What Do You Do When Your Dog Grows Old

[occupant]

This is beautiful...

[occupant]

How lucky is the child who gets to grow up with a faithful animal companion by their side. And how lucky is the pet who has such a kind and loving master.

[endo]

I watch videos like these and wonder what is wrong with our dog? She's 15 and it definitely shows in the way she acts anymore.
Doesn't play much, doesn't run around, and all of that is understandable. But she's really terrible anymore about going outside to use the bathroom. She pees and poops all over the place. And pukes about 5 times a day.
It's gotten so we have to just keep her in the kitchen all day with a gate, and our Swiffer gets a serious workout all day long.

It's terrible and it's to the point where I'm just ready for her to go, as much as I hate to say it. She's been to the vet and they say she's fine, just old. Going in the house is one thing, but if we don't catch it right away then she walks through the mess and tracks it all over the kitchen. It's really frustrating, because I don't want to hate her or see her die, but at this point we're both so tired of it. We've both vowed that this is it, when she's gone, no more pets of any type, not even a goldfish.

Just done with it all, and I feel bad for feeling that way.

[occupant]

Dogs can become senile just like elderly humans, sad but true endo. That's why many families put their elderly relatives in nursing facilities because they are unable to deal with full time care of someone who is incontinent, confused and unable to hold down food.

This is the saddest part of owning a pet, the dreaded end stage of life. We do the best we can to make their senior years easy for them knowing they experience arthritis, digestive problems (try a senior formula pet food) and require more frequent wellness checks at the vet.

They are sensitive to our moods and feelings. They can't help what is happening to their bodies and minds but they can feel their owners frustration when they mess up. I think that's when we need to comfort them and reassure them we still love them the most. In the end, after what seems to be too short a lifespan, we are usually tasked with the difficult decision to let them go. A humane and peaceful passing is the last kindness we can offer to our fur babies who have given every bit of their lives and devotion to us.

[endo]

I think we're at the point now, we'll discuss it with a vet,  that it may be time to put her down. I want what's best for her, she was a great dog for a lot of years. I don't want her to suffer at all.

[Silent Scream Queen]

Endo I'm sorry to hear about your dog. It's very sad. Have you tried a diet change? It's hard when we have to make difficult decisions about our pets, but we have to put their welfare first, no matter how much it pains us.

[endo]

Thank you. I think the toughest part is just seeing her like she is now. She's always been so happy and playful, anytime I went outside no matter the weather, she always went with me.
Back in 2010 when we had that blizzard here, she was outside with me in it making a snowman at 2 in the morning. Just sad. I'll always have great memories of our time with her, but seeing her how she is now, it's almost like a completely different dog.

Part of growing old, I get that. We all grow old, just sucks is all.

[✶April✶]

Aw, I'm so sorry to hear this.  That sounds very frustrating and difficult indeed. And yes, getting old sucks a lot. :/ I'm dreading the day when I lose my great dane. He's my best friend and such a loyal protector for when I'm working from home or anytime that I need him. He's already well into being a "grumpy old man" by a dane's standards, at 10 years and 2 months. But he still acts like a puppy and luckily has not had any problems with his health or body. We've kept him lean enough (still at 175-180 pounds though!) throughout his life so that he hasn't suffered from the typical problems that come with big dogs.

[occupant]

✶April✶