My Journey with Buddy’s Golden Year Scent
Alright, let’s talk about something I went through with my old pal, Buddy. He was a golden retriever mix, the best boy. As he started getting up there in years, probably around 10 or 11, I began to notice… well, a certain aroma. It wasn’t terrible, not at first, but it was definitely different. Friends would sometimes comment, gently, you know, “Buddy’s smelling like a proper old gentleman now,” which was a nice way of putting it.
So, I decided I needed to figure this out. Was he just dirty? Was something wrong? My first thought was baths. Simple enough, right? I started bathing him more often, maybe every two weeks instead of whenever he rolled in something questionable. I got this gentle oatmeal shampoo, lathered him up real good, rinsed him twice. He wasn’t thrilled about the extra baths, gave me that sad look, but he tolerated it. Did it help? A little, maybe. For a day or two after the bath, he smelled like oatmeal, but that underlying ‘old dog’ smell would creep back.
Next, I considered his mouth. His breath wasn’t exactly fresh mint, that’s for sure. Old dogs often have dental problems, I knew that much. So, I bought some of those dental chew sticks. Buddy loved those, thought they were treats. I even tried brushing his teeth. Let me tell you, that was an adventure. Getting a toothbrush and doggy toothpaste into an old dog’s mouth who isn’t used to it? Quite the wrestling match. We managed it a few times a week, never perfectly, but I tried. His breath got a tiny bit better, but the overall body smell? Still there.
Okay, time for the professionals. I took Buddy to our vet. I explained the whole situation, feeling a bit silly talking about just a smell. But the vet, bless her, took it seriously. She gave Buddy a good look over. Checked his skin really carefully, looked deep in his ears, checked his teeth properly, and yeah, she even checked his anal glands – fun times for Buddy.
Here’s what we found out, piece by piece:
- His skin was generally okay, maybe a bit drier and producing more oil than when he was younger. The vet said this is pretty common.
- He did have a mild ear infection brewing in one ear. Nothing major, but it definitely contributed a yeasty sort of smell. We got drops for that.
- His teeth weren’t terrible, but there was some tartar buildup. The vet suggested a professional cleaning might help down the line.
- Those lovely anal glands needed expressing. Yep, that’s a smell you don’t forget.
The vet explained that older dogs can have changes in their metabolism and skin oils. Sometimes they develop minor skin issues or infections more easily. Their grooming habits might also decline a bit if they have arthritis. It wasn’t just one single cause, more like a combination of little things adding up.
We tackled the ear infection with drops, kept up with the dental chews, and made sure his glands were checked more regularly during vet visits. I also made a point of washing his bedding more frequently, like every week. That actually made a noticeable difference in the house.
Did the smell disappear completely? Honestly, no. There was still a faint, familiar ‘Buddy scent’. But it was much, much milder. It wasn’t unpleasant anymore. It just smelled like… him. My old, beloved dog. I learned it wasn’t really about him being ‘stinky’ because he was old. It was just his body changing, and sometimes those changes came with smells. Keeping him clean, checking his ears and teeth, and regular vet visits were the key things I did. It became part of our routine, part of caring for him in his golden years. And honestly, I wouldn’t have traded those smelly cuddles for anything.
