Gucci - Two weeks ago walking down the trail

[MarkFromSea]

I posted a short vid of ole Gucci at youtube just so I could share it here at YT. He's hangin in there. This is one of his better days just a couple weeks ago. He's the yorkie, the smallest of our mini-pack, weighing in between 4 and 5 pounds. Keeping up with the "big"(ha ha) dogs!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YX85...ature=youtu.be

The larger, yorkie colored, mix is Zippy, an Idaho rescue who is a perfect gentleman who we purchased a year ago today, his celebrated "birthday". Then there is our rebellious 11 month old pom "Rambo" who goes nuts whenever I leave the house with out him. He was mama's dog, I guess he's mine now. LOL

Below is just a response I put on another thread, seemed fitting to just copy and paste it here as we are in the holidays:


"We were given an old yorkie about 2 1/2 years ago, it's been lots of joy and a few challenges.

My best times with him have been walking him in local parks. He came to us in pretty poor shape so it was short walks and/or walk a bit, then carry for a bit, then let him walk some more. Looking back, I think it wasn't long before we were up to 3 miles per day or every other day. He built muscle mass and was doing very well for quite awhile. He is VERY sensitive to higher temp days, even 75* seemed to dampen his walk when it was in direct sunlight. In the park trails with shade he was fine. Here, it's never too cold to take him for a walk, we have sweaters and jackets for our pups.

My point is, your new family member will let you know when the walks are too long or too often or if it's too hot to walk very far. I drive him to the park now since he does poorly walking "to" the park on concrete and asphalt.

Pay special attention to her feet, inspect the pads, the nails, in between the pads. Learn to clip nails or set a monthly schedule to have them done... I've read it is as little as $10 at some vets and/or pet stores. I use a pair of nail clippers that has a little safety guard on it, stops the nail so I don't clip off too much.

A balanced diet is your goal for feeding for good long term health. No fat trimmings from your table is what I've been taught for these little dogs, they are more sensitive than big or medium size dogs. Pancreatitis is often the outcome if over fed fat scraps or fatty foods. The holidays see a spike in vet visits from table scraps. Finding a dog food they enjoy eating regularly has been a royal pain in the arse for us! The food threads here have gotten quite heated, so I shall abstain from specific recommendations at this time plus you're in England. Since you're in Manchester, I recommend you research the governing body that certifies pet food as "complete" and "balanced" in your neck of the woods and go from there. Ask questions, read labels and research quality and recalls while looking at various brands and their formulas.

Good food and exercise! I think you're asking the right questions."

[yavenay]

All 3 of them are so adorable. I just want to hug Gucci till he pops

[LoveMyBeowulf]

Aww they are so cute and well behaved. Gucci is the cutest little thing!!

[MarkFromSea]

Thank You! I never expected to enjoy owning such small dogs but now I can't imagine not having at least one. All three are major members of our family.

[ladyjane]

How sweet is this video? Gucci needs the t-shirt I bought for my little Kiche..."Leader of the Pack" .

[ladyjane]

Here it is....I got it at Target for I think $1 .. years ago. Might have been $3, but I think it is so cute...

[MarkFromSea]

Colder days he gets a shirt, sweater or jacket. We have quite a selection of clothes now. Amazing how we accumulated so many over such a short time period. Just over 2 1/2 years with Gucci, he was pretty old when he was given to us and we spoil him the best we can. Still amazed the near toothless, arthritic, old fart established alpha status with Zip, the much younger, much bigger dog. That was looking iffy with the pom pup these last few months but just the day before yesterday, Rambo went belly up to Gucci. Persistence paid off or the pom is just playing games.