My old Lab has been hiding all day!

[Cindy B]

She wanted to go out about two hours ago, and she has been hiding under our shrubs for that whole time.

She has a "usual" spot under one shrub, and now she has buried herself with a deeper, thicker shrub. Yesterday in this shrub, she managed to shake off her collar.

She's 13 years old. I'm not sure if she is preparing herself, or just hiding.. for the sake of it. She doesn't really have a lot of health problems. (for a 13 year old dog). She did have an accident on the carpet earlier this morning.

 

[FTWFAN]

and stays outside year-round. Each morning before I go to the door to feed him, I say a little prayer. I am so terrified that one morning I will be the one to open the door and find him.....well, you know! Our other lab passed away last year and "Bubba" has almost doubled in weight since then because he hardly ever leaves our yard anymore(we live in the country).

I will say a prayer for you and your lab each morning as I say a prayer for Bubba!

 

[IamTink]

Maybe she's trying to stay cool. I used to have a buff colored lab that dug a hole to stay cool, in the shrubs in the front of the house. I hope she's ok.

 

[Ranatra]

CindyB, is she eating and drinking??
If she is I probably wouldn't worry as much. 2 weeks ago my 13 year old toy poodle with a heart condition just quit eating and drinking. I tried to coax her to drink, but no luck. I took her up to the vets and he said her time had come.
I hope your dog is ok.

 

[Disney Doll]

She may be trying to stay cool. My dog has a hole dug under the shrubs, in the shade next to our back porch. We call it the "cool hole". He stays in there when he's outside, and peers form under the bushes at the birds who land in the yard.

If the rest of the dog's behavior is normal, I wouldn't worry too much. If she's not eating or drinking, or anything else weird is going on, have your pup checked out.

 

[Pooh93]

I hope your Lab is okay. I have a soft spot for Labs although I have never owned one. Many, many years ago, our neighbors across the street had a Lab. Her name was Ebony. They didn't give her the attention she deserved and as she grew older she'd come visit our house quite often. Eventually, she became blind and would still come hang out at our house and I would gently walk her back "home" in the evening. One day, she walked off, didn't come to our house and they never saw her again. To this day, I wonder where she went to pass on. (I can't say the "d" word)

Now, I know that is not cheerful, but I guess the moral of my story is if (heaven forbid) it is your Lab's time, at least you will know that you have given her a great life of love and will love her through the end. Please keep us updated and I'll be thinking of her and you.

 

[Kallison]

My labbie is only five and he always digs a hole behind the shrub to lie in. DRives DH nuts, he put traffic cones there, but he still squeezes in sometimes. The kids try and sweep the dirt back so he doesn't get "in trouble". Just took my lab to the vet today, he said he has a good 10 years if we are lucky. Dogs should be allowed to live longer, it's not fair!

 

[LUVDSNY04]

Hi,
I own a black lab and Sebastian is 8 years old. I hope your lab is just trying to get cool. Labs are the best dogs! Take care

 

[Cindy B]

Ok, now I know this is normal Lab behavior. (We just got the Lab back in September).

She is eating (little bit less but still eating), and she came in to drink throughout the day..

I was just worried.

 

[phillybeth]

Could she be hiding because of the accident? I have one dog who gets terribly upset, even though we have never yelled at him. He will hide and not come out for hours, then slink around like he expects to be beaten at any time. He's a rescue, so he probably WAS beaten for accidents

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Any chance of pre-July 4th fireworks scaring your pet? A lot of dogs just got nuts this time of year. Hope she's okay!

 

[Pugdog007]

Originally posted by Cindy B
Ok, now I know this is normal Lab behavior. (We just got the Lab back in September).

She is eating (little bit less but still eating), and she came in to drink throughout the day..

I was just worried.

God Bless you for taking in a senior. We have the most difficult time placing our senior rescues. If people only realized how loving and accepting they are. They are so sweet and obedient... and just want to be loved during those golden years.

It could be that she is ashamed of the accident and is scared of being punished. How/where did you get her?

 

[phillybeth]

Originally posted by Pugdog007
God Bless you for taking in a senior. We have the most difficult time placing our senior rescues. If people only realized how loving and accepting they are. They are so sweet and obedient... and just want to be loved during those golden years.

ITA. It's like adopting a grandparent in doggie form. Seniors might be hard to place, but those that have opened their hearts to one usually do it over and over again. I've fostered some seniors (even some senior puppymill rescues) and they are just the best.

 

[browneyes]

I hope your Lab is just trying to stay cool, Cindy. Oras calypso*a*go-go said, someone may be shooting off fireworks nearby that she might be hearing, and she's hiding away from that sound.

 

[Cindy B]

Originally posted by Pugdog007
God Bless you for taking in a senior. We have the most difficult time placing our senior rescues. If people only realized how loving and accepting they are. They are so sweet and obedient... and just want to be loved during those golden years.

It could be that she is ashamed of the accident and is scared of being punished. How/where did you get her?

Well, my MIL passed away and it was her dog. I inherited a 13 year old Lab, and a four year old minituare (spelling?) poodle.

The Lab is a big old sweetie! She is extemely loving and very very obedient. She loves my kids, and does her best to play with them!

I never even thought of fireworks. Technically (wink wink) they are illegal here except for sanctioned events. This was in the afternoon, and we didn't hear fireworks until later tonight. The poodle was just nuts today.. with extra people walking around, noise, etc..