Latest Golden Oldie Dog

Daisy came in to stay with us and became our latest golden-oldie dog when her owner became ill.  She made sure that her little dog was settled  and we hoped that Daisy would one day go home.  Sadly, this was not to be and we learned recently that her owner had passed away.  Daisy will stay with us for the rest of her life.

She’s in her middle teens and not so active, she  likes regular little walks though and a stroll out to have a look round and see her friends is much liked.   Daisy is interested in other animals and is fascinated by the chickens, she shows no aggression towards them, she just wants to have a chat.

All golden-oldies need extra care, soft beds in case of sore joints and to keep warm.  There are chilly nights even in summer. A fleece jumper is more comfortable to sleep in than a dog coat. For a small dog, the cut up sleeve from a large size cardigan makes a good pull-on.  Cut holes out for the front legs.   You could recycle a child’s t-shirt or fleece for a big dog.  The front legs will already have openings, trim the length of the body to fit.

Daisy has a good appetite and enjoys her meals.   She has a ‘mediterranean’ diet with olive oil and some shredded vegetables, a sprinkle of grated carrots is good for her, also fish is on the menu a couple of times a week.  Sardines are especially good, bear in mind that tuna is being overfished.  There’s plenty of cheap white fish available though.

We make biscuits by toasting wholegrain bread – toasting isn’t quite accurate though, we put slices, chunks of bread in the oven after baking so that it crisps up at no extra cost.   You can spread with cholesterol lowering marg or coconut oil, a bit of pate makes it especially tasty.  Avoid anything with salt in though.

An elderly dog may become a bit confused, everything has a label these days and it’s called dementia now.  A routine is good for the seniors and for them to stay in their comfort zone is even better.  Good conversation, fuss, treats and cuddles are essential.