That's her in my wrecker- ued to take her on calls, to reassure the women, and play with the kids.
Posted on 11/19/2007 11:27:37 AM PST by MississippiMasterpiece
I'm curious to hear from other Freepers about dogs they've owned that have had long lives. I have a Lab mix that's about to turn 17. She's been to the vet once in her life (to be neutered) and eats whatever I'm having for supper. Last night it was turnip greens, pinto beans with garlic and ham, cracklin bread, dirty rice and venison. She's solid black, except that her feet, muzzle and the hair around her butt have turned grey. She has lived outdoors all her life on the farm and still roams every day looking for miscellaneous mischief. Is my dog unusual or average in terms of age?
My terrier mix passed at 14 and she was the greatest baby girl! My new pup just celebrated her first birthday. :]
I admit I've mistaken it for 5 years in the past.
That’s getting way up there for a dog that large. Ummm, maybe you should pay a visit to a vet now and then. There’s really a lot that can be done to give older pets extra length and quality of life. E.g. high blood pressure can cause sudden and permanent blindness but can easily be treated before it gets that bad.
For $1000 Alex.........
Had a Boston Bull as a kid that lived to 18. Mostly blind and deaf by 17 but finally had a stroke at 18 and had to be put to sleep. But he was still as “strong as a bull” on his final day.
I’ve seen small dogs live a long time. ..sometimes 20 years. But the last few years for these dogs were ugly. ....slowly losing eyesight, hearing, bodily function control, etc.
Big dogs don’t live as long but seem to go quickly — one minute they’re healthy, (seemingly) the next they’re gone. I’ve had four dogs — two Newfoundlands, one Rott-Shepherd mix, and one Golden Retriever. All died at either 12 or 13.
That's her in my wrecker- ued to take her on calls, to reassure the women, and play with the kids.
Well, I thought it was funny anyway. (So did James)
I’ve got an 18 year old. Terrier.
No vet AND he’s a member of Chocoholics Anonymous.
His eyesight and bladder control aren’t too great these days. But no nursing home for him!
I’ve had a Chihuahua live to 21 1/2 years and a Shepard mix go until 17 (his hips finally gave out). Both were put to sleep because of the pain they both were in. My Cocker Spaniel was put down at 14, after he overheated and had a stroke (I blame the Contractors who didn’t warn me they were going to work on my condo’s A/C on the hottest day of the year!). The small dogs seem to live VERY long lives unless they have some defect (my Papillion, had a brain tumor that wasn’t manifested until he was 8 1/2) and they are awesome family members, but you can’t beat a big pal either!
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