It’s hard for me to believe that an entire year has passed since the magazine launched. In that year we have been able to share both inspiring and poignant stories in the dog world. I know that I’ve certainly learned a lot, and my hope is that all of the readers share this sentiment, since the mission of Dog’s Life has always been to serve as an educational resource for the dog community. Reflecting on lessons learned, time passing and celebratory milestones inspired me to dedicate this anniversary issue to senior dogs and the importance of learning new things.

Just like their human guardians, dogs cannot fight the course of aging. And in the world of animal welfare, older dogs face an uncertain future because they are considered “less desirable.” November has been designated as Adopt a Senior Pet month, and we want to support this special observance by giving you tips on senior dog health on the Wellness page, featuring some senior dogs available for adoption on the How to Help page and explaining why you can teach an old dog new tricks on the Good Dog page.

Learning new behaviors is possible at any age, and during this back-to-school season, dog guardians should make sure their dogs are also getting a good education. To help you with that, we give you tips for finding the best dog trainer on the Fetch page. While physical training is important, you should also be stimulating your dog’s mind to keep him sharp. We have found some of the best products to test your dog’s I.Q., and we feature them on the Dog Treats page. With a good education, perhaps one day your dog can become a service dog like Scout, profiled on the K9 to 5 page, who assists special needs children in the classroom.

Our feature story, “Born to Run,” details the lives of four special dogs. Each has a different story to tell, but they all share a common factor: learning to overcome difficult physical challenges. In the past, these same challenges may have been a reason to end their lives, but now, with advances in medical technology and pet therapy, these dogs have the opportunity to live and thrive despite their physical limitations.

Having a dog isn’t just about the things you can teach him, like to sit and stay, but also about learning a few things ourselves. I really believe in the saying, “One of the most important things you can learn is to never stop learning.” That is what I hope that everyone who loves dogs gets from reading Dog’s Life—never stop learning to be a better dog guardian. For our part, we will continue striving to bring you the information that makes us the best pet resource for the community for many more years to come.

Finally, I would like to say thank you to all of the advertisers and subscribers who continue to support Dog’s Life. I’d also like to say a special thank you to all of the people who have contributed their time and services to help me make this magazine a success.