Longevity and an Honorable passing - Page 1

Longevity is such a desired trait for our dear working and companion dogs. Aside from an illness or an injury that shortened a dogs' lifespan, what are the old ages your dogs have lived?

My newspaper honored K-9 Cesar today, who passed away May 22, at the age of 14. I was thinking how nice it was that he lived long enough to enjoy his retirement, having served for 9 years.

K-9 Cesare was a loyal and fearless partner that was always willing to go into harm’s way, so that a human officer could remain safe. I’m proud and thankful to have served alongside him.” Lieutenant Frank McDermott, Supervisor K-9 Unit.

http://www.ctpost.com/policereports/article/14-year-old-police-dog-dies-7941643.php#photo-10131677

My dogs have lived until 11-13 years. All have succumbed to DM unfortunately. I'm hoping my 4 year old GSD escapes it. My condolences to Cesare's family.

My partner K-9 Grizzly (retired) is beginning to lose the use of his rear legs. This will be the third partner I will have laid to rest when the time comes. I have decided he will be my last.

My most recent dog was pts at 12 years 7 months, the bitch
I had before him was 3 weeks short of 14 when she died. I
have regularly had dogs go to 11, 12, 13, 14 among those
I worked with or in my mentor's kennel. We still miss them
even when we know it was time for them to go, even though
we know they led a good life.
I consider myself fortunate that most of the dogs I have
loved have avoided the horrible DM , Bloat, cancer and
so on - although there have been one or two among them
that did succumb to assorted cancers and in one case
Haemophilia, and therefore left us while far too young.
All remembered, with gratitude for the way they share
our lives and bring such joy to it.

I had hoped there were more GSDs living to an honorable old age! Deacon, I find the older we get, the harder it is to deal with losing our four legged best friends. Your reasons for knowing it is your last dog must be very difficult.

 

Thanks for sharing, to all. 🐾

 

Yapper passed away a week before his 15th birthday. Jewel passed away a month before her 14th. Rusty was.... 12 or 13? I don't remember what year he died. I think it was 2008, which would've made him 13.

My current 2 furballs better live forever though. Chey (cat) is going to be 12 this year, in about a month, and then Qira (GSD) is going to be 9 in October. Neither of which seems possible (though I did get Q as an adult) and I am terrified that when the time does come, that they will both go very close to each other. They are currently both very healthy and active still, though! You'd never guess they were old farts. 

My oldest pup was 16, a heinz 57 shelter mutt.

My 2 golden oldies are currently 11 years old and still going strong. I don't know what I'm going to do when the time comes. I hope I have a few more good years.

Melissa

My oldest sammie girl was 6 weeks before her 15th birthday. Was a very sad and memorable day. Won't probably EVER forget it. Nan

The last German Shepherd dog that I had die had just made it to his fourteenth birthday. The previous two were females that made it to sixteen. One of the veterinarians at the practice I used at the time had a German Shepherd dog that was twenty. Two of mine are now ten.