the best old dog in the world

[undeterred]

I came home last night and my 14 year old dog was panting and pacing. I think it was probably because of the thunderstorms. I gave him the doggie equivalent of Xanax (vet prescribed) to calm him down.

He's an old guy, and has survived the south side Chicago dog pound, cancer 6 years ago, and bloat last summer. He's had orthopedic problems his whole life, and 3 out of 4 legs have been operated on. He is on daily meds, and there's not much more I can do.

After the tranquilizer, I let him out. He got down the stairs ok. But when it was time for him to come up, he couldn't stand up. He tried 3 times to stand, and the right hind leg gave way every time. Finally I picked all 63 pounds of him up and carried him up the stairs and laid him on the couch. I didn't know if he was hurt or had a stroke... I tried to get him to stand up and walk again later on but the leg kept collapsing.

Last night I put my big dirty dog on my bed and cuddled up next to him. He seemed exhausted. A couple of times he tried to stand up and move during the night, but the leg kept collapsing. I was afraid of what I would be facing for him today. But we seem to draw a lot of energy from each other.

This morning I put him on the floor and the right hind leg collapsed once. I helped him up, and after that he stayed up!

I drove him to the woods for a walk. From behind he looks like an old cart with 2 wobbly wheels, but he did not fall. A couple of stumbles, but he picked himself up and kept going right away. When we got to the edge of the lake, he waded into the water up to his neck, wagged his tail, and gave me that wonderful doggie smile.

When we were walking back to the car, he was ahead of me most of the way. He was a little hesitant climbing into the back seat, and the first try was unsuccessful. But all in all, it was a good walk, and I'm sure that it was the tranquilizer which made him stumble on his weakest leg.

I love this dog so much. I know the end can't be too far away, so I cherish every day with him. :thumbsup:

[pagerbear]

1. Dammit, you made me cry!

[graywarrior]

2. Geeze, you made me love him, too.

Give him a good hug for me.

[undeterred]

3. I will.

:cry:

[graywarrior]

4. And here's a hug for you.

:hug:

[Joe Fields]

5. I know what you're going through.

You don't even want to think about it. I had the best Shepherd mix named Sadie for 15 years. She ended up with debilitating arthritis and incontinence. We were inseparable. One night, she gave me a look, like she'd never given me before. I think we both knew. That night, as she lay at the foot of my wife's and my bed, her old heart just gave out. I awoke the next morning to find her no longer alive. It broke my heart. We buried her in the back yard and put a fence up and a marker. It can be hard sometimes.

[undeterred]

7. I'm sorry Joe

I've been through it once before with a border collie. I had made appts to put her down for 3 weeks and kept cancelling them till one day she gave me "the look" and I knew I had to take her in and relieve her of suffering. As long as I got the big doggie smile upon coming home, I couldn't do it.

There is no incontinence, that would be very hard to deal with.

Honestly, I'd rather he die on his own than go through 3 weeks like that again. But I won't let him suffer. Its amazing how much we grow to love them.

[Joe Fields]

9. Well, I'm sorry you're having to go through this now.

Too bad that dogs don't live as long as we do.

[auntAgonist]

6. ... sounds like a match made in heaven

I hope you have MANY memorable times left with your 'best old dog in the world'

:hug: for him and you too!


:grouphug:

aA

[undeterred]

8. thank you

we are a "pack of two"

[zonkers]

10. They sure get great when they get old. I know you're not soliciting

advice but I'd keep him away from challenging walks and stairs. It could extend his life. Dogs, themselves often lack the good sense to go easy.

For my old guys arthritis pain, I had amazing sucess with Maalox coated aspirin like ascriptin mixed with food. This was after I tried everything else. I was at the end of my rope when I discovered it and it made my dogs last two years very comfortable. I was pumping him with five or six pills a day with great results. It's a real miracle drug that is overlooked. (Nevertheless consult vet)


Thanks for listening. Good luck.

[undeterred]

12. Thanks. There are only 4 stairs into the house, and a lot of carpet

There are only 4 stairs into the house, and a lot of carpet...the hardest places to walk are anywhere he can't get any traction. Outside is usually easier than inside. I've thought of him as "handicapped" for quite a while. I will try the Maalox coated aspirin, maybe it will take the "edge" off for him.

[Lowell]

11. Bless you heart!

I know how it is with old dogs. They know exactly how to please and it is always such a shame when their time is near. My old dog, Watson, is 14 now and slowing down a lot. He can't get in bed without help anymore and his walks are slow. But he understand everything he is told.

Long ago my maternal grandmother got religious and talked about heaven a lot. I asked her about grandpa and his dog Tiny. She said there were no dogs in heaven. I was shocked. So I asked grandpa, who was Miami Indian. Grandpa told me that grandma was not always right. He said that all animals went to heaven, in their true form. And that once they got there all creatures spoke the same language. To this day I visualize grandpa and Tiny sitting on the banks of the Wabash fishing. I'm sure they are engrossed in deep conversation, and Tiny, well he is a wolf now.

[undeterred]

13. I can't wait for my dogs to meet each other!

That will be heaven.

[Lowell]

14. I, too, look forward to the day

when I will be with all those great dogs I loved again.