Plan A Party - In the Dark!

Make A Change 

 Turn Your Lights Out On March 27th  8:30 pm
Who's With Me??

Adequan - Giving Ginger Her Life Back

                      Art,  I think you actually caught her smiling this time!!

If you've been following the progress of "Ginger",  a sweet little 15 yr. old Gordon Setter with debilitating arthritis, you'll be glad to know she is doing very well.  Her owner,  ArtOC,  started a treatment of Adequan on Jan. 27. Art has been giving her the injections himself. 

If you'd like to read this story from the beginning and get an idea of the cost for your dog,  go here:  http://gordonsettercrossing.blogspot.com/2010/01/day-1-ginger-starts-adequan-great-news.html

This is the update I received from ArtOC today. WOW!

 A lot of the snow has finally melted and there are bare patches where the sun shines directly on the ground.  Spring is right around the corner and the dogs are more than ready.  I've started giving the Adequan about every 7 days and that seems to work fine.  Ginger is much more active and is able to navigate the steps pretty well.  She has been going out and walking abound the yard for longer periods of time.  I'm really pleased with the results.  At the end of December I wasn't sure that Ginger was going to be able to walk much longer and now she is able to pretty much do what she wants.  She is obviously more comfortable.  She follows us around, wants to go on longer walks and is once again a pest at the table. 

FAT....His, Mine, and The DOGS?

My husband, Dan, had a heart attack a few years ago. Dr. said, "Change, or die". I'm happy to say he chose to change. We both did. Weight wasn't really a problem for us, but eating fatty foods high in cholesterol and saturated fat was. So now, we look at the fat content in everything we eat. Too much, we don't eat it. Hopefully, this will enable us both to have longer healthy lives.

Our dogs are totally dependent on us for proper care and nutrition. They don't have the luxury of choosing their own food or snacks. And I suspect, that like humans, dogs vary slightly in their nutritional health needs. Some of us can eat more fat than others and not be affected. Whereas, some people hardly eat any fat at all, and still have cholesterol problems.

I was reading about fat in dogs and how important it is to have the correct level. Not too much, but not too little either.

According to peteducation.com, this is what they recommend for each stage of life, or type of dog:

Puppy..........................8% minimum, 17% recommended  
Adult Dog..............5% minimum, 9% - 15% recommended 
Performance Dog.........8% minimum, 20% recommended  
Racing Sled Dogs.................................50% recommended  
Lactating dog................8% minimum, 17% recommended
           
                          Too Little Fat

Problems from too little fat in your dogs diet, can be; impaired reproductive efficiency, a dry dull coat, dry flaky skin, can cause an increase in skin infections and pyoderma. It can cause a slowing in healing, and if developing puppies have too little fat, it can actually cause developmental problems as well as growth deformities.

Too Much Fat

The obvious, of course being obesity. It is estimated that 50% of the pets in America are obese. I wonder if that includes gold fish? Obesity is just as bad, maybe more so, for your dog, than it is for humans. Problems from obesity that arise are: decreased immune function, increase in cancer, digestive problems, spinal problems, a decrease in liver function, diabetes, a decrease in stamina, a lower tolerance to heat, (especially in summer months), heart disease and increased blood pressure, damage to the joints, ligaments, and bones and a much shorter lifespan. Not to mention, it makes it more difficult to do surgeries and very risky to receive anesthesia. Believe it or not, these are just some of the problems that can arise from obesity, which comes from too much fat in the diet. Who would want to do that to their beloved dog?

It's okay to give your dog treats and even a little table scrapes, (no more than 10% of their diet - which isn't much) but we must use good judgment. Buy treats that are low in fat, good quality dog food, and make sure they get plenty of exercise and hopefully, you'll never have to worry about over feeding fat.

When you consider how short our canine friends live, don't you want them to be as healthy as they can be to live the best life they can?

Got Snow?? Make Snow Penguins!

I know that some of you are REALLY sick of the snow. Montana is enjoying a mild winter this year, but usually we gets lots and lots of snow. Foot after foot, after foot, of snow. This is what I did one year.

Meet : The Snow Penguin Family
I saw this idea in a catalog a few years ago. They had all of the felt pieces for in a package for sale. I made my own and had a great time doing it. Kids will too! The only other thing you need is snow and imagination.  I got lots of comments and our propane delivery man said, "I like your little friends there!" I even made a few pics and used them for some of my Christmas cards. I used the caption, "Hope Your Christmas is Full of Fun Surprises!"Everyone loved them.

And why stop at Penguins? You could get creative and do all kinds of animals. The important thing is,  to have fun and try not to let the weather get you down. Felt is cheap.  Buy plenty of it and sit the kids down with the scissors. (supervised that is) Use only felt, or possibly wool material. The rough texture is what makes it stick to the snow.

For the penguins make: scarves, bow ties, ear muffs, feet, flippers, eyes, beaks, and noses. Ad to the scenery: Christmas trees ( well, maybe not now) Flags, signs, etc. 

If you do make some snow penguins, send me a pic and I'll post it! Or, at least let us know so we can see what you've done.

Can anyone make a MOOSE??

Dream Pursuit Grants Wishes to Ill Children

                                  http://www.dreampursuit.org/



I have found another web site that I'd like to share with you. Actually I didn't find it,  BenG-Outdoors, did and I found it on his blog. So, I have to give thanks to BenG-Outdoors for doing the "leg" work with an interview with Rick Davis who started Dream Pursuit.

If you'd like to read this interesting interview please go to :http://beng-outdoors.blogspot.com/2010/02/interview-with-rick-davis-of-dream.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BenGOutdoors+%28Ben+G.+Outdoors%29

Dream Pursuit is a non-profit organization that funds hunting and fishing trips for young people under the age of 21, that have been diagnosed with a life threatening illness, but has been released by a doctor to participate in such a trip. Currently Davis works with 3 hospitals; Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, Cardinal Gleenan in St. Louis, and St. Judes Children's Hospital in Nashville, Tn., and social workers who help connect patients with Dream Pursuit.

Dream Pursuit pays for all expenses related to the dream trip. Not only do they cover equipment and licenses, but they also pay for travel expenses, lodging and meals. That's a lot of money and they depend on the contributions from hunters, taxidermists, guides, outfitters, and people just like us to make it happen.

I challenge you all to match my donation of $15.00, or more.

If you'd like to donate please go to: http://www.dreampursuit.org/  to do so.  
I am not set up to collect donations.
When you see the smiling face on Dream Pursuits website, it'll melt your heart!

This is a great quote that graces the front page of Dream Pursuits Website.........

"The habit of giving only enhances the desire to give"   - Walt Witman

Blue Dog Bakery - Best Cookies in Town!....So Says My Dog!

Ahhhhh....little animal shapes and hearts!



Ever heard of Blue Dog Bakery? If not, you've got to check them out. They make peanut butter and molasses cookies for your dog. The cookies are all natural ingredients, no preservatives or artificial flavorings and colors. I know what every ingredient is. I like that. A lot.

And the best part is that they are made in the good ole U.S.A.! The company is based in Seattle and has been in business since 1998. Walmart sells them for only $3.77 a box. Good deal for such a good product. You can also order them from http://www.bluedogbakery.com/index.

I can't say personally, of course, but I have it straight from the dogs mouth........yum yum yum yum yum yum yum!

For more info on Blue Dog Bakery  http://www.bluedogbakery.com/index

Hunting Dogs Sniffing Out Peanuts at Angel Service Dogs

It never ceases to amaze me the things that humans teach animals, and particularly dogs, to do. I love to highlight these in my blog.



One such place is the non-profit organization, Angel Service Dogs Inc. located in Monument Colorado. Owned by Brett and Sherry Mer, Angel Service Dogs Inc. is dedicated to children and adults a like who have sever allergies that are life threatening, on a day to day basis. The Mers have 2 children who have such allergies and this is what started their pursuit to find the perfect dog as a companion and "care taker" for their first born.

The Mers' learned about Allergy Alert dogs, also sometimes called peanut dogs. Dogs that are trained to "sniff out" certain foods that their human companions are allergic to.

Angel Service Dogs Inc. is designed to support the acquisition, training, and placement of highly trained Allergy Alert Dogs for sufferers of life-threatening allergies; and the distribution of related educational material to churches and civic groups allowing them to create and maintain a safe environment for those challenged with this hidden disabilities.

The service uses dogs that are allergy friendly, no shedders, such as Australian Labradoodles and Portuguese Water Dogs. They also use German Shorthair Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and Golden Retrievers. Dogs are trained and placed, according to the needs of the soon to be human companion.

This seems to me to be quite an amazing place. I hope you'll visit their web site and spread the word of these amazing dogs.

Racket Balls Great For Playing Fetch - In Winter Cold

Racket and Racket Balls

I play "Fetch" with my dogs to give them exercise during Montana's long cold winters. Problem is, tennis balls are as hard as a rock in below freezing temperatures. I have tried several types of rubber balls. Soft foam rubber that stays flexible in the cold is not durable. I stumbled upon a can of balls for Racquetball and they are the best thing I have found yet. Karen put one in the freezer for three hours and it was still flexible. I could throw it for the dogs with no fear of breaking teeth. I left one in Blackie's kennel overnight and it was in one piece the next day.

I have had surgery on one shoulder and injured the other. I cannot throw worth a darn and a racquetball racquet is just the ticket for launching a ball out through the woods. The balls come in orange and yellow, but our local Walmart only has blue. I'll have to get some brighter colored ones for next winter.

Got Old Phone Books Piled Up? - Shoot 'em!

Got old phone books piled up?


We get new phone books all the time. They get stacked up under the phone until they become a nuisance and then you get more. Use them to compare penetration of different loads and shot sizes. Shoot one with a load of #9 shot and another with #8 and another with 7 1/2 .......Count the pages the different sizes and loads penetrate for a comparison. You may want to document the results, depending on how many you are comparing.

It's best to set the books up in a way that keeps them from moving when hit. Like attached to a piece of 1/2 inch plywood. Movement can produce inaccurate results.

And as always, BE SAFE!

15 Year Old Ginger Doing Well On Adequan - 1 Month

Ginger And Erin

For those of you following 15 year old Ginger, and her experience on a drug called Adequan, here is an update.

Ginger started Adequan on Jan. 27. She has received 2 shots per week, for 4 weeks.  After this initail dosing, she will now go on a "maintenance" dosage, on a "as needed" basis. 

If you've been following Art's updates, you know how much of an improvement Gin has seen.  It's been a huge improvement for her quality of life. 

This from Art on the cost: 

I'll send you a post with the dose etc. but its $98.00 for a 5ml vial.  Gin weighs 43 Lbs and the she gets 0.9ml two times a week so that's 5 shots from the vial.  You give two shots for four weeks than a shot as needed to control symptoms.  I'm not sure how long that's going to be but I'm going to assume it's about once a week for her based on what I'm seeing.  So, if your dog is 50 or 60 lbs - probably 4 shots from the vial so your looking at about $200 for the first month than a $100 a month after that.  Not cheap but not outragous either. 

I made them something special tonight and they ate like little pigs! Gin is sitting up and under foot waiting to be fed.  She didn't do that a few weeks ago.  She also has been out at least a dozen times walking around enjoying the sights and smells. 

The 12 Ga.........For Ruffed Grouse??

  A standard 12 ga. load of 1 1/8 of any size shot can be a bit much for early season grouse hunting. The birds are young, cover is heavy.  Close, fast shots are the norm.
  Fortunately there are many factory loads available in 12 ga. that allow us to adjust shot load and speed to accommodate many shooting situations. The 12 ga. shotgun with choke tubes is the most versatile shotgun on the market and shells are available for game, from woodcock to white tail deer.
   My favorite Grouse gun is a 12 gauge S x S and I adjust loads as the season changes. A few years ago Winchester introduced a 12 ga. load with 7/8 oz. of #8 shot. I loved it for early birds. It was designated a Super  Speed load and was much faster than necessary but the light shot load and skeet choke worked well together. You could smack a young grouse at 20 ft. and still have enough left for dinner.
  The Speed loads are now in a 1 oz. load and they do a great job too. They  have 50 more pellets and are still inexpensive!
  My favorite grouse load is a recipe I used for 16 yd trap. 1 oz. of #8 shot in a Win. AA hull, Windjammer wad with enough Red Dot to kick it out the muzzel at a very slow 1100 fps. I have tumbled a bunch of Ruffed Grouse with that load.   I had a couple of cases of Win. Xtra Lite AA trap loads left over from a seminar and the 1 oz. of #8's pattern a bit tighter but still very usable.
  I basically shoot a 16 gauge load through a 12 gauge gun and it's a fantastic combination for Ruffed Grouse. Try it, You'll like it!!!  DWT

My Favorite Grouse Gun - The SKB 400E

 

Barrel Selector incorporated into the trigger

  My favorite grouse gun is this SKB 400E in 12 gauge. With 26 in. barrels and a straight grip, it weighs in at 6 lbs. 11 oz. It is equipped with choke tubes and I run it SK / IC all season. It has a tang safety and like my other SKB's, the barrel selector is incorporated into the trigger. My partner Michael mentioned last week that he has had a few occasions when the safety / selector on his Citori would not slide forward because it was in the center and not on either barrel. The SKB safety and selector are entirely seperate.
  It's a box lock with nicely engraved sideplates and reciever. The beavertail forend is actually fairly sleek. Not squared and blocky like some I've seen. Most important is this gun hits where I look. If I properly focus on the leading edge of a flying grouse and get my thought process ahead of the bird where it should be, we have grouse and dumplin's. I only fired at 9 birds this past season and 8 went in the game bag. I will never part with this shotgun. It is not for sale and never will be. DWT

Dan's 20 Ga. Shotgun - Locking Lug a Pain

Locking Lug

  I have a thing for SKB shotguns and this is a model 685 in 20 ga. It has 26 inch barrels and comes with the standard selection of choke tubes. I run it with a skeet tube on the bottom barrel and improved cylinder on top. I love the barrel selector position. It is located near the trigger and fires the bottom barrel when pushed to the right and the top barrel when pushed to the left.  It is totally separate from the tang safety. I have owned several o/u guns with the selector incorporated in the safety and occasionally pushed the safety forward while the selector was in the middle. OOPS! No shot.
  This gun weighs in a 6lbs. 10 oz. and is nicely balanced. The off the shelf stock dimensions fit me well and I've run a few clean rounds of skeet with it. No excuses for missing a grouse now.
  There is one feature I do not care for. I carry my S x S and O/U in the open position most of the time. Either in my hand or resting on my left forearm. When this gun is open, the locking lug protrudes out the left side of the gun. {see pic above}. The lug pokes into my palm when carried in my left hand and rubs against my leg when carried in my right hand. When I carry the gun cradled in the bend of my left arm, the lug hits me in the ribs. If I carried the gun closed, it would be no problem.
  I have the 20 in the rig all season long, but it mostly serves as a loan out gun for folks that show up with guns more suited to a duck blind than the grouse woods. My favorite Grouse buster is an SKB SxS and that's another blog.....

DWT

FREE E-BOOK How to Break Up A Dog Fight - Without Getting Hurt

I ran across this FREE E-Book on how to break up dog fights. Now not that Gordon Setter owners have to worry about this a lot, but it's good information to know and it's FREE.

Ed Frawley is the owner and trainer at Leerburg Kennel in Menomonie, WI. He has been a trainer and dog breeder for 45 years. He mainly breeds working German Shepards.

If you go to his website,  leerburg.com, you'll find over 35 E-Books on different subjects. Almost all of them are FREE. He also has a wide selection of DVD's and training equipment. You can sign up to receive a catalog.



NOTE: I have never met Mr. Frawley, and I am not affiliated with him or his kennel, what so ever. I simply ran across the website and really liked his way of thinking. At least what I have seen.


My attitude is, you learn everything you can, then apply it to your own situation and needs.

Snow Pics From ArtOC in Maryland - 40 INCHES!!

From ArtOC :   "Well the storm lived up to expectations and dumped another 16 inches on top of the 24 inches we got a few days ago.  Not that big a problem up here in the country but Baltimore is in a bad way.  The streets are too narrow to plow and there are cars everywhere.  There is nowhere to put the snow. I feel sorry for the those folks, especially the elderly, who have to get somewhere."

 My Yard

ArtOC's Yard

I've been out of town since early Wed. I went to visit my daughter and her 3 boys while her husband was working out of town. Had a blast with my boys, but they can sure tire me out! ha ha

Started checking my email and found these pics from ArtOC - he's in Maryland. Man! What a snow storm! Art tells me that Maryland usually gets no where near the snow they are getting this year....or I should say this WEEK. They really got dumped on. Usually, that is the weather that Montana gets this time of year, but my yard actually has plenty of grass showing......very little snow.

I think ArtOC has my Snow. That's okay, I don't mind sharing. You can even keep it until Spring, if you want to,  Art! I'm pretty sure we'll get more next year.

The Importance of Micro Chips in Bird Dogs

Lost pets with Micro Chips 

are 20% more likely to return home.

 

                                                                                     Source: AKC.COM

  

This is what it looks like. That's a piece of rice, so you can see how small they are.  I've seen prices range between $10.00 and $50.00. The cheaper price was because of AKC, ASPCA, and similar organizations sponsoring special events to get animals microchiped, at a discounted price. 

For More Information:

http://www.akccar.org/

http://www.aspca.org/about-us/policy-positions/microchip.html

For Your Health and Your and Your Bird Dogs

Studies have shown that spending time with a dog can do wonders for a persons spirit, which in turn, does wonders for the body. We, and our bird dogs,  get lots of exercise during bird season. But this time of year is more of a challenge. At least if you live in a place where hunting season is done with. We do other things in the off season.......our dogs still need something to stimulate and excite them also.  A little play time,  with a little training mixed in, and a lot of love and affection can ad years to your life and his. Play with your dog, make sure you give him plenty of praise,  and make it fun for you both. He'll know if you're not having fun and it will affect how he participates. If you're excited,  he'll get excited too. This is great bonding time for you both. All it takes is a few minutes a couple times a time. Aren't you BOTH worth it?

FACT: Interaction with a pet lowers blood pressure and stress levels.

Inner Peace

Inner Peace:

If you can start the day without caffeine,

If you can always be

cheerful, ignoring aches and pains, If you can resist complaining

and boring people with your

troubles, If you can eat the same food

every day and be grateful for

it, If you can understand when your

loved ones are too busy to give you any

time, If you can take criticism

and blame without resentment ,

If you can conquer

tension without medical help,

If you can relax without liquor,

If you can sleep without the aid of drugs.....

 You must be a dog.

Pictures of Snow Storm in Maryland

ArtOC's House  in Maryland - With Ginger, and Erin playing in the snow.

First 2 pics are the same porch, before and after the storm!




That's a LOT of snow to have to shovel! And I hear they are going to get a second round! Hang in there guys!


All Photo's By ArtOC

A Hunting Vest .........For Your Bird Dog? Do You Use One??

 

 

That's The Question! We want to know what you think of bird dog vests. 

Do you have one?  If so, what kind? Why do you use one with your bird dog?  Does it work well and hold up for more than a season? Tell us anything you'd like about your experience.

(Enquiring minds want to know!) hee hee

MORE With Ginger - Day 8 - Adequan - Wonderful Progress

 

Photo's of Ginger Provided by ArtOC 

Ginger is really doing much better.  She is up early and very active.  She stays up and sits with us and is very engaged with what is going on.  After breakfast and dinner she wants to go out 3 or 4 times and she walks around checking things out.  She is more engaged with life again.  I carry her down the steps but she come in on her own.  When we are at work she is on her own and she has had no problems managing the steps but I know that's where the problem is going to come when it happens so I try and limit the times she has to go down on her own.  I enclosed a photo I took this AM.  She is sitting on her favorite blanket in front of the windows.  She is wide awake and enjoying herself.  After I took the photo she rolled over on her back and started wiggling around the rug like she used to do when she was young and having a good time. 

WWF Earth Hour 2010 - Lights Out Party!

This isn't a post about bird dogs, but it is an important one about the mountains and woods and streams we stomp around in.

In a Press Release on January 19, 2010, the World Wildlife Fund announced that Earth Hour 2010 will take place on Sat.,  March 27, from 8:30 - 9:30 PST.  Earth Hour is an opportunity for everyone and anyone in the whole world, to voice their concern for the environment by turning off their lights for one hour.....hence the name"Earth Hour".


The 2010 Earth Hour is expected to be the biggest call of action on our climate, in history! Among some who will participate are: Mt. Rushmore, The Empire State Building, The Golden Gate Bridge, the "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign, The MGM Mirage and Caesars Palace. And that's just a few in the U.S. . The WWF is hoping that all 50 states will participate. Countries from all around the world will be participating.

Some people are planning pot lucks and parties. Another reason to have a party!

Please join me and my family, and the hundreds of millions of people from around the world in a show of solidarity, to demand climate action now....before it's too late.

If you'd like to see what's it's like when the whole world acts as one, watch the video here. It's Super Cool!  :

 http://www.myearthhour.org/earth-hour-video

I promise to cut off all of my lights for Earth Hour. Who's with me??

Ginger Day - Day 8 - Adequan

From ArtOC:
( I actually received this last night)

Ginger was really good today.  She was waiting for me when I got home.  I carried her outside and she walked around for quite awhile without a problem.  She was out 3 or 4 times and walking all around the house.  She was doing very well indeed.  We are getting another nice snow storm tonight so I brought work home so I can work at home tomorrow.  We're looking at a possible big storm this weekend.  Looks like we are going to get it good this year.  Thought the snow is a pain, especially with the dogs, The time at home that we can spend with them is a nice change of pace.  Looks like omelets for everyone tomorrow!

Ginger -Day 7 - Adequan

Ginger got her third shot of Adequan last night. She's been on it for a week now. Here is the report from Art.

After the injection last night, she was sleeping so sound this morning that I actually thought she died in her sleep.  She was completely limp and I had to really give her a shake to get her to wake up.  When she did get up she seemed pretty comfortable.  I really think the arthritis pain is very much improved.  She still has a lot of weakness in the rear end but she is more active, walks further and has less trouble getting up.  I don't know how much more improvement I'm going to see but I'm really pleased with the results. 

European Gordon Setter Kennels & Breeders

While researching the previous post, I came across this list of European Gordon Setter Breeders. Now I know that's it's not likely that someone will purchase a Gordon from overseas, I am posting this link for anyone who wants to surf some nice sites, not normally available through search. At least I've never seen this list, other than on this website.
Anyway, I was actually very excited to see sooooo many Gordon Setter breeders.  I was pleasantly surprised at how many countries had Gordon Setter breeders. I know the breed is fairly old, but I'm still getting "What kind of dog do you have?" from time to time when we are not in the normal hunting situation. Like at the Vets, even.

I haven't had a chance to look at them all, that would take a while, but you might check it out sometime. I found it really interesting.

Click on the link below, then on the site, scroll down and click on LINKS from the left side column. That will take you to the list.
http://www.saturnii.eu/

MISSING DOG IN POLAND

MISSING !!! (Poland,Kracov City)

Tattoo # K112    Chip # 982061600012173

Neo ( BETWEEN HEAVEN AND HELL Zambi ) has been missing since December, the 15th 2009.

He must have been snatched while enjoying his everyday walk with his owners.
They had been walking around the same area for several years until the day he disappeared.
We strongly believe he must have been taken overseas, as so far, no single appeal upon many we have spread across the country had brought any results.
Therefore, we would like to urge people across the Europe to keep their eyes and ears open.
His proud and devoted owners are desperate to get him back home soon as possible.
High reward is waiting for person who will help them welcome their beloved Neo back home.

Saturnii Cartoon's Kennel / Anna Przywecka  3530Houthalen, Belgium
email: saturnii.setter@gmail.com
phone: 0032 495 893 457

http://gordonsetter.ning.com/profiles/blogs/missing-polandkracov-city?id=1982392%3ABlogPost%3A71474&page=2#comments

Ginger - Day 6 - Adequan

ArtOC  Reports:

We gave the princess a bath yesterday.  What a chore!   For an old dog she is still pretty tough to handle.  When we were done the two of us were as wet as she was.  Anyway, she looks and feels a lot better and she was doing pretty good this morning.  I'm going to give her the adequan tonight so it has all night to work. 

Karen's Personal Note:

This drug that ArtOC is trying, Adequan, seems to have made a pretty big difference in Ginger's life. Hasn't changed her mind about not wanting baths, but the old girl is going up and down stairs with less difficulty and ArtOC says she gets up in the morning with less of a struggle. If you have an old dog, you know what it means to us as owners of these dogs, to see them moving again without severe pain.  If you have an aging dog, with arthritis, you may want to check with your Vet to see if Adequan is an option for him or her.

Interesting Fact on Age and Dogs

Between new medical breakthroughs, proper nutrition, and the fact that people are taking better care of their dogs,  in the last 80 years, or so, the average dog lifetime has increased from 7 to 12 years. That's quite a jump!


Source: John Hinkle,  ArticlesBase.Com




And GINGER is 15!

Gordon Setters One of Original Breeds in Beginning of AKC

 

Photo's From AKC.COM

Pictured in the AKC "Meet The Breeds".

Gordon Setters were in the first group of dogs to be registered when the American Kennel Club, (AKC), was first formed in 1884. They are in the Sporting Group as a gun dog. 

The Gordon Setter Club, (GSC), was formed 7 years later in 1891.

 For More Information on Gordon Setters or the AKC, link below.

http://www.akc.org/breeds/gordon_setter/