that is
I’m sp sorry for Wilson! I got that “it’s just a dog” a lot recently when I had to put my dog down 3 weeks ago. Not even a week later another one of our pets died while my partner was holding him in his hands. It was devastating and traumatizing for both of us. They aren’t just critters to us, they are our kids for the time being since we haven’t made any of our own children yet. This breaks my heart. Hope he gets well soon.
You have an adorable dog and I hope he gets better fast! :<
I would absolutely do anything for my dog, because I know that he would do anything for me. They are the most loyal beings that we will ever have the opportunity to meet in our lives, and there are many people who miss out on this experience. I see my dog as my child and some people may say thats ridiculous, but to me, theres no such thing as too much love, especially for my pooch.
I’ve lost many family members, 4 of which died while I was in high school. My ex fiancé also died at the age of 24. I was also devastated when my beagle had to be put to sleep 2 years ago. I miss her still
That being said, I cannot compare the life of my animals to any person that I loved. I’m most definitely an animal person which sometimes drives my husband and family crazy. If I had to choose between getting a lost family member back and giving up my animals I’d choose to have my family member back.
I’m not saying it would be easy by no means but no loss of my pet has ever compared to the loss of my family or any person I loved. I think it’s a bit rude to tell someone “it’s just an anima” especially if you don’t even know the person.
I hope her dog comes through ok. And I don’t think he’s ugly at all! I think he’s adorable! Haha Your dog is beautiful btw. I’ve always wanted a German Shepard. I hope all goes well!
the person who said that probably isn’t a dog owner, and if they are then I pity their poor dog
Sometimes it’s selfish to throw money at a health problem that can’t be resolved. I’ve been guilty of prolonging an aging friend’s discomfort when the kinder thing would have been to grant him release. I console myself with the thought that he would not have chosen to go any sooner and I would never have chosen to let him go. With Bob’s renal failure I’ve vowed to juice him up diligently and when he lets me know that the pain outweighs the pleasure of life, I will give him that final gift, no matter how repugnant it is to me. I wish someone could do that for me.
Re: Owning a pet is selfish…Sometimes. All of my eight cats moved in with me without my invitation. I neuter, spay, vaccinate, feed, and most of the time, love them. Some of them are less lovable than others, having lived a feral life in their formative years, and as such are not exactly warm and fuzzy. So, I don’t consider it a selfish act to provide for their physical and emotional needs even though I enjoy each and every one of them to a lesser or greater degree.
You animals are part of your family, there is no such thing as going to far to try and save them! I have a cat and her name is Butter, I would give my own life for her if that is what it would mean to save her…she is more than just a pet to me she is my child, my familiar.
Maybe the person that said it has never had a dog who loved her with all it’s might. People who have never felt that unconditional love from a pet just can’t understand. I hope one day she does. Kudos to your friend for doing all she can to save her precious baby!
There is something awfully wrong with the lady who said that. My earlier cat got bladder stones, and was gravely ill. We paid $5,000 on surgery to get him around. But at one Vet clinic they blotched the surgery and the cat died. It took me a long time to get over it. This animal is like a family, a part of you. Frankly even I have heard of that comment, and have felt sick.
Boulder is so cute. Please give a hug from me.
How very odd. I just did a post on dogs (sorta.) When my dog got cancer, she was too old for surgery, so I began a regimen of chinese herbs, cancer diet and accupuncture.
I’m with you. I’d mortgage my house, I’d sell a kidney, I’d do whatever I had to do to take care of my precious little babies. They are defenseless, loving, forgiving, and wholly dependant on us… the least we can do is give all of that back, and be the people our dogs think that we are. I think it’s so sad that your sister’s dog has gotten to this point and she could have controlled it, but I truly hope she does all she can to save him. I will be praying for sweet little Wilson and I know that if he does not stay here on earth to play and love and live, he will go up to heaven where he will be blissful. The couple I babysit for have three Dashunds; they have back problems… one recently was doing so poorly they thought they’d have to put him down. They said they couldn’t do another surgery. I thought it was vet’s orders. They said it was because they had agreed once they had the children that they would no longer spend that much on their pets ever again. I think this is horrible for two reasons. 1) The dogs were there first and 2) They are putting the children before the dogs, when they should be cared for and loved for equally. It really got to me. He is still doing okay and around, but he’s only walking on three legs… better than none and being in pain, but I don’t know… and my boyfriend at work the other night got a phone call about a dog fighting ring (WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE?) and the cops located three dead Pits in a nearby dumpster… my heart was so, so, so broken… I love animals, and I only believe those who REALLY love them should have them.
Pets are indeed part of the family. I remember when I was told that my dog died, how I had mourned~~ oceans and continents away from him. Hope Wilson can lick this thing and come home soon.
@BoulderChristina - I think it would be impossible NOT to think those kinds of thoughts with someone very special to you. It’s an incredibly tough situation. The decision to respect when a loved one’s time has finally come and to let them pass with as little unnecessary pain or discomfort is quite laudable in my opinion. It’s not an easy decision, though, nor a perfect one. We do the best we can.
Neat post.
As long as Wilson is not in pain…no price is too high to pay to save the life of a beloved pet!
The limits of what I would spend on medical bills for our pets are largely due to practicality. I agree with the spirit of this post. Just an animal? Screw that! I have heard that you should not feed your pet people food, because dog food is all they need, and is nutritionally best for them. My dog is always hungry and loves variety. We have chips and guacamole, popcorn, whatever I am eating, together, and she is very happy and excited about it. Granted she only gets a little, but still.
My dog is not just a dog. People know not to say that to me. My dog is my best friend. We go everywhere together. We had considered turning her into a psychiatric service dog for my PTSD but she’s too high strung in public. Meaning she cares more about other people then myself. She’d make a good therapy dog. I have a hefty insurance policy on her incase anything like this ever happens to her. Health insurance. Not life insurance. LOL
Aww. :c Sorry about Wilson
I’m very sorry to learn of Wilson’s condition.
I have never understood where people come from with this… distance, this indifference, to the lives of animals. They are members of my family and, frankly, equally as valuable. People are free to disagree but my standpoint will not change.
@plantinthewindow - +1!
@SherylM - It’s lucky for us we learn as we get older – I can’t imagine trying to live life with my 20 year old attitudes!
People that doesn’t own a dog will never understand what kind of impact it makes in our lives. My family would sell our business and take out our mortgage to save our sick dogs. I love my 2 fur babies to death!
@domina_lepida - Those must have been 39 great years! I can’t imagine life without my Salem, I have always owned Shepherds and I know they all meant the world to me, but for some reason Salem won me in a way the others didn’t. I think it’s because he’s my empty nester dog
It’s a pleasure to meet another K-9 fan!
@BohemianLotus - Thank you
It sounds like he is going to pull through, he has resumed eating again
@armnatmom - I am sure you would. You are very tender hearted!
@AOK4WAY - I have found that the more love a person has in their heart, the more they have to offer to people and animals. Thanks for stopping by
@karoline1982 - Thank you!
@forever_musing - Oh just hearing this breaks my heart for you! When a pet dies, your heart is broken. People who wonder why you aren’t “snapping out of it” has obviously never been there!
@tiffany_chua - Thank you!
@KiriAnne88 - I don’t think that is ridiculous at all! I think that’s natural, how could you not love someone wholly who loves you unconditionally?
@BlueIris83 - Thank you! I have lost family members as well, though your story is tragic with losing them all so young. The truth of the matter is, grief is grief and pain is pain, and it hardly seems fair to allow people “x” amount of room to grieve based on their own judgement of what should be sufficient. GS dogs are wonderful companions, if you ever find yourself ready for one!
@voodoo_flower_child - Me too!
@judyrutrider - I agree with every word you wrote! I grew up in the country too, and we had feral cats and other strays. Some definitely ARE more lovable than others! Regardless of their friendliness, they all had food, shelter and vet care. There is nothing selfish about those things.
@PietyWasilko - They offer love like nothing else, don’t they? Pleasure to meet you
@joiwinds - Very good point, and thanks for making me think about it in that light. I should feel bad for her and hope she finds that love for herself, rather than wishing I could pop her in the nose!
@angys_coco - Oh I am so sorry to hear that!
I can imagine how your heart broke, I know how much you care for them!
@Kellsbella - Now that is a lot of love! You posted about dogs too?? I will have to go check you out. We seem to be on the same page most of the time
@unstoppableobsession - That is so sad about the daschund! I hope they delay bringing home any more critters until their kids are grown and they are in a situation where they don’t need to care for one or the other.
A pleasure to meet you!
@ZSA_MD - Thank you! It’s so hard to lose a pet we love, isn’t it? I think things are turning around for him, he is now eating! Thanks so much for your compassion!
@vexations -
@crankycaregiver - Amen!
@lonelywanderer2 - Haha, I am not against spoiling your pets, even with people food! I used to spoil fat lil Wilson before he got sick, but not Salem. Anything other than his food gives him many trips outside
@FallenSafely - I wanted Salem to be a therapy dog, too! He kind of was, as when I brought him home he lived with DD and hospice patients in my home with me. Since then though, he has just been my park patrol partners, lol.
@ShimmerBodyCream - Thanks, Shim. Hey, how old are you?
The reasoned answer? There’s nothing wrong with either one of you.
At the end of the day, it IS just a dog. Personally, if my dog were ill, I’d go out of my way to make sure they got the care they need, but when the time came that it was clear no amount of money or medical care was going to save the dog’s life, I’d have them put down. Contrary to what people seem to think, animals don’t just up and decide to give up and subsequently die. It doesn’t work that way. They’re going to “fight” until they succumb to their illness or injury. So to justify spending money that someone may or may not have, on a losing battle, because they little guy is “still fighting” could actually be kind of cruel… Fighting is painful, stressful, and no fun for the dog at all. Sometimes the humane thing to do is to have them put out of their misery, but our own selfishness won’t let us do that, and so we say we’re just loving them and giving them every chance we can. What’s really happening is that we’re too attached to make the decision that’s best for the dog.
All that being said, I couldn’t be as callous about it as this person was. Yes, $4,000 does seem like a lot of money to spend on saving a dog’s life, but to say “just let the dog die and go on a cruise..” I’d be inclined to slap the bitch, to be honest.
@ever_grey - Thank you. I have never understood it either? Maybe if you don’t grow up with or own pets you never understand? I don’t know, but it makes me sad. Pleasure to meet you!
@vi3ts3xs3y - It’s so true, isn’t it? They actually prescribe pet therapy to hospitals and long term care facilities because if the positive benefits animals bring to people. It’s so nice to meet you, thanks for swinging by!
@Under_the_Ghillie - I agree there is a point where it’s selfish to keep them alive. I just think my point is much farther along than other people’s
There has been more than one time I wish you were around to slap a bitch for me. How have you been? Why aren’t you my friend yet?
@BoulderChristina - 24!
@ShimmerBodyCream - 24 was a fun age
I am soo soo sorry for lil Wilson. I have a schnauzer named Jake and he is my child <3 I don’t understand how people say that either. He is a family member and should be treated as such. I’ll be praying. You’ve a cutie pie too btw!
@mysokalledlife - Thank you, and thanks for the add! Very nice to meet you!
I hope Wilson will be okay.
My animals are my family. They are just as important as people and I don’t know how anyone can think any different.
Although I will always put the human members of my family first if it comes to life or death, I definitely see my dog as a part of my family.
@BoulderChristina nice to meet you too.just posted a pic of the lil booger if you want to see him. haha he’s quite a ladies man.
@BoulderChristina - I agree! Hugs!!! Have a wonderful day!
Pleasure to meet you as well
An animal lover would never understand someone saying “he’s just a dog” anymore than the non-pet owner being tolerant of someone spending what is perceived as an inordinate amount of money to save a pet. I am more in the camp that I would go broke to save my dog. He had a root canal for god’s sake! One of these days I’ll post a pic and you’ll see why.
Christina, you already know your dog is amazing. I hope you’re giving her vitamins or supplements to keep her bones healthy. Take care.
@BoulderChristina - Exactly right. Animals have as much personality as we do. Some factions would gladly formulate people food as tasteless as pet food, and tell us we should be glad to have it, and that they have our best interests at heart in restricting our diet to that which is good for us. They would even gladly take the money we earn to provide us with said healthy food. They care about us that much.
@lonelywanderer2 - Haha! You are remarkable, I could never have made that segue! Impressive!
@hombre_de_la_mancha -Thank you Carlos! You are right, I know how lucky I am to have him! We do focus on health, he has a healthy diet and most importantly, he’s very active. He even gets massages after tough workouts
. But you bring up a good point, we don’t do any additional supplements or anything. How do you know when and what they need? He is nearly 4, and his hips are good and his body strong and lean, he has energy and a good, shiny coat. How do you know if there is anything missing? Do you do a blood panel?
@mysokalledlife -I will swing by after work or as soon as I can get away with it!
@SavageGenius135 -Let’s hope it never comes to that!
@Shining_Garnet -Thank you! I hope so too
@BoulderChristina - I can tell by the pictures that he’s both active and healthy. I just know with large breeds, their legs and hips especially need to be watched. I had a chow/ akita mix, and while not as large as yours, his hind legs eventually gave out. Only after all else failed did we decide to put him down. I am still saddened to think about it.
But I would talk to your vet, or read online. I seem to recall chondroitin (sp) as being one supplement used for bone and joint health.
@BoulderChristina - Yea someday I would like to train a dog to do therapy work. I think dogs always feel better when they have a “job”. Although my Jazzy thinks her job is to sleep on the couch all day, so hers is pretty much fulfilled. That’s what you get when you have a hound mix. My brother has a german shepherd. That dog would be the best therapy dog alive. He wouldn’t even need training.
@BoulderChristina – it’s my pleasure. I love reading good blogs
@BoulderChristina - LOL. Your post actually fit a post I’ve been meaning to do. I’ll post about how the Government, as our loving master, wants to give us the diet they decide is best for us, maybe in pellet form, like People Chow. They’ll also decide when we can go outside to exercise, and where, as well as determining what our health care needs are.
We have two dogs and I can’t imagine life without them now. I would never be so selfish as to prolong their lives if they became so ill and infirm that no treatment could give them a good quality of life, but money would never be an issue if it came to making sure they DID have a good quality of life with successful care and treatment.
Hope that’s not too garbled.