Zara update 12/19/2021

 It's been a long time since I last updated, I'll try to update more regularly in the future. We have been pretty busy since the last update.

To start with Zara's health, she's doing pretty well! Only major health change is that we need to express her bladder so she can pee. But most of that is because she has a hard time getting into the squatting position. She knows when she needs to be taken out to go pee, so she hasn't completely lost feeling. 

Let's talk personality now. In her old age Zara has become louder, she now barks at dogs first when before this year she was very quiet. So we have been further limiting her interactions with dogs, since she now not only barks back but also barks first when she sees them. I guess she is finally fed up with other dogs barking at her or off leash dogs running at her. She has never been dog friendly,  only dog tolerant and now she has less tolerance for dogs than ever.

Energy wise Zara is great, we go for 4 mile hikes with hills and uneven ground and she loves it. 4 miles isn't enough to tire her out, just makes her want to keep going. My husband and I aren't quite there when it comes to stamina so we aren't doing more than 4 miles right now. With sunrise starting earlier and earlier we are going to try to get some 2 or 4 mile trails in before I start work. Since we can really only go right at sunrise, due to other dogs enjoying the trails later in the morning. We also play with her inside every other day when we workout, working out time has become playtime for zara and Catherine (old cat). 




Overall, Zara still doesn't really have any issues getting around. We have gotten her dog booties since she slides her hind feet a bit and that irritates her pads, but she's taken to the boots very quickly and they don't really impede her movements. They also help with walking her when it's raining, which she hates. Currently just boots on her hind feet, I'm still working on getting her front feet nails short enough (she also hates getting her nails done).


Here are some more recent photos of Zara:








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