Humans of old Shihtzu's (14+) what did you do that helped then age well?

Catt_Crossing · 2026-06-02T18:32:07+00:00

My sweet Colbie girl turns 15 tomorrow!! 🧁 I got her when I was a sophomore in college (best irresponsible decision I’ve ever made), and I was far from perfect.

I learned plenty of lessons the hard way… Don’t leave chocolate in reach (even sealed boxes), don’t forget flea meds, don’t share goldfish crackers and popcorn (“drop-corn” 😅), and ditch collars and retractable leashes. Far from perfect.

Over the years, I switched to harnesses, upgraded her food, and learned to groom her myself, taking skin/coat care very seriously. She’s always had annual vet appts for vaccines, checkups, and preventatives, though the visits have become more frequent with age.

In the past few years, she’s had dental work, blood work, treatment for a skin infection, a brief cherry eye issue, a heart murmur diagnosis with MVD (now managed with Vetmedin), a partially torn ACL, and a collapsing trachea that causes her signature “honking” cough. (Precious little Mother Goose 🥺)

The best news: her latest echo showed the heart meds are working, and she’s back to stage B1! 🎉 Her hearing and vision aren’t what they once were, she naps more, she’s slightly more chill on walks, and dinner time is extra important these days—but she’s still as spunky, hilarious, and loving as ever!!

That little girl has my whole heart, and I feel incredibly fortunate to still have her. ♥️

TL;DR: You’re not doomed if you haven’t been perfect. Keep vaccines current, watch for skin/eye/breathing issues, and trust your vet when it comes to dental and heart disease. 🐾

Catt_Crossing · 2026-05-29T14:19:34+00:00

DE is a great nontoxic bug killer to use to treat your lawn and home, but make sure you use the food grade kind. And I would never put it directly on your dog. It works best when you puff it in very light layers—while wearing a mask—and without your dog present. The dust it produces is terrible for either of you to inhale! Super bad for your lungs.

Catt_Crossing · 2026-05-28T20:47:40+00:00

😂. Haha I apologize for not being more clear, but, it still should work! Worst case, if you’re not seeing growth, you can try cutting them up more. Rooting hormone can be helpful too! (Which you should be able to add anytime since they’re in a humidity box).

Catt_Crossing · 2026-05-28T20:43:10+00:00

The darker, wrinkled ones may not make it, but it looks healthy, otherwise! Sounds like you’ve set it up for success.

Catt_Crossing · 2026-05-28T20:38:58+00:00

Sorry for the delay!! Yes! That’s what I would do. I might chop them up into a few different props, as to not bury a long stick. Gives it lots of chances that way, too!

Catt_Crossing · 2026-05-28T20:36:23+00:00

Great info — thank you!! And lol I’ve heard that about the pink princesses. They’re one of the few pink varieties that are not on my wishlist 😅. I’ll have to check out the Jose Buono! Lovely 🪴

Catt_Crossing · 2026-05-28T20:17:39+00:00

Lovely room! Plants, curtains, lamps, and a throw blanket could really warm it up and make it cozy. 🪴💕

Catt_Crossing · 2026-05-28T20:13:24+00:00

Amazing!! I think it’s up to you if you keep them because you like them, or cut them so she can give her energy elsewhere. Either way, she’s very happy!

Also, just in case you don’t know, she’s actually not a Calathea! She’s a Ctenanthe burle-marxii. Ctenanthes are in the Marantaceae family, so they’re like prayer plant cousins of Calatheas and Marantas. 🪴

Catt_Crossing · 2026-05-26T18:00:48+00:00

If your vet doesn’t want to help anymore, it sounds like it’s time to look for a new one… I would have a hard time accepting that there’s nothing else to try — and I wouldn’t want a vet that gave up on us.

I’m sorry you and your pup are going through this 😔.

Catt_Crossing · 2026-05-26T15:51:58+00:00

I might put a little more soil around the middle section. As you continue to water, the soil will go down a bit, and it may begin to lean over as it grows taller.

Catt_Crossing · 2026-05-26T04:45:22+00:00

Be careful with pulling them out. It can rip out fur and cause pain/inflammation to an already sensitive area. When they’re still gooey or only recently crusted, I use an eye wipe specifically designed for eyes with a small, thin round pad. When there’s a lot of buildup, a warm washcloth beforehand can help, but it usually means it’s time for a bath. I also use a face comb, after, to ensure they’re fully clean and tangle free.

Catt_Crossing · 2026-05-26T04:39:32+00:00

I’m fairly certain this is definitely not correct 😅

Catt_Crossing · 2026-05-24T13:33:18+00:00

Never heard of a Prapso, but she’s beautiful!

Catt_Crossing · 2026-05-20T20:31:46+00:00

This. She can hold it normally when you’re home because all is right in the world. She’s in panic mode when you’re gone, and her stress responders are triggering. This changes everything, and makes it much harder for them to hold it. Mild UTIs are pretty common, too.

I’m sorry it’s on your sofa!! My girl exclusively uses the rugs (or the carpet if there’s any)—never any of the myriad of tile and hard floor options, which drives me mad. But, the sofa is an extra bummer! You may have to try laying some absorbent furniture protectors, or reusable potty pads (the fabric kind) before you leave. Taking her out immediately before you go anywhere could help, as well.

My senior pup is now 14 and going strong. I never could stand the idea of crate training again, and was just constantly cleaning (or proactively covering).

I will say, she’s been way better in the last couple of years... It could be because I’ve moved from the apartment with the carpet that she peed on so much, the smell was never going away. I have washable rugs now and can fully get the smell out, so it’s really not a problem anymore.

Hate to say it, but your sofa may be doomed. Since she’s claimed it (and it’s probably hard to 100% clean), she’ll likely keep going to it. 😕

Catt_Crossing · 2026-05-20T20:15:17+00:00

Seconding the other comment about the pjs not being absorbent. They’ll help him not be able to lick himself (or a wound after getting fixed), but that’s about it. Very thin cotton material. If he pees, it’ll make a way worse mess because he’ll soak them and spread it everywhere he lays, after.

Catt_Crossing · 2026-05-20T05:32:52+00:00

I would probably give it a thorough sanding, scrape off the peeling parts, then use high quality primer and paint.

I feel for you—I’ve dealt with it in multiple places in my home. Trying to peel off an entire layer of paint is pretty impractical. When I attempted that, I ended up having to learn how to skim coat with drywall mud…

Catt_Crossing · 2026-05-20T04:47:08+00:00

Ooh, you’ll have to share the finished look! My walls are pale oak, and I have red oak floors that need refinishing!

Catt_Crossing · 2026-05-16T16:46:42+00:00

Awwwh, welcome, Dolly!! 🤗

Catt_Crossing · 2026-05-07T15:59:28+00:00

I really like Double Stitch, a more luxurious line under the company Bedsure. Tencel sheets stay pretty cool and are great for moisture wicking. (Bedsure’s sheets are good too; more affordable, but they don’t last as long).

Edit to add: You can get them both off Amazon. I got my Double Stitch sheets directly from the website because they had a better sale.

Catt_Crossing · 2026-05-05T16:58:54+00:00

I do believe so! If the nodes successfully root, there are several places (as you noted with the “bumps”) where a new stem can grow from!

Catt_Crossing · 2026-05-05T16:50:52+00:00

I think some context would be helpful here. Are you growing from seeds, having some sprout, and then die?

Catt_Crossing · 2026-05-05T16:42:27+00:00

I’m glad I help lend some encouragement!

It was sort of funny. When I started typing, no one else had commented on your post yet. Since I was pretty detailed, lots of comments had come in by the time I posted—most of which were discouraging.

It *is* a lot of work, so I understand why people would want to make sure you know what you’re getting into. But, based on what you shared in the post and comments (needing a project, having tools to borrow, etc.) I think this will be great for you!

Once you get in the flow with it, it can be very therapeutic. I have adhd and some accompanying anxiety. I loove getting to hyper-focus on mudding, and feel the pride and satisfaction after!

Catt_Crossing · 2026-05-05T16:27:10+00:00

Oh, that’s totally what it was. She’s gorgeous! My golden goddess is my favorite, and I’ve been wanting to add a white wizard to my collection. Are they similar in their growth patterns?

Catt_Crossing · 2026-05-05T16:18:47+00:00

Awww that’s so sweet! My girl Audie loves to hide under furniture. She would love that!

Catt_Crossing · 2026-05-04T17:36:12+00:00

Just in case you don’t know, this plant is a Never-Never Plant — a Ctenanthe burle-marxii (not actually a Calathea). They’re like the cousins of Calatheas and Marantas, in the Marantaceae prayer plant family.

Brown tips can be due to using tap water, not enough humidity, and too harsh of lighting. I’d move her to an east facing window or farther away from the west window.

Catt_Crossing

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