Your daily dose of doggy goodness!

Every day, we celebrate our shared love of dogs and hopefully brighten your day. Enjoy!

Dog(s) of the Day:

Ginger

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Meme of the day: It’s true!

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The Grumpy Old Friend: Why Your Senior Dog Might Be Finding Their Voice

We’ve all been there: you go to give your sweet, silver-muzzled companion a squeeze on the sofa, and instead of the usual tail wag, you get a low, rumbling vocal "no thank you." It can be a bit of a heartbreaker. You might wonder whether your dog is becoming "mean" or unhappy with you. But here is the truth: a growl isn’t an insult—it’s an honest conversation. As our dogs enter their golden years, their world changes, and sometimes they just need to speak up a little louder to make sure we’re listening.

The "Ouch" Factor

Just like us, dogs get creaky. Osteoarthritis is incredibly common in senior pups, affecting their hips, spine, and elbows. If a dog is in pain, a growl is their way of saying, "Please don't touch that spot, it hurts today." Since they can't hand us an ibuprofen and point to their back, they use the tools they have.

Cloudy Windows and Muffled Sounds

Imagine navigating your house with blurry vision or ears that feel like they're underwater. When a dog’s sight or hearing begins to fade, they become much easier to startle. If you approach them from behind or pet them while they’re deep in a "senior nap," that growl is often just a "Whoa! You scared me!" reflex.

A Dwindling "Patience Battery"

Senior dogs often experience a shift in their cognitive threshold. Things that didn't bother them at age three—like a chaotic toddler, a bouncy new puppy, or a vacuum cleaner—might feel overwhelming at age twelve. They simply have less mental energy to tolerate "the noise" of life.

Protecting the Peace

In the wild (and in the living room), a dog’s safety depends on their physical prowess. As they feel themselves becoming slower and more vulnerable, some dogs become more protective of their space or their food. It’s a defense mechanism to keep others at a respectful distance while they rest.

How to Support Your Silver Senior

The best way to respond to a senior growl is with empathy, not discipline. If you scold a dog for growling, you’re taking away their warning system, which can lead to a bite without notice. Instead:

• Rule out pain: A trip to the vet is the first step. Often, some joint supplements or pain management can turn a "grumpy" dog back into a happy one.
• Announce yourself: If your dog is losing their hearing, give the floor a little stomp or turn a light on before you walk up to them to avoid the "startle" growl.
• Respect the "Do Not Disturb" sign: If they are resting in their bed, let that be their sanctuary.

The Golden Rule: A growl is a gift of communication. It’s your dog’s way of asking for a little more grace, a little more space, and a lot more understanding.

Dog Food and Supplement Recalls

Here are the recent recalls and advisories:

• Bonnihill Farms (Fromm Family Foods) - BeefiBowls Beef Recipe gently cooked frozen dog food, 16 oz. chubs for potential plastic contamination
• Foodynamics - Freeze Dried Pet Treats for potential Salmonella contamination.
• Nature’s Own - Pet Chews Bully Bites Treats for potential Salmonella contamination.

Family Photo of the Day:

Pearl!

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Meme of the day - Instagram: @luney_doodle