Veterinarian releases her first publications for pet parents of aging dogs

Well-known in the veterinary hospice and palliative care space, Mary Gardner, has debuted her publications for pet parents with elder dogs (Photo courtesy of Lap of Love).

Mary Gardner, DVM, cofounder, and CIO of Lap of Love, launched her debut healthcare book—It’s Never Long Enough: A Practical Guide to Caring for Your Geriatric Dog—and supplementary journal—Geriatric Dog Health & Care Journal: A Complete Toolkit for the Geriatric Dog Caregiver.

According to a news release, It’s Never Long Enough provides pet parents advice on ensuring their geriatric dog’s health and happiness while managing the pressures and enjoying the rewards of caring for an aging pet. Meanwhile, the Geriatric Dog Health & Care Journal enables pet owners to document their dog's attitude, activities, behavior, medical care, and joys of life during their elder years through questionnaires, logs, lists, assessments, and more templates.

“Many pet parents struggle to manage the ailments that age bestows upon their dogs, and they appreciate support and guidance,” said Gardner. “I’m thrilled to reach more pet parents through my book to help them stay attuned to age-related changes in their dogs, better understand the needs and illnesses that their geriatric dogs may have, and be more prepared for what may occur as the end of their dog’s life approaches.”

Featuring a touch of warmth, lighthearted doodles, and cheerful photographs, It’s Never Long Enough draws from Gardner's over 15 years of veterinary visits with her “grey muzzle dog” patients and their families, breakthrough research in animal and human health regarding aging, and a lifetime of uplifting tales about her senior pets. It answers the most common questions Garner has received throughout her experience, plus outlines questions that pet parents may hope to ask their veterinarian to ease the conversations about dog ailments and medical care.

The book also emphasizes caring for yourself as a caregiver and outlines how to achieve this.

“Everyone varies in their abilities to care for their pets, especially as pets grow older and their ailments mount. If pet parents don’t know what can be done to help their elderly dog—and themselves—live better, they may be left feeling helpless,” Gardner explained.

“My intent is to guide pet parents in optimizing the care they provide that meshes with their goals of care for their aged canine family members,” she added.

Reference

Mary Gardner, DVM, publishes her first healthcare book and supplementary journal for pet parents of elderly dogs. News release. Dr Mary Grey Muzzle Vet. January 17, 2022. Accessed January 26, 2022.