Old Dogs, Old Friends: Enjoying Your Older Dog - Hardcover

Wilcox, Bonnie; Walkowicz, Chris

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0876057504 ISBN 13: 9780876057506

Publisher: Howell Book House, 1991

Synopsis

Covers topics of concern to owners of aging dogs, including change in routines, health, and a special section on bereavement

About this title

Reviews

This brief book is to dog training what the Xeroxed Christmas letter is to the epistolary art. It magnifies the mundane, seems to take greeting-card-type imagery as inspiration, and reminds us yet again that sincerity is not a literary virtue. Veterinarian Wilcox and American Kennel Gazette columnist Walkowicz (coauthors of Successful Dog Breeding ) obviously adore pets, especially the aged animals referred to here as "seniors," "Grandmas," "Gramps," "oldsters" and so on, even if they do go in for a certain amount of sour-grapes-ish puppy-bashing ("The old dog does not give his heart as freely as the noisy, fickle young"). Aside from a lengthy and careful discussion alerting the reader to symptoms of illness and signs of physical deterioration, however, their comments are largely sentimental: "A houseful of dogs and people should be like a heart. No matter how many are in it, a special corner should always be reserved for a special dog." Owners are advised to "plant more memories to bud and bloom forever" via various forms of canine competitions, photograph-taking and video-making. A final section discusses the death of beloved pets.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Using well-written case histories, the authors discuss rescuing older dogs, foster homes, grooming, play, and the special joys of living with a senior dog. Unlike Robert Anderson and Barbara Wrede's physical health approach in Caring for Older Cats and Dogs ( LJ 6/1/90), this book is devoted solely to canines, emphasizing the psychological/emotional aspects of selecting and growing old with a pet. The writers deal with relevant topics, including death and bereavement, with realism and sensitivity. While this pleasant book consoles and inspires, it offers a minimum of advice on nutrition, genetics, stress, veterinary care, and the special diseases of aging. Still, this would be a good companion to Anderson and Wrede's book, and both books should be considered for most public libraries.
- Natalie Kupferberg, Brooklyn Coll. Lib., New York
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Howell Book House
• Publication date: 1991
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0876057504
• ISBN 13: 9780876057506
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 256