Aging - How long can we do agility?

Today is another Dog Agility Blog Event Day - September 4, 2013; please visit all the blogs at: (http://dogagilityblogevents.wordpress.com/aging/).  Please leave comments, we all enjoy hearing what you have to say.

My first thought is to say as long as we are healthy enough and having fun.  A simple statement but so true at least in my life and at this time.

My two adopted rescues are both 7 years old now but they don't seem to have slowed down much. I feel like I would know when they have had enough agility and weren't having fun any longer then it would be time for them to retire.  I know when I retire (which I hope will be in the next year or two) I don't want to sit and vegetate!  Maybe I am "placing human thoughts and emotions" thinking they have the same feelings as I do but they are always up for a walk or to "play" whether it be training or throwing a toy for them. It is hard to imagine a time when they are too old to do anything; that will break my heart.

So what do we do as we age. Both Kiah and Keegs will probably be ready to retire from agility before I do so we are starting tracking, maybe we will do some Rally or Obedience. I always want to have them involved in something that we can do together as a team to share the bonds we have.  I now have a 7.5 month old puppy that helps keep me and the other two young trying to keep up with him and we all enjoy every minute of it.

I recently saw a video on Facebook of a women who was 90 years old doing agility. To me aging is a mind set as much as it is a physical event. Why is a certain age too old to do something if you feel well enough and love what you are doing. So what if you are not as fast as you once were.  My two older dogs have no idea how old they are only that they are having fun and want to do things with me so why should I be any different as I age.

I do want to add I think as we age we need to take care of ourselves as much if not more as when we were younger.  Keep yourself and your dogs physically fit, eating well and warmed up properly before you do anything strenuous. Keep a positive attitude and don't let others make you feel you are too old to do something.

Here is a link to the video of the 90 year old women doing agility.  I hope it inspires you and gives you an idea of what can be accomplished when you love what you are doing and the bonds you are creating with the dogs in your life.  (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10201841651871042&set=vb.363976917065146&type=2&theater).