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e Because time rolls on, our dog Benjamin has passed on since we originally wrote this post. We’ve updated it to include our latest senior dog, Franklin!
Senior dogs rock!
They really do. They’re more chill than their younger counterparts, and they know exactly what they like and don’t like (read: lovingly set in their ways).
At 16, Benjamin was loving life. He thrived on two walks a day and combo of Wellness Raw Rev mixed with Nutrish…plus an ever-changing group of vitamins and supplements (for another day!). He passed away in 2018 after narrowly missing his 17th birthday!
His younger brother Franklin is now the big brother. At 14, Franklin maintains a busy hiking and travel schedule, just like Benjamin did.
Traveling with them was (and is!) a breeze because of these essentials we discovered to make senior dog life easier.
After a long day of hiking and swimming, who wants to lay in the dirt and gravel back at camp? Not any of our dogs!
This elevated dog bed is not just washable, it’s also breathable in case your dogs are a little damp.
It’s also easy to pack. If you lay it upside down, you can stack things on top of it. If you have more than one, they stack together quite nicely.
And boy, do these beds hold up over time!
We are still using the original two that we purchased 7 years ago. Not only do senior dogs like Franklin appreciate their comfort. Hazel also gets in on the elevation and relaxation!
This pack can start out carring your water bottle, dog treats, and phones for a long hike.
But it might end up carrying a small dog as the miles go on!
We learned on a 6-miler through beautiful Cook’s Forest that Ben might need a lift on longer hikes.
And now Franklin is slowing down a bit, too.
No big deal! Give your dog a break with a comfortable dog backpack.
Once we had purchased a backpack for Franklin, he was onto us! He wasn’t having it.
He finished a hike in the Dolly Sods without tiring, so Russ just toted it around for the day! But we’re ready.
Ben always pretended he couldn’t hear us- until one day he pretty much couldn’t! He also couldn’t see as well as he used to. If we had left him on his own, who knows where he’d would have ended up!
Fast forward, and now Franklin has lost his hearing, and Hazel is just an independent woman. They both need tethering in the campground!
These durable tie out cables have been fantastic at the campground. You can make an overhead line, attach it to the leg of a picnic table, or use the stake-in-the-ground method.
As dogs age, certain floors get a little slippy for them! If you are watching your dog flail around on hardwood or linoleum, give Dr. Buzby’s Toe Grips a try.
After taking a measurement, you can order perfectly-sized, bright colored rubber rings that fit around your dog’s claws.
These little rings help your dog gain traction in slippier floor situations, making them more mobile and confident.
I can’t resist sharing one of the supplements that upped our dogs’ game with NO side effects.
Glacier Peaks Holistics secret mix of Marshmallow root, Slippery elm bark, Echinacea, Spirulina, Milk thistle, Red clover and Comfrey leaf was a wonder pill for Benjamin! It continues to deliver for Franklin.
Benjamin took it once a day (usually with peanut butter). He was less stiff and more flexible, with better range of motion.
Franklin takes it as needed (also with peanut butter), typically after a long walk or hike. It helps him rest and rejuvenate!
Check out the rest of the glowing reviews on Amazon or on the Glacier Peaks website.
Are you traveling with a senior dog on board?
Tell us how you’re making their journey more comfortable in the comments below!
