I’ve lost a number of dogs who died before their time. Orson was euthanized, Lenore and Rose died of neural problems that were never fully diagnosed. Red is nine, and showing some signs of aging. A few months ago, he began limping painfully after his herding work, X-rays found he was injured by our pony who stomped on his back, crushing several vertebrae. That would should fully heal.

Border collies work every day of their lives if they can, in all kinds of weather. Red is a hard and tireless worker, I’d like to change this history of losing border collies before their time. And there is good reason to think I can.

While examining Red at the Cambridge Veterinary Service, Dr. Fariello discovered advancing arthritis and some spinal inflammation. I am learning about a number of treatments for Red that did not exist when Rose suddenly fell ill and declined about five years ago. I go to the Cambridge Valley Vet, and Dr. Suzanne Fariello is open-mind and innovative.

Dr. Fariello great impressed me with her thoughtful, innovative yet assertive approach.

She came to the farm on her way to work, examined and X-rayed Red and talked to me at length about what my sense of him and his health was (male doctors do not ever do that in my experience, not with dogs or humans.) Dr. Fariello said it was important to see Red working, and also important to get a sense of me working with him. No one has ever done that before either.

Dr. Fariello prescribed pain-killers for several weeks, and anti-inflammatory medications. She recommended laser treatment, and then, massage and laser treatments alternating with one another. It is not especially expensive, the treatments are spread out. Red responded immediately both to the anti-inflammatory medication and the painkillers, we are not taking either any longer.

I think we are doing a good job of maintaining Red where he is. We cannot prevent aging or completely cure arthritis, but we can slow it down some and make it more manageable and prolong his working life in a considered and healthy way. Working dogs need to work, it is n healthy for them to stop completely.

We are in a good place now with Red, getting our laser treatments and our massages. He seems comfortable, energetic and fluid. There is sometimes stiffness when he gets up or has run a bit, but generally, the treatments have been successful beyond my expectations. I think we will change history, Red and I, we will continue to grow old together, another thing that bonds us to one another.

I hear a lot of squawking and complaining about vets, especially online. I don’t support that. Vets do not make a ton of money, they work hard and usually love animals very much. I think they are the most reliable source of information and treatment available to me and to Red.