Clayton Theodore is a “rescued” Foxhound. We adopted him in 2010 from somewhere near Charlottesville, Virginia (Virginia’s “Hunt Country” and home to many of his peers), and our veterinarian guesstimated his age at between “1 1/2 and 3.” That would make him around 5 or 6 years old now, and a likely candidate for symptoms of arthritis because he is a large dog. We know nothing about his life on the lam before he became one of the family, alas.
Our visits to the Tierartz (literally, “Animal Doctor”) in recent weeks confirmed what we suspected. Clayton Theodore has mild arthritis, but nothing thankfully on the order of what afflicts Shepherds and Retrievers. A little anti-inflammatory medicine, a little dietary additive, and he’s back to being our Clayton Theodore Foxhound III.
Personally, we think he needs a week on the Cape Cod beaches for complete rejuvenation (only where permitted, Shelli! We would never walk Cletus on a dogs-prohibited beach, especially not in the early morning hours. 😉 Until such time, though, I think the arthritis medicine is working.
September 17, 2013 at 01:19
Aww! All the best for Clayton Theodore! Love the picture!
Our fox hound like Clayton Theodore was also a rescue dog when he was one. He jumped out of our van window at about 5 or 6 years old and hurt his shoulder and was similarly treated. He had a wonderful life accompanying and leading our horses for many more years. He slowed down at about 10 but was doing well up to about 13 1/2 of his 14 years. I'm sure Clayton Theodore will find the same fortune with the loving, caring family that is his!
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Susi
September 18, 2013 at 11:23
Hi Susi! Somehow I can understand a Foxhound jumping out of a window; that's just who they are. When they're not sound asleep across the sofa, that is. 😉