Felix the Sheepdog — also known as Dumpledore, Noodlebutt, Gassy McPootsalot, or Felix P. Hoenikker, Attorney at Paw — recently celebrated his 12th birthday, for which he received and demolished a double cheeseburger (hold all the vegetable fixins’, please). It was the least we could do to acknowledge his continued ability to live, and also to stay on his good side.
For a 12-year-old, large breed dog, Felix remains both adorable and spry. Here is Felix, roughly age 4; here is Felix, roughly age 12. The other day, he ran into the office, leapt onto the coffee table as though it were a gymnastics vault, and used it to propel himself into a secondary jump onward to the sofa, before pivoting on a dime and sprinting back out of the room.
My concern is this: 12 is quite a ripe number of years for a dog of his size, yet the dog does not seem to be physically aging in any meaningful way. Which, on one hand, is lovely; Felix and I are quite close, despite the farting, and I’d like for him to stick around as long as possible. But on the other hand, makes me wonder if:
(1) Our other dog might have passed away younger than we would have expected and hoped because Felix was secretly draining his life force, or
(2) We’re going to be packing up the apartment one day, and find a portrait of a scarred, old, malicious sheepdog hanging in the attic.
Maybe it just means that we should all, dogs and humans alike, be eating Wellness Core dry dog food (Chicken) for every meal. Something in there is clearly getting the job done; after all, we don’t have an attic.
Happy birthday, Fartknocker.
King of States! 
I used to raise German Shepherds, another large dog. Some of my dogs lived to be 15 and older. Just depends on the dog. Some have such good genes it’s nothing for them to be that spry at 12. He’s a cutie too. 🙂
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He’s the Don Ameche of dogs.
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Your dog has discovered the secret of eternal youth and won’t share it, while continuing to convince you that he loves you. Ha! Call that love??
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Vampire hound? Have you checked to see he has a reflection and does the dogfood contain garlic?
Maybe he’s had some work done on the sly? A little nip and tuck and stapled back together again – you’d never see the scars under all that fur.
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I agree with JACKIEP, Felix’s spryness is probably genetic.
But the fact that he’s able to do living room gymnastics at twelve is also a good sign that he got enough exercise as a younger dog and is still fit. I would imaging that the health benefits of exercise are the same for dogs and humans.
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Okay, really?! I snorted and hooted till I couldn’t breathe!
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My dog, Luke the Pug, is 12 as well. He just had a minor health problem, and at first I thought it was the beginning of the end. Not so. To my delight, his flat-faced ability to live prevailed. Iams Senior Plus here.
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Felix is gorgeous! Happy birthday! He is obviously well taken care of, and very loved – that must surely make a difference 🙂
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My son has been behind my life asking for a dog…but I have not yet obliged to that request. I think 7years is still young to be ‘responsible’ for another living being! But this story make me want to get him a dog! 😀
Happy Birthday Felix…! 🙂
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Sometimes I also wonder if I should be responsible for another living being, and I’m closing in on 38.
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Haha….you just made my day with that comment! 😀
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Oh my goodness, I love your humour!
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You are brilliant. I love your sense of humour. I think our dogs may be related.
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Every day with your dog is a gift to be cherished! Laugh and love with him, as it sounds you are.
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Felixs must be a sweetheart… Dogs are the best company and instantly bring a smile on my face. I eagerly await the day to make them a part of my family.
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