One of my best Best Friends in agility is a vet who specializes in caring for research animals. She's a really fun person who most people don't understand.
She choose to go into this field, even though it is not popular. One reason is to help make medical advances for both humans and animals. The other is to make sure that the animals aren't suffering. As a vet, she can ensure that.
She has been talking about a group of beagles to me ever since she moved to Dallas as she messes mine and the little Rascals reminded her of mine. I didn't want to hear about it, but I did listen.
For those of you who think this is wrong, you have to know that those little dogs are as loved as your beagles (or dogs). This is an old age study, so they needed the dogs to be in as close to a regular environment as possible. When they do a protocol like this, they research as many things as they possible can.
The Little Rascals had their own area where they played together, the staff played with them -- certainly my friend did. And yes, when an old age study is finished, they have to put the dogs to sleep and take them apart so see what happened.
Yes, that's the hardest part. BUT REMEMBER, it's an OLD AGE study. The beagles that lived to be 12, were all put to sleep. I felt so bad I couldn't Cheryl and let her play with the little beagles as that was as hard for her as it is for us when we need to help our dogs go.
BUT here's the best part. Some of the results of the study have given us new dog that does help them. It's got ingredients for joint health and brain development. I've seen the commercials but my friend told me about it long before it goes on the market.
We looked at the labels over the phone together and while the package says 7+ there is no reason to feed it younger.
In fact, I'm thinking seriously of taking the existing food to the shelter and buying the new brand tomorrow.
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