Getting Ready for Espresso's Golden Years Early

Espresso is not quite four, so technically she is not a senior dog. My friends in Khon Kaen laughed when I started reading about senior care last year, but I figured the best time to prepare is before you need it. She is a German Shepherd with a black saddle and a very serious face, and she still jumps onto the sofa like a puppy. I have started taking her on a slightly longer walk around the lake near our house, and I asked my vet which exercise is easy on the joints for a big dog. The answer was simple: steady, not sudden. I also moved her water bowl to a spot where she does not have to bend too far, and I bought a non-slip mat for the tiled kitchen floor. She ignored the mat completely at first. Last week she finally stepped on it and sat down, looking as if she had invented it herself. One day she will be slower, and I will have to be patient. Until then, we are enjoying every walk around the lake.