Our dog is slowing down.

[amg35]

My 12 year little girl old didn't show any signs of aging, she died suddendly of a burst tumor. I like to think she was trying to make getting old easy on me. But boy, I wish she was still here. It will be one year on April 27th.

My 10 year old little dude is still a spaz. He's got a touch of stiff joints, but I will happily grow old with him, please.

Man, loving a pet is tough. Totally worth it, but so, so heartwrenching when they are older.

 

[minkydog]

My Minky is starting to slow down. He developed some painful arthritis in his lower back and hips last year and we have to give him Mobic for the pain or he can hardly get up off the floor. He needs help climbing into my Jeep or SUV. He stuggled to get up the steps of my camper (not a problem anymore, since we totalled it last week--grrr.)He still likes to chase the squirrels out of our yard, but I notice that rather than racing out the door it's more like loping to the back yard. He likes for me to throw the ball to him,but after the 2nd throw he takes the ball and hides it. Mostly he just wants to be wherever we are--by the side of my bed, in front of the fireplace, by the kitchen door where the sun comes in, on the back porch if it's pretty. Minky has more difficulty with stress now, gets very anxious when we go to the vet or even leave the house. In fact, when we have to leave for vacation we board him with our groomer and her dogs, who he just loves!

I don't like to think about it much, but I know it will be in the next 2-3 years. He's a 10yr 75-lb Standard Poodle with seizures and severe lung damage(like COPD, in humans.) He wheezes and puffs just going up the stairs and if I let him run much he just about passes out. I think I remember that Standards have a life expectancy of about 10-12 years. Hopefully, we can keep him healthy for awhile yet.

 

[samshane]

I am right there with all of you - our 10+yr old shepard mix is slowing down. She still has her spunk, but it takes her longer to get up and she sleeps a lot. Dh is in Iraq (returning after a year this June!) and this is his "baby". We have 2 DDs, and he calls Honey the dog his 3rd daughter - LOL. She is actually going in for surgery in 2 weeks due to anal gland issues and I worry about her.

The vet said she was in great health (took her in for a full physical with blood work in Sept), but still... it's tough watch her age. She has been through 32 states as we are a military family. When the time comes, we will all be upset - but Dh will be devastated.

As I tell my daughter (we have a cat in early kidney failure as well who is 12), I would do it all over again in a heartbeat - even knowing the end will be so tough.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Samshane, your post reminded me of something that this group might enjoy. It's a show that's currently on Military Channel about dogs taken home from Iraq called No Dog Left Behind. These dogs were the lifelines for some of these men and women serving over there and in some cases, are helping them keep their sanity since coming home. I couldn't help but wondering how it will be when they lose them. Anyway, if anyone has a chance to watch it, it's a good show. http://military.discovery.com/tv/no-dogs-left-behind/about-the-show.html

 

[landshark]

My family's Cocker Spaniel, Jazzy, just turned 17 in March and slowed down years ago just due to age. My mom always takes her to the vet for regular checkups, etc... and overall takes the best care of her that she can.

Despite that, she has gradually become unable to hop onto beds or even the couch, lost weight, has frequent accidents, has pretty much lost her hearing and is developing cataracts to the point she flinches when she walks into sunbeams, and sleeps so deeply you think she's passed in her sleep. Luckily, her teeth are fine and she still has a healthy appetite. Beyond simply aging, she doesn't seem to be suffering from anything like her son, who had to be put down recently due to kidney failure.

I practically grew up with Jazzy and it's really hard to see her age. Even worse, I think, is that I haven't lived at home for something like 5+ years so the changes seem more pronounced to me. I remember going home a few weekends ago and noticing the white spots of cataracts on her eyes I hadn't noticed just 2-3 weeks prior. My mom told me that this might be the year when something happens and I really dread it; can't even imagine how badly she will take it. Jazzy's been one of my best friends and it will be very strange not having her around...

 

[clh2]

My almost 12 year old lab/white shepard mix is also starting to slow down too...We have to board him next month for about 5 days. It is at a doggy daycare/boarding place. I asked if there is anyway my dog can take a mid-afternoon nap. Riley will be getting some "senior pampering" when he is there.

I agree - it is hard to see them slow down. We adopted ours when he was 8 years old. He has been a fabulous dog!