Cesar's Free Newsletter
Daddy's Senior Moments

When we interviewed Cesar about Daddy's senior years, his deep emotional bond with this 14 year-old pit bull was apparent. He shared thoughts on Daddy's current physical health, Junior's impact on his mental health, details on his very special way to roll in the grass, and how he himself copes with Daddy's aging.

Daddy is having more and more senior moments. He sometimes has trouble getting up, has to take bathroom breaks a little more often, and doesn't take the cold as well as he used to. He can't hear well, which is something that's been happening for a while. His sight is going. He has to open his eyes extremely wide. They almost look like a cats'!

But his appetite is great, and his nose is still fantastic. When we go for a walk, he spends more time than ever sniffing the ground. It used to be: smell flower, pee on it; smell flower, pee on it. Now he can spend 5 minutes taking in the scent of a single flower.

We still take him along on the pack walks, but where he used to be two or three feet behind me - because Daddy has always been medium level energy - now he is twenty feet behind. After about thirty minutes, he's done, and someone takes him back to the car to rest, while the younger generation continues on a longer trek.

Daddy has been receiving a lot of help from acupuncture and homeopathic treatments for his stress. In my career now, I have to travel a lot. When I go away, he can become disoriented and sad, which makes him a little tense. I am really glad that Junior came into his life. It has been very helpful. He keeps Daddy alert and young. "Come on, correct me! Come on, tell me what not to do!"

After this interview today, we're going to give Daddy a shower and clean his teeth. Then we'll go to his favorite spot in the park. He loves to roll in the grass - a lot of dogs do - but he has a special way to do it. He finds the highest place, then rolls down backwards. Just slides all the way down. Then he goes right back to do it again and again and again. He didn't do it in the snow, but he loves to do it in the grass. And of course, he likes to do it after he takes a shower, which I understand, but at the same time, it's like, come on Daddy! I just gave you a bath!

After that, he knows I am going to give him a nice, juicy, meaty bone. He just knows. He goes to his place, like 'this is next.' He knows exactly what I am going to do. He just knows me.

Daddy has always been a sweetheart. Many senior dogs lash out when someone accidentally bumps into them in a way that hurts. But Daddy just doesn't have it in his bones to respond with a bite, which is very unusual.

Daddy has been my kids' grandpa. He helped me raise them. We don't share much about the whole passing away thing. Right now, we're doing some Dog Whisperer segments about letting go. It's hard to hear, because you have to come to reality. To see someone as amazing as Daddy grow old - it's painful just to think about it. But I don't want to share that around him, because he's going to think, 'What are you worried about? I'm not gone yet!' But as humans, we anticipate things, and we get emotional at the wrong time. Of course, dogs have emotions, but they don't get emotional prior to the occasion. So I won't do it in front of him.

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senior dog same soul.

I found this article very moving and relevant. I have a beautiful Gordon setter/collie mix called "Woody" (as in the cowboy) who is just beginning to show his age in small ways. Both myself and my partner find this upsetting. However, it never accrued to me that our dwelling on his age and having low moments may be affecting him. I know he is highly intelligent and picks up on our moods very quickly and that he could very well be confused about us directing sad energy/ feelings at him.
I am reminded that dogs live in the moment and we should be doing more of that.
We recently found ourselves with a new puppy in the house, the life he has brought into woody again is wonderful to see as he’s really taken to the "Daddy" role. And like daddy, it isn’t in woody to discipline or react with a bite no matter if he aches or how much he’s goaded by the puppy.
I'm glad you'll be addressing letting go as its such a dificult thing to discuss but also living with a senior dog is something we will all , hopefully, do. Having him in my life has been a gift.

Daddy's Senior Moments

I too cried with identification of the emotions Cesar is feeling now. Debies' post on the article is right on. Been there, done that. It is heart wrenching to loose a member of your family, even if "just a dog". My pets are precious to me and I depend on them to just be there for me with their uncondtional love, an...d they always are. My Chia is 10 years old and showing signs of age. I am fearing the day that I loose him, but as Cesar says, " But as humans, we anticipate things, and we get emotional at the wrong time. Of course, dogs have emotions, but they don't get emotional prior to the occasion. So I won't do it in front of him."

Daddy's Senior Moments

I too cried with identification of the emotions Cesar is feeling now. Debies' post on the article is right on. Been there, done that. It is heart wrenching to loose a member of your family, even if "just a dog". My pets are precious to me and I depend on them to just be there for me with their uncondtional love, an...d they always are. My Chia is 10 years old and showing signs of age. I am fearing the day that I loose him, but as Cesar says, " But as humans, we anticipate things, and we get emotional at the wrong time. Of course, dogs have emotions, but they don't get emotional prior to the occasion. So I won't do it in front of him."

try fish oil

Hi Cesar-
I love your show, watch it every chance I get, and use your techniques with much success. I am the Pack Leader of a 75 pound dog plus 2 teenage humans. Curly, my 10 year old Boxer, has a lot of the same issues as Daddy. My vet recommended he take fish oil and it has made quite a difference. You can buy this in any store that sells people vitamins. He get the contents of one gel capsule in his breakfast and one with dinner - but not the capsule itself. The fish oil is an anti-inflammatory so it helps his hips, plus it makes his fur soft and shiny. I am sure there are other benefits too. Curly loves the smell and taste. I think he has better quality of life because of it and I feel good because this oil is more natural than a prescription.
-Michelle
Oregon

Daddy

Daddy touches my heart. I have been fortunate to have a dog most of my life since I was 6 years old (1964). The first one was running wild, and I brought him inside our home. I told my parents that he loved me, and I loved him. Then asked if I could keep him. They said they would have to run an Ad in the paper to see if he belonged to someone else for two weeks. After that Spot, yes Spot, and I were the best of friends for 16 years of his life. Spot was a heinz 57, medium sized dog, with a white patch on his tail. The tail would wag faster as you talked to him. Spot ran free back then, and he was picked up by the pound once. After that he recognized the truck and would hide in the bushes when he saw the truck coming down the street. He also use to follow me to elementary school, but got in trouble and was made to leave. After that he knew when I was walking home and would meet me two blocks from my house everyday after school. My friends always knew when I was at their home, because Spot was outside waiting for me. Spot was my constant companion, and growing up an only child I really needed his friendship. Yes, Spot is still missed and the other dog companions that I have raised. They have all gone to live with Spot. So when it is Daddy's time, remember he is going to live with some really special other dogs like Spot, Laser, and recently our bulldog Sarge. I think Daddy will still be a great pack leader to them all.
Heartfelt wishes,
Diane Jay

Daddy's Senior Years

I thought this article was so sweet, recognizing Daddy and all he has and still is contributing. I cried while reading this, because I know all to well of losing a very close member of the pack. In January of this year I lost my Belgian Malenois, I had her since she was 6 weeks old and picked her out of the litter myself, she was my shadow until she was 16 years old. As with Daddy, she started slowing down, had difficulty getting around but was still determined to do what she could do and she held on to the very end too. I miss her and I will miss Daddy too! I also lost my 2 senior horses this year that I had for 26 years and it has been very difficult having to say good-bye to them all in the same year. :(

Daddy

Dogs like Daddy are hard to come by. He is one of the sweetest dogs of "any breed" that I have seen. The love that Cesar has towards his longtime companion is undeniable and Daddy loves him just as much. My eyes welled up with tears when I read the article about Daddy's Senior Years and the picture of Cesar gazing down at his old friend did me in. I have well have known that love and respect when I lost my Rocky after 16 glorious years. I could have "never" repaid him for the love and comfort he gave me throughout those 16 years. It still hurts to think about him but at the same time it makes me smile thinking of all the great times we had. I now have 2 mix breeds which are rescues which love and comfort me as well. I could never picture my life without sharing it with such a loving and devoted creature. Cesar, rest assured that he will always be with you even when he crosses over the "Rainbow Bridge" but I do beleive that since they are God's creatures, we will one day again cross their path and spend an eternity with those that we loved and which loved us....human and animal....my prayers are with you and Daddy as well as your family and all the wonderful work you are doing for God's creatures....

capotead - I sure hope you're right

My wife and I recently had to put down our 15 1/2 year old dog. In all of my 57 years I have never felt as much emotional pain as I did the day we put down KC. I don't envy Cesar his pending loss of Daddy. Each of us have our own stories and memories of our beloved four-legged family members.Those things that made them special. What saddens me the most is the thought that I may never see KC again. There are those who say animals don't have a spiritual soul and therefore won't have a life after this one on earth. While there are others who say just the opposite. No one knows for sure what the future holds in store. So, to all of you who still share this world's air with your beloved pets, live in the present, as they do, so that when the time does come when you'll have to part, there will be no regrets.



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