The Colorado Springs Gazette looks at the challenges of living with aging dogs like Rudy, a 17-year-old Dachshund who’s had three back surgeries:
His steps are slowed by (the) surgeries and assorted aches and pains. Kidney problems awaken him a couple of times each night, and he’s losing his sight. He prefers long naps in the sun, but rallies for walks in the yard and some bickering with his canine companions, Sam and Casey.
“Pets are living a lot longer. They get better nutrition, better medical care and aren’t out wandering neighborhoods having accidents,” says Rebecca Ruch-Gallie, coordinator for community practice at the James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Colorado State University in Fort Collins.
The past few months have been tough for Winnie, an eight-year-old Dachshund. First, she lost the use of her hind legs and then — just 10 days later — her owner died following heart surgery.
Now, however, with the use of a special dog “wheelchair” Winnie, who makes her home in East Texas, is getting around. What’s more, her tale of canine triumph in the face of adversity won her first place in the Longview News-Journal‘s second annual online Pet Star Calendar Contest.
The newspaper reports:
Winnie rolled over the competition, receiving 300 votes more than the second-place finisher, a mini-Australian shepherd named Red.
Winnie will be featured on the calendar’s cover. Her former owner Janet Garlick, known as “Granny Jan,” would have been proud, said her granddaughter, Kathrine Linton, who now looks after Winnie.
“She would just be tickled pink right now if she knew her baby won the contest,” she said.
There’s a picture of Winnie in her wheelchair here and more info on Dachshund wheelchairs here.
In Texas, Bandit — who lives at Hurst Plaza Nursing and Rehabilitation center — is trying to drop to 17 pounds from 24.4 pounds. In the two weeks he’s been dieting, he has already reduced to 23 pounds.
According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Bandit was used to eating all day and all night with both residents and staff passing him treats.
But no more. Regina Berry, Hurst Plaza’s activities director, is working to put a stop to the “just one treat” habit. She has instructed residents not to feed Bandit — and to tattle if they see someone else feeding Bandit. The pup still likes to beg for treats, but the residents and staff seem to be resisting.
“I’ve overheard, ‘Bandit, go away! I cannot feed you anymore,’” Berry says.
Being a Texas wiener dog though, he may prefer the tough treatment to a trip to the Tokyo spa experience of this pudgy dachshund, who gets a massage and then takes a walk on an aqua treadmill.
Six-month old Barney stole and ate some Christmas puddings sent to his owner, the editor of a British food magazine, for sampling. The border terrier survived but vets note that grapes and raisins can be toxic to dogs.
Hmmm, guess we can now say “no thanks” with a clean conscience when Grandma asks where to send the annual holiday fruitcake.
Meanwhile in pumpkin pie land where Thanksgiving will be here sooner than you think, the newspapers are already publishing tips on how to help your pets dodge holiday disasters.
A vet recommends combing and organic lemon juice for a Dachshund who’s had three bouts of Lyme disease.
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