When your dog ages, you turn on a mental block. You block this fact in your head and try not to think about it. Yes, you see how your beloved dog’s face turns gray, her eyes become a bit cloudy, and her muscles weaken. In fact, everything is like with humans. But for some reason, it hurts.

It seems like you just brought home a cute puppy who chewed on a dozen shoes, played with your phone charger, peed on the doormat and even on the floor, woke you up early in the morning because she wanted to play.

And today, your dog can’t jump onto the couch where you both used to watch TV together, dozing off while snuggling up to your side. You help her climb up, lifting her up with your hands. She knows she can’t do it without your help. Outside, she walks slowly, breathing heavily, but still tries to be the same as before. Grab a stick, bark at children, chase curious cats into the bushes. And you tell yourself that, well, my dog is still pretty good, she’s not really old, just a little aged…

And it makes it a little easier for you to come to terms with reality.

Every day, you see some new changes. In everything. From her gait to her reaction to familiar things. You artificially create situations that used to be normal. But now it’s a strained game. Does she understand that she’s getting old? You ask yourself. Nonsense! She’ll be with me for a very long time, you lie to yourself. You know the truth, though. And you even feel guilty, you start feeling it. For punishing her for nothing, for making her wait for you at home for too long, for not playing enough or not being affectionate enough. And you try to somehow compensate for all these misses.

But for some reason, you can’t console yourself with this work on mistakes.

When your dog ages, spend as much time with her as you can, more than you think you can. Talk to her out loud. Talk a lot. After all, she listens to you, don’t doubt that. Maybe nobody has ever listened to you like she does. Sleep next to her. Cuddle up to her. She used to warm you up, today you’ll warm her up. Elderly dogs get cold. Buy her tasty treats. Give her balls to play with. Take her face in your hands and tell her you love her.

Xanthous Sweet November

01.04.2009- 20.02.2023

https://www.k9data.com/pedigree.asp?ID=344962

Sema came to us from the Netherlands, it was already a professional choice of a puppy, we searched for him with the breeder Elena Ushan, who has 20 years of experience, all over the world and found him in the Netherlands, he was the son of a World Champion.

This character I have not encountered in any Golden Retriever, and probably will not see it again.

His name speaks for itself – Sweet November – so sweet.)))

In the 14 years that he spent with us, he never caused any trouble, only brought joy and toys.

Tramin Hummer 

01.11.2006-27.06.2019

https://www.k9data.com/pedigree.asp?ID=252766

This was our first Golden with whom we entered the world of retrievers, and we have been in it for 17 years now.