SEATTLE — If it weren't for squirrels, Bagel probably wouldn't be here today at Washington State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. The yellow Labrador was destined to be a guide dog for the blind but flunked out because she was distracted by small animals. Now, this otherwise very good girl has a second chance to be of service — by participating in the most comprehensive study ever conducted of health and aging in dogs.
Bagel's owner, Brenda Voght, volunteered her to join a research "pack" that already includes more than 37,000 pet dogs across the country and is expected to swell to 100,000. Called the Dog Aging Project, the ambitious undertaking seeks to answer many of the questions dog owners ask — and often anguish over: Why do some breeds live longer than others? How do genetics, environment and lifestyle affect longevity and the risk of disease? And, above all: How can we ensure our beloved companions stay healthy, happy and active for as long as possible?
"I would like to know if there is something we can do as humans, as their partners, to extend their lives a little longer," says Voght. After her last dog died, it was a year before she was able to open her heart to another puppy.
