president’s messagewe hope your best friend enjoys this tasty dog food recipe! bon appetite! a...
TRANSCRIPT
Editor: Barbara Lewis SDLRC Nov./Dec. 2010
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Holiday Greetings Everyone,
Our SDLRC Holiday Celebration & Annual Meeting will take place next Sunday,
December 12 at the new home of Kim Jacobson. A flyer was emailed to the membership a few weeks ago
with details about the potluck and gift exchange.
Several changes will take place in 2011. This year’s specialty on February 19 & 20, 2011 will move from Del
Mar Horsepark to Bates Nut Farm in Valley Center. This is a wonderful location with plenty of space for our
conformation, obedience, and rally rings, Overnight RV parking without hookups is available. There is also a
gift shop and a small animal petting zoo on the premises.
To reduce printing and postage costs, the premium list will not be mailed this year but will be available
electronically on Event Secretary, Sharon Licciardi’s website. You will receive a postcard with information
on how to access the website and you will also receive reminder email messages.
Specialty catalog ads will be printed only in black and white this year to reduce catalog-printing costs. The
SDLRC Board is implementing these cost-saving steps to avoid increasing entry fees.
The election at the annual meeting will also result in some changes of officers and directors. As president, one
of my goals was to train the future leaders of this club. After several years of serving as your president, I am
turning over the leadership of this club to the capable hands of Barbara Lewis. I know that you will give her
same support that you have given me. I will continue to serve on the Board as a past-president and resource.
In addition, I will continue to chair the specialties this year.
The future viability of any organization or club depends upon strong leadership and the involvement of club
members. I encourage every club member to become involved by supporting and attending club functions.
Member involvement maintains club enthusiasm and activities. Many hands working together lighten the load
and add to the fun.
It has been an honor and a privilege to work with so many extraordinary individuals in our Labrador family.
Thank you for your past support and for your future support of our new President and Board of Directors.
Happy New Year,
Barbara Nowak, SDLRC President
We will be having our next Annual Meeting on Sunday, December 12, 2010, at Kim Jacobson’s. . Phone: 858-449-5668. 4411 Carmel
Valley Road, San Diego, CA 92130 Directions: From I-15 take 56East. Exit Carmel Valley Road south. Road winds around a nursery. Kim’s house is on the right just before the kennel. There is a
white fence infront. Otter Tales – SDLRC is published every other month by the San Diego Labrador Retriever Club. The articles and information included do not necessarily reflect
the beliefs or opinions of the editors, the SDLRC officers, or the Board of Directors. Permission to reprint any article is granted as long as credit is given to the author. The closing date for the submission of articles or information for each issue is the 15th of the month prior to publication.
.
Club website: http:sdlrc.com
Wins / New Litters / Letters / Readers Corner Readers are invited to contribute to Otter Tales – SDLRC. Wins, articles, puppy listings, and letters to the editor are always welcome.
Contact:
Barbara Lewis 9810 Grosalia Avenue, La Mesa, CA 91941
Phone: 619-698-1339
E-mail: [email protected]
SDLRC OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS
President Barbara Nowak (619) 444-5829
Vice President Barbara Lewis (619) 698-1339
Corresponding Secretary Ellen Massie (760) 789-9371
Recording Secretary Kim Nowak (619) 749-1909
Treasurer Kim Jacobson (858) 792-0726
Board Member Jeremiah Mendoza 1-(831) 214-4638
Board Member Charlie Lewis (619) 698-1339
Board Member Benita Keiss, DVM (619) 276-8373
Board- Member Cathie Anderson (858) 793-0595
CathiesK0s@adelphia,net
NEWSLETTER ARTICLES
Article reprints represent the opinion of the author only. The SDLRC Officers & Board of Directors does not endorse
the content of any article.
LITTER LISTINGS The litters listed below belong to SDLRC members only. SDLRC does not guarantee the puppies or the services of said members. Buyers should review and contracts and/or guarantees with the breeder. The following puppy listing qualifications are for informational purposes and SDLRC does not verify the information provided. It is suggested that any potential puppy buyers request verification of all health clearances when considering purchase. This includes eye
(CERF), and joint clearances (OFA and/or Wind-Morgan).
Both stud dog and bitch owners may place a litter listing if they are a member of SDLRC. A litter listing cost $10 for two months. A third month may be requested for an additional run of the litter listing for $5 at the time of the first listing or by the 15th of the month for listing in the following month’s newsletter. Please send the litter listing ad and a check made out to the San Diego Labrador Retriever Club to:
Barbara Lewis, 9810 Grosalia Avenue, La Mesa, CA 91941
All proceeds are donated to Labrador Rescue.
Proud Parents, Please send me the details of your little bundles of joy.
Please included: Sire: Name and its clearances (hips, elbows, eyes, heart, optigen) Dam: Name and its clearances – same as above Contact: Owner’s name, phone number, and/or email Born: Date born, quantity and color, or due date and expected color
ALL YELLOW LITTER
Sire: CH Kinta Tatonka at Pathfinders – Tonka Kintra Beithe of Bitacula – Campbell
CERF # LR-55836/2010-43
OFA Elbow LR-EL42988F26-VPI
OFA Hips LR-180874G26F-VPI
Optigen A
Dam: Kintra Beithe of Bitacula – Campbell
HEART # LR-CA-1192/27M/C-PI-ECHO
HIPS # LR-156219E24M-PI
ELBOWS # LR-EL29141M24-PI
CERF # SR13746101
Contact: Jessica Knox (760) 586-8244
BLACK and YELLOW LITTER due December 15th
Sire: BISS CH Lawson’s Rush In (Luke)
OFA: LR187004G24M-VPI Hips Normal
OFA: LR-EL46984M24 Elbows Normal
Optigen Normal – clear by parentage
ACVO annually Heart Normal
Dam: Kintra’s Midnight Storm (Stormy)
OFA: LR-179406G25F-VPI Hips Good
OFA: LR-EL42030F25-VPI Elbow Normal
CERF LR-9/10
Optigen Normal – clear by parentage
Contact: Alexandra Flanigan
951-789-0890 [email protected]
YELLOW and BLACK LITTER Born 10/22/10, 2YM,1BM, 1YB, 5BB
Sire: Bentwood’s Coal Miner (Coal)
Hips # LR-176261G28M-VPI – Good
Elbows # LR-EL40075M28-VPI Normal
Eyes: LR-52098/2010
Dam: Bentwood's Charlie's Angel (Charlie)
Hips: LR-179398G26F-VPI Good
Elbows : LR-EL42035F26-VPI Normal
Eyes: LR-53422/2010
Owners: Rick and Virginia Winter
(951) 676-9252 Cell: (951) 640-6816
Email: [email protected]
RECENT WINS Please send your recent and maybe not so recent wins. We want to share in your joy!
Send your information to the editor: Barbara Lewis [email protected]
NEW CHAMPION
CH EVERWOODS DOT COM AT COUNTRY MANOR
9-24 & 25-10 WB, BOB, GROUP 1 IN BRED BY
SPORTING GROUP
Santa Ana Valley Kennel Club
Judge: Mrs. Wendy G. Willhauck
Owners: Rod and Susan Merrill / Dan and Sharene Clark
COLERIVER’S SPECIAL REQUEST, CGC, WC
10-10-10 WORKING CERTIFICATE
LRC, INC. National Hunt Test/Working
Certificate
Judges: Candy Ferner and Cynthia Trotter
10-14-10 2nd place, Bred By Exhibitor
LRC, INC. National Specialty
Judge: Clair White-Peterson
11-14-10 3rd place, Bred By Exhibitor
High Desert Labrador Retriever Specialty
Judge: Judgy Chambers
Handler: Denise Coler
Owners: Denise Coler and Tania Clark
COLERIVER’S SHE’S GOT IT ALL, CGC, WC
10-13-10 3rd place, American Bred
LRC, INC. Regional Go Green Specialty
Judge: Pluis Davern
11-14-10 4th place American Bred
High Desert Labrador Retriever Specialty
Judge: Judgy Chambers
Handler: Denise Coler
Owners: Denise Coler and Tania Clark
GINGERBRED COOKIE JAR CASH, CGC WC CD JH
10-15-10 1ST place, Brood Bitch
LRC, INC. National Specialty
Judge: Kendall Herr
11-14-10 1st place Veteran Bitch, Select Bitch
1st place Brood Bitch
High Desert Labrador Retriever Specialty
Judge: Judgy Chambers
Handler: Denise Coler
Owners: Denise Coler and Tania Clark
UPCOMING SHOWS
DATE SHOW
DECEMBER
2 Los Encinos Kennel Club
3 Long Beach Kennel Club
4-5 Yuma Kennel Club
6-7 Imperial Valley Kennel Club
JANUARY
8-9 Kennel Club of Palm Springs
20 Channel City Kennel Club
21 Simi Valley Kennel Club
22 San Fernando Kennel Club
23 Ventura County Dog Fanciers Association
29-30 Orange Empire Dog Club
FEBRUARY
26-27 Silver Bay Kennel Club of San Diego
MARCH
3-4 Sequoia Kennel Club
5-6 Kings Kennel Club of California
4-5 Superstition Kennel Club, AZ
6-7 Scottsdale Dog Fanciers Association, AZ
12-13 Apple Valley Kennel Club
19-20 Del Sur Kennel Club
26-27 Kern County Kennel Club
SPECIALTIES DATE SHOW
FEBRUARY
12-13 LRC of the Piedmont 19-20 San Diego Labrador Retriever Club – That’s us!!!
MARCH
18 San Joaquin Valley Labrador Specialty
HOLIDAY REMINDER
Reconsider decking those halls this year! Holiday plants like holly, mistletoe, and
poinsettias are dangerous for cats and dogs.
LABRADOR RECEIPE
Archie Squares - Dog Food Recipe
Courtesy of www.i-love-dogs.com
Dog Food Recipe Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour 1/2 cup powdered dry milk 1/2 tsp. garlic powder 1 tsp. brown sugar or honey 6 tbs. meat or bacon drippings, cold right from refrigerator, not melted or soft! 1 egg, slightly beaten 1/2 cup Ice water
Dog Food Recipe Directions:
Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly oil a cookie sheet. Combine flour, dry milk, garlic powder and sugar. Cut in meat drippings until mixture resembles corn meal. Mix in egg. Add enough water so that mixture forms a ball. Using your fingers, pat out dough onto cook sheet to 1/2" thick. Cut dough into squares appropriate for your dog size. Prick each cookie with fork. Bake 25-30 minutes. Remove from tray and cool on rack. Store in airtight container.
We hope your best friend enjoys this tasty dog food recipe!
Bon Appetite!
A MOMENT OF SILENCE
Siegfried
Loved and missed by Virginia Froemel
Dec. 26 1995 - July 9, 2010
Ronan and Mollie McCormick
The McCormick household has become much quieter this past month
with the loss of two of our beloved Labradors. We said our good bye’s to
Ronan on October 13 when it was discovered by an ER vet that he had a
mass on his spleen that bled into his belly.
Ronan may have been fussy when we touched his velvety ears and he may
have been a big whiner, but he was the sweetest dog with a great
temperament. He and Mollie would lay in the front yard for hours watching
everybody and everything go by without even a bark. He hated dog shows
and he loved his walks. Don took him for a nice walk the night before he
died so he had his walks up to the end. He was 11 years old when he
crossed the Rainbow Bridge.
Six days later we said our good bye’s to Mollie. She sensed that Ronan was
gone and her health began to deteriorate. She was 15 1/2 years old and
had really slowed down. We were preparing ourselves for the inevitable with
her, when we lost Ronan. She was calm and comfortable in her home and
she left this world with dignity and knew she was loved. A friend always
said that Mollie reminded her of Katherine Hepburn. She was a beautiful,
dignified old lady that everyone loved.
Rilah has had to adjust to being the only dog in the household. We have
had to adjust, too. The loss of our family members is great, but the
memory of their lives is a gift we will always have and cherish.
We can’t thank Roberta & Dennis Halley and Barbara Nowak enough for our
bringing such wonderful dogs into our lives. They will never be forgotten.
Until one has loved an animal,
A part of one’s soul
Remains unawakened.
Anatole France
DATE CHANGE
Save the date: December 12, 2010 11:oo a.m. till ??????
Location: Kim Jacobson’s new place (next door) 4411 Carmel Valley Road
San Diego, CA 92130
858-449-5668
We will have our traditional Holiday Brunch followed by our famous Gift
Exchange (approximately $25). A brief Annual Meeting will take place to
vote for the next year’s officers. Please come and have fun with your
Labrador buddies!
The club will provide the main course, a ham. Members are requested to bring an appetizer, salad, side dish, or salad. Please let Kim Nowak or Barbara Lewis know which item you will bring.
Kim’s phone: 619-749-1909
Barbara’s phone: 619-698-1339
Don’t forget about the gift exchange! It can be wild and wooly! Gifts are usually around $25 in value.
Please come and enjoy your Labrador friends and make new ones!
TROPHY AND CLASS DONATIONS FOR 2011 SPECIALTY
Take a look at the trophy and class donations for our Specialty. Please feel free to sign
up for the ones you would like. You can contact Kim Jacobson or sign up at the Holiday
Party this Sunday.
Breed Trophies Amount Your Name/Kennel Paid
Best of Breed $150 Alibi Labradors $150.00
Best Opposite Sex $100 Hyspire pd.
Best of Winners $100
Winners Dog $75 Susan and Wayne Martin
Winners Bitch $75 Robin McBain pd.
Reserve Winners Dog $70
Reserve Winners Bitch $70
Best Puppy $65
Best Opposite Puppy $65
Best Bred By $65 Everwood Labradors
Best Veteran $65 Saddlehill Labradors
JAMS $65
$965
Sweeps Trophies Amount Your Name/Kennel
Best in Sweepstakes $50 Meg Newton - Nani-Loa
Best Opposite in Sweepstakes $50 Julie Langhaus
Best Veteran Sweepstakes $50 Dawn Menchaca
Best Opposite Veteran in Sweeps $50 Janice and Jim Pierce pd.
Best of Muturity $50 Barbara and Charlie Lewis pd.
Obedience Trophies Amount Your Name/Kennel
High in Trial Labrador $125 Barbara Nowak, Broyhill
High Combined Labrador $90
High Scoring Novice Labrador $45
High Scoring Breed CH Labrador $45
High Scoring Veteran Labrador $45
High in Trial All Breed $45
High Combined All Breed $45
Breed Awards 1st -4th (2 days) Amount Your Name/Kennel Paid
6-9 Puppy Dog $50
9-12 Puppy Dog $50
12-18 Dog $50
Bred By Dog $50 Helena Zoota
American Bred Dog $50
Open Black Dog $50 Robin and Joe Mata
Open Chocolate Dog $50 Jane and Vince Valcheck pd.
Open Yellow Dog $50
Veteran Dog $50 Gary Plotkin
Hunting Dog $50
Stud Dog $50
6-9 Puppy Bitch $50
9-12 Puppy Bitch $50 Kim Nowak
12-18 Bitch $50 15-18 Rod and Susan Merrill
Bred By Bitch $50 Dan and Dian Welle
American Bred Bitch $50 Cathy Banks
Open Black Bitch $50 Jason and Shawna Lawson
Open Chocolate Bitch $50 Ellen Massie
Open Yellow Bitch $50 Pat Collom
Veteran Bitch $50
Hunting Bitch $50
Brood Bitch $50 Charlie and Barbara Lewis pd.
Obedience 1st -4th (2days) Amount Your Name/Kennel
Novice A $25
Novice B $25
Open A $25
Open B $25
Utility A $25
Utility B $25
Veterans $25
Brace $25
Rally 1st -4th (2 days) Amount Your Name/Kennel
Novice A $25
Novice B $25
Advanced A $25
Advanced B $25
Excellent A $25
Excellent B $25
Junior Handler (one day only) Amount Your Name/Kennel
Best Junior Handler $25 Tiffany and Shawna Brooks
Novice $25
Open $25 Tiffany and Shawna Brooks
SDLRC SPECIALTY – FEB. 19 & 20
SAVE THE DATE! San Diego Labrador Retriever Club
Back-to-Back Specialty Shows ••••• Saturday, February 19, 2011 Sunday, February 20, 2011
Day #1: Sweepstakes: Keri Schooler (CopperStill) Conformation: Linda Vaughn (Simerdown) Obedience: Kenneth Miller & Robert Margolis Rally: Kenneth Miller (Obedience and Rally are open to All AKC-Recognized Breeds and All American Dogs/Mixed Breeds)
Day #2: Sweepstakes: Rebecca Jack (Nipntuck) Conformation: Susan Willumsen (Willcare) Junior Showmanship: Nancy Talbot Obedience: Robert Margolis & Kenneth Miller Rally: Robert Margolis (Obedience and Rally are open to All AKC-Recognized Breeds and All American Dogs/Mixed Breeds)
WE ARE MOVING TO THE COUNTRY! Our NEW LOCATION is: Bates Nut Farm
15954 Woods Valley Rd. Valley Center, CA
Enter online soon at http://www.slicciardi.com Show Chair: Barbara Nowak [email protected]
Show Secretary: Sharon Licciardi [email protected]
We look forward to seeing you February!
(Start planning your basket for the raffle.)
WHY MY DOG MOUTHS ME
My Dog Won’t Stop Mouthing Me! Courtesy of www.i-love-dogs.com
Some dogs are very “mouthy.” That doesn‟t mean they talk or bark a lot. It means that they use
their mouths on everything, trying to taste things, or put their mouths on things. Usually these dogs
have not been completely taught bite inhibition. Bite inhibition is when a puppy is taught that nipping and biting others hurts and that they shouldn‟t go around using their mouths on things. They
generally learn it from their mothers and littermates, and later from their owners. Singleton pups (one-puppy litters) may have a harder time learning bite inhibition since they don‟t have littermates.
Dogs can also be mouthy as a way of showing affection. Wolves tend to show affection to each other by mouthing muzzles, necks and paws.
Whatever the cause, mouthing people‟s hands and feet, or any other part of their bodies, can be
annoying. Your dog may not use his teeth, but it does tend to cover you in dog slobber. Having a dog grab you with his mouth is also simply not very good manners.
There are a few simple methods for teaching your dog not to mouth you.
Some people like to use Bitter Apple, a spray or cream product. You can put this on your hands if that‟s where your dog grabs you. Most dogs hate the taste and your dog should stop grabbing at your hands.
Another method of dealing with mouthiness is to turn to stone whenever your dog grabs you with his mouth. If your dog gets no feedback he will likely lose interest.
You can also use clicker training to teach your dog not to be mouthy. When your dog grabs your hand or wrist being mouthy wait for him to let go. Wait for a couple of seconds and then Click and
tell him he‟s a good dog. Give him a treat. Keep clicking and treating when he stops the mouthing behavior. He will get the message.
If your dog is mouthing other things in your home, such as walls or furniture, you can try the Bitter
Apple on them. The bad-tasting product usually discourages dogs from mouthing and chewing things.
Remember that puppy nipping and mouthing are normal behaviors up to a point. If you have a puppy who is nipping and mouthing you can work on bite inhibition. When your puppy nips or mouths you all you have to do is make it perfectly clear that it HURTS when he does it. Let out an OUCH to curl your puppy‟s hair. Leave him in no doubt that what he did really hurt you. This is the same thing that his littermates would do if he played too rough with them. If he does it the next time
you play with him, get up and leave. Puppies
don’t play with a puppy that is too rough and you shouldn’t either.
For mouthy adolescent or grown dogs, the tips offered here should work. Give them a try and it
should stop the mouthiness.
PHOTOS - PLAN B MATCH and COSTUME CONTEST
The puddle of water on the canopy found Barb! Best Puppy – Sadie
Barb and Kim Nowak
Best Adult – Izzie Best Opposite Sex - Charger
Barb Lewis Meg Newton
Halloween Costumes
KENNEL COUGH
Protecting Your Dog From Kennel Cough
Kennel cough is one of those terms that are often heard in association with dogs but few people have a clear understanding of what this infection really is and how to protect their pet. The fact is that kennel cough is common in dogs that are living (temporarily or permanently) in a crowded or stressful situation. The infection is characterized by a deep cough, which sounds almost as if the dog has something caught in its throat.
The medical name for this infection is „canine infectious tracheo-bronchitis‟. There are many possible causative agents or factors of this infection including stress caused by travel or by crowded conditions, exposure to cold temperatures or exposure to pollutants in the air. Even cigarette smoke can pose a risk.
Kennel cough is the result of a reduction in the animal‟s normal protective mechanisms of the respiratory tract. In addition or combination with the factors listed above, the actual bacterium responsible for kennel cough is „Bordetella Bronchiseptica‟. Because the cough is extremely contagious and is passed from dog to another via respiratory secretions, boarding kennels, animal shelters, and grooming shops are often places that dogs seem to „catch‟ the cough.
Some cases of kennel cough resolve themselves. If your dog develops a cough but continues to eat and be active there is a good chance that the problem will end on its own, without any medical intervention. However, in other cases, especially in those involving young puppies, the kennel cough can be more serious and can even result in the development of pneumonia. These pets will need the professional care of a veterinarian. In all likelihood they will receive antibiotics as well as anti-tussives for the cough.
Vaccinations are available for this infection, but they are not always recommended for all dogs. Instead, they are given to dogs at risk for Bordetella. Most boarding kennels require that dogs be vaccinated against the infection before they can stay. Although few groomers require that dogs be vaccinated against Bordetella, it is advisable that any dog that regularly visits a groomer have the vaccination. The same is true for dog training classes. In fact, the vaccination is warranted for dogs that regularly visit a dog park or other area where they are likely to socialize with unknown dogs.
It is important to note that even with the vaccination dogs can still develop the clinical signs and symptoms of kennel cough. The good news is that the symptoms will be milder and usually will not last long.
It‟s always suggested that you talk with your veterinarian
to determine if your dog should be vaccinated against this or any type of disease or infection. In most cases though, if your dog socializes with other dogs, having him vaccinated against Bordetella is a good idea. Other things to consider include the climate you live in and the air quality your dog is exposed to routinely. Protection is almost always easier than dealing with the consequences of ignoring a potential health threat.
ELDERLY DOG
Helping Your Elderly Dog
There comes a time with our dogs when we have to start considering some of the effects of age on their diet. They may need different food. They may not have the same appetite they had when they
were younger. They may have some dental issues. Even their eyesight can affect their eating habits. However, with some care and consideration on your part, you can help your elderly dog through some of these problems and see that she continues to get the very best nutrition possible.
For many years dog food experts maintained that older dogs should have their protein intake limited
in the belief that their kidneys could not process protein very well. We now know this not to be true. It's perfectly all right to feed your older dog good quality protein in his diet as long as he doesn't
have any pre-existing kidney problems. The key is to make sure that you are feeding a good quality food with good quality protein. Recent research indicates that older dogs may need more protein than younger dogs instead of less.
You should also look for a food that is lower in carbohydrates with moderate amounts of fat. It's not necessary to completely eliminate fat from your senior dog's diet. Even if your dog is a little overweight, if you completely eliminate fat from his diet you will leave your dog feeling hungry all the time which can lead to other problems. If your dog is thin (and some older dogs can have trouble keeping their weight), a little additional fat in the diet won't hurt.
When looking for a senior dog food it's fine to buy a commercial food but make sure you read the label carefully. Some senior foods are formulated to keep weight off senior dogs. If your dog is already thin you don't want a dog food that will cut his calories. You may need to look for a dog food that is higher in calories. If your dog is plump you may want to get one of the senior foods that will
keep his weight down since too much weight can worsen conditions like arthritis.
Many senior dogs can have some dental problems which leads them to walk away from their food. They may nibble and be unable to eat much. If your dog has trouble eating you should examine her
mouth. Ask your vet to look at your dog's teeth. It may be necessary to have a tooth pulled or to
scale your dog's teeth. Pulling a tooth or even having a root canal done can often solve the problem and your dog will be back to eating like a younger dog again.
Most older dogs also begin to experience some dulling of the senses. They no longer smell and taste things as acutely as they once did. Food is no longer as appealing to them. You can make their food more tempting by adding some tasty canned food to their dry food to make it smell and taste better. You can also do some home cooking for your dog. Most dogs like to eat whatever
you've cooked for yourself. Things like chicken and sweet potatoes, or beef cooked to tenderness are often favorites. As long as you don't make this home cooking more than 30 percent of his diet you won't be upsetting the vitamin balance that he gets from his regular dog food. It's also a good idea to wet his regular kibble with something like chicken or beef broth to make it more appealing.
Older dogs can also begin to have some eyesight problems. They may look at their feed bowls oddly at times and refuse to eat. Don't be surprised if you have to resort to hand feeding once in a while.
You should also take your senior dog to the vet for a senior health check periodically. Your vet will be able to identify possible problems and tell you about any special things you should be doing to take care of your dog.
Just because your dog is getting older doesn't mean she's ready to leave you. Your older dog is merely going through some physical changes. You can help her with these changes by being
watchful and trying to figure out the kind of help she needs. Let your dog's actions and appearance guide you. You can do a lot to help her live many more happy years.