Dogs don't always live full lives
 

Hasn't happened to me yet but I feel like it might someday. What I mean is having a dog and the dog just lives for a few years or doesn't end up living until old. I have neighbors who found their 2 year old Golden Retriever has to be put down due to cancer. My friend Lobo's owner 1st 2 German shepherds died by getting run over at age 1 a long time ago. Even a German shepherd 3 other dogs mixed got run over by 5 cars in a row in front of her after her dog almost was completely healed by some disease. Now I'm just only 17 years old and have 2 dogs 4 year old Labradoodle and a 12 year old cockerspaniel maltese ****z su mix. The day when it comes for me to move out which will be a while after college, etc. For the rest of my lives I will have German shepherds. Will I have a dog that won't live his/her full life?

Stuff like that can't really be answered... There will always be possible illnesses and diseases and accidents that we can't avoid. The best thing we can do is take precautions and make sure our dog has the best odds of getting through life.

Things you can do that can help a dog get through to old age:

- Get a puppy from a reputable breeder. This enables you to have the best chance at avoiding hereditary diseases that can lead to a premature end for your pup.
- Make sure your puppy gets all of it's shots and that it remains up to date on them throughout its life. Opinions on this vary but this is mine.
- Don't take you puppy to places with heavy dog traffic until it has at least it's second round of shots. I'm personally paranoid about this because I lost a puppy to parvo, though it was likely contracted from the shelter which is not uncommon for pups that are there for a long time.
- Keep your dog under control at all times. This means leashed in public until you have a solid recall and even then if you're around roads and stuff I would keep the dog on leash. Usually there are leash laws in place anyways.
- Feed your pup good food, but not too much! Lean and mean is best for German shepherds as it helps reduce strain on their joints.
- Exercise! Exercise your dog so that to keep it physically and mentally healthy.
- Proper fencing. Make sure if you let your dog loose in the backyard that you have at least a six foot high fence. Otherwise you should not leave them alone in the backyard in case she jumps the fence.
- If you have a pool that isn't fenced in you need to supervise your puppy at all times when it is out, until you know the puppy can swim. It would also help to show your puppy where the steps to get out of the pool are and then work on guiding your puppy to them so that it knows how to get out if it even slips and falls in by accident.

Hmmmm... I think that's all I can think of. XD Premature deaths, while not perhaps uncommon, aren't common either. So long as a dog is in a healthy environment for the length of it's life odds are it will live to a ripe old age. Don't over think things and get paranoid though, just use common sense and be a responsible dog owner. This'll give your pup the best chance at living a long, healthy life. :3

IMHO, I think everyone who has dogs through their lives will eventually lose one at a very early age. I've been VERY blessed to have dogs that have lived well into their senior years and my GSD is a very happy and healthy 5 at the moment. Do I fear that something like cancer or an accident might take him early? Yes, of course, but I don't let that stop me from letting him live life to the fullest. I take steps to avoid preventable accidents like being hit by a car or just running off by recall training and always having him leashed. He gets a vet visit every six months or so and the best food I can possibly afford. Keep your pups happy, healthy, and safe, and I'm sure they'll have many, many years with you.

Well, there is an advocate out there trying to get the message on longer lived canines. Everyone should read the book in this thread, gift it to their vets and keep passing it on: http://www.germanshepherds.com/forum...s-promise.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VHHC...ature=youtu.be

I don't like this subject, it in fact terrifies me:( I love them with all my heart and I show them everyday, because you just don\'t know....have I mentioned I just don\'t like this subject:(

@llombardo What do you mean "because you just don't know"? I love dogs so very much more than human friends! I should've had a different subject name. I don't like it either hopefully it does not happen to me. I'm still young 17 years old in a half and is praying I don't lose a dog young like Riley my Labradoodle and Lobo is 1 year old. For my German shepherds in the later future hopefully that doe NOT happen to them.

No Guarantees in this world!

For dogs or for people!

Just live life as you can (same for our dogs!)

When I was about 20 me and friends were gonna have a campfire in the woods on Christmas eve. My buddies pit bull didnt make it past the street, he had no recall and lots of enthusiasm. the people who ran him over kept on going. recall and a constant leash is #1 on priority for my pup.

It can happen :( My Logan was only 3.5 when he suddenly passed away during a seizure caused by the rare disorder SIADH. 9 months earlier he had his first seizure and spent a week in the ICU at Purdue University and was diagnosed.

Its horrible and I hate how young he left me. I miss him everyday, and it hasn't gotten any easier. But I've had Tessa for 8 years now, she's doing great. I hope Emma lives a long time as well.

Years ago I also adopted a kitten after my cat Piper passed away. I only had the kitten a few weeks before she rapidly declined, passing away from FIP. It crushed me. I didn't acquire another cat for keeps until Ziva, who was a foster but I couldn't let her go.

Life isn't fair, and has no guarantees, but if you don't put your heart out there you'll miss out on all the possible love. Even if its short lived.

Because you just don't know what is in the future or what can happen at any time....you should love them every day like its the last:)