5 tip for Senior Pets

"Blessed is the person who has earned the love of an old dog" Sydney Jeanne Seward

I can't believe my Australian Shepherd Bliss is 10 years old and my cat Cyd is turning 18! According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), that's not so unusual. In fact, pets are living longer and healthier lives thanks to developments in veterinary care and dietary habits. However, that doesn’t change the fact that their health begins to decline in their senior years at around the ages of six or seven.

“Pets age at a much faster rate than humans. For every one human year, a pet ages seven,” says Dr. Mitsie Vargas a veterinarian based in Winter Haven, Florida. “When you think about that and put that into perspective, then you realize how important taking your pet for a checkup twice a year is… that is when a lot of situations can be found out earlier and treated cheaper and with a better outcomes,” added Vargas.

Follow these simple tips to ensure a pet’s senior years are also its golden years:

1) Increase veterinary visits
Senior pets should be taken to the veterinarian twice a year, instead of only once a year. Semi-annual visits allow veterinarians to detect and treat any signs of illness early. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA.org) has a few tips to make veterinary visits a little better for everyone click HERE for more.

2) Look out for changes in behavior
Before any medical symptoms appear, behavioral changes can provide signs that something is wrong. Examples of behavior changes include confusion, decreased interaction with humans, house soiling, changes in sleep cycles, and more. Also watch for weight changes because those can be a sign that something's wrong.

3. Consider modifying diet and nutrition
As pets age, their dietary needs change. Senior pets may need easily digestible foods or foods with different calorie levels and ingredients that include anti-aging nutrients.

4. Keep pets physically active
Just as with older humans, it is very important to keep senior pets moving. Maintaining mobility through appropriate exercise will help keep them healthier. Bliss just went swimming this morning at the beach. Swimming is a great physical activity for senior dogs. Make sure you also play stimulating games with your senior pets.

5. Be aware of pet health risks and symptoms.
Some pet breeds and lifestyles have increased risks associated with them. For instance, dogs and cats that have not been neutered or spayed have a higher risk of developing mammary, testicular, and prostate cancers. As pets get older they develop many of the same illnesses that are present in humans such as cancer, heart disease, kidney and urinary tract diseases, diabetes, and even senility. 

These five tips will help maximize a pet’s senior years, but always check with veterinarians for specific guidelines on pet care.

Bliss gets a brother!

A few months ago, Bliss and I met a woman at the Ventura Pier who told us about a young Blue Merle Aussie male possibly looking for a new home. I told her I have had terrific luck getting Aussies re-homed through Aussie Rescue SoCal and would be happy to meet with the owner and discuss options. It took a couple months but I finally got the call and that very same day, met the dog.

His name was Chunky because he was the chunkiest little guy in the litter. When I first met him at a little over a year old, he was sleek and thin, in perfect shape. I brought him out to the beach to introduce him to Bliss and learn his back story. Bliss seemed to like him as they romped in the waves.

His original owner's girlfriend had a litter of puppies with her adult Aussie to share "the beauty of childbirth" with her special needs daughter. So much for the lesson. The mama dog hid under their house and gave birth there.

The puppies were beautiful, a litter of eight, and easily found forever homes. The breeder's boyfriend fell in love with little Chunky and decided to keep him for himself.

Chunky had a good childhood...was not abused or neglected...but his owner worked in the entertainment industry and had to leave the little guy in his condo, alone, for hours a day. The situation just wasn't working any longer so he decided to do what a responsible pet owner should do -- find the pup a more suitable home. I discussed several options with him like doggie daycare but as the morning went on, it was clear that he had tried everything and just wanted what was best for his dog.

I had lost my boy Baldwin a couple years earlier. Bliss and I went though the grief and agony of his loss together but I was feeling like it might be time to start thinking about getting Bliss a sibling. I wanted Bliss to help me train whatever dog I brought into our pack. It had to be a special dog, one that would not challenge my girls' spot as alpha. Watching them play at the beach made me question if this was the dog and if now was the time. When Parker ran to me and sat on my foot, I knew he would be staying with me and Bliss.

I renamed him Parker after Peter Parker. He's a superhero dog, his special power: love. Here's where this story gets interesting. His original owner and I worked out an arrangement where he still gets to spend time with Parker while Bliss and I get to enjoy day-to-day life with this bundle of energy! At least once a month, Parker spends the night with his original owner. It is so heart warming to see them together. There is so much joy and love between the two of them.

For my end of the deal, his original owner is paying for everything -- from food and vet to training and treats. Plus, when I have to go out of town on business, I can leave both dogs with him and his girlfriend!

I wanted to share this adoption success story in case there's anyone out there who reluctantly needs to re-home their dog. Parker gets to go to the beach 2-3 times a day and has so many doggie friends! I am currently training him to join Bliss as a Therapy Dog and visit children in the hospital. Today, we're going out to a ranch where Parker will get to herd sheep! He has definitely made a difference for Bliss because she has to make sure he's not doing anything wrong. He takes her corrections in stride, just happy to be the lucky dog that he is...

The Bliss Experiment

Has anyone ever told you that your dog acts totally depressed when you leave? I get that all the time. In fact, friends say that Bliss just lays by the door when I'm gone, as if her life has ended.

I have known about her pathetic behavior when I'm not there for some time now but never really believed it. I mean she's got such a strong personality around me that its hard to believe she has the capacity to turn into a mild dog. Unlike other dogs who reportedly tear the house apart when their owner is not supervising, Bliss literally goes catatonic; she doesn't even bother to bark at the gardener unless I'm home. When I am there, she absolutely barks at him like a mad dog. She also goes crazy if anyone comes to the front door. So imagine my surprise when a friend of mine did a little undercover video called "The Bliss Experiment."

He began the experiment while I was home working at my computer and the gardener came. My friend set up his video camera to document how crazy Bliss gets...and she did go absolutely insane, as usual. Then he set up the camera in the same exact location the next time the gardener came (I wasn't there) and Bliss did not even get off the couch! Just to drive the point home, he did the same experiment by knocking on the front door. Sure enough, when I'm there she can't bark loud enough, but when I'm not there, she's quiet as a mouse.

Here's the official "Bliss Experiment" video: https://vimeo.com/65847660. I'm interested in learning if your dog exhibits the same behavior. I always hear about the wild ones who rip up the house but never about the poor canines who grieve when their owner is gone, even if they leave only to get the mail. Curious to hear back from you!

The most outrageous holiday gifts for dogs

I'll admit it...I am one of those crazy pet guardians who will do anything for their pooch. Bliss has an entire wardrobe of clothes she wears to visit the children at County USC Medical Center. I take her on at least 3 walks a day. I have made arrangements to work form home so I can be with her. I take her everywhere I go.

Now I'm not rich by any stretch of the imagination so the story I saw about merchants stocking pet products for the super wealthy has me feeling green with envy. 



First off, a pet bowl from Versace Barocco for $754. Imagine Bliss dining from that bowl. On second thought, I don't think she cares much about what type of bowl I use. She would even eat her meals off the floor, if she had to. But it does include free shipping. 







Next, a Louis XV pet pavilion and doghouse complete with spa and plasma and TV for the bargain price of $410,825? If I had that amount of cash, I would just buy my own house complete with spa that we both could use it!

What about the $3.2 million diamond-encrusted dog collar designed by a jeweler in Los Angeles? Diamonds are my best friend's best friend. Bliss would look amazing pairing the diamond collar with the $4.2 million dog tiara. For now, she'll have to be happy with the tiara I got her at the Dollar Tree and one of her many collars. 

I will say this...Bliss would definitely NOT wear the Mink Fur coat that runs for $725. Maybe the makers of this item didn't realize that dogs already have beautiful coats. Besides, I am not in favor of wearing real fur.

I am pretty sure Bliss would appreciate the 22k gold-thread pet mattress that costs $3,000. I will admit that I did drop a few hundred dollars on a beautiful bed for her from Urban Bone. It doesn't have the gold or diamonds but is decorated with shiny Swarovski crystals. And her bed is filled with comfy memory foam!

What's the most outrageous thing you've bought your pet?

Leaving your dog behind over the holidays?

Don't feel like a bad dog owner just because you must leave your pet behind over the holidays. You can send you precious pooch on vacation too. And it won't cost you a fortune either!

Just visit DogVacay, an online community that has more than 10,000 vetted and insured dog sitters across the country ready to care for your dog. In fact, Bliss and I are hosts in the Oxnard area. We love having doggie guests!

Here's how it works:

1) Find the perfect dog sitter 
Go to the website and select a dog sitter right in your own neighborhood. There are thousands of trusted and insured dog lovers across the country ready to treat your dog like a member of their family.Simply search your city and state and begin browsing for DogVacay hosts in your area.

2) Schedule, Book and Pay Online
Rates start at just $25/night and all reservations include free pet insurance, 24/7 customer support, daily photo updates, and a 100% money back guarantee. Plus, if you use this code: 1Blissdog, you'll receive $10.00 off your first reservation.

3) Send your dog on vacay
You can breathe a sigh of relief knowing your pup is being loved and cared for in a cage free environment while you're travelling Plus, you'll receive daily photo updates.

4) Why you'll love DogVacay
It's easy to book and pay online, offering affordable rates up to 50% less than a kennel.

5) Why your dog will my love DogVacay
All canine visitors receive personal attention. Your pooch will be able to follow his normal schedule plus get free belly rubs galore!

My Dog Is Fat!!

This is what Bliss is supposed to look like.
I didn't have the heart to post a picture of her fat.

My dog Bliss is one of the 54% of US pets suffering from obesity. That's a real problem for me since I love to give her treats (and she loves to get them for herself at my local PetCo cookie bar). I know that I am to blame. Being a dog lover, I am mortified that I can't slim her down....instead, she keeps blowing up. At nine years old, I know the extra weight is leading to all kinds of health problems including diabetes. I already went though that with my Puli Baldwin. He died a couple years ago (and I am still not over it) after experiencing all sorts of health problems, (not associated with his weight) including diabetes, seizures, arthritis and ultimately cancer. For the last year of his life, I gave him insulin shots twice a day. I watched him lose his eyesight due to the diabetes. He became frail and scared. It was absolute torture watching him fade away. I don't ever want to go through that again.

So here I am with my fat dog Bliss asking how do I stop the madness? I know I am not the only dog lover suffering from this situation. However, Bliss is the first dog I've owned who would eat until she popped. I caught her at my friend's home recently with her head inside a huge bag of Beneful. I feed Bliss Natural Balance but she'll eat anything she finds on the ground, no matter how long the item has been rotting. I've taught her to leave it but she is so sneaky. What can I do when Bliss runs from me with an old piece of pizza in her mouth?

Let's be honest here. Her eating habits would be bad enough. I only make matters worse. I always save her a bite (or two, or three) of my meal. I can't seem to resist those eyes starring at me so lovingly. She even drools. I know I need to stop sharing my food with her...but...I am an addict, addicted to giving my dog whatever food she wants. I have always shared my food with my dogs. I just never was the guardian of a total food monger. I am so ashamed to admit it. I know how bad people food is for dogs.

It all started around the family dinner table while I was growing up with my Chihuahua Siesta. She was named Siesta because that was the only Spanish word my Dad knew! During dinner, my Dad would ask, "Susie, are you feeding the dog?" as I gave Siesta my pork chops under the table. All my dogs since have enjoyed a simple bite or two but Bliss is a food-aholic.

I know the key to maintaining a healthy weight starts with diet. I've had my own struggles with weight over the years. Bliss does get a lot of exercise. She just eats a lot of food.

I know I can resist her pleas for food and I am not going to give up. I need to be strong for my dog's health. It will be hard but it's necessary. I am powerless over my "need to feed." I am turning that powerlessness over to my higher power. Are there other dog lovers who want to join me? Let's make it a priority to get the weight off our precious canines. Don't they deserve to be healthy?

Is your dog ready for Hollywood?

Since she was a wee little puppy, Bliss has had a real Hollywood Agent booking her on photo shoots, in television shows and movies, and in national commercials. Over the years, thanks to Michelle Zahn, owner of the professional pet agency, Le Paws, Bliss has enjoyed a busy career (especially lately, I guess Australian Shepherds are in vogue!) My favorite by far is the commercial she did earlier this year for a dating website called FarmersOnly.com. Check it out and you'll see why I am so proud of my baby!

People ask me all the time how to get their dog into acting and modeling. Of course, everyone thinks their dog is the cutest, smartest and best (as they should) but is your pet "studio ready?" Simply because a dog is extraordinary, does not make the pet an extraordinary actor. Some dogs who tend to be shy would not make good candidates because being in the lime light might cause too much stress. However, any well-trained dog can be a good actor, provided they learn to perform in strange locations, in front of many people, and under hot camera lights. A skilled trainer is your first stop to doggie stardom!

Good acting in the dog world comes from steady repetition and hard work. I knew Bliss was a prime canine actor candidate because she absolutely loves to be the center of attention! It was my responsibility to develop her natural talents. A dog needs to be solid on all off-leash basic obedience-- with distractions. Here is a basic list of what Bliss needed to learn before she was ready for her close up:

• On your mark
• Head down
• Sit
• Down
• Stay
• Speak (Bliss gets a lot of work for this one)

A good place to get started is by taking a Canine Good Citizen (CGC) class. A dog with their CGC Certificate has a good foundation for show business. Keep in mind, your dog needs to perform everything from a distance. Plus, your dog must be able to work with strangers because the actors will be in the shot, not you, the trainer.

Bliss does not get residuals for commercials. Hollywood considers dogs as property so the pay is not as good as it would be for a human actor. For commercials, I get paid as her handler anywhere from $250.00 a day to $1000.00 a day.

I wish I could do it full time because for me, getting paid to hang out with my dog is the most awesome way to make a living. Bliss loves to work in front of the camera and I love to watch her. By the way, Bliss just did a Ross commercial so keep an eye out for her! She's the dog catching the Frisbee.