Dog with arthritis

I found out recently that my 9 year old golden retriever has arthritis! One day, right after Christmas, she was having a hard time getting up from her bed. But the next day she was fine. But as all golden owners know, the breed will hide pain with their energy, desire to please and happy face.

So we took her to the vet state-side and x-rays revealed the ball of her hip is flat, more so on the right than the left! A square peg in a round hole as my mom puts it. On the right there is an osteophyte (knot of bone sticking out). So the vet has suggested a chondroitin supplement but I think I would also like to have her on a daily low dose predinsone to prevent further inflammation. Any thoughts?

Coconut Retrievers

Ross University has wonderful stray dogs that are beloved by the campus community (with the exception of a few dog haters). The dogs are mostly coconut retrievers that are about 40 lbs, brown, short hair and very calm. Here are a few of my favorite.

Not a coconut retriever but they let him hang out anyway. Notice the collar. The students will place a collar on a stray just to let people know someone is feeding them occasionally and looking after them.

This picture was taken by a fellow student but I am not sure who. Notice the babies and the dinner mom has in her mouth.