Gone But Not Forgotten - Page 5

Palestar, You definately have a point, however, I think vaccinations (I only vaccinate every 3 years, at most) have played their part too.  How many of us remember our dogs (years ago) reaching ages of 16 or 17 or more?  Surely this was because only the fittest survived, therefore, those fittest were able to survive to a more resonable age... the age that fits the species?  They were hardy... they had to be and we have inadvertently, (?) destroyed that.

I agree....Like I said I vacinate as late as I can.  If it is a litter I place it is 6 and 9 weeks. If I am keeping any or all it is 8, 12, 16, rabies at 6 months.  A booster at 1 yr, 3yr, and 6yr...beyond that none.  I agree. I had a Boxer that lived to be just shy of 15, I grew up with an Irish Setter that lived to be 23 and I remember him because he was around forever...from the time I could remember until long after I was grown and moved away.

Dogs were healthier then, no doubt.  Will they ever be again is the question I want to know....probably not in my lifetime

Palestar, 23... wow!

Not in my lifetime either... shame!

speaking of old dogs, we had a chow male live to be 18 years old.  I remember him being around my entire life!  He was brought home when I was 4, and he died right before my 23 rd birthday. His sire and mother were also well up into their teens when they died.  we bred him and kept a daughter who lived to be 16, she got hard of hearing and in a rush one day we didn't look to see if she was asleep under the vehichle and we accidently ran over her.  she would have probably made it to her sires age of 18 or more.  a pup we sold to a family member lived to be 23 yrs old.  these dogs were raised solely on pedigree dog food, had minimal vacinations, and were de-wormed MAYBE once every other year or so. 

I have seen reports that de-wormers have been linked to increase cases of autoimmune disorders! 

Uber Land, yeah, I guess they're all poisons of a kind, I only worm once a year but it's difficult if you have a dog that eats all sorts of crap, or if you feed raw meats (especially tripes).  I'm sure  it all plays a part in shortening the lives of our dogs.

Yes!  That was the same as the Setter...!  There Are people who remeber those days.  I don't honestly recall what he ate or if he was ever vacinated.  He was a working farm dog and family babysitter. He "saved" us from the mean chasing roosters, would find the horses if they got out, kept the goats in line, stand by as the cows were milked, played all kinds of parts in all kinds of childhood games...gosh...people actually played outside in the old days until it got dark and you were made to come in...it's funny that I never got into that breed.....it was my uncle's fault ....and my parents for sending me to his house to see my first litter of GSD being born when I was 7.  I was glued to the breed from that day...lol...besides the Setter loved my brother more....male bonding...classic boy dog thing...lol...dang old setter.

I worm puppies until they test worm free...after that....I never worm unless there is an issue....never saw the need to treat what wasn't necessary.

Palestar, mean roosters?  LOL!  I didn't have any of those, thankfully!

Generally, makes you glad you're not a youngster tho' doesn't it?

yea...I hated those damn roosters....they used to chase us and peck us if they could catch us...back then I could run....lol,....NOW I'd be full of little pecks!

Full of little pecks............!!!!!  Roosters are evil, aren't they?