You fetch it. Exercise for Senior Dogs.  Just because a dog is older doesn't mean he/she doesn't need regular exercise. If your dog is healthy and physically fit, there's no reason they can't remain active.  Physical and mental exercises are important, just customize them for your individual pet.  For example, two or three short walks a day may be better than one long one.  If your dog has joint issues look into water therapy.  Swimming outdoors or at a canine aquatic facility like the Rex Center is low-impact and beneficial.  Some senior dogs enjoy visits to nursing homes and schools. Consider taking your dog through a certification program to become a therapy dog.  And never underestimate a simple game of fetch, even if it is rolling a ball very slowly across the floor. [Editor: Except if you have a dog like Cleo, who has never really been interested in fetch, unless you are the one doing the fetching.]

Preventive Medicine. When I reached my 30's, my doctor recommended that I come in for blood work to create a baseline for him to monitor my cholesterol and sugars on an annual basis. Now in my 40's it's easy for him to see what, if any, changes have occured when I come in for an annual checkup. Laura Bennett, CEO & Co-Founder of Embrace Pet Insurance gives similar advice for our pets:

"When our dogs are well, we delight in their health, and perhaps even take it for granted. I personally think it’s a good idea to have a fairly comprehensive blood panel done on your dog when she is well, even if your vet doesn’t mention it. That way, you’ll have a baseline to compare to as she ages and you don’t have to rely on subtle signs to alert you to some underlying condition you might not be aware of. Once you have a baseline, update it every year, or perhaps every 6 months for elder dogs, and your vet will help you notice trends in how your dog’s body is handling aging or if any conditions appear behind the scenes. The best medicine is prevention, but if you can’t prevent it, early detection can’t be beat."

Do you know basic Dog First-Aid? Jane at Petfinder has a great dog first-aid quiz to test your knowledge. Petfinder has lots of information on pet health and pet care.  Did you know that you can give a pet a variation of the Heimlich if they are choking?  I didn't. Something every home (and car) with a pet should have is a first aid kit just for pets. 

Check out these helpful tips and check list:  How to Create a First Aid Kit for your Pet.

Caring for an aging pet is a wonderful way to celebrate the human-animal bond.   Pet adoption involves preparing your home and loved ones for life with a new family member.  Read this great adoption story about Two Dogs, Four Kids from this year's Pet 'Net Family Event.

What if you decided to adopt a senior dog from a wonderful organization like Muttville or your local humane society?  Amy Shojai, an authority on pet care and behavior writes an in depth and useful piece about the benefits of older dogs in an "Old Fogies" post.