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It is hard to believe that my beloved Border Collie, Toby, is nearly ten years of age. It just seems like yesterday that he was a mischievous little puppy creating havoc in my life - chewing my shoes, digging the garden, raiding the rubbish, destroying my mattress and whatever else he could sink his puppy teeth into. The puppy turned into a highly active adolescent who filled my every spare moment with activities such as trips to the park, games, running on the beach and of course obedience training. While those younger days were fun, they were also challenging at times and I was relieved when Toby matured and I could trust him and understood his personality. The years that followed have been a beautiful journey and we have formed a relationship above and beyond anything I could have imagined.

Now officially classified as a “senior”, I have to come to terms with the fact that Toby is entering his twilight years and won’t be with me forever. It’s heartbreaking to imagine my life without him - he has been my constant companion and faithful friend for ten years - but I can no longer deny the tell–tale signs of aging… he is getting grey hairs around his muzzle and eyes and while he is still very active in the park, he also much more content to hang around at home. It sounds corny but he really does seem to be getting ‘wiser’ with the years!

Just writing this article brings tears to my eyes as I reflect on how Toby has enriched my life. He has been a gentle shoulder to cry on, never judgmental and always happy to see me. Toby makes me smile every single day of my life and how can I possibly repay that? I wish I knew if he was as happy with me as I am spending time with him. What I do know is that I’ll be doing everything I can to ensure that Toby is comfortable and healthy during this next phase of his life.

The great news is that due to advances in veterinary medicine our pets are living longer than ever before, and even elderly dogs can live happy and active lives. Border Collies can live up to around 14-15 years of age, so hopefully Tobes and I still have lots of fun times ahead.

A few tips to caring for an older dog…

Recognising your dog is a ‘senior’ is the first step to preventative health care. There is considerable breed variation in the aging process with smaller dogs tending to live longer than larger breeds. Dogs less than 10kg are considered senior at about 8 years, medium dogs around 7 years and dogs over 40kgs are senior over the age of 5.

Be aware of changes in behaviour that could indicate problems with back or hips such as reluctance to rise in the morning, hesitating with stairs or unable to jump into car. Don’t accept old age as the reason for these changes as they could actually be symptoms of treatable underlying problems

Have regular health checks. Take your pet to the vet for a thorough check up twice a year. Pets can suffer from many of the ailments that affect humans such as cancer, diabetes, dental disease, kidney failure and loss of vision. Early detection is the key and many of these conditions can be treated to help your pet maintain its quality of life.

Diet. The older dog needs a balanced diet that is lower in calories, protein and fat but higher in fibre. Your vet may recommend a prescription diet or suggest supplements to prevent any deficiencies

Watch their weight. Because of decreased activity level, many older dogs will gain weight and conditions stemming from obesity are a common problem for senior pets. Being overweight predisposes pets to heart disease and diabetes and also places unnecessary strain on hips and joint.

Exercise. Older dogs still need the mental stimulation provided by daily walks and although they may not have quite the same spring in their step, they still enjoy the sights and smells of the great outdoors. I believe short but regular walks are one of the keys for keeping your pooch alert and young.

For me, Toby is showing no signs of slowing down but I am now careful which exercise I choose. I no longer jog with him or allow him to run up stairs. Instead I opt for more low-impact activities such as swimming, which he loves.

Degenerative Joint Disease, also called Osteoarthritis, is one of the most common progressive conditions in dogs. It can occur as a result of hip dysplasia, joint fractures, and cruciate ligament disease. These days there are many treatment options that help to slow down the degenerative changes and restore some degree of joint function. Speak to your vet about various options but the first thing you must do to ease the pain is ensure you pet is not overweight. Even a kilo can make life tougher for your pooch as the extra load they carry will contribute to pain.

There are drugs available that help reduce inflammation and pain but these can cause side effects. Agents such as glucosamine and chondroitin sulfates protect joints and help repair cartilage, but these work well in some dogs but not others.

Be Considerate. Think of your older pooch as you would an elderly person. Their senses may not be as sharp as they once were, so they may be easily startled. They may no longer enjoy being bothered by young children. Make sure they have comfortable bedding elevated off the ground and away from draughts.

As for Toby, although he has been an “only dog” in my household, he absolutely loves other Border Collies and I am considering adding a new puppy to the family soon! The pup will learn some manners from Toby (I hope) and Toby will have the stimulation of a playmate, which will help keep him young. This is a very big decision for me because I only want to do what is best by Toby – he deserves it!