As we all know, there is one thing that we can't control in this world, and that is the aging process. It's definite. It's continuous and it has a mind of its own. When you adopt or buy a dog as a puppy, you go through the regular stages of puppy hood from catching Rover as he chews up valuable items to cleaning up constant accidents in the house. While the puppy era can be frustrating, it is almost bearable as you realize that they will grow out of it and become responsible adult dogs sometime in the near future. With each day, training will become easier as you and your puppy become acquainted. They'll learn what you expect of them and you'll learn how to communicate effectively perfecting the language of dog. For the next few years, it's a peaceful journey as you and your dog live collectively in your home, respecting each other's boundaries. Visits to the vets are typically nothing more serious than vaccinations or perhaps Max had run too fast at the dog park and pulled a muscle. A gentle dose of pain killers for a week takes care of the injury and you're free to enjoy each other's energy shortly thereafter. Later on down the road, you begin to notice the gentle telltale signs of your own dog as the aging process begins. At first, the signs are slight. They may walk just a little more slowly but perk up back to normal once they get moving. They may have minor aches and pains, again ever so slight. Their faces may begin to turn gray and then fully white, as the fur on their backs begins to turn gray as well. Eventually, they take a little bit longer to get up from a down position and it becomes clear that arthritis is bothering them a bit. Their joints are not as flexible. Their teeth might not shine as brightly and their fur might not be as soft. You may notice they need to go outside more frequently and might sleep a little more. It's during this stage of their lives that you come to realize your pup has finally begun the aging process. You now are the proud owner of a senior dog. How To Care For a Senior Dog What Can Be Done? Sadly, just like humans we can't slow life down. It's going to happen at its own steady pace and with it is going to come a decrease in energy and some ailments. I always say that this is the only fault of a dog, in a joking manner of course. The only thing that we can do is love our dogs (and other pets) the best that we can and make sure that they are as comfortable as possible. Arthritis If they do get arthritis, it is a good idea to speak with their veterinarian about a pain management program such as Rimadyl or Metacam that can be used to reduce inflammation in their joints. In addition, using glucosamine as a supplement will help ease the pain in their joints. Teeth If their teeth begin to decay, you may want to speak with their veterinarian about whether a dental is a safe and suggested procedure for them. If not, your veterinarian may be able to suggest a dog toothpaste that will help reduce plaque. When we had adopted Toffee, her teeth were already in bad shape, so when she was younger, we gave her a dental each year. While this helped, the decay on her teeth could never be reversed. It was too late to fix them and we accepted the fact that she'd never have perfect teeth, although she does still have a perfect smile. As she got older, we decided against dentals, not wanting to test fate in her senior years. Instead, we brush her teeth regularly and have introduced an additive to her water bowl as an additional means of preventing further decay. It does help quite a bit and it's a regimen we adhere to. Activity Your senior dog's activity may also be reduced but they might still enjoy getting out for some fresh air and socialization. If deemed healthy enough to continue a daily exercise regimen, take it slow and be cognizant of when they begin to get tired. Use that distance as a gauge for your daily walks and use caution not to overdo it. Cataracts Caring for a senior pet is not always easy. With age, you may notice a film over your dog’s eyes, indicating the onset of cataracts and their vision might become impaired. You might notice them walking a little more cautiously or bumping into objects. Hearing and Sign Language for Dogs In addition, they may begin to have hearing problems. While it might be difficult to do with an adult dog, it is actually a good idea to train with sign language from as young as possible. Each time you give a command verbally, couple it with a specific hand movement signaling what you expect from your dog. For example, when you say SIT, make sure your dog is looking at you and use your pointer finger to point toward the ground. When you use the command STAY, hold your hand up indicating they should stay, etc. This is helpful for when they do get older and their hearing is no longer that great. Of course, if you do habitually let your dog off of the leash at a park, it might not be a good idea as they get older, as they won't be able to hear you warn them of danger or call them to come. Obesity To prevent obesity later on in a dog's life, it's important to keep their weight at an ideal range. Too much weight on a dog can be detrimental to their hips and legs, especially later on in life. Heart Disease As a dog ages, they may also develop heart disease. If you notice any changes in your dog's behavior or they begin coughing, become lethargic, have raspy breathing, it's a good idea to bring them to their veterinarian for a check-up. Tumors Many young dogs as well as senior dogs will develop a tumor during their life time. With any luck, the tumors will only be fatty tumors, however, it's always a good idea to have your veterinarian check these out and make sure that they are not cancerous and/or painful for your pet. Euthanasia Losing a pet is never easy, but unfortunately it is one of the drawbacks of owning one. Making that final decision is a personal one and only you know your pet well enough to determine if they are no longer enjoying life. I've lost many dogs in the past, including my heart dog, Buddy, and has definitely proven to be most difficult. Buddy had developed osteosarcoma and throughout the stages of his illness, I kept a journal and eventually, after Buddy made his journey to the rainbow-bridge, I wrote a book called Final Journey, which focuses on coping with the loss of a dog. With each dog I've lost, I swore I'd never get another because the sadness is just too great, however, I realize there are so many dogs out there in need of a home, it wouldn't be fair to ignore them. We don't always know what is bothering our dogs, but they help us learn how to care for a senior dog with subtle clues and body language. It may become somewhat stressful as you worry about their well-being, but you can still enjoy life with them, making sure that you take a little extra care and caution with them and ensuring that they are comfortable. It's the least we can do for an animal that has provided us with love, loyalty, and trust for their entire time with us. Thank you for reading, "How To Care For a Senior Dog" by Elizabeth Parker- Author of Dog books for Dog Lovers!

Canine Cancer The one dreaded word that no one wants to hear: Cancer. In almost every household, at least one individual has been afflicted with this illness or at least knows someone who has. That someone doesn't necessarily have to be a human, and often it is one of our beloved four-legged friends that suffers. As dog owners, we know that our loyal furry pals already have a limited time with us. If you're lucky, they'll live to eighteen, but the average is often between ten and thirteen. So when we hear that their life might be cut even shorter, it is one of the hardest things we have to endure. When first diagnosed, the primary feeling is dread, followed by a sense of hope that perhaps, if it's not an aggressive cancer, it won't metastasize and can be contained. That's the best-case scenario. The worst case is that they have X amount of days, weeks, and months to live. That's when you realize what an impact cancer has. Our cherished, fuzzy family members, who have done nothing but show unconditional love, are now sick, and it's up to us to make their last days as comfortable as possible. I know firsthand what that is like, as my dog Buddy was diagnosed with osteosarcoma years ago. I had only published my first book about him a few months before.  At the time, I had no idea he was sick.  He passed away in August of that same year. Feeling more helpless than anything, I wrote a sequel describing that unbearable grief and hopefully providing hope for readers that they, too, can survive after losing a pet. Since Buddy, I've adopted other Golden Retrievers who had also developed cancer of all different kinds. Sadly, goldens are prone to this illness. If your dog is diagnosed with cancer, sometimes, there are options, and the outcome doesn't need to be dire, depending on the type of cancer, your economic situation, and what you and your family decide upon. If caught early, sometimes the cancerous mass can be removed with surgery. Be sure to ask your vet if this is an option. Dogs can receive chemotherapy, which can prolong their lifespan for certain cancers.  Unfortunately, my second "Buddy" had lymphoma. Prednisone did shrink the tumors and I opted for chemotherapy. While the tumors shrunk, he had a fatal reaction to the treatment. If you go this route, it's helpful to ask your veterinarian what side effects to look for and what you can do to help your pup should they have a similar reaction. Sometimes, drugs like prednisone can buy a little time, and with other types of cancers, there are vaccines that have a good success rate at curing it or at least pushing it into remission. Remember that each case is different for each dog.  What might work for one dog doesn't necessarily work for the next.  Each dog is unique. And, each type of cancer is unique. Some are aggressive, and some can be stopped in their tracks, at least for a while. What Can You Do? While there is no surefire way to prevent cancer, you can take some steps to give your dog a fighting chance.  Ensure they eat premium dog food with the proper nutrients and feel your dog for bumps regularly.  Not only will it give you bonding time with your dog, but it will also make you aware if there is a bump where one never previously existed.  If you find one, have your vet look to see if it is cancerous. With luck, it might just be a fatty tumor. In addition, feel your dog's lymph nodes.  Lymphoma appears almost overnight and spreads just as quickly.  You might notice the lymph nodes are enlarged on both sides of the neck, right underneath the jawline.  They might also enlarged underneath their armpits and groin.  While this can sometimes indicate only an infection, it might also be lymphoma.  If you catch it early enough, it is one type of cancer that may respond well to chemotherapy. Although it might seem like common sense, if your dog begins behaving differently, keep a log to determine if medical intervention is necessary. As dog owners, only we know our pup's personality. We see them daily and can usually tell when they are not feeling well. If you suspect something is wrong, a trip to the vet may be necessary. Again, your veterinarian will be able to provide you with all of the pertinent details and the best course of action. So many discoveries have been made about cancer, and there's still so much more research required. Luckily, some canine cancer research centers devote time and money to finding a cure for this deadly disease.  Hopefully, one day, canine cancer will be a thing of the past. If your dog is diagnosed with cancer, be sure to ask your vet to discuss all viable options.  Don't be afraid to ask questions.  You know your pet the best, and with proper guidance, you can help decipher the best course of action to make your pet most comfortable and provide the best quality of life during this time. When making a decision, talk it over with your family members and/or friends. Together you can decide what will keep your pet the most comfortable. We never want to say goodbye, but remember, your dog's quality of life is most important, and you gave them a home full of love. Thank you for reading and hug your pup! Elizabeth Parker- Author of dog books.

Happy Mother's Day! From Elizabeth Parker-Author of Dog Books, Thrillers and More! That special day is only a week away. Henry, Toby and I just wanted to give a shout out to all of those Mom's out there, including Fur-Baby Moms. Happy Mother's Day. Also in honor for those Moms who are no longer here, special tribute in their honor. Have a beautiful day! Elizabeth Parker, Henry and Toby Sent to you by Elizabeth Parker- Author of Dog Books, Thrillers and More!

It happened. I have spent years in the technology industry, and my one major topic that I preach about, preach about and preach about some more is ALWAYS backup your work. I have two external hard drives, thumb drives and the cloud and usually am responsible. But. Life got busy. Things got in the way. I put it off until tomorrow. I was diligent about writing. Had a story typed up. At least three GREAT chapters that I thoroughly enjoyed writing. Months went by. And guess what? I DID NOT BACKUP MY WORK! Ughhhhhh! Faulty motherboard. Now, hoping the hard drive is okay, but here is my lesson passed on to you. BACK UP YOUR WORK. Don't put it off until tomorrow. Because that masterpiece you were working on can be gone. Hours gone! I'm calmly hoping that all is safe. But here is one writing woe and I am passing this on to you. My next book might be a little later than I had originally thought. Stay tuned!

Get that Pen! Ready, Set, Write! Being a writer is a world of different facets If you love to write, it doesn’t seem like a necessary chore. It is merely a way to create a story that does not yet exist. Taking your imagination to the next level and putting pen to paper. There’s no one in the world who can tell the story quite like you can, or bring characters to life the way you see fit. Chances are you’ve had ideas for years that you wanted to embellish upon and see how the plot unfolds. Or, perhaps you have a real story to tell—one that reflects your own life—and want to share with the world for a chance to help them. It’s feasible they will relate, and might see a little bit of themselves in your own life story. Either way, there’s a creative side to you that you want to embrace. If you’re ready to take your own challenge, there’s certain points that can help get you started. 1. When writing, don’t stress about what you THINK the world wants to hear. Write your story you way. Make your own rules. If you write according to how you think others want to read it, it will appear forced and might not flow correctly. Of course, you want it to be interesting, but if people enjoy it, they will enjoy it because you wrote it in your own style, using your own creative voice. 2. Some of us have the WANT to write, but can’t find the time. This is the caveat of living. Life simply gets busy. However, if you can even find fifteen minutes of the day to jot down a sentence, paragraph— or on a good day, maybe even a chapter—then take those fifteen minutes and jot down a little. 3..Sometimes we DO have the time, but just not the motivation, energy, flowchart of events, etc., etc. There are millions of excuses. If this is what is stopping you, think of it this way—pretend you have a deadline. Go ahead and pretend you have a boss that is waiting for this project and you have to get it done. You’re creative! Of course you can imagine this scenario to be real. Sometimes if we have to do things to satisfy our own needs, we don’t do them. However, if a boss tells us to do something, we know we need to get it done or we don’t get a paycheck (and in some cases, we lose our jobs). So, there ya go, give your boss a fake name, set the deadline and get started. Heck, you can even make this imaginary boss part of your story! 4. Set the mood. For my day job, I work from home. The same home office with the same decorations and the same view each and every day. While it’s fine for a work atmosphere, it leaves little for the imagination in a creative aspect. When I write, I have to leave that home office and go elsewhere, even if it is a few feet away into my living room. Some people put on classical music. Others have the television on low. Some of my most creative ideas came from taking a hike up the mountain, or people watching on a train (which is actually a book I am working on)! If wine is your thing, treat yourself to a glass, get in your comfy chair (but not too comfy- you don’t want to fall asleep) and create your characters. Build your plot! 5. Carry a notebook. You never know when a storyline is going to spark. I’ve walked on the beach, strolled through museums, explored old buildings, hiked up mountains and...out of nowhere, I’d get an idea. I’ve met people in random places who, whether I liked them or not, made an interesting character and although I may not have written about them yet, the memory of them stays in my mind! There’s nothing like being in the moment and describing the scene you want to add to your book. Cell phones are great to take notes in as well, but I find notebooks sort of set the right mood for writing ideas down. When I use the notes feature of a cell phone, I get distracted by a message that pops up, or an email, or social media and it takes me away from what I really wanted to do, which was simply write down an idea!!! Find what works best for you. You never know what you’ll see. 6. Important, steer away from distractions on the computer. This means Facebook, Twitter, email, phones. One tweet or Facebook post can easily drag you away from writing for minutes or even hours! 7. Don’t worry so much about publishing, or if you will make money or not. If you love writing, write. If you make money, great! If not, you’ll have a story that YOU wrote, that you can read and re-read any time you want. You will be pleasantly surprised that sometimes you add your own twists and turns that shock even YOU! Been there and done that! I’ve written books with one idea completely on one path, only to switch gears and go a completely different direction half-way through. Even I was curious about how it would end! It’s important to have fun while writing. If you stress over the “what if’s,” it is no longer enjoyable. It becomes more of a tedious chore, rather than what it should be, fun-filled creative venture!