When a dog survives distemper, everything changes, and only time can predict the quality of life he will have in the future; they often experience permanent, irreparable damage to their nervous system.
Dakota experiences the world uniquely wondrously, but he is developmentally different and lacks awareness of his body. He also faces several nutrient absorption issues. Recently, a seizure left him feeling weak and confused; however, just an hour later, he was happily tossing his toys in the air and playing self-catch.
LGCR promises to provide Dakota with a protected life filled with medical care and all the tug-of-love memories he desires.
🧐👉Read more about Dakota's life journey.
https://www.livinggracecanineranch.org/residents/dakota
#livelonglivewell
Sage advice from one who knows💞
#livelonglivewell
Dogs have diverse preferences for being held, influenced by their breed and personality. Some love being cradled, while others prefer to stay on the ground. Even those who don't like being picked up find ways to express closeness, such as sitting nearby or observing from a distance, showcasing their unique individuality.
Brandi's experience with LGCR demonstrates her remarkable strength and highlights the critical need for understanding dog behavior. Her unique case began in 2023 when her pet parents sought vet-assisted euthanasia due to concerns about her mental health and overall well-being. This challenging situation has taught us invaluable lessons about the complexities of canine behavior and the various factors that can contribute to anxiety in dogs.
Brandi’s journey emphasizes the importance of approaching high-anxiety dogs with patience and empathy. By taking the time to understand their needs and fears, we can develop effective strategies to help them cope. This case also illustrates the significance of finding healthy pathways to support these dogs, enabling them to feel safe, secure, and whole in their environment.
🧐👉Learn more about Brandi's life journey:
https://www.livinggracecanineranch.org/residents/brandi
While some dogs may display overly assertive behaviors that can come off as bullying, it’s essential to understand that these tendencies often stem from a lack of social awareness.
Tigger and Bear, brothers, have formed a strong bond with Skyla, a husky who overcame life-threatening medical challenges. Today, they are inseparable, showcasing the power of friendship. Though Tigger sometimes tests boundaries with those outside their trio, their loyalty and unity in facing the world together is inspiring.
Inspiring Tigger to embrace and follow the essential principles of canine etiquette is a noble goal. Through proper guidance and positive reinforcement, we can empower our bonded buddies to navigate social situations confidently, fostering a harmonious environment.
👉https://www.petmd.com/dog/behavior/what-do-about-dog-bullies-other-dogs
Kindness Can Change Everything
In the coming days, we will share more about one of our newest Sanctuary Sweethearts, LuLu. At approximately eight years old and weighing fifty-eight pounds, she embodies the spirit of an English Bulldog with her lovable girth.
We learned about LuLu in the context of a tragic event—the loss of eleven other canine lives. Given her age and the medical needs resulting from neglect and abuse, LGCR is honored to have been awarded her permanent guardianship.
So, what does life have in store for LuLu? She will engage in confidence-building exercises, share big smiles, and receive affectionate kisses.
Welcome home, LuLu- This is Where Love Resides.
#livelonglivewell
#englishbulldog
Since 2020, LGCR has been a beacon of hope, health, and lifelong happiness for hundreds of senior dogs in Texas who faced adoption challenges. We couldn't have achieved this without the generous support of individuals, businesses, and volunteers.
Thank you for your contribution and inspiring us to make 2025 the best year yet for dogs that have devoted their lives to human companionship, asked for so little in return, and truly deserve so much more.
Enjoy watching our Mission-In-Motion video channel, filled with uplifting, inspirational stories and your gift's impact.
👉https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChKIbtar9-skeE1PmB7mcuQ
Sir Henry arrived last summer on a heartfelt mission to bring daily smiles to a senior parent and foster a 'young at heart' atmosphere in the household. However, he had one important requirement: to be the only dog in his new parents' eyes. In other words, his emotional needs prevented other dogs from being present in the home.
Mission accomplished! Henry is now living with his Senior2Senior forever foster family, and all of them are enjoying his playful antics, including his "catch me if you can" moments and his "look what I did" tricks.
Last November, Buddy arrived at LGCR trembling and gasping for air due to anxiety after losing his parent and home. We do not provide mood-enhancing drugs; instead, we use The Hierarchy of Dog Needs (HDN) model, inspired by Maslow's hierarchy of human needs. The HDN is a pyramid that illustrates a dog's needs, ranging from basic to complex.
At LGCR, our caregiving aims to fulfill senior dogs' emotional and physical needs. Therefore, if a dog like Buddy is panting, it should only be to catch his breath after a playful Zoomie session.
Feeling safe is a significant challenge for many senior dogs, particularly in a shelter environment. Unfortunately, they often do not present well to potential adopters.
Consider making 2025 the year you foster or adopt a senior shelter dog. You will be amazed at their joy when they feel safe and loved.
👉Read more about HDN:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/animal-emotions/201706/a-hierarchy-of-dog-needs-abraham-maslow-meets-the-mutts
#LiveLongLiveWell
Dogs, like humans, express a wide range of emotions through facial expressions. Recent studies have found that pet owners can accurately identify six emotions in their dogs: happiness, sadness, anger, fear, disgust, and surprise.
For many new residents, especially senior dogs like Walter, who is eight years old, the first thirty-six hours can be particularly frightening. However, with the support of the staff and Ranch Pal volunteers, Walter's facial expressions gradually transformed to reflect feelings of safety and comfort in his new home.
We enjoy seeing happy faces. Don't you?
👉Read more: https://www.dogster.com/lifestyle/dog-facial-expressions
While we may never truly know if senior dogs view their peers as attractive like we do, it seems likely that they are more comfortable with companions who share similar energy levels and personalities. This insight highlights the importance of finding friends for our older dogs who resonate with their character and pace, allowing them to enjoy meaningful connections during their golden years.
At 19 years old and blind, one observation we have made over the years is Franklin's tactile preference for 'fluffy' companions. Khloe's sassiness is an added bonus that keeps hi feeling young at heart.
Henry's New Me Resolution
It’s estimated that 51% of U.S. dogs are overweight/obese. Thanks to monitored calorie intake and daily aerobic exercise, Henry has successfully lost fifteen pounds, freeing him from shortness of breath and reducing his reliance on blood pressure medication. Now, he has just fourteen more pounds to go—let's cheer him on!
Obesity reduces a dog's lifespan and increases the likelihood of developing various diseases. A study involving over 50,000 neutered dogs across 12 breeds found that overweight dogs lived up to 2.5 years shorter than those at a healthy weight.
👉Read more: https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/obesity-in-dogs
#LiveLongLiveWell
The human experience of life is undoubtedly more complex than our canine companions. However, dogs can teach us valuable lessons about pausing to appreciate the simple things, which can add meaning to our lives.
With that in mind, from our pack to yours, we wish you a Suzy 'Feeling Loved' Christmas. If you're interested in learning more about Suzy and our Senior2Senior Forever Foster program, here's the link:
👉https://form.jotform.com/243288180190154
