Older GSDs still love activity, they just need it gentler: shorter walks, sniffy strolls, maybe some swimming or easy training sessions. My girl is 9 yrs old, and was diganosed with early onset hip displasia in her right hip when she was 3 yrs old. (this was due to prev owner running her as a puppy for miles training for a race) My girl acts like she is a pup once she gets outside and gets her toy. Then she sleeps until time ot eat or she hears the cookie jar lid. lol I love my baby. Would love to see photo of your senior shepherd--how old are they and what is thier favorite low-impact activity! Loki and her fave toy is a frisbee. We do not throw it. We kind of hand it to her, get excited and congratulate her and she carries it around as she follows us around the yard.

As a dog trainer we sometimes get asked if we will take a client's dog if something happens to them. We try very hard to make sure there is not a family member or friend that would be willing to open their hearts. [ we are very particular with who we leave our babies with, right? ] Very rarely, there is not someone and thankfully, in over 15 years we have only had two clients "will" us their fur baby. And yes... we kept both if you are wondering :) The last one we took into our pack wasnt so much a "will" situation, but more of a health issue that would not allow a medium sized shep w/the energy of a bulldozer. The new year is a time to get things organized for the rest of the year--and that should maybe included getting your legal docs in order. Do you have things in place for your furry kiddos in case something happens to you? Not just if you, erm...get your wings, but what if you are not able to take care of your kiddos for a time? For ourselves, we not only have 6 people listed in our will for our babies, but 3 German Shep rescues in the event the hoomans are not able.. As an I.T. gal in my past, I always say: Have a plan B, C and D. WE of course have no plans to stop training. No plans on detrimental health. No plans to stop loving our kiddos. But life is a b!ch sometimes so as hard as it is, we thought about it and took action. Not fun. Kind of hard at this age. We had a fantastic lawyer with a sense of humor so it was relativlely painless Do you have something in place for your kiddos --just in case?

Spike and Loki relaxing even tho it sounds like war out there with all the fireworks.

wishing you all a holiday full of hairy floofs, lots of barks, sloppy kisses and love. Glo and my lil' pack. (hubby not included in image..he was taking the photo lol) Left to right: Frankie (client train) and my two kiddos, Loki & Spike. real photo (taken this summer) turned into holiday cheer by AI--I wouldnt be caught in that white stuff w/out a jacket !