The Golden Hearts Rescue proclaimed that this “Golden Oldie” became the oldest Golden Retriever ever when she turned 20 on April 24 of last year. Her full name is August but her friends just call her “Augie”.
She resides with her family in Oakland, Tn. since she was adopted at the advanced age of 14. At the time she was adopted, she had already lived longer than the average life span for her breed.
Jennifer, mom to the four Golden Retrievers, remarked on Augie being amazingly healthy in spite of now being twenty years old. If they really do measure a dog’s life as being the equivalent of 7 years for every human year, Augie would be 140 years old in dog years !! She has really earned the title of being a “Golden Oldie”!
Augie’s “mom” also stated that “She can still move around well (although she’s a bit shaky when she first gets up) and enjoys daily walks around the yard….Since she was diagnosed with some kidney issues when she was 14, she now eats a mixture of wet and dry Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d, and takes some supplements for her kidneys and joints.” Jennifer also said that Augie gets SQ fluids twice a week, which “has helped her perk up quite a bit.”
“Golden Hearts” tells us that the average life span for Golden Retrievers is in the 10 to 12 years range. It is very unusual for a Golden to live to the ripe old of age of 15. So, Augie is indeed a very special girl.
Celebrating Augie’s Becoming An Official Golden Oldie
Augie is seen below with a delicious looking carrot cake that was made especially to celebrate her major milestone birthday. Partying with Augie are Bruce, Belle and Sherman. The Golden Retriever siblings always enjoy quality time with one another but this is a very special event!
You can probably tell by looking at the “Golden family photo” below, they are all in the geriatric range. “We care for them as long as we have them,” Jennifer said, “and love them forever.” I think that can be said of all true dog lovers, don’t you?
Here are five pointers on ways to help your dog to live a long and healthy life.
- first of all, listen to your dog
- listen to your veterinarian
- feed your dog quality food that is age and activity appropriate
- exercise your golden retriever regularly. and
- groom your golden retriever on a regular basis
- give them lots of TLC
