18-Year-Old Dog with the Energy of a Puppy Proves Age Is Only a Number
Seeing your dog age is possibly harder than seeing yourself age. You never want to see them suffer. Luckily for one woman, that doesn't seem to be a problem with her dog Max, who is practically sprinting around even at the ripe old age of 18.
The video Madeline Galassi shared on March 21 is a good message for all of those who fear are fur-babies getting old. It doesn't have to be a bad thing!
In fact, you could practically call Max sprightly, judging from the compilation Galassi shared online. The videos show Max leaping over curbs, sprinting down hallways, trotting through forests, and outpacing his owners running down the street.
Related: 13 Seniors From Dog Retirement Home Have the Most Beautiful Beach Field Trip
"My dog Max who doesn't know he's about to turn 18," Galassi wrote in the text overlay. Eighteen! We don't even want to think about how old that is in dog years. But you would never be able to tell that Max is almost of legal drinking age based on how well he moves.
"Est. 2006," Galassi joked in the caption.
Max the senior dog earned himself quite the fan club in the comments section. "He’s stiff yet moving lol," joked one person. "He’s like those elderly folks that still do marathons,," another commenter teased. "Wait till he finds out he can vote," a third person kidded. "And don’t tell him either. Max said you're only as old as you feel," someone else chimed in.
How to Keep Your Senior Dog Healthy
We all want our dogs to age like Max. He's clearly been well cared for and well loved. Here are some tips on how to keep your senior dog healthy.
It should be mentioned that you can't fight your dog's genetics. Your dog's breed will most likely have the biggest factor in how they age, so some things will simply be out of your hands. Your dog's breed can also let you know what types of health conditions your pup will face, which sadly also might be unavoidable.
It shouldn't be a surprise that exercise can make a huge difference in your dog's life. As they get older it can be hard to encourage your dog to get their walks in, so things like doggy treadmills might actually be really handy. You can also throw ping pong balls around the house and have your dog chase them to get their heart rate up.
Food is also a big deal to keeping your dog healthy for as long as possible. Look at nutrition labels and look for dog foods that have high quality proteins and no fillers.
It might seem obvious to make sure they eat right and exercise, but these really are the two best ways to keep your dog sprinting well into old age.
Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us on YouTube for more entertaining videos. Or, share your own adorable pet by submitting a video, and sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips.
