is 7 years old for a German Shepard?

We're taking hin Tuesday...he's alright though, just kicking back inside and being spoiled rotten.

Yikes! I agree that 138 is crazy fat, do Great Danes even weigh that much? And you are right about his weight making his arthritis worse! He is only 7 years old. Sometimes people 'kill' their animals with kindness and by kindness I mean food! (me included)

Years ago we switched to a senior formula dry dog food and he gets his usual table food mixed in, just no "extra" fat...if he gets chicken it's skinless, that type of thing. And very few or zero sweets! Make sure everone in the house knows this.

Are you feeding him canned food? My mother switched to canned from dry a couple years ago and my dog really packed on the weight. So we swtched back to a lower fat lower calorie dry food for senior dogs. So you may want to try dry food with about 1/2 the usual amount of table scraps mixed in, again, watch the fat. This along with walks every day, at least 1/2 hour a day, helped Joey lose wt.

It sounds like all of you love your dog and I'm happy to see an animal so loved, but the extra weight is taking years off his life and causing him extra pain. Also, extra weight pre-disposes him to developing diabetes.

Let us know how it goes next week!

We have an old horse who is soon 27 years old and she has joint problems and stiffness. Our vet said to try Glucosamine and Condroitan for her. It has really made a difference for the sweet old gal. We use it, too, and it works. I do know that some big dogs have the hip problems, but maybe you could try. Good Luck!

How did things go?

Glucosamine and Condroitan really works great but you have to continue giving him the pills everyday . I had 3 labs and as they aged they developped arthritis in their hips. That med did wonder for tyhem They all lived over 12 yrs and the eldest passed away at 14. Good luck with your Belo Please give us some news after you bring him to the vet. Old dogs are so sweet!

We, meaning in my vehicle...of course, heh, took him to the vet and Monday he's returning for X Rays. It's been difficult getting him to the vet though because I usually have my babies with me and sticking a 100lb dog with them in the back seat is funny. Poor Belo is stuck between two car seats and can't stick his head out the window. Luckily I have a big car so he has a little room. It's funny lookin though.

The vet gave us a bottle of doggie tylenol...pain reliever, or whatever...till we figure out what the problem is. But he was in a lot of pain and snipped at the vet. a few times during the visit. Belos a gentle dog normally.

It's lookin good though, as far as getting him the help he needs. Hopefully it's nothing to serious or untreatable...I'd be devastated if we had to put him down.

Mom just told me that she has no choice but to put Belo down tomorrow.

So sorry about your dog.

I'm so sorry for you and your dog ((((( ((youOme and Belo)))))) I sincerely beleive that we will be reunite with our animal pals one day.
Lily

*hugs* sorry to hear about your loss!

Sorry to hear that YouOme

In my opinion, yes 7 years is old for a german shepard. 7 years might be young for a small breed, but bigger dogs dont get to live too long.

I am so sorry for you and your dog. It is so hard to do and to let go of our pets as they have become family members.
But this is the most unselfish and loving thing we can do for them when their health fails and we can no longer help them.
When it came time to put my first pet down I couldn't get her to the vet fast enough because I knew how miserable she felt. But my heart broke and I still miss her.

Belo knows how much you love him and I am sure he had a wonderful life filled with love and fun. Remember those times.
(((hugs)))

I am so sorry. What everyone above said is so true. I'm sure he knows how much he was loved.

I know that I will see all of my pets again someday, because if there is an afterlife, they are surely there...young and jumping around and happy all the time.

I had 2 friends, both animal lovers, who passed away in their twenties and whenever I lose one of my pets, I picture them with Laurie and Ernie, holding them, running and playing with them. I am telling Laurie and Ernie to take care of Belo too.

Tippy, Henri, Smut, J.J., Amsu, Xowie, Boo, Cornelius Bros., Sister Rose, Tiger Eyes, Gypsy Rose Lee, Pixie, Phoebe, Patti La Belle, Oliver, Newman Marcus, Beauregard and many others have met Belo and are showing him around. They have pointed out Rainbow Bridge and all is well. He has been restored to his good health. xoxoxo pat