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( Mother Nature Network ) -- During their daily walks in St. Louis, Kelly Jackson and her pint-sized Shih tzu, Meeko, used to run into plenty of pet lovers. But as soon as the conversation turned to Meeko's age, it was Jackson who got feisty.

"I'd give his age and they go, 'Awww,'" Jackson says. "I don't want sympathy. Meeko may be 12.5, but he's a force to be reckoned with."

After years of anchoring a morning news show, Jackson decided to follow a different path and launched AARFF.com to help people identify and prevent health issues that can shorten a pet's life span. Meeko died earlier this year, but Jackson's beloved pooch serves as inspiration for stories, photo galleries and even adoption information featuring older pets.

"People who parent senior pets don't realize that their pets are seniors -- or they don't want to admit and accept that their pets are seniors," she says. "I was even that way with Meeko when he was 8 or 9, which is considered a senior for a small breed. Once they do get into the senior stage, you really should start taking measures to address issues early on."

MNN: When is the right time to say goodbye to an elderly pet?

Preventative measures include scheduling veterinary exams that may involve additional blood work to check for potential age-related problems. Dr. Arhonda Johnson, owner of The Ark Animal Hospital in Atlanta, offers clients a senior package that emphasizes dental care and blood work.

However, the first step in providing preventative care involves understanding specifically when your pet is considered a senior. Dogs that weigh less than 20 pounds reach their senior years around 7 to 9 years old, Johnson says. Giant breeds like Great Danes reach their golden years around 6 or 7 years old.

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"All dogs are geriatric when they reach the double-digits," Johnson says, "but we start having the senior dog conversation at 7 for large-breed dogs."

Thanks to trends in veterinary medicine -- as well as their sheer feline craftiness, cats live a lot longer these days. According to petplace.com , the life span for an indoor cat is 12 to 18 years, with felines reaching their senior era around age 9. Cats that spend time outdoors face greater risk of injury and illness, which can cut their life span to about 4 or 5.

Here are a few things to consider if your pet is reaching its senior years.

Tips to Keep Your Dog Safe on July 4th | Find A Vet

While the Fourth of July means fun for humans, loud fireworks can be terrifying for dogs.

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) recounts the sad story of a family returning home after spending just a few hours at a fireworks show to find their dog missing.

The 2-year-old German Shepherd , who had previously shown no fear of loud noises, had managed to open a sliding glass door with her paws and then dug her way out of the backyard.

Her dog mom thinks she was trying to find her way to the family, but tragically, they found her dead on a road where she was often walked.

Unfortunately, this is not a unique case. Every year at this time, shelters fill up with lost, unidentified dogs that panicked and tried to escape from the noise. Don’t let your dog become a statistic – follow these tips recommended by the HSUS.

 Don’t bring your dog along to fireworks displays.

 Do not leave your dog in the car while you attend holiday festivities. In the summer heat , your dog can suffer serious health effects and even death in just a few minutes. Don’t think you’re helping by leaving the windows partially opened. It won’t provide sufficient air, but it can provide an opportunity for someone to steal your dog.

 Keep your dog indoors at home in a sheltered, quiet area. Be sure to remove any items that your dog could destroy or that would be harmful if chewed. Provide a water bowl, since stressed dogs tend to pant and become thirsty. Leave a television or radio playing at normal volume to keep him company and help screen out other noises.

 If your dog gets stressed out by loud noises like thunder, ask your veterinarian for ways to help alleviate the fear and anxiety. Avoid using strong sedatives such as ACP (acepromazine). According to the Endell Veterinary Group , these sedatives provide little anti-anxiety relief – your dog will still hear the loud noises, but be unable to escape or engage in “coping” behavior, which could make him even more distressed in the future.

 Never leave your dog unattended outside, even in a fenced yard or on a chain. Dogs who normally wouldn’t leave the yard may panic, escape and become lost, or become entangled in their chains, causing injury or death.

 Make sure your dog is microchipped and wearing identification tags so that if he does become lost, he can quickly be returned to you.

“With a little bit of planning and forethought, you can enjoy the excitement of the Fourth of July and know that your animal companion is safe, sound, and enjoying a little peace and quiet,” said Nancy Peterson, an issues specialist with the HSUS.

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