topic Re: Old Dogs in Pet Lovers

Old Dogs

Kachina624 — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 04:59:22 GMT

I've got two old dogs who are soon going to require I make a difficult decision. They are both purebred rescues and are beautiful animals. The older one is an Aussie that I've had 12 years; she was supposed to have been 5-6 years old when I got her. She's completely deaf and can hardly see. She's so frail that she falls over if someone accidently brushes against her. She gets around okay and eats well. She was a real pistol in her youth, very athletic. She'll pace around the house for hours panting.

The other dog is a sable & white collie, a real looker. She just turned 12 years old and has always been very healthy. She gets around fine but is also pretty deaf, although she seems to see okay. I spent some time brushing her today and wore her out. She conked out in the bedroom and I went back 3 times to get her for dinner. I don't think she ever ate.

Both of these old ladies spend most of their time sleeping. The have nice soft beds so they're comfortable. I got a year old pup last November who tries to engage them in a little play and this has perked them up. The pup can be a real PIA but they're really patient with her.

I hate when pets get old and you have to decide when it's time for that final trip to the vet. These two have been such good dogs; both are AKC Herding Instinct Certified.

Heres a picture of the girls taken several years ago.

Re: Old Dogs

OnlyShopsOnline — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 04:54:34 GMT

I know exactly how you feel as I've been right where you are. We are coming up on the second anniversary of when we had to say goodbye to our Dudley, who was almost 16 years old. He was part Golden, part herding shepherd. He was a real character and was the heart and soul of our home. I still can't get used to the fact that he is no longer here.

Then, just a few months later, we had to make the decision again with our cat, Daisy, who was almost 18. And, we've lost several others over the years.

Our house is too quiet and feels so lonely, unless the grandbabies are here. I would love to have another cat and/or dog. But, I just can't deal with the pain and worry anymore. I had the two senior animals at one time, and their health issues really took a toll on my emotions and sleep, for a couple of years.

I'm so glad you have a younger dog to help you to get through this.

Re: Old Dogs

Kachina624 — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 05:07:56 GMT

@OnlyShopsOnline My sympathy on the loss of your pets. It's really hard, isn't It? I had to have two put down last November, my avatar dog who lost the use of his back legs and a rescue from a hoarding seizure that I spent a year nursing but we couldn't overcome her auto-immune disease. I was just devastated.

Re: Old Dogs

athenian — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 05:41:48 GMT

@Kachina624 I feel so sad for you. These decisions are heart-wrenching. Just a note, our vet told me with our big guy last year that panting can be a sign of pain. It helped me decide it was time. My thoughts are with you.

Re: Old Dogs

Jtdmum — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 06:05:10 GMT

Beautiful picture Kachina. How lucky you are to have them and them you! I love old dogs. And thanks for getting rescues, you saved two lives! Terrible decision to make but they tell you when they're ready. My thoughts are with you, I know what a difficult time it is.

Re: Old Dogs

Azcowgirl — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 06:29:43 GMT

My heart goes out to you also....they are lovely ladies those two old gals. Your post reminded me of Tom T. Halls song...."old dogs and children, and watermelon wine" bless you for being their momma all these years.

Re: Old Dogs

Lilysmom — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 07:50:30 GMT

@Kachina624, two beautiful dogs. Thinking of you and wishing there was an easier way. Our pets should last a lifetime. ❤️ LM

Re: Old Dogs

kelsey17 — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 11:40:57 GMT

A few years back i had two small poodles...a Toy and a Minature......My minature we had first and adopted the Toy a year or two later...they were inseparable. The little Toy followed my Minature dog everywhere...they slept together...were so bonded......at 12 years one Feb my Toy had a heart attack and passed away .....6 mthsl later we had to make a decision for my 15 1/2 yr old Minature....her functioning had been off for a while........the hardest decision and once in a while i find myself saying "could we have kept the Minature a bit longer??"......it is so hard sometimes to ponder over that thought.....she had a growth in her stomach the vet said if they operated at her age she may be able to survive...but she was having accidents...sight wasn't good...would just walk off the bed, sofa or any chair she was on and fall....had to feed her sometime by hand if she hadn't eaten well or drank much water...and i know she missed her little buddy....would find her just standing in the corner of the room................just heartbreaking.....so i understand your pain.......

Re: Old Dogs

Hellodemocrat — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 12:39:13 GMT

When it is time, ask the vet to give them a sedative first. That calms them down and makes it sooo much easier.

We didn't know about that when we had to put down our first German Shepherd and it was awful to watch.

So sorry, i know how you feel.

Re: Old Dogs

Buck-i-Nana — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 13:18:02 GMT

They're beautiful babies. The only down side to owning pets is having to make that awful decision.

Your Aussie's panting and pacing is concerning and worth talking to the Vet about. As someone else mentioned it is often an indication of pain.

Your collie though sounds like she's aging well. Dogs can compensate for deafness. Being easily tired just comes with age. Even humans deal with that as we age. I just always hope and pray my babies can pass easily and peacefully naturally, but if/when the need arises to make that decision I believe we owe them that.

Re: Old Dogs

MercysMom — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 13:27:36 GMT

My heart goes out to you. We rescued our Golden, Max, when he was about 2 years old. We had him for 11 years. When I knew it was getting close to his time, I would literally lay on the floor next to him and whisper in his ear "just don't leave me yet." I had been trying to prepare myself for it, but I wasn't really prepared. I have an adult son still at home with me, but I'm single and that big golden dog was truly my confidant, best friend, shadow. Like the previous poster said, ask for the sedative before. Once he was gone, I did two things. I got his collar and I cut almost all the feathering off of his tail to keep. My vet also made a plaster cast imprint of his paw for us. I treasure it. We have a new golden puppy now and she has helped me so much in my grief. And I realize one day, I'll go through this all over again with her, but the love and companionship she gives me is so worth it! My sister swears I was a golden retriever in another life and that's why I love them so much! Just remember, without you, there's no telling how their lives would have turned out. With you, they've been loved and happy...and that's the best thing any of us (two legs or four) can hope for!

Re: Old Dogs

Ohio St8 — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 14:40:01 GMT

@Kachina624

Your dogs are stunning & beautiful. They look very loved, happy, & content. Fortunately, they have spent their final years in a very loving environment & their final days will be their happiest days. You have made their lives wonderful.

Re: Old Dogs

Sooner — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 14:45:26 GMT

This makes me cry. I think I once kept a cat longer than I should have and caused him suffering and I can't stand to think about that. Next time that comes up, I would act sooner to spare the animal. Would that be easier for me? Of course not. It is still a horrible thing to be faced with. My good thoughts and prayers for anyone facing the end of a pet's life--whatever the situation.

Re: Old Dogs

tends2dogs — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 15:08:16 GMT

@Buck-i-Nana wrote:
They're beautiful babies. The only down side to owning pets is having to make that awful decision.

Your Aussie's panting and pacing is concerning and worth talking to the Vet about. As someone else mentioned it is often an indication of pain.

Your collie though sounds like she's aging well. Dogs can compensate for deafness. Being easily tired just comes with age. Even humans deal with that as we age. I just always hope and pray my babies can pass easily and peacefully naturally, but if/when the need arises to make that decision I believe we owe them that.

@Kachina624 I agree with @Buck-i-Nana. The panting and pacing could be a concern worth bringing up with your vet. Your collie does sound like a normal, aging dog. Deafness and blindness would never be a reason for euthansatia for a pet of mine, however, that is JMO. Dogs adapt to adversity as long as they aren't in pain, still eat and are somewhat social.

I feel for you @Kachina624. You have had dogs for many years. You will know what to do when the time is right. I hope it helps to hear from other pet lovers at times like this.

Re: Old Dogs

PamfromCT — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 15:34:20 GMT

Your dogs are so beautiful, and so blessed to have had such a happy life. I know they are having their difficulties, but they are still hanging in there. Only you will know when it is time to help them pass. From my own experience, if you know they are in pain, or show little interest in eating, those all clear signs. I have delighted in my pets over the years - "Willie" our darling Corgi,

a successive line of kitties. We have one pet at a time, as the vet bills here can be extremely high, and we want to provide only the best care. I had to remove all pictures of past pets, as looking at their picture brought me back to some horrible and agonizing moments. But I have tucked away their pictures, collars, and other things.

As two seniors (72 and 75), we thought our beloved Callie Kitty would be our last. Spent months working with our vet to save her. It wasn't meant to be. This time I said "No more. Our hearts can't take it. But my SIL knew better. She knew a breeder of Maine Coons in Florida who was looking for a home for a younger retiree of shows and breeding. Pictures e-mailed, phone conversations with the breeder. Before we knew it, we just fell in love long distance, and paid for her flight from Florida to Connecticut.

Maine Coons are called "dogs in cat's clothing." She loves people, is outgoing, follows us around the house, and can be very affectionate. She makes us laugh so often every day, as she can be quite the clown. Glad we have only one pet, as her last exam revealed she needed a teeth cleaning. And then it was discovered she needed a tooth extracted. It all amounted to $700. Not resented by us at all, but certainly stops us from getting another kitty.

My long story is just a testament that when our hearts are so broken when it is time to let go, and you likely say "Never again, can't go through it again," some little furry darling just grabs your heart, and there you go. But what a sad life it is if you don't put your heart out there.

Re: Old Dogs

Kachina624 — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 16:17:49 GMT

Thanks so much for so many wonderful posts. It's the downside of pet ownership, that's for sure. I've been lucky in that my dogs, except for the collie with the autoimmune disease, they've all lived long, happy lives.

I've had Jennie checked by her vet about the panting. The vet did $800 worth of tests but could find nothing wrong. I agree panting is often a sign of pain.

@PamfromCT I've heard Maine Coons are very dog-like. I'd love to have a cat but I've got herding dogs that drive cats crazy and I've got a dog door and they quickly learn to use it. I don't believe in outside cats.

Re: Old Dogs

PamfromCT — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 16:24:44 GMT

You are right, Kachina, you can't have a cat under those circumstances. Our cats have never gone outside. Never a good idea.

Re: Old Dogs

Stormygirl — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 16:36:15 GMT

@Kachina624 they are gorgeous!! Uncondtional love and lots of warm kisses they give. Is the part of pet ownership that is so sad..........so hard and after the last doberman I just couldnt handle it anymore. My house seems so empty now and to be honest I really hate that feeling now that I am disabled and on a morphine pump. Sometimes I wish I could put myself to sleep when times get very bad as it would be merciful but that is another story for another day. Dobies rarely last more then 10-11 years and seem to get cancer. It got very expensive and I cant afford to or physically give them what they deserve anymore so I cant adopt another at this point. Oh they are so beautiful and thank you for sharing your pets. (hugs)

Re: Old Dogs

Kachina624 — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 17:10:42 GMT

@Stormygirl I think many people acquire pets not having the foggiest notion about the prices vets charge. Their rates are comparable to people doctors, then they want to do lab tests, sonograms, even MRIs. This collie I had with the autoimmune disease racked up $10,000 worth of bills in a year. Fortunately collie rescue paid the bills except I bought her medicine. She had a vet internal medicine specialist. He was the best but he was pricey.

Re: Old Dogs

Stormygirl — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 17:20:57 GMT

@Kachina624 so very true. The cost of vets and everything has gotten so pricey it has put me and those like me out of pet ownership. I cant even afford my own care anymore. Sigh.......I used to work in a shelter/kennel and so many pets got dropped off when some people no longer wanted to properly care for their gifted or adopted pet and the "sticker shock" came to light. I feel is selfish for me to now aquire a pet at this stage of my limited life. But hey I can enjoy your sharing and others who do it with me. Thanks I loved the pics of your precious furry family members. I can enjoy OPP (other peoples pets LOL) except cats I am unfortunately severely allergic to..but pics have no dander eh? LOL I hear they now sell "pet medical insurance? I can imagine is costly.