Premature Pet Aging
We've all seen how our presidents age quickly in office from the literal weight of the world's problems (and many of their own making). Seemingly overnight they get grayer and more haggard looking.
I was at the vet the other day picking up $136 worth of heartworm, seizure and other medicines for my crew and was talking to one of the vets. He said one of his dogs "seems ageless," not showing the typical visible signs. That's how Zoe is to me. She's at least 10, but seems no different that when I got her 8 years ago. Peanut, who is two years younger, looks much older, though in body he doesn't show any signs of stiffness.
I think Peanut has aged and gone gray in the face prematurely because he's a worrier--a less secure, timid dog. Putting up with Scooter's bossiness makes him worry even more. I always notice how he keeps an eye on Scooter, especially when enjoying his ball or a treat. Scooter is 100% better behaved since going through training, but is still the boss. I feel sorry for Peanut in that regard. I know know it's my own fault and that while you can never change a dog's innate nature, I shouldn't have done more when he was young to build his confidence.
When he was a pup, dumped here at 5-months and covered with ticks, he rolled on his back and peed whenever you approached him. Even to this day, when I go towards him with a leash to take him for a walk, he hides his nose in a corner of the room and cowers. He loves to go for a walk, yet every time reacts this way, even though I say nothing and make no big deal of it.
So, just like when people are stressed and worried and unhappy it shows in their face, aging them, our pets can be the same way. Do you notice that in your pets or in others?
Picture above is of my Little Man on his favorite bed, with his favorite ball, looking worried as usual.
posted by Sandy at 5/08/2007 09:08:00 AM
Pet People
22 Comments:
Skeeter was a yellow fellow and I did not see him age at all. He lost a lot of weight and I did not even see that happening before my eyes! Jasper the Mini-pincher of sis in law, is graying more each time we see him. He had a rough life and was found scavenging in a trash can for food and was saved through a rescue group. He still acts as though he will be abandoned any day and gorges himself with food when given the chance. He is very insecure… He is currently staying with the Saints parents with Missy cat which you all met a few post ago. Mom in law says that Missy has had enough of Jasper dog. Jasper is getting a lot of lap time from Missy’s mom and she is a bit jealous. She is starting to act out a bit now. Sis in law returns from her TDY trip in one week so things may be normal for Missy soon….
I have a funny to share….
This morning I was in the sunroom reading the newspaper while Cheetah was at her routine looking out the windows and door. She was sitting on the floor looking out he glass panels to the door when a gray squirrel came up for a visit! I heard a noise and looked over to see Cheetah face to face with the squirrel that was standing on his back legs looking inside! It was so funny the expression on Cheetahs face! She did not know what to do with this creature being so close to her! I was shocked that my Scardey cat did not haul butt to the other end of the house! I wish I had the camera to capture that moment but it was not handy at the time…
Ya’ll saw the picture of TJ. He was about 6 in that picture and totally gray. I think his had to do with his seizures. Stella is almost 9 and has very little gray. She is starting to get it on her ears, but not so much her face. Although her face is mostly white, so you wouldn't see it anyways.
OK Pet People, We are having major issues in our house. Since we moved into our new place Jazzy has started attacking Oscar and not in the typical cat-dog way. I have caught him twice now actually grabbing hold of Oscar and biting and clawing him. He has this weird look in his eyes when he is doing it. He tried to get him last night and when I yelled at him, he got off Oscar and turned around towards me, like he was going to come at me, so I threw a magazine at him and he took off up the stairs. This morning, he was fine. He has not had any kitty pot in 2 weeks. So I don't know if he is jones'en or what. But I don't want to give him any more until I figure out what has gotten into him. Poor Oscar yelps and runs from him now. Jazzy had Oscar cornered under the dinning table the other day and Oscar peed on himself, he was so scared. I had to run Jazzy off to get him to come out. I love all my animals, but I can't have them attacking each other. HELP! (He has a vet appointment this Saturday)
Sassy, my cat who lives the most stressful life with the others being so mean to her......actually looks the BEST! She is 14 years old and the vet said she would pass for 2 or 3!
Adrienne,
Sorry but I have no clue on Jazzy’s behavior.
I hope the Vet can of help to you.
Poor Oscar...
Keep us posted on this one...
Adrienne, I know from the cat experts at Cats Are Us that most cats do not take to change very well--not like dogs do. I'm sure the move was traumatic for her. My sis, Daisy, took her cat Sassy to the shore with them, and Sassy hid under the bed for the entire week, even though she was with her family. As you know, Catfish hid out here for three weeks before showing his face after I adopted him, and even after he appeared he was skittish and nervous for several more weeks.
How long have you been in the new house? Does Jazzy have all her usual stuff? Maye you can confine her to her own room/rooms until she gets more used to her new surroundings. Keep a water bottle handy to squirt if she gets nasty. Maybe the vet can give you medication to calm her while she gets used to her new place, the type they give to pets that freak at thunderstorms or have separation anxiety--just a mild sedative.
Keep us posted!
Adrienne,I hope it is just anxiety from the move with Jazzy's behavior but if it isn't it could be Hyperesthesia. My Brittany has that and she gets taht wierd look in her eyes when she is having a episode. One of my friends used to call her Pyhco cat when she looked like taht. She will run through the house and she bites at herself and her skin rolls and twitches sometimes. Sometimes she chases after Penelope when she is having the spells. Yesterday she started trying to attack Roxie ( our grand doggie we are babysitting ) several times. Poor Roxie was so scared. She did this the last time Roxie was here. Her tail gets all wide and she gets awiles l.ook in here eyes and is very aggressive. Yelling at her doesn't really scare her either so you ahve to go aftter her to make her leave the situation. We don't know if that is part of the Hyperesthesia or she is just wanting Roxie to go home. Roxie gets quite a bit of our attention so it may just be jealousy but the Hyperesthesia could be part of it too. Good luck with all that going on with Jazzy!
We've been in the house a month and a half now. He was Ok the first few weeks but his attitude has been getting worse. I kept his same routine in regards to his feedings and keep his food in the kitchen on the same shelf it was in the apartment. He has all his toys in the sameplace next to his scratching post. He got really weird after my mom left. I know she doesn't like him very much and has told me on several occasions that I should think about finding another home for him. He went after her dog Cody when we lived in CO, but this is the first time he has ever done this to our dogs. Hubby said if the vet can't figure out what is going on and we can't change his behavior, I will have to find him another home. I don't want to, but he can't continue to attack the dogs either.
Okay on the Saturday May 12 meeting up with Pet People while I am in Clarksville…
Pam has issues with night driving so let’s keep a meeting point near her home. I am shooting for 7:00pm at Don Pancho’s by the new Wal-Mart in Sango! I have dark hair and will be wearing blue jeans and a blue paisley top! I will be sitting with the good looking man also known as the Saint! I will let the Hostess know to be looking for “Pet People”…
Please give a quick response on here as to who will show up so we can try to get a table according to group size! We are not going to “close the place down” because we will be driving back to GA the next morning. Just want to meet y’all and chat a bit….
Who’s in???
Y’all can still plan a bigger Memorial Day event as well….
ME, ME, ME, ME, ME!!!!!!!!!
I'm definately in. I may be stag, I'll have to check with Sweetie to see if he will be available to come or not.
I'll do my best to take my dinner break then and drive up. I guess I'll have to have a virgin Margarita!
Skeeter count us in! I will be bringing Fly Boy since the Saint will be there. This is gonna be fun! And since we'll have to miss the Memorial Day get together at least I will get to meet some of ya'all. See ya at Don Poncho's at 7:00p.m. Can't wait!
Adrienne, I will say a little prayer for everything to work out with Jazzy! If it would turn out to be Hyperesthesia there are meds to help with it. Again good luck and keep us posted.
Oh guys one more request, please please let's don't go into the bar because I have a true severe allery to smoke! It effects my voice, my breathing and stomach. It is so bad that I stay sick through the next day if I am exposed to it.
How ironic Pam! I was going to get on here and ask if there was a preference of smoking or non-smoking. I forget about it because here in GA all restaurants are non-smoking! If given the choice, we prefer non-smoking but we will go with the flow… Now you answered my question, non-smoking it is! Don Poncho’s at 7:00 Saturday, See ya there!
Sorry, hubby and I can't make it... I have a weekly committment every Saturday evening from 5 to 8pm. Ya'll have fun and we'll see you the next time!
Hey, my Letter to the Editor made the paper after all! Maybe it will be of some help... I will miss seeing you Pearcehart, but may catch you the next time I am in town... The girls are settled now so time for us to hit the road. Keep your fingers crossed for a safe trip for Miss Tuttle… See ya soon!
Alice, I'm sure we will be there later than 8:00! We can't eat and talk in an hour. If you get done and can swing by, come on down!
Hey Skeeter, nice letter! Now maybe mine will get in there before Monday. We have had one almost every day, and not a single negative one published. That's pretty good.
Hope Miss Tuttle travels well and I know her new mommy is eager to meet her. Safe trip and see you on Saturday!!!
Great letter Skeeter! Very well written..we are all famous now because we know you...right? I don't know if we will make it to the meet-up or not. I am trying to wrangle 2 ball schedules but hopefully hubby and I will make it.
I don't know if myself and hubby can make it Saturday night, but we will try. I know the earliest we could get there would be between 7:45 and 8:00. Other plans we have are still up in the air, if we don't make this one, we will sure try the next one.
Shannon, jdt,
you guys come on whenever you can. Like Stacey said we won't be able to eat and talk all within a hour for sure. Even if you don't come for dinner you can come to talk after so please try! Hope to see you there!
Skeeter, great letter! Thanks!
Pearcehart, that was meant for you too, sorry I left your name off accidently. Please do try to come by after you are done with your weekly routine!
JDT and O'malley,
Please show up and meet us crazy's. We dont care aobut the timing and no one has to eat unless they want to! Drink coke, tea, margaritas, or bloody marys if you like,. we dont care, just want to meet and put some faces with this wonderful animals lovers of Clarksville... I wonder how many people will be sitting near us looking in to see who we are???
See whom ever there at some point saturday.... pam and i spoke on the phone today for the first time and it was as if we have been friends for a long time... this will be fun for us and our hubbys....
Skeeter is right, it was like old friends talking for the millionth ( I lnow that isn't a word ) time! It was great! Can't wait to see the rest of you tomoroow night!
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