Titan: The Legacy of a Senior Weimaraner

Titan was born on a farm and had 7 Weimaraner siblings. He was a gift from my parents for my high school graduation. I still remember the day we brought him home. He will be 15 years old on April 6th, 2014. The average life span for his breed is about 10 years. So what did we do to maximize his life? Nothing out of the ordinary. We've just been lucky. He does have some chronic age related illness, but he continues to thrive. He still wants to be here. This is a story of how an ordinary dog touched my heart, started his own website to share dog-related information with the world, became part of our family, swims to stay fit and still loves to eat!

In 2009, Titan decided he didn't want to be "just another pretty face". He started up a website to inform the public about family dog health, care, and various breed information. The website is still currently up and running. It has evolved to include dog nutrition information, fun facts and review of dog supplies and products. With special articles on senior dog related issues. Titan is not only a family dog, but a legacy.

In 2011, we had our first child. A little girl. We were worried about how Titan would react to being "dethroned" this late in his life. We spent a lot of time researching how to introduce a new human baby to the family dog, and improvised our own techniques. Things went just fine. She has total control over him. She is alpha. In 2013, Titan invited another human baby into his pack, and continues to enjoy watching his youngest pack members grow up.

In 2008, Titan was diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure secondary to aging. He was weak and extremely emaciated at the time of diagnosis. But one little pill did the trick and brought him right back to his old self in 2 days. He has not had ANY further heart complications. He has since developed a bilateral proprioceptive stall, also secondary to his advanced age. So he is quite weak in the hind quarters now and has a lethargic gait. But has no pain. Despite this, he still goes for short walks everyday. He loves to smell the morning news and see the world each day he wakes up!

I once heard of a Weimaraner that ate a light bulb. I thought that was ridiculous. Until I owned a Weimaraner myself. They have such a strong hound drive, their sense of smell drives them wild!

The craziest thing Titan ever ate was during his fourth Christmas. He ate a wooden, almost antique Christmas ornament of a Santa Clause that was hand painted. He left the small the burlap sack on the floor covered in slobber, the only evidence of what happened to poor Santa.

What's the craziest thing your dog ever ate?!

In 2013, we heard that dog spas offered therapeutic swims to help dogs with muscle, joint and bone issues. We decided to try it with Titan to maintain his current level of functioning and give his active senior mind a new experience. To this day, Titan swims on a weekly basis.

Living with a senior dog can be a challenge to manage symptoms at time. It can also be sad as you reflect on earlier memories. But as long as the dog has quality of life, it is up to the owner to adapt.