Bummer. Hurricane Hillary didn’t bring us any rain; she hooked to the west. I didn’t want a hurricane, mind you, but I was hoping for some glorious rain. All we got was clouds and humidity. We are still hopeful for some monsoons later this week!
Mom was the speaker for North Valley Church’s Women’s Fall Kick Off on Saturday, so we didn’t go anywhere. Dad had some consulting work to do, so Mowgli and I just chilled. I thought I would take the opportunity to share with you some suggestions on joint support for your doggos. I’ll provide links where I can.
Mom started me on Dogswell Hip & Joint as a pup since I was a very active dog. If your dog is more laid-back and inside more often than not, he/she may not need joint support until older. I love these tasty strips, and they are full of glucosamine, chondroitin, and Vitamin E. At 60 percent protein, they are a great mid-day snack. You can get these at Petco or online.
I, of course, ate puppy food when I was young and then transitioned to adult dog food. My doggy Grandma (also my breeder) Beth Lovald encouraged Nutro or Canidae brand. We stuck with it, and I’ve done well on it. Several years ago now, I put on a few pounds, and Mom switched to the limited diet one, and the weight came right off. These days, I am on the senior dog food as it helps with not only joints but mental health. Older dogs can get anxiety. Be mindful of the age and stage of your dog and feed them the appropriate food.
Mom would supplement with canned/wet food and mix some fish oil into it to help with my dry skin and coat. Did wonders! Like humans, we go through phases and stages. If you are ever in doubt, talk to your vet.
When I started losing my hearing, I freaked out for a few months. I was scared, and I didn’t know how else to
let Mom know other than barking. I’ve never been a barker. Shiba Inu’s are notorious for being quiet; alas, drastic times call for drastic measures. I now get evening drops of CBN/Sleep Support drops by Earth Buddy along with Just Relax calming chews by Only Natural Pet (Petsmart). They don’t knock me out but settle me down so I (and my folks) can sleep. I wouldn’t say I am used to being deaf, but I live with it. I do miss hearing my Mom’s voice sing to me. I loved that. Good thing we are peas and carrots…connected heart to heart!
In addition to the nighttime drops, I take CBD/Mobility drops three times a day. Consistency is a key here, and they have really helped with the pain. Kelly Preston is our rep, and you can reach her at www.farleysgreenpawconsulting.com She is a Certified CBD Specialist for pets. She will assess your pet and prescribe a regime tailored to your pet’s condition. Tell her Kuma sent you!
While on a trip to Show Low, Arizona, which we will be visiting again in September for my birthday, Mom discovered Hip & Flex (Level 2) at the local pet store (we buy it from Amazon now but Chewey.com has it as well). It has tart cherry juice and MSM (a natural anti-inflammatory), and it addresses the inflammation side of joint issues.
I’m a stinker about these little discs and won’t eat them unless they have cream cheese on them. When my folks travel, I eat them plain to be a good boy for the pet sitter, but I don’t want Mom to find out. A Shiba has to have cheese! Woof.
Originally, this protocol did the trick, and I was a new dog! I was back to 
hiking three miles without repercussions. However, through time, I started hurting again, resulting in limping and not wanting to walk much. This made Mom very sad, so we made the decision to add Carprofen, a prescription pain and inflammation med for dogs. Any drug has side effects, but thankfully, I have tolerated it well. I DID NOT like Gabapentin one bit as it gave me horrible diarrhea.
NOTE: You cannot give both CBD and Carprofen at the same time. Humans must space them out to give the kidneys and liver a break.
Speaking of, my vet keeps an eye on my liver and kidneys, and so far, so good. Mom is not a fan of prescription drugs, but they have their place. We did everything else possible, including some Cold Red Laser Therapy, which we would recommend for an isolated injury but not long-term joint decline. You’d go broke taking your pup in every other day! Yes, it helped a bit with pain and swelling, but it doesn’t last long.
The good news about Carprofen is Mom puts the pill in a peanut-butter-flavored pocket—yum! I can’t complain; I basically get some kind of treat every couple of hours! What a life. With all the arthritis and less movement, my hips have started to get weak. Not good for going up and down stairs.
Mom got an idea, and before I knew it, I was in my swimming vest and being dragged into the pool. Yes, I resisted. I love to swim in lakes, ponds, mud puddles, and even in the ocean, but our pool…not so much. I am pretty confident the Lock Nesh Monster lives in there! Besides, I don’t like the smell of chlorine. Alas, I lost the battle, and I was in the pool. I must admit the motion of swimming did make me feel looser. We are hoping the gentle exercise will help keep my muscles activated. As Mom says, what we don’t use, we lose! Wish me luck. I want to keep adventuring as long as I can.
As it is, I am waking Mom and Dad up any where between 3 and 5 AM to go potty. Once we are up, Mowgli thinks the day has begun, and he meows up a storm. Oops. Sorry about that, but this is what love looks like. Mom and Dad adjust and do what they can to help me. We were watching the movie Marry Me, with Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson the other night. A side story is his dog, Tank, who is getting old. When Tank goes on walks, he needs rest breaks and just plops down on the cement. Sometimes, he needs to be carried. His human loves him and doesn’t rush or get annoyed. Anyway, it’s a sweet movie with a neat message.
As your dog ages, you will need to adjust and modify not only his/her diet, but your entire schedule and 
maybe even your lifestyle in order to support and care for them. They are family members, after all. I am grateful! My parents take such good care of me, and they got some additional carpet runners in order to give me some traction as tile can be slippery. I’m glad I have my brother who will keep me young at heart, and I will keep sharing adventures with you, my dear readers.
If you have any question, let Mom know. She will try to direct you to the right place. I will keep moving, stretching, and enjoying what life brings my way.
PS Here’s a video of me swimming as proof that I did get in the pool!
My mom, Lorraine Bossé-Smith, is kind enough to help me share my Great Adventures, big and small. My mom is a motivational speaker, corporate trainer, executive recruiter, business consultant, coach, fitness expert, and author of nine published books. More importantly, she’s the best doggy mom ever!
Enjoy my blog at https://www.lorrainebosse-smith.com/category/kuma/kumas-great-adventures/
and be sure to follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kumathedog/ and Instagram: kumaitothedog
Get outside! You never know what you’ll discover, and our paths just might cross. Happy tails!
Ginger Stahl says
Wow, Kuma, you take lots of supplements, but they help you in your ‘old age’ – that’s what’s important! I’m ‘old age’ too and take about 20 pills a day. Someone told me I was ‘over doctored,’ but I countered with, “I’m healthy and happy.” That did it! You keep up your regimen so you can enjoy more adventures. Maybe you’ll learn to like the swimming pool.