PoshPaws

Gramma, a Galápagos tortoise that the San Diego Zoo called “a quiet and constant presence” for nearly a century at the Zoo, has died.

Though her exact birth date remains unknown, experts estimate Gramma may have lived for up to 141 years, making her the oldest inhabitant of the zoo. She arrived in San Diego between 1928–1931 as part of the first group of Galápagos tortoises to come to the zoo soon after its formal opening in 1923.

The zoo did the math, calling Gramma “a witness to history” whose lifetime included the tenures of 20 U.S. presidents, two World Wars and two pandemics.

📝: Jennifer Vigil
Read more at https://timesofsandiego.com/life/2025/11/21/queen-gramma-tortoise-dies-san-diego-zoo/

Ready for another round? 😬 #strauchdieb #dogsofinstagram #happiestdogever #happy #mydogiscutest #cutestdogever #wildwildwilli #teckel #teckellove #bassotto #perro #dachshund #dachshunds #dachshundsofinstagram #dackel #rauhaardackel #wirehairdachshund #happydog #wirehaired #boopthesnoot #trend #snoot #cutestsnoot #browndachshund #teckelpuppy #teckelmini #dogwalk #dogperspective #doghike

As a follow-up to my post about my dear Otis’s passing, I want to share the cause of illness that ultimately took Otis (16), Milo (16), Mayhem (19), and Schatzie (14).

I’m heartbroken to say it was pancreatitis. It’s important for all Dachshund and small-breed owners to know: Dachshunds—and many other small breeds, including mini schnauzers, mini doodles, and others—are predisposed to this disease.
What many don’t realize is that the newer subscription and boutique foods—such as The Farmer’s Dog, Ollie, Dr. Marty’s, and various dehydrated diets—can trigger pancreatitis in these breeds.

Tragically, we lost four of our Dachshunds to this illness. These were otherwise healthy, lean, and well-cared-for dogs. The food wasn’t even part of their regular diet—it was given only occasionally, maybe once or twice a week off and on, as a teaspoon-sized topper or treat.

Over the past 30 years, we’ve loved and cared for nearly 20 Dachshunds, most of whom lived to 18 years or longer. Until March 2024, we had never even heard of pancreatitis. Since then, we’ve endured unimaginable losses:

• Schatzie, our beautiful 14-year-old mini wirehair, in March 2024
• Mayhem, our 19-year-old black and tan, in January 2025
• Milo, 16 years old, in March 2025
• Otis, Milo’s littermate and a three-time IVDD surgery survivor, in September 2025

Our last two wieners, Ginger and Spaghetti, are both living with pancreatitis, and we’re doing everything possible to keep them stable and comfortable. We had never dealt with IVDD before or since Milo and Otis, so I truly believe it must have been in their genetics. Losing them to pancreatitis—after all they had already survived—has been devastating.

Please, for the sake of your pups, avoid these foods and always check fat content carefully. My fears were even confirmed in a conversation with an employee of The Farmer’s Dog.

And one more thing every pet owner should know: the pet food industry is NOT regulated. Please do your research, ask questions, and be extra cautious—our dogs’ lives depend on it.