Gibby Embodies Longevity

Blue Zones® is a registered trademark of Blue Zones, LLC. This independent article is inspired by Dan Buettner’s work at Blue Zones and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Blue Zones, LLC.

Gibby is the happiest dog I know. Photo by Paul Lampe

Paul, Gibby, and I were hiking again today, and I started thinking about how every day with Gibby is a good day. I know people say that, but when your best friend starts to show noticeable signs of aging, you do start to think that way. I began to wonder what more I could do to help him continue to live his best life.

Gibby is already really good at living his best life. He has been a remarkably happy dog his entire life. We got Gibby on a road trip, and he has taken many in his life.

Gibby even wrote about it Gibby’s Top Ten Lakes in the American West (But Mostly Colorado).

Lately, however, life has gotten a tiny bit harder because he is an elderly gentleman now. I was thinking, as we were hiking today, that Elderly Gentleman Chocolate Labs deserve to have some focus, too! I really do have the top ten ways to help your dog as he or she ages, but don’t worry, this is not your grandmother's listicle!

This was Gibby’s first hike, near Alpine Meadows, near Truckee, CA. Photo by Wendy Stieg

My fascination and utter inspiration from the Blue Zones got me thinking. Maybe dogs, and our pets in general, have an impact on our own longevity. Also notable, Gibby is 13, an impressive age for a chocolate Lab, and he has already lived longer than any Labrador I have personally had. Paul may have the stronger longevity record, however. His black Lab, Charlie, lived until the astonishing age of 17.

#10: Could Your Dog Live in a Doggy Blue Zone?

If you follow me, you know that I talk about the Blue Zones a lot. I like the Blue Zones because it offers research-backed ideas that may increase your lifespan. I also notice that there are a lot of people who do take really great care of their dogs in Colorado. It got me wondering. Could Colorado be a Blue Zone for dogs?

Young Gibby, my favorite young Gibby photo. Photo by Paul Lampe

More on how purpose and meaning fit into the Blue Zones, read The Next There.

As a refresher, or if you have no experience in the Blue Zones, Dan Buettner is the author, whom I like to call The Blue Zones Guy. Just a quick bit on Buettner. He happens to hold three Guinness World Records for distance cycling. Before he became famous for discovering and presenting The Blue Zones, he was a serious explorer and long-distance cyclist.

His big expeditions included:

Americastrek (1986–87): about 15,536 miles, from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, all the way to Tierra del Fuego at the bottom of South America.
Sovietrek (1990): about 12,888 miles around the world, including crossing the Soviet Union.
Africatrek (1992–93): roughly 11,885 miles through Africa.

Then, during his many world travels, he started to notice something. There are people in certain areas of the world who consistently live to well over 100. Buettner ended up discovering a new life quest and has since created many books, a cookbook, and a Netflix series, all with Blue Zones in the title.

Buettner should come visit me and entertain my theory: Colorado is a Blue Zone for dogs, and Gibby is up for trying to be a dog who lives well into his 100s (in doggy years). My new goal is to encourage Gibby to live in the Colorado Blue Zones. Here are my Top Ten Ways to Help Your Aging Labrador. I told you it is not your grandmother's listicle. Unless she is over 100.

It’s a dog party! Gibby, Cheyenne, me, and Koda, AKA “The Colonel.” Photo by Paul Lampe

#9: Keep Taking the Car Rides

Don't start excluding an older dog from things simply because he's older.

One of Gibby’s funniest adventures. He had NO idea what **Queen Maxine the Pot Belly Pig** was; she lives in Taos, under the front porch of a “vintage trailer” we rented while skiing. Photo by Paul Lampe

Gibby still jumps into the car. The destination almost doesn't matter. A drive is stimulation, smells, scenery, and, most importantly, he gets to go. What’s really funny is Gibby is not a fan of the car. He knows what is on the other side and is a willing into-the-car jumper because what awaits is pure bliss. He is not one with a great memory for some things, but getting to go on a hike is worth every bump and sharp turn. We do tend to give him a whole anti-anxiety pill before going on long trips, though, as he gets tired of being in the car when the trip is over an hour. I will discuss pharmaceutical help later, and yes, if he can feel good and keep being Gibby, I will provide it with the minimum amount needed to do the trick of keeping him relaxed and calm.

Our dogs become experienced travelers on our road trips to San Diego; read about that in March’s Experience: A Memoir.

Gibby is now an expert camper. Photo by Paul Lampe

#8: Modern Medicine Is a Wonderful Thing

Can you say gabapentin and Trazodone? I couldn’t until just recently. We know that Gibby gets forgetful, and when he does, he gets confused. So Trazodone helps with that. He used to be able to hike Colorado Fourteeners as a younger dog, but getting two to three miles in a few times a week works, and it works better with gabapentin. We have tried a range of things, but these two seem to be best for him, all things considered. I don’t know if they talk about medication in the Blue Zones, but I also know food is medicine.

Gibby is a walking billboard for healthy eating and exercise. He was diagnosed five years ago with kidney disease. We did a lot of research on dog diets and found that, by including raw food along with other human-grade foods, he has come back with a clean bill of health. In this area, Gibby is a poster child for the Blue Zones and how you can treat most maladies through food and exercise. I have found that for him, it is a combination of listening to the vet but also keeping him moving, active, social, and healthy through diet and exercise. The last two vet visits showed us our hard work in researching appropriate diets for pets (that and one pet nutritionist later) paid off. His bloodwork no longer shows signs of kidney disease. Sounds impossible, but I assure you it is not.

#7: Yes, We're Going to Talk About Belly Bands

The unglamorous realities of an aging male dog. I joke that Gibby leaks, and really, it’s kind of sad. He knows he is not supposed to leak and go in the house, but he is also forgetful and forgets to ask to go out. So we have to remember to get him out for him and also let him out a whole lot more. He gets frequent walks throughout the day, and despite our diligence, he still leaks. Poor guy. No one wants to leak. I started thinking about how humans manage it, and they have to wear pads that absorb urine, aka adult diapers. Well, so does Gibby.

A belly band isn't tragic. It's practical. It protects the house, removes stress from everybody, and lets an Elderly Gentleman continue sleeping on beds and couches and being part of family life. Elderly Gentleman Chocolate Labs don’t understand why they should be relegated to such an undignified sleeping spot as the floor, even if there is a pad involved. But the belly bands have become a normal thing now, and he can sleep with us if he wants.

What? Dogs should stay off the furniture? Not in our house; “Dogs are allowed to go where they want.” —Paul Lampe. Photo by Wendy Stieg

#6: Go Hiking

Not “He used to hike.” He hikes.

I mentioned fourteeners. Gibby has done several. He has also been swimming in the Pacific Ocean, the Columbia River Gorge, and many lakes and rivers across the western United States. He has traveled all over Colorado and is a really good hiker.

But heat, distance, and water all matter. Paul brings a Nalgene bottle just for Gibby and a plastic dish for water, so we can stop anywhere and give him a drink. This means he still hikes. He hikes a minimum of nine miles a week, and that’s pretty good for a thirteen-year-old Elderly Gentleman Chocolate Lab.

Paul and Gibby

Gibby Still Swimming

Rolling is the Best

#5: Give the Dog a Treat

When Gibby was young, as in a puppy still, he ate the car. He was in the car at Arapahoe Basin with Cheyenne and Trailer. Our normal routine was to walk all of the dogs well before leaving for skiing. Get to the ski area. Walk the dogs again. Oh, I forgot to mention feeding the dogs. With three Labs in the house, that happens first. OK, get to the ski area and walk the dogs again. The way Paul walks dogs, they usually go to sleep. Gibby went to sleep. But Gibby the puppy must have woken up and decided to eat the steering wheel, the tip of the hand brake, and the entire knob for the heater. I never did find a new one, and I use pliers to regulate the internal temperature. Not sure where that connects with the Blue Zones because he was with two other Labs, so he did have community. Pretty sure Subaru is not on the list for healthy foods!

No car-eating incidents on this day. Just a couple of dogs enjoying themselves on The Beach at **Arapahoe Basin Ski Area**. Photo by Paul Lampe

Gibby grew out of his car-eating phase, thankfully, but he never grew out of his love for snacks. Fortunately, now mint apple cookies are his favorite.

Cheyenne (yellow Lab) very happy it’s Gibby (Chocolate Lab leprechaun) and not HER wearing the leprechaun hat. Photo by Wendy Stieg

#4: Food, Glorious Food

Now that we are clear on what is and is not food, and that when you are a ravenous Labrador puppy, whatever you eat might not have to be food, now we can focus a bit better on food. I have a vivid memory of Gibby diving into the puppy food bin and thinking the world suddenly became glorious. Food was everywhere, and he was literally rolling and chewing. I have never seen that level of devotion to food.

We don’t feed him kibble anymore, but he loves his food just as much. Gibby is not conventionally brilliant. In fact, some might argue the opposite, except in one way: This dog CAN tell time. He knows when it is breakfast time and dinner time. And if you aren’t paying attention, Gibby the land shark starts circling and breathing on you. Yes, that breath will wake you up and get you over to the dog food preparation area. To Gibby, food always has been and always will be the very best part of his day. I told you Gibby knows how to live his best life! Ironically, I do think that is in line with the Blue Zones! I will have to see if Dan Buettner agrees!

#3: Respect the Nap

Gibby snores. And chases rabbits while sleeping. And squiggles and squeals. Those must be SOME dreams! But in all seriousness, he does love his naps. He especially loves naps with cats. The three of them are often either right next to each other or within inches of each other. I don’t know how those cats sleep through Gibby’s field trials, but they sure seem to!

There is a routine here as well. Adventure requires a bit of rest and recovery, so almost immediately following the adventure is the nap. Gibby has learned to respect the nap, and so have we!

#2: Check In With Your Vet Regularly

I am an absolute freak about a couple of things: who is caring for my pets when I am away, and the vet. I will interview several until I find the right one. I am that really annoying pet owner who doesn’t accept anything. I actually do my research, and sorry, but I have had some bad vet experiences. I have also found really excellent vets, and trust me, I will find the best. We have been mostly very lucky with vets, save a few situations, so for that I am grateful.

Now that you trust your vet, don’t skimp. Get regular bloodwork. Does your pet have one of those extra-large fatty tumors under their skin? Gibby had one that was getting in the way of his being able to walk, so we had them remove it. He has also needed his teeth cleaned. Aside from the kidney issue, we have been blessed with a really healthy dog. But I also don’t skimp on important tests and ongoing bloodwork, given Gibby’s history. Do your dog a favor: feed them the best food you can afford, and keep an eye on their vital health exams. But also trust your gut. After all, you know your pet better than anyone on the planet. I am glad I trusted my gut and was that annoying person on behalf of my dog. And I will do it again if it means another healthy day with my boy.

#1: Lots and Lots of Love, People and Dogs. And Cats.

Love is the most important thing. Research tells us babies die without it, and it also tells us people who live well into their 100s surround themselves with it in their communities. Gibby has his community, and so do we. Gibby spends most of his time with us, but several of our friends also have dogs, and Gibby does get dog time. But I think he secretly likes the cats better!

Maybe this explains a few things from our wild and wacky life: How to Travel Without Killing Your Partner.

Gibby and his community. Photo by Paul Lampe

WARNING: Owning Pets May Increase YOUR Lifespan, Too!

While we are busy helping our dogs live longer, research suggests they may be returning the favor. A large review of studies found that dog ownership was associated with a 24 percent lower risk of death from any cause and a 31 percent lower risk of cardiovascular death. Another study following more than 3.4 million adults connected dog ownership with greater physical activity, social support, and lower mortality. The studies show association rather than proof, but the possibilities are compelling. Dogs do not simply live within our communities. They help create them, giving us movement, purpose, companionship, routine, and love.

Gibby’s community has changed over the years. Before Velcro and Gumdrop, there were Cheyenne and Trailer, who loved each other deeply. Trailer’s full name was So Trailer because she had been used in a puppy-mill breeding operation, producing eight litters in four years, and she did not even know how to climb stairs when she first came home. Paul rescued Trailer, but Trailer rescued Paul, too. When Trailer died, Cheyenne mourned her terribly.

Trailer and Cheyenne, Moab, UT. Photo by Wendy Stieg

We feel so blessed with the incredible animals we have. Yes, every day with Gibby is a good day, and I will not take a single one for granted.

Moral of the Story: Let Him Keep Being Gibby

Aging well isn't about trying to make an old dog young again. Gibby has already lived a long life, and I think he has more years in him. But he is not a young dog anymore. Gibby has already lived longer than any dog I have ever had.

Gibby was actually only five weeks old when we brought him home. He came from a large litter, and his mother stopped nursing the twelve puppies she had given birth to. That means he has spent almost his entire life with us. I know he is a lucky dog, but we are luckier humans.

So welcome to the Doggy Blue Zones. Gibby has all the ingredients for a long life. Of course, we cannot tell how long that life will be, but Paul once had Charlie, a black Lab who lived until he was 17 years old. I would have doubted that if I hadn’t seen him with Gibby, Cheyenne, and Trailer, and yes, even the Colonel, Koda the Shiba Inu. Today we went hiking. Today is a good day. Gibby is currently chasing rabbits as I write this.

Top Ten Ways an Elderly Chocolate Lab Lives the Blue Zones