Chance's Secret To Longevity
My best boy Chance recently turned 17, and he seemed to enjoy every minute of the raging birthday party we threw for him and all his friends. With each passing year he continues to amaze me with his spirit and strength. He has definitely slowed down—he is 17 after all—but still, he keeps on truckin'. Clients and friends often ask what keeps my boy going? What's his secret? Is it the unprocessed food and mindful vaccination protocol? Is it the mutual respect and understanding we have built? Could it be his booming social life? Or is it just that he is a magical unicorn?
I honestly don't know the answer; my guess is it's a combination of all these things. Chance is my first dog as an adult and all I can offer is a brief overview of how I've tried to make sure he has had the best and healthiest life possible.
When I adopted Chance in 2009 he was just under a year old and he had all kinds of allergies and digestive issues (just like me when I came into the world). After about two years of trying all the premium brands of kibble we still couldn't get on top of his digestive situation. He even landed himself overnight at the vet a few times with hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, which was terrifying. But after a friend recommended trying a raw food diet, I saw almost immediate improvement in his gut health and overall vitality. I'm basically a vegetarian, so it was a bit tough to feed him a raw meat diet, but we continued until he was around 11 years old. Happily, there are many freeze dried raw options on the market nowadays, which makes feeding raw a little more tolerable for those of us who are squeamish.
We still struggled with his itchy skin issues throughout the years, the result of what we would conclude was "environmental" allergies. He seems to be a super sensitive kiddo (just like me). I have always leaned toward a combination of allopathic and holistic medicine, following the guidance of a holistic veterinarian and opting for treatments with the fewest side effects and chemicals. But I am not afraid to pull out the guns of Big Medicine or seek a second opinion if need be. There's no reason your dog should be in unnecessary pain or discomfort.
When Chance was about 11 years old I really started to notice signs of aging. His mobility was slowing and his digestion began to change. We opted to transition him to a warm, cooked fresh food diet which tends to be easier on the aging digestive tracts of both humans and dogs. We also added some digestive enzymes and probiotics. I'm on the go every day, and not much of a cook even for myself, so cooking for him wasn't realistic. But these days there are so many choices out there for fresh pet food delivery you are bound to be able to find one that's right for your pup and your budget. After some trial and error we settled on Pure Dog Food, made here in Los Angeles. It's gentle on his tummy and he is still excited to eat it.
He did have a bout of cancer (hemangiosarcoma) that presented as a very large lump on his leg when he was 14. Because of his age we opted to just have the lump removed and not do radiation or chemo, and so far it hasn't come back. Maybe he really is a magical unicorn.
After I adopted Chance I realized I wanted to spend as much time with him as I possibly could. At that time I also deeply needed a change in my life, so these twinned desires led me to start a dog walking and dog care business, and Chance became my business partner. He came on most walks and taught me so much about dog behavior. One of his super powers is that he has a way with even the most anxious or nervous of pups; they seem to immediately relax in his presence, so I let him lead. When he was younger he did have his own anxieties—what we would call stranger danger—but we worked hard together to help him feel safe and confident in the human world, and soon his days were (and still are) full of friends and activity.
While he no longer goes on long walks with the other dogs I care for, he still gets up for work everyday and comes with us on the rounds. I like to tell him he is supervising. The two of us fit in a slow sniffy walk and stroll around the block once or twice a day. Short 10-20 minute walks like this can help keep an aging mind and body in motion without over-stressing muscles and joints.
I feel incredibly lucky to have met our wonderful vet, Dr. Heather Oxford, when Chance was about seven or eight. She specializes in mobiity and rehabilitation and was helping some of my clients with their own pups, using such modalities as acupuncture, laser therapy, stretching, and physical therapy to help dogs get back on their feet after an injury or just keep them moving and grooving into their senior years. She introduced us to the Assisi Loop, which is still one of my favorite tools to help with his pain and inflammation. While I am still not certain how it works (it is FDA and veterinary approved) I can say that it definitely helps reduce the pain and inflammation in his body without the use of medicine. I have learned so much from her about the signs of pain or stiffness to look for in aging dogs, not to mention how you can set them up for success by easily adding things like non-slip surfaces and raised feeders to your home. We did and still do all of that and we see her weekly now due to his age. Thankfully, because he was diagnosed with osteoarthritis when he was about eight years old (studies have found that some dogs even as young as 1 year old can start to show the signs of arthritis, so paying attention to their joint health is one of the most important keys to longevity), his pet insurance pays for half of each visit.
When Chance was 15, Dr. Heather introduced us to a new supplement she had come across called Leap Years. You can listen to my episode with the founders here. Leap Years is an NAD+ booster, and helps slow the effects of aging at a cellular level. It was originally created by Dr. David Sinclair, a leading geneticist and aging researcher at Harvard Medical School. We became part of the compassionate use program, meaning after they had done their trials but before the supplement was commercially released. I saw such a shift in Chance after about two weeks on the product. In addition to increased mobility, the light that had been fading due to age came back into his eyes; his spirit was back. He has been taking Leap Years daily for two years with no issue and I couldn't be more thrilled. There are similar products for humans out there but I have yet to try them for myself.
At the risk of sounding incredibly woo woo (this is Los Angeles, after all), Chance also gets a form of energy clearing on occasion. I met a woman who does what can be described as intuitive reiki on the two of us. The bonds we share with our pets can be incredibly strong and many believe they can take on and hold our stress or emotional state within their own bodies, contributing to disease. She does a session with the two of us and helps us both clear whatever we may be holding on to.
On a spiritual level, many believe that certain dogs come into our lives with a purpose and leave when their job is done. I'd like to believe this to be true. Chance came into my life when I needed him most, he has brought joy and unconditional love, taught me about patience and perseverance. Apparently we still have more work to do.
While I care for many dogs, Chance is the only one that lives with me, and I don't have human kiddos of my own. I understand that not everyone has the flexibility and privilege to take their pup to work with them and that they have children, busy lives, and other factors that may contribute to the choices they make for their pets. But there are a few simple things you can do to boost longevity.
First and foremost, get to know your dog. Know what is normal behavior for them. Our dogs are always trying to communicate with us in subtle and not so subtle ways. If they suddenly don't want to go on long walks anymore or eat the food they have been eating, maybe they aren't being stubborn or picky. They might be in pain or the food makes their tummy uncomfortable. Listening to your dog not only helps you understand their needs, it strengthens the bond you share.
If your budget doesn't allow for an all-fresh diet, add some fresh food as a topper to your dog's meals or treats. Dogs can enjoy much of the same food we enjoy. Contrary to what we have been led to believe there are really only a handful of foods that are toxic to dogs and should never be given. You can find the never list here, and a list of superfoods that are beneficial to your pet here.
With a little research you can find cost-effective resources that can help with behavior issues as well as veterinary care options within your budget and time. When it come to behavior issues, just make sure you look for key words like science- based or positive reinforcement training.
And if you can, get pet insurance. I am still so surpirised when I hear people dismiss health insurance for their pets. Like everything these days, the cost of veterinary care has skyrocketeted. Pet insurance can not only help your veterinarian give the best care they can, but it can give you peace of mind, especially when you have to make tough choices in an emergency situation.
So is it the Blue Zone lifestyle for dogs? No processed food, a booming social life, a purposeful life, a job, and community that keeps Chance going? Only Chance knows for sure, and I bet one day he'll let me in on the secret.
-Charlotte Bayne is the founder of The Baroo, and has been caring for other peoples’ dogs in Pacific Palisades, Ca for more than a decade. She specializes in helping clients become more mindful about their pets' needs, and supports them in making sustainable choices to benefit their pets, family, and world. She lives in Los Angeles with her rescue dog, Chance.
