Happy Palentines Day to all the seniors!

What is senile incognizance? How often do you hear somebody say that they're getting rid of their old dog for their new puppy. Senile incognizance is defined as a “combination of cognitive decline and unawareness or lack of recognition”. The reason I'm giving you this definition is because if you put it in the example of getting rid of your old dog for your new puppy let's look at the point of view of the old dog. If you're an old dog that's grown up your entire life with a single family and now that family has decided to drop it off in a cold loud solitary confinement kennel in a shelter you are now not only confused but have a complete lack of awareness of your surroundings. Many old dogs will have health problems just from old age which common ones include losing their sight, losing their hearing, having a lesson sense of smell and having arthritis or lack of joint function. Because of these conditions being an old dog in a family they recognize and feel safe with can already be difficult. But if you put them in a new environment where they have no idea what's going on not only are they going to feel unsafe, uncomfortable but all of their conditions are also going to get worse. They're going to be laying on a cold hard ground which will cause a decline in their joint mobility. Then if you think about the loud stressful environment this can cause decline in their senses as well as stress their immunity causing sickness. The adoption rate in most shelters is already really low for dogs younger than 3 years old but by adding a dog that could potentially be older than 5 or 6 or 10 there is a major decline and they're likelihood of getting adopted. The reason I wanted to bring attention to this is just because around the holidays when people are getting new puppies I want to bring more love and consideration towards our old pups. Every year that we have with them should be a year that is cherished, and every day that you see them in their old age you should remember the puppy that they once were. If training is over the concern I always want to remind you that old dogs can learn new tricks and that training can actually help with their cognitive health and joint health throughout their old age. Additionally for lowering your vet bills in their old health starting joint supplements, cognitive health supplements, and even eye ear and immunity can help keep their system functioning for a longer period of time without health issues. With Valentine's Day coming up let's put love and appreciation towards our senior pups, those in shelters and especially those that you already own. Give them a special gift of loving their old age and keep them in their warm safe homes for the days that they're a little bit more confused. Happy Valentine's Day to all the senior citizens!