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by beetree on 16 August 2013 - 09:08
Happy Birthday Nemo! I think 15 years is a long time for any dog! TIG: He's a big celebrity in my eyes! Thanks for sharing. 
Margaret... I love the picture you posted of Nemo grabbing "tail"! My rescue dog has done that to my GSD, too. He gets frustrated that he's not as fast and wants to slow 'em down! LOL
by Blitzen on 16 August 2013 - 09:08
Happy Birthday, Baby
by SitasMom on 16 August 2013 - 10:08
Happy Birthday Nemo, here's to hoping for another 5 years of health and happiness!
by fawndallas on 16 August 2013 - 10:08
Happy Happy Birthday to you Nemo. You do the German Shepherd proud.
by clc29 on 16 August 2013 - 11:08
Happy Birthday Nemo......You Look Great.....
He looks like he was full of himself when he was younger...hanging on to the other shepherds tail.....I love it....LOL
.He looks like he was full of himself when he was younger...hanging on to the other shepherds tail.....I love it....LOL
by hexe on 16 August 2013 - 15:08
I was just thinking about Mr.Nemo the other day, wondering how he was doing and thinking that his birthday was coming up...so I am quite excited to wish him a very, very happy 15th birthday, too! Indeed, his Christmas photos show a very healthy dog in excellent condition, with a luxurious coat and that keen intelligence evident in his eyes--everything a GSD is meant to be, just in a compact physique. He couldn't be in better hands than yours, TIG, and I know he means the world to you every bit as much as you to him. 
by Xeph on 16 August 2013 - 15:08
When I saw this thread, I was absolutely hoping it was Nemo the Dwarf!!! Happy birthday, Nemo!!!
by Slamdunc on 16 August 2013 - 17:08
Wow, that's awesome and he is one special dog! Happy B'day Nemo.
by OGBS on 16 August 2013 - 18:08
Happy Birthday, Nemo!!!
You are a remarkable dog!!!
You are a remarkable dog!!!
by TIG on 17 August 2013 - 21:08
Thank you all for your good wishes - I especially like Sitas idea of another 5 years!
Kaffir, thanks for posting the Nemo goes for a ride picture. I don't remember seeing that one before so of course I immediately saved it. I'm pretty sure that's Cora's tail he's grabbing but not sure of the sable boy. Is that Nik do you know?
Bee with Nemo I don't think it was a matter of slowing them down I think he just liked "having a ride". He actually did this once while the other dog ran 6 blinds. Tho he did love tails - when herding the sheep's tails were great temptations. The first time he saw dwarf goats his face lit up because there were their tails right at his head height.
Sunsilver, while I think there is a lot that goes into longevity - health, temperament, structure, nutrition, stress, play time, housing etc etc. I think it is negatively influence by those who are careless in their breeding - not knowing or caring what traits are chosen for and passed on. Indeed in the American show dog world some breeders do not mind if a dog dies young as long as (s)he had achieved his show honors and been bred because they can then move on to the next one in the eternal quest for ribbons and fame.
I do know that longevity can be selected for and it seems to have a high degree of inheritability. That's one reason I like breeding to old vigorous dogs not the 3 year olds. You know what they are, hopefully have seen what they produce and if they are healthy and breeding at 10,11 and 12 you have a head start. So start asking about the dogs in your pedigrees or pedigrees you are interested in. How long did the grand parents and great grandparents and great great grandparents live and work and what did they die from and what health problems did they have. Back in the 80s when I was doing that I found lines that had 15, 16 and yes even 17 year old dogs in them. But like many things it was a factor we stopped deliberately looking for.
Some things that I think have helped Nemo and his genetics are 1. the last 2 years he has had a largely ( tho not totally) raw diet - it certainly helped his coat 2. No vaccinations since the age of 4 or five; 3, very minimal use of flea control products ( maybe 2x in 9 years) and 4, the opportunity when safely available ( usually when we go to Julia's or at training) to run free and play with his pack. That kind of exercise is vital to the immune system and the brain.
Kaffir, thanks for posting the Nemo goes for a ride picture. I don't remember seeing that one before so of course I immediately saved it. I'm pretty sure that's Cora's tail he's grabbing but not sure of the sable boy. Is that Nik do you know?
Bee with Nemo I don't think it was a matter of slowing them down I think he just liked "having a ride". He actually did this once while the other dog ran 6 blinds. Tho he did love tails - when herding the sheep's tails were great temptations. The first time he saw dwarf goats his face lit up because there were their tails right at his head height.
Sunsilver, while I think there is a lot that goes into longevity - health, temperament, structure, nutrition, stress, play time, housing etc etc. I think it is negatively influence by those who are careless in their breeding - not knowing or caring what traits are chosen for and passed on. Indeed in the American show dog world some breeders do not mind if a dog dies young as long as (s)he had achieved his show honors and been bred because they can then move on to the next one in the eternal quest for ribbons and fame.
I do know that longevity can be selected for and it seems to have a high degree of inheritability. That's one reason I like breeding to old vigorous dogs not the 3 year olds. You know what they are, hopefully have seen what they produce and if they are healthy and breeding at 10,11 and 12 you have a head start. So start asking about the dogs in your pedigrees or pedigrees you are interested in. How long did the grand parents and great grandparents and great great grandparents live and work and what did they die from and what health problems did they have. Back in the 80s when I was doing that I found lines that had 15, 16 and yes even 17 year old dogs in them. But like many things it was a factor we stopped deliberately looking for.
Some things that I think have helped Nemo and his genetics are 1. the last 2 years he has had a largely ( tho not totally) raw diet - it certainly helped his coat 2. No vaccinations since the age of 4 or five; 3, very minimal use of flea control products ( maybe 2x in 9 years) and 4, the opportunity when safely available ( usually when we go to Julia's or at training) to run free and play with his pack. That kind of exercise is vital to the immune system and the brain.
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