Nine Weeks To Nine Years

Kloe turned nine years old this past week. I kind of lost track and when I stopped to count the years it was nine. In fact when I went back to re-read the beginning of this paragraph I had actually typed “eight”. Nine is hard to believe but it is the truth and I am convinced the earth is spinning faster!

True to her breed, Kloe exhibits a lot of puppy-like behavior. She can still run like a gazelle. And she can catch a ball like a major league center fielder, always anticipating where the ball is going and will leap, with all of her feet in the air, to make the mid-air catch. Kloe has always loved playing ball!

Kloe’s muzzle is getting whiter and as much as I deny it, she is developing a sugar face. She sleeps longer and more soundly during the day, and especially after dinner. Her hip dysplasia has become more evident over time. When she gets up in the morning after a long nights rest she seems stiff as she rises and attempts to stretch the stiffness away. Holly often points it out to me referencing her dysplasia. And I say, no, she is stretching out her muscles like an elite athlete before taking on the day. But I know it’s her hips and also because she is getting older. I know that because I do the same thing in the morning! Kloe’s better at it than me but I usually win the test of whose bones are creaking more as we take our first few steps of the day.

So I guess Kloe and I are much alike. Earlier to bed, creaking bones, and both with muzzles turning more and more white with each passing year.

So how old is Kloe in Human Years?

The most common method used by pet owners to calculate a dog’s age relative to human years, although not accurate, has been seven years for every human year. In 2019 researchers from the University of San Diego, developed a much more accurate way measure dog’s age relative to human years. This formula, the researchers say, applies to dogs older than one. In other words once the dog turns one the math works. The formula is 16 x ln (where ln is the dog’s age) +31. To work out your dog’s “human” age, first enter the dog’s age then press ln on a scientific calculator. Then multiply the figure you get by 16, and finally add 31. When I do this for Kloe’s age which is nine, the result is 66.70.

Party?

On her birthday Kloe was lavished with love, delicious and healthy food, and lots of Belly scrubs and ear scratches. Wait – She gets all that every day! So there was no party. And I learned a couple of years ago she doesn’t want singing of happy birthday before she eats. “At the end of the day” Kloe’s birthday was just another day like any other. But you know, I think that’s how she wanted it. Just another day where she can protect her pack. Just another day where she can wrestle and play tug-o-dog with her sister Koda. just another day where she can lay by our feet and sleep soundly knowing her pack is safe for another day.

Happy Birthday Sugarlips!

Kloe: Nine Weeks To Nine Years