I came across something at once interesting and arresting.
We have three dogs now ranging in age from 1 to 11 actual years.
Because I'm 74 and have seen lots of my dogs pass on, I do worry about our existing bunch.
Like most pet owners the loss of an animal friend like a dog is a gut punch.
MaLinda had come across something about dog years vs. human years that was thought provoking.
Basically, her reading broke it down to hours in humans' lives were multiplied considerably in dogs.
For example, say I'm gone two hours to cover a meeting.
That elapsed time is more like a day or so in my dogs' life – more or less.
But I have to say that elapsed time covering a meeting sometimes seems like a day to me as well.
But, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) breaks it down like this:
15 human years equals the first year of a medium-sized dog's life.
Year two for a dog equals about nine years for a human.
And, after that, each human year would be approximately five years for a dog.
So, my two-year-old springer spaniel is 24 years in a human.
The one-year-old Australian Shepard miniature is 15, and the 11-year-old miniature poodle is equal to about 69.
I figured she and I were about the same age, even based on the now defunct belief that dogs age at a rate of seven human year for each dog year.
I suppose that as I've grown older I tend to place more value each year in my life, my loved ones' lives and in my pets years.
I've always loved dogs, but several turns around the block for me makes me even more appreciative of their time in our household.
Larger breed dogs have shorter lifespans than smaller breeds, the AVMA said.
The larger breeds are considered senior when they are five or six.
And veterinarians start seeing age-related problems among the seniors, based on rough estimates, according to the AVMA.
Certainly that's the case for this senior.
I guess my main connection I have with large senior dogs was my half Rotweiler/German Shepard – the parents were registered, but not their accidental litter.
Sam - short for Samwise Gamgee - the dog I had when I moved to Bay City in 1997, was about two and he lived to 2007.
He was worn out at about 11 or so and I still grieve a little to this day.
And I guess that's the point.
No matter how long they live, all pets are family!
