​DOG OLD AGE: As RVD gets older, we are going to start seeing dogs have issues. Unfortunately, cancer runs in dogs. Boxers are known for many falling to bone cancer. And there is no way to test in advance for it. Just like humans, they are going to get arthritis. Old injuries are going to ache, and food and environment is being blamed for the prevalence of allergies, and skin issues. Some things are "familial", so yes genetic, but most of a breed will get it - for example, bone cancer with boxers, and also some large dogs, like Great Danes and large poodles, could have stomach twisting called "bloat" that they could die from if they don't get emergency surgery. My vet says all dogs that get old are going to have hip dysplasia and arthritis. He feels all big dogs are going to have problems, bones and joints especially, but perhaps digestion as well, and keeping them skinny is the best way. Small dogs will have elbow issues if they are overweight. These things are going to happen and they will make us sad and try to blame something. Me? Food? It won't be that time they accidentally fell off the deck. It is natural to try to find a blame. Like, WHO gave me this cold? Unfortunately, dogs do not live as long as we would like, ever. Their ailments are just like ours. For the most part, after 4 years old, the dog age x 7 is their human age. An 8 year old dog is 56. How many 56 year old humans do you know that haven't had any issues? I'm mid 40s and am limping and crickety many days. I am going to feel terrible about this, and every time someone emails me or posts about an issue, my heart is going to hurt, but I know it is going to happen. Please don't panic. For many of you, RVD has been your first dog experience. So people posting about lumps they just found, could panic you. Unfortunately, just like humans having issues, like limping from runners knee (even though I don't run much - I just have bad conformation), or needing a new hip from horse riding for decades (owie!), things are going to come up. This group is great for information, but I hope it keeps its fun personality with nice updates too. Try adding Missing Link joint vitamins - or Skin and Coat supplements. They don't know any better on not over doing it with exercise, so you must manage it for them. I am sure though, our group has hybrid vigor and will have less issues than full/pure breed dogs...that has already shown to be true. So, a toast, to long untethered life for our doods!