I have always been a dog watcher. It is what I do in my everyday working life, and at home with my own dog Zak. Sadly, coming up to his 13th year has seen a rapid decrease in senses that he once took for granted.

He is now slow to rise, and his hearing is not as refined. Where once he would chase his old foe the squirrel, out of our garden, he now seldom hears or sees it. In fact I swear I caught that darn squirrel laughing at my old Zak and wondered just how long his old body could carry him.

Now medical problems are completely unfamiliar to me, so following much research I have discovered that my old Shepherd has CCD, otherwise known as Canine Cognitive Dysfunction. It is a dogs equivalent of Alzheimer's and to my utmost surprise, it seems there may be a way of slowing down the process. The drug is called selegiline, and has been shown to alleviate some of the symptoms.

It may not give him back his youth, but anything that affords us a little more time together is worth trying. I owe him this for the loyalty, and unconditional love he has always shown us and for the joy he continues to bring.

I have made this post for everyone with older dogs and who are experiencing the symptoms of CCD. This is my final act of caring and so each day is a special day for us both.

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