In this week’s issue, here’s what we are sniffing out

Celebrate the New Year With the Dog You Have Today

You Don’t Need Resolutions, You Need Awareness

January brings with it strong declarations and resolutions. People stop drinking, start exercising, cut out sugar. We clear out inboxes, spend more time reading, and resolve to walk the dog more. We do all the things in a very take-charge, can-do… dare I say aggressive… way? Even if you don’t make resolutions, the hum is around you as everyone busily goes about accomplishing theirs.

Luckily, dogs don’t buy into the hype. Dogs are naturally gifted with abilities to love unconditionally and live in the moment. As they age, they are the turtle, not the hare: “slow and steady wins the race.” But really, it’s not a race, and senior dogs already know that. It’s a journey to be savored and appreciated.

Stop Measuring Your Dog by What They Used to Do

I argue this is the most important piece of the puzzle of your dog’s aging. 🧩 

As humans, it’s easy to let our dogs’ aging feel like a series of challenges to overcome: to get them feeling better, stronger, more active and engaged. If instead, we shift expectations and meet our old dogs where they are now, we’ll navigate a sweeter, more meaningful path forward in the time we have left together. I know from personal experience you will never regret that.

Your dog doesn’t need to be compared to last year, their younger self, or even who they were last month. That mindset delays appropriate support, while you grieve the dog you used to have. The dog you have today is the one who needs you most.

Pay Attention to These Things Right Now

Aging changes how dogs experience the world before it changes what they’re willing or able to do. If you wait for visible problems, you’ve already missed earlier, easier opportunities to help.

1. They may still want to participate, but need more breaks.

2. They may still be themselves, just expressed more quietly. Or more loudly!

3. They may really lean into routines, with less tolerance for disruption.

Here are key areas to tune into:

Comfort

How does your dog move and rest when no one is pushing the pace? Stiffness, hesitation, or frequent repositioning are noteworthy - even if your dog is still “getting around fine” on walks.

Engagement

Interest doesn’t disappear overnight. It often narrows. Fewer things bring joy, but those things still REALLY matter. Notice what your dog chooses. This is why so many of us have old dogs who yell at us at 4pm when they used to eat dinner at 7.

Recovery

This is critical. How long does it take your dog to feel like themselves again after walks, visitors, grooming, or car rides? Longer recovery is one of the clearest signs of aging.

This isn’t your old dog failing. It’s feedback. And one of the most important skills we can build as caregivers is learning how to observe without panicking. Trust me, this is hard. I still struggle with it, honestly.

Caregiving Isn’t About Doing More, or Doing It Better

Support doesn’t always look active. Sometimes it means stopping sooner, choosing more strategically, changing expectations, or modifying the environment:

• Swap out your one 40 minute walk where you pull your dog away from everything for two, 20 minute strolls that allow your dog to check their pee-mail at their leisure.

• Combining errands is not your old dog’s friend: don’t take them to the vet clinic on the same day as their appointment with the groomer.

• Line your home’s thoroughfares with yoga mats or hall runner carpets.

Start the Year With Clarity, Not Resolutions

The New Year doesn’t ask you to reinvent your dog.

It asks you to see them clearly.

When you stop chasing who your dog used to be and start responding to who they are today, caregiving is more effective. You make better decisions. You waste less energy fighting reality.

This year doesn’t need aggressive improvement. It needs awareness, consideration, and trust. Trust in what your dog is telling you. Trust in your ability to adjust. Trust that support isn’t always action.

Start the year by paying attention, by choosing compassion over comparison.

Start it with the dog you have today.

That’s not settling.

That’s good care that will make 2026 a year to cherish.

🐶 Sniffing Out Senior Dog News 📰

🏠️ Why In-Home Euthanasia Benefits Pets, People, and the Veterinary Profession

📺️ Practical ophthalmology for senior pets

☠️ Dog treats recalled in 7 states due to Salmonella contamination

⚕️ Best Pet Insurance Companies of January 2026

Senior Dog Meme of the Week

How did we do with this week’s newsletter?

• High Paws

• Pooped in the House