Rex is gone

October 18th 2011.  I made the incredible difficult decision to send my dear Rex to his next life. He was no longer able to walk by himself. His difficult childhood finally caught up with him.

He was given a few more years to live at the age of 4 when I adopted him. Rex fought back and gave me 9 great years.

Rex's battle with a poisonous spider bite - June-11-2011

June 11
We're losing the battle to save the skin. The skin is coming lose and apart. I can also smell rotting flesh. I feel so bad for this guy.

Rex not ready!

This just blows my mind. This morning when I took Rex out he could barely walk. This convinced me that I had come to the right conclusion to let him go. I took him over to the vet to put him to sleep. I asked the vet to come outside and take a look at Rex walking, just to get the confirmation from him that I was doing the right thing. I have known him for a long time and trust his judgment. I got Rex out of the truck, which pretty much entails carry all his 130 lbs and set him down. Rex must have understood that this a life and death situation because he decided to walk around with such drive and determination that he almost made me look like a fool. His limping was much less and he walked with a speed I have not seen i awhile. I guess he is not ready to go. So, we decided to put Rex on Rimadyl and see what happens. I have mixed feelings about Rimadyl, but I have seen dogs doing great on it so I own it to Rex to try. I also asked the vet about acupuncture and he said he have seen dogs doing very well after a few sessions. So, we made another appointment for Monday to start Rex on that.
Well done Rex! You're such a fighter!

The acupuncture Dr. just called and said she had a cancellation and we will start tomorrow, yeah!

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

Long time no post

It's been a long time since my last post. I had to put everything on hold in order to secure my finances. The bad economy hit me real hard. But, I'm not complaining, many got hit worse than I did.

I still have a roof over my head (my RV) and my two Great Danes. Rex is still holding up pretty good. He has good days and not so good days. But, that is expected considering his high age. He is approaching 12 now.

Camelot my young Dane has become a total sweetheart. He has such a great attitude towards everyone, dogs and humans. I think he will become my oldest Dane.

I'm thinking of getting more involved in informing people about big dogs and their expected life span. I truly believe big dogs can live much longer than many do today.  The key is the food. Commercial dog food is the main problem dogs face. Large dogs need more nutrients, much more than found in so called "dog food" sold in stores. I hope to educate dog owners about the right food to feed their dogs. The right food is the type of food a dog's digestive system is designed for.

Rex's age of almost 12 is considered high for a large breed like Great Danes. I will monitor Rex very carefully and document everything I give him on a daily basis and share is here.  His diet is very simple and easy to implement. I consist of raw natural food including bones plus supplements. I have tested a lot of supplements over the last 4-5 years and narrowed it down to a few that seem very helpful to Rex and his old age.

Resting like a Dane on the couch

I got Rex when he was 4 and already at that time he showed signs of joint problems. This is definitely his biggest challenge. His hips and rear legs are weak and uncoordinated. He often falls backward and have a hard time getting up and sometimes he can't. He also trips himself and falls down that way.
When I walk him I have to make sure I know where he is at all times. He loves being off leash and explore the terrain by himself. It's bushy here and he can easily get lost if he falls down. In the evening I use a collar that is lit bright red to prevent him from getting lost.

Recover from illness

Rex my old buddy, got into some horse manure three days ago. That resulted in a really bad diarrhea that lasted until today. Every three hours he had to go so the last few nights I did not get much sleep. I fed him chicken wings only for the last two meals and his stool is now nice and firm again. Thank god.

This happens once or twice a year and I blame myself for not watching them closer. Deer dropping is their favorite and I really have to watch them when we are in areas where deer hang out.

The picture is from today's morning hike at sunrise.

Caring for an old dog

Rex is now 13 and that's pretty old for a Great Dane. I adopted Rex when he was 4 years old. I got him from Midatlantic Great Dane Rescue League. This is a fine organization that has helped thousands of Great Danes find a forever homes.

Rex had issues already at 4. His joints were starting to get affected by arthritis and he walked with stiff front legs. I switched him to a raw food diet the same day I got him. He eat it like he has never had anything else. Within a few weeks I saw great improvement. He gained much needed weight, his coat got shinier and fuller, he muscles become more developed and defined.

Now at 13 he can't run much anymore. His rear legs are weak and he sometimes falls down on his butt and have a hard time getting up. The look he gives me when he this position is priceless. He also sometimes sways back and forth when he walks on uneven terrain. I have him on several supplements that has benefited him greatly. I have listed them all here.

I wish I could ask him if he hurts. I try my best to figure out if he is in pain. I think the supplements are helpful in this area. It's mainly stiffness that slows him down. The vet can't find anything wrong other that the joint issues. His heart is very strong for a Dane his age. All important tests come out 100% OK. His eyesight and hearing is also great. So this old guy is healthy. If I can manage his arthritis he should live happily a few more years. He is such a good dog to have around. Never barks or whines, kind to everyone and very independent. Just a perfect dog to have around.

I had to build a ramp for him to get out of my the truck. I also had to make our morning walks a bit shorter. Camelot ll is so active anyways so he pretty much, by running around, double the distance Rex and I walk.

It's interesting to see how different a 2 year and a 13 year old Great Danes acts and are capable of doing. Camelot's agility makes him capable of jumping over obstacles twice his hight. Camelot is very aware of Rex's limited abilities to play and run and do not ever bother him.

I'm very fortunate to have two such amazing dogs.

Return to a favorite trail

This morning i decided it was time to return to a trail that I have not been to since Camelot l died. This was his favorite trail, we have walked this trail during fall, winter, spring and summer and it has a lot of fond memories. It was just to hard walking here without Camelot l. I know all his favorite spots he used to check out on every hike.

But, this morning it felt right to introduce Camelot ll to this trail. He loved it, so many smells to investigate and he was running back and forth the entire time with his tail wagging. It warms my heart to see him so happy.

This is a challenging trail and I was concerned that Rex would not make it all the way. This little trooper did so well and I'm so proud of him. He got so much stamina, not the fastest dog around but he throttle along at an even pace. We have to wait for him now and then when he come across something interesting to smell. Sometimes he stands and smell for several minutes. I'm being patient and wait for him. He does not have much time left on this earth so I want him to enjoy every minute of it. It gives me such pleasure just seeing him back on this trail that we have walked hundreds of times.

This trail is located at Canyon Ski Resort and has a great variety of vegetation. It goes from grassy ski slopes through thick aspen and pine forests which provides lots of shade and protection from the sun. Clear cold brooks with water from melting ice ensures plenty of clean water for the dogs.