Does your Dog need Supplements?

Today I have a post from Eric, who is just as much a dog lover as me. Here he talks about his dog Rex and how the whole family came to love him and find that he needed just a little extra TLC. 

I am not sure the words have yet been created that can properly describe the joy, comfort, and love that our family dog, Rex, has brought into our lives. Although he has always been considered a family dog, I like to think the bond he shares with my son has developed into more than what he has with anyone else.

Throughout the last twelve years, I have personally experienced many ups and downs in life. The loss of both parents, uncertainties concerning my career, and the marriage that looked as if a divorce might be the outcome on two separate occasions.

One detail they each had in common was the comfort I would receive from my four legged child.

When our family adopted Rex as a puppy, my wife and I had a three year old daughter and a son who was quickly approaching the age of two. At the time, I think our children annoyed the dog more than anything, but he learned to tolerate the kids and even showed them as much love as he could in return.

A boy’s best friend

As my son grew older and learned how to climb the stairs to his bedroom on his own, it became Rex’s routine to follow him to his room every night and go to sleep at the foot of his bed. As the ages of four and five turned into ten and 11, Rex would begin to pout as bed time approached and he realised his companion was off at a sleepover with one of his friends.

To watch the happiness and excitement that would overtake the dog upon my son’s return home would leave my wife and I in laughter every time. You would have believed that Rex had thought his buddy was never returning and he received the surprise of his life the following day.

As the years continued to pass by, Rex and my son grew even closer. Once he had turned 13, my wife and I would allow our son to walk down to the park at the end of our street, as long as Rex was with him.

We live in a small community that shields our children from some of the dangers of city life, and our dog was all the protection that was needed.

The two of them would play fetch and chase each other around the jungle gym equipment for hours. Every afternoon that summer they would both arrive back to the house exhausted from their time together.

However, by the end of August, things started to be different.

When health becomes a concern

My son noticed Rex would become tired earlier than normal. He would stop and lay down for several minutes at a time.

It even became normal for the dog to start limping on the walk homme. Something clearly was not right.

After fearing the worse, I loaded Rex up one day and took him to the vet he had seen his entire life. Much to my relief, what Rex was experiencing was completely normal for his age.

The veterinarian suggested we begin giving the dog glycoflex iii to help his ageing joints.

After just a few short weeks, Rex was more active than he had been in years. With daily supplements and a change in diet, the dog clearly demonstrated the effects of a healthier lifestyle.

Because of this, I can’t wait to see my son drive away in his pickup truck in a few years, Rex right next to him riding shotgun.