01/08/2026
Today, our Stan turns 10.
A birthday we were once told he probably wouldn’t live to see.
When Stan was young, we were told he wasn’t expected to make it past his first birthday. Now, at ten, he is living with stage four heart failure, arthritis, elbow dysplasia and hips that have seen better days.
We know exercise carries risks for him, but we have always tried to balance keeping him safe with allowing him to live the life of a dog. He still goes swimming, and his favourite place in the world is the seaside, so we take him whenever we can. Everything is done at his pace, but we want his life to be about more than tablets and veterinary appointments.
Keeping him comfortable takes monthly Librela injections, Metacam and other medication. His care costs more each month than our other three dogs put together.
That is the side of dog ownership people don’t always think about when they bring home a puppy. The older years can mean medication, appointments, difficult decisions, sleepless nights and a lot of expense. It takes dedication, and it is something every owner needs to be prepared for. That and a vet’s that understands what your pups mean to you, so a special thank you should go to Dowding Vets for all the support and care that you have given to Stan, I don’t think there is anyone that hasn’t met him even for just a fuss, without you I’m not sure we would have made it to 10!
But underneath the tablets, injections and creaky joints, he is still Stan.
Clumsy, loveable and quite possibly the world’s only non-retrieving retriever. He is loved by everyone, especially at the vets, where he is usually recognised before I am.
He wanders through life mostly oblivious to what is happening around him, rolls onto his back on any patch of grass while you are trying to walk him and performs his excited little tap dance every teatime.
Every so often, he thinks he has spotted Harry at the other side of the park, uses every bit of energy he has to get there… only to discover it isn’t Harry at all….🤦♂️
He wasn’t expected to reach one.
Today, he reaches ten.
Happy 10th birthday, Stan. You have certainly proved everyone wrong.