Main meal

Here is a typical dinner for the boys. This is a mix of chicken wings, thighs, gizzards, green blend and multi vitamin powder called daily blend.

I add water otherwise they eat it too fast.

Digojo is back --- still going strong!

I forgot to mention this.....
This was my favorite story last year. Digojo (16) came here with a huge tumor in his mouth. The vet wanted to put him down. I talked the owner into waiting a few days and try something. I had a bottle of concentrated B17 (laetrile) and I told him this could help. Fortunately the owner was willing to try anything at this point. One month later Digojo was cancer free. You can read more about this amazing story here

Cold morning

It was below zero again this morning. We have to shorten down our walks when the temps drop this low. Like kids my danes loves to eat the snow.

When it is this cold the snow that gathers in their paws really bother them. They eventually stop and start tripping their looking at me for help.

Nice Great Dane service dog story

Great Dane service dog makes people look past the wheelchair read more

I'm thinking of training Camelot II to become a service dog. He's so friendly and calm. I'll will have him evaluated for this next year to see if he's a good candidate.

Rex moving into 2nd. gear!

This afternoon Rex was unusual peppy and much quicker on his feet. He was almost running. Something is working! I apologize for the shaky video.

Morning snack

A sure way to get both of my dogs up in the morning is to serve them their morning snack. The reason they get this tiny meal is so I can portion their supplements out better . They get several that are suppose to be taken two times a day.
They both get a multivitamin called daily blend (powder), green blend (powder) and Omega 3. I mix the powder into raw ground meat. Camelot also get half a chicken wing to keep his poop hard. Camelot came to me with chronic diarrhea. This half chicken wing taken with his morning snack and 3 whole chicken wings with his main meal keeps his poop nice and firm and his anal glands empty.

Rex get a variety of  supplements for his joint issues. I'm currently testing Cosequin DS extra strength.

Waking up on a cold morning

Both my dogs know when there is a cold windy storm outside, somehow they feel it and just want to sleep in. Rex always digs is nose under a pillow or blanked. When he is comfortable he makes purring noises.

Camelot likes part of his body covered under a blanket in the winter. He shares the king size bed with me at night these days so Rex can have the space he needs. He gets up and changes position a few times during the night.

I normally would not have a dog in my bed, but Rex sort of takes priority these days. I don't mind since Camelot is very quiet and hardly moves all night.

Great story

I like this story!
A Great Dane, a goat and a 3 legged dog.

Read the story here

Happy birthday my friend! Rex is 12 today.

For the last 8 years Rex has been living and traveling with me and my other Danes. I got him at the age of 4. Rex is a genuine kind dog, incredible balanced and even tempered. I can't remember him ever doing anything wrong. He's just hanging out following me quietly. Such a great dog. 

He is now in is last phase of his long life, struggling with pretty serious join issues. I'm taking it day by day with him now. Watching for pain and signs of discomfort beyond what is good for him. I just do not want him to end his life miserable. So far so good. But, I'm prepared and I do live everyday with him as it could be the last. So, happy birthday buddy, I'm pretty sure we got many more walks together.

Rex's progress

Rex is doing quite well on his new supplements (Cosequine DS). The dragging and limping is for sure less noticeable. One would think that his arthritis would slow him down in thsese frigid temperatures, but he is actually quicker than he's been in a long time.

Rex on new supplements

I have for the longest time used a certain natural supplement for Rex's joint problems. My supplier is out and I'm out too, so I have to find something else meanwhile. My vet really swears by Cosequin, so I bought some last week and Started Rex on it this Friday. I'm actually seeing a difference after already. He is lifting his dragging leg more and not limping as much.  I'll will record him walking to day if I can get him out in this freeze.

Winter has arrived

Winter is here.... and my Danes really enjoy the snow. Even Rex seems to move quicker when it's cold.

Camelot is just have a grand time running in the white stuff. The picture is from yesterday, before a blizzard arrived. The temp dropped from 30F to 0 overnight.
The walk this morning will be very short. When the temp drops below 10, the snow that gather in Rex's paws are too cold for his comfort. He will stop and try to lift all legs.... tripping, waiting for me to dig it out. The interesting thing is that when he  starts walking again the new snow that gathers in his paws does not bother him as much.

Rex did not make it to the acupuncture sessions we had scheduled.   I completely messed up my back and was not able to move much the last few days. Feeling much better today, so we will make a new appointment.

Made appointment for acupuncture

Today we made an appointment for acupuncture. I did not know that this little mountain town had such a service. We have to wait until Monday for our first consultation though. I have to admit that I'm skeptical, but I'm curious enough to see if it makes a difference. Too many people says it is helping their dogs so I have to see for myslef. I've never been afraid if trying different things. We never really learn or progress if we don't. 

I'm exited to report back here with the results. All I hope for at this point is for Rex to be able to lift his foot a little so it clears the ground and limits the dragging of his foot. Anything beyond that would be outstanding. 

Rex made his first noise today.

Today Rex let me know that his leg hurts him a little. I can best describe the noise as something between a grunt and a yelp, very short less than a second, not laud. He makes it when he exits the door going down a few steps and when he walks down a  ramp I use for him when he exits the truck.  It's seems to be his right rear food dragging and bending backwards that causes this. I have to help him out, which I've done for months, but this is new.

Rex has a rather low threshold for pain, something I have learned over the years. but pain is pain and that's my number one concern. I will never let him live a life in pain. It's a bit frustrating since everything else is functioning very well with Rex. He's alert, has great eye sight and hearing. All organs are in good shape. I'm changing his joint supplements to see if that make a difference.

Rex still walked the entire trail this morning and the afternoon.

Another good day for Rex

Rex had another good walk to today. Close to a mile. His paw is healed and I'll take of the boot tomorrow.

P.S. Somone asked me if that's his ribs showing. No... that's shadows from some bushes. 

Camelot craving a little attention

"Hey, not to be selfish here but what's up with all the attention to Rex? I know he's the old guy and may not have much time left with us, but could you throw in a pic of me now and then?" Camelot II has for the last couple of years gotten so much attention due to his severe timidness. After working all that off he has become such a delightful and easy-to-have dog, that little or no special care is needed.

Rex made the morning walk again.

Once again Rex championed through our morning walk and made it to the end of the trail. He is definitely walking faster these days.  I guess dogs like humans have good days and not so good days. For me keeping an eye on Rex and adjust to his days is what I have to do.

Booty time

The cold frozen ground is wearing on Rex's dragging leg so I fitted him with a boot.

Monday morning walk

Rex is doing pretty good today. This guy keeps impressing me. A couple of weeks ago I thought he was near the end. This morning he made it to the end of the trail. That's a solid one plus mile walk. The limping and dragging of his right leg seem to be something that does not bother him too much. The booty I put on him appears to benefit him.

This boy knows how to get cozy

"There is nothing like coming home from a walk and get under my blankets"

Rex likes to get tucked in under pillows and blankets. When I get it right he lets me know by purring like a cat.

This purring/low grunting noise is also a great indicator on how he feels. One of the favorite things you can do with your dog is to rub their ears. I don't know of any dog that do not like this. When I do this with Rex and if he does not make this purring noise I know something may be wrong. This is how I found out that he had a kidney infection last year, long before I could notice it otherwise.

By living so close to my dogs for so many years I have developed an awareness for the very subtle signs they give.  

Dragging leg

When Rex get tired his rear right leg starts dragging a little. This wears on his toes and nails. Now with the colder weather the ground is harder and the wear on his feet causes one of his nails to bleed. A doggy boot prevent this.

Rex is still not showing any sign of pain. He still walks about a mile on his morning walks. On the 27th he will be 12, such trooper this guy. 

Doing well

It's been a week with no major issues. Rex is actually doing a little better. His energy level is for sure up. I did increase the amount of Green Blend I give him twice a day. I really think this supplement is beneficial to his joints.

Morning walk 11-2-2010

Below is a video from 11-2-2010. Showing Rex walking. He was actually doing pretty good that morning. And this is what makes this last journey with him so hard. He has good days and not so good days. I'm constantly watching out for any sort of pain. I know from past experience with Rex that he's wimp when it comes to pain. He will not move, definitely not walk. So as long as he is walking I know he is not in a lot of pain.

Dealing with an aging dog

Rex will be 12 this month. His health is increasingly becoming an issue with him. I'm know I'm entering into the area of what is best for him. I keep telling myslef that this is about him not me.

His main health concern is his hips. They have become very weak over the last years. He frequently falls back on his butt and is unable to get up. The look on his face when this happens kills me. He just looks so sad and helpless. "It sucks getting old daddy"

I will write a detailed report on his last days on this earth with focus on what is best for him.