[nagdu] Older Dogs -- Warning for Talk About Dogs' Life Span

[tina birenbaum]

Probably many of us feel that way, wondering when that dreaded day of 
retirement or whatever comes. I, especially with my last dog just tried 
not to worry, to just be thankful for every day we had together. it 
isn't easy, but i wanted to enjoy all of the moments rather than 
looking back one day and thinking that i'd just wondered when it would be.
Original message:
> Hello,

> You are not the only one this way.  Iam already worried about
> Wizard retiring and he's only 3! My pet dog died at 8 due to
> kidney failure.  If she is still excited to work then I say you
> have no reason to worry.
> But y'r not the only one like that.

> Sarah and Wizard

>  ----- Original Message -----
> From: avapup.7 at gmail.com
> To: the National Association of Guide Dog Users NAGDU Mailing
> List<nagdu at nfbnet.org
> Date sent: Thu, 20 Dec 2012 23:02:22 -0500
> Subject: [nagdu] Older Dogs -- Warning for Talk About Dogs' Life
> Span


> Hi, from Ava and Cocoa, in the land of the wind and snow.

> Does anyone else start to get kind of nervous when their dogs
> reach a certain age, even if their pup is still working
> wonderfully?

> I don't know why I'm feeling this way.  Cocoa is only 8 years
> old, and turns 9 in the spring.  She is never happier than when
> she gets to help me with guiding and/or balance ( except for when
> it's time for her to eat -- she is a Lab, after all, grins ).
> She sees her harness and becomes a very bouncy dog.  She hasn't
> slowed down at all.  But something just sort of keeps nagging at
> me.  I think it's the fact that she's 8.  My first guide retired
> at 6 for a minor medical issue, but I don't see Cocoa retiring
> any time soon.

> But am I the only one like this? Sometimes I just worry and think
> about how she's a big dog ( 65 lbs ) and how big dogs don't
> usually live as long as small dogs, and I think about how
> devastated I'd be if I lost her.  I even refer to her as my
> daughter, though I know she's a dog, and have never treated her
> like a furry person, and have respected her for being the great
> dog that she is.

> Do you think that her being 8 is too young for me to get so
> nervous?

> Thank you, and happy holidays, and a merry Christmas to those who
> celebrate it!

> Ava and Cocoa

> Sent from my iPhone
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