Senior dogs have a new best friend.
Posted on Sunday, July 18 @ 12:06:16 BST by jenvetadmin
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jenvetnurse writes "When Linda Goodman and Andy Nolan went through the trauma of losing their two best friends five years ago, they had only their vet to turn to for advice, as do most pet owners. Naturally their vet should always be any responsible pet owners first port of call if they have any concerns.
China was a vivacious and affectionate Blue Roan Cocker Spaniel who, having been healthy in her youth, suffered from Progressive Retinal Atrophy in her later life. She coped admirably with her failing sight over the years, providing no-one moved any furniture, but was finally beaten by internal bleeding at the age of 10. Her lifelong companion, a loyal and adoring Sheltie called Sable, lived another year but was diagnosed with cancer and sadly had to be put to sleep at the age 11. They are buried together in the garden they loved playing in for so many years.
Their passing raised many questions for their bereaved owners. Had they
made the right decisions? Could they have done more? Questions that will be familiar to millions of devoted dog owners around the country who have been affected by the loss of a companion or are facing life with an ageing best friend. The responsibility of caring for a dog for life, is as rational as it is emotional. Making the right decisions for an animal in your care comes down to a huge amount of love but must include education, gut instinct and of course money. With an explosion in the pet industry over the last decade of dog food manufacturers, pet insurance providers, training techniques and more sophisticated veterinary treatments, dog owners could be excused for feeling confused about the choices they have to make during a dog’s lifetime. In particular when a dog reaches middle age and its needs start to change.
With 20 years experience in advertising and marketing - including many years working with leading pet food manufacturers and insurers - and considerable research, Linda and Andy decided that their passion for dogs could be put to good use in helping others enjoy long and happy lives with their dogs. They had also spent the last two years working voluntarily with the Veteran Horse Society learning more about the issues that affect older horses and their owners.
As a result they now have three rescue veteran horses as well as a rescued
Golden Retriever called Boomer, a Clumber Spaniel called Sydney and a Cocker Spaniel called Dame Edna. All of their experiences served as inspiration for the creation of The Senior Dog Society which launched on 6th April this year.
Pre launch they spent many months talking to a variety of companies in the
pet industry to find partners who shared their passion for senior dogs – in
other words, dogs aged 7 or over, or 5 and over for certain larger breeds.
Having like-minded companies on board was more important to them than simply turning to the usual suspects. It became obvious that bigger didn’t always equate to best when it came to accommodating the needs of senior dogs and their owners. They also benefitted from their hugely supportive and compassionate local veterinary practice.
As a result they’ve brought together an impressive array of respected names –starting with MORE TH>N, one of the only pet insurers who will take on a dog at any age. In fact the star of MORE TH>N’s advertising, Lucky, is a Senior Dog.
Steve Kingshott, head of pet insurance at MORE TH>N adds:
"MORE TH>N are pleased to be one of The Senior Dog Society’s partners. A
third of the UK’s dogs are now classed as old and it is important that dog owners are given this support. Pet insurers need to be more receptive to the issues caused by an ageing dog population, especially when they require more veterinary treatment".
Nutrition was a more complex area for the Society, which is why it has, to
date, four companies – Denes, Naturediet, Gelert, Dodson & Horrell and Gilbertson & Page. In this way the complete spectrum of senior nutritional needs are covered from the ageing family pet, to working dogs and retired greyhounds.
The Society provides a valuable and constantly evolving source of information and education for dog owners on the ageing process via its website and quarterly newsletters. The site also provides links and contact information to a host of respected canine organisations specialising in areas as diverse as dog friendly holidays, complimentary therapies and bereavement counselling.
Products and promotions, exclusive to members, are constanly evolving as more and more of the pet industry’s most respected names come on board. And in the not too distant future, it will also be able to provide advice on behavioural problems, locate specialist veterinary clinics and an approved list of kennels and homesitters who are equipped to cater for the needs of senior dogs.
But there is another very important side to the Society’s work that is close
to the founders’ hearts. The Society is putting £1 from every new Membership into a fund that will be distributed annually to a variety of welfare organisations committed to rescuing, rehoming and caring for senior dogs. Dogs Trust, The Blue Cross, Battersea Dogs Home, The PDSA, PRO Dogs, The Cinnamon Trust, Animal Cancer Trust (ACT) and Pets As Therapy (PAT) will all benefit from this scheme. There will also be the opportunity for smaller, less well-known organisations to apply. The Society is also currently in discussions with The Kennel Club.
Most recently they have become involved with the Jerry Green Foundation Trust's Senior Partners programme which aims to rehome older dogs in need of loving homes with older, experienced dog owners.
And then there’s Scamp, the Society’s official mascot. Scamp is a Senior
Sleuth representing the dog’s point of view. He’s got a lot of character and
has a well-loved appearance. His mission is to track down great offers,
expose bad practices and help visitors to the site empathise more with the way dogs feel about things. Scamp also has the habit of being quite outspoken if something ruffles his fur.
Everyone can also send in photos and stories of their senior dogs and enter their Senior Dog of the Year Award. Entry is free to Members and £5 for non-members with £1 going to the fund for dog charities.
Annual membership to the Society is £20 and £10 for pensioners or disabled senior dog owners. And every member who joins before September 30 will be entered into a prize draw to win one of 5 portraits painted of their
senior dog. You’ll find full details about this and everything else the
Society has to offer on their website www.seniordogsociety.co.uk
To join The Senior Dog Society, send a SAE to The Senior Dog Society, The Manse, Finch Street, St. Dogmaels, Pembrokeshire SA43 3EA. You can also contact them on 01239 614009 or via email at info@seniordogsociety.co.uk
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