Princess Passion!

This pic is a recent pic of my princess, Passion! Believe it or not, she is 14 years old. She looks fantastic! About 4 years ago, the vets detected a heart murmur. She began visiting a Cardiologist and began treatment with Calcium Channel Blockers to control her heart disease. We also increased her physical activity and added Omega 3 Therapy to her treatment regime. Yesterday, she went in for her annual checkup. And guess what? No more heart murmur! I was elated! She can now get her much-needed teeth cleaned (it is hazardous to put them under anesthesia when they have a heart problem). Her breathe reeks! Passion also has arthritis. Most dogs her age do. One thing we find helpful is to not allow her to walk up and down steps. I purchased baby gates to keep her downstairs when I am not at home and carry her up and down the steps when I am at home. I also purchased her an outdoor Cool-a-roo bed. These beds are awesome! Since Passion loves lounging outside in the heat, it blocks some of the UV rays, allows air to pass through it, and is far more comfy that the concrete patio. I also visit the Dog Quality website. They offer great tips for caring for your older dog and also sell products that help make them more comfy. I bought Passion the Power Paws socks to keep her from sliding on the hardwood floors. And lastly, Passion has started visiting a doggy chiropractor at Wilmington Animal Hospital. She gets gentle adjustments every 3-4 weeks and I see a remarkable difference. She is faster, more agile, and more energetic. I swear by it!! One last tip: If your dog hates taking pills, consider contacting a Compounding Pharmacy. They can take most meds and put them in a flavored, liquid formulation. This month, Passion is getting Liver Flavored Blood Pressure and Arthritis Meds.