Cannot stress how important knowing your dog is. You will know if something is off. With seniors, keeping tabs on lumps and bumps, keeping charts, along with your vet, keeping measurements. Subtle changes in character, activity, attitude can signal a problem, maybe not medical, but something that needs to be watched. Labs are generally so stoic a problem can get bad before outward changes occur. With Archie, a GSD, he is such a drama mama and weeding out what needs to be tended to from just being a GSD is challenging. I understand "drama mama" is a typical trait for GSDs.
Sometimes our day-to-day lives keep us so busy, small signs can be missed. Everyone should have a daily 100% dog time, clearing the mind and totally being all the dog we can, interacting with our pet. At its best, its fantastic fun and helps me stay in tune with our dogs.
Such great information being shared. Thank you, all of you.