Ringo ~ my walking buddy ~ turns 11

[movinon]

I'm dealing with this right now. My Peke mix is 10 and can't tolerate the distances she previously could. Part of it is that she started having seizures last fall and is on phenobarbital twice daily. A known side-effect is reduced exercise tolerance. The biggest problem is that she wants to keep going and going on a snif-fest but then poops out energy-wise. She's also about 17-18 pounds so a bit big to lug around or "wear". She hates the stroller - already tried that.

So I've started the short walk for her/long walk for me thing. We go about a mile on her walk (depends on the temperature, too) and then I bring her home and take off for my three-miler. It's taken her a little time to accept the new normal since she thinks she should go everywhere I go when I walk out the front door.

When I get back we have a good game of throw the toy of choice to celebrate my return. It's not a perfect solution but it's the way things need to be.

I also think a check-up for arthritis/body pain is a good idea. I know my girl is a little sore over her back and hips some days - she's long like a Peke - so she's going in for her annual in a few days and we're going to discuss putting her on some medication that's compatible with phenobarbital.

Good luck with Ringo. It's hard to see our buddies slowing down.

[tangelag]

Photos?

[jencam]

Poor Ringo. It is the natural order of things but it would make me sad too. I hope something is found to make him feel better. I would protect his food from the other dog but I am not a behaviorist. I just had this situation with cats before and I was like no no, Her Highness shall reign until her death, and that is the end of this discussion!

[Ringo1]

Originally Posted by tangelag

Photos?

I'll try to remember how! It's been a long time since I've posted pics.

[Dashdog]

It is always sad when older dogs start slowing down and you can no longer enjoy an activity you once did with them.😦
I know a few people that put the dogs in a stroller or a wagon to go on walks.The dogs seemed ok with it as they could get out to do some sniffing and they still got to enjoy being out on an adventure with their owner.

Jazz and Dash did not really slow down and I still get a chuckle at Dash about 12 yrs old having nasal cancer for a year and Jazz 13 going on long walks with Dazzle when I first got him and he was about 8 months. Dazzle would suddenly lay down and refuse to move until after he had a rest. The two old timers would glare at him because they wanted to be moving😁He did not care he needed a rest.Big difference in the herding breeds who were built for distance and my crazy sighthound built for speed but sprints not distance!😁

[Ringo1]

So here's an update on Ringo. He had his Vet appointment and was prescribed 1/2 Tramadol twice a day to relieve pain in his back legs (arthritic) yet not keep him sedated.

He was a bit more eager to walk ~ but still only a very short distance.

I broke down and got him a stroller and he LOVES it. We go for his short walk - then back to the house for the stroller where he will ride for an hour - quite contentedly. I think he enjoys the different view - a bit higher up than he normally is and he stays very alert watching the neighborhood goings on.

I've noticed that ~ now that I'm not dragging him farther than he wants to go - he actually has been wanting to do a longer walk, on occasion. He lets me know when he's ready to quit.

Lucy goes on the longer walk with me - sometimes I put her in the stroller too and I can cover a LOT of ground quickly - getting my 10,000 steps in.

Win/win.