Readers’ Stories About Old Dogs Soften Blow
I’ve restarted my effort to repost blog entries that were lost during my last web redesign. Here’s one I found a couple of days ago.

Dylan loves Canon Beach. Photo from Seattle DogSpot.
In 2013 I wrote a post entitled “I Finally Acknowledge My Senior Dog Will Die Soon.” It was by far the most popular post on the Seattle DogSpot blog.
The gist of the post is that, after living in denial for months, I realized the time I had left to spend with my almost 12-year-old Labrador retriever was winding down and I tried to come to terms with it.
The response of Seattle DogSpot readers was, quite simply, amazing. Dozens and dozens of you posted heartfelt comments on the Seattle DogSpot website and Facebook page about your own experiences in either dealing with your senior dogs’ decline or trying to carry on with your lives after your dogs died.
These comments provided me with a ton of much needed and much appreciated comfort and support. In addition, they reveal the common threads of sadness, admiration, reflection dog guardians share while watching their beloved companions’ decline.
I’m posting several of the comments here to provide comfort and support to those of you who either have a senior dog or recently lost a dog. I hope they will be as helpful to you as they were to me.
Here are the comments. Thank you to everyone who shared their stories.
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.thank you for sharing it brought tears to me eyes and soul I miss my black lab mix Neesheemah. she was 12 and left this world 2 years ago this Christmas I always carry her in my heart. Give Dylan a hug for me and tell him Neesheemah will be there to greet him when the time comes. My one time feeling of unconditional love…………..
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Thank you for your beautiful post. I was in constant denial with my sweet Jake. Each sign of age was a stab to the heart but he was so proud that he tried not to let me see. I finally slowly started to come to terms with it after taking several workshops offered by a local emergency vet hospital. But, i still thought i had a few more years with him. I even acquired a cart so that he could tool around the neighborhood when his back end decided to quit. But your sentence about them not being senior dogs long enough is so true.. You never know how long you have left.. Jake seemingly overnight got really sick, stopped eating and within days, he was gone. The worst weekend of my life. And my biggest regret…that i didn’t take those extra moments to savor every last second. He too was a dock jumping ball chaser and sadly, i don’t have a photo of his ears flapping, arms outstretched, water splashing 🙁 Bless you and Dylan.
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I thoroughly enjoyed reading this article. I too have a lab who waits for that crumb to drop, knows the opening of a peanut butter jar. How I know the “one dog stampede”. Mr Riley is nine, and has begun to turn white, your article did make me sad, but as you stated forces you to spend more time and spoil them a little more.
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wow , your story was wonderful. I have a yellow lab soon to be 12. I walk him three times a day but he always is huffing and puffing. I don’t look forward to the day he will not be with me, he has been my strength and friend for all my struggles in the last two years. I take time and spend more time with him. Thank you for sharing your story! Wish you and your buddy well. 🙂
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Our Maggie, also a chocolate Lab, is 12.75 years old, and your piece broke my heart. Her back legs are failing, and she has sundowner’s syndrome, so she paces and pants all night long. But when she’s alert and up and about, she’s still the same sweet dog we’ve always known and loved. We are heartbroken to watch her failing. Over the last several weeks, we’ve been talking often about where she is on the quality of life spectrum–whether her quality of life is slipping, or whether we’re just feeling our quality of life impacted because of our lack of sleep. It’s funny that you mention the appetite–we’ve noticed a decrease in her desire to eat over the last several weeks, and that was when we looked at each other and wondered when we might lose her. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, even if you made me cry. 😉
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this sounds exactly like me w/ my 12 & 1/2 yr. ols AMERICAN STAFFORDSHIRE TERRIER, her graying muzzle & little gray tufts of hair in her cropped ears are SO endearing,she too has slowed,but still has a SPARK for her favorite things,a Ride in the car which she now needs the assistance of a ramp to get into,the cool Kitchen floor which now is frieghtening,she slips & falls & struggles to regain her balance,,,so throw rugs make her gait steady,we still take our reg. walks around the neighborhood,be it a bit slower,now a box assists her hop onto the bed @ the end of the day,& ME I find myself not wanting to leave her for long periods of time as before,when I am out she is ALWAYS in the forfront of my thoughts,& YES, I brush her a bit longer,pet her more often & every single night as we lie down to sleep I am sure to tell her “KIZZI,I LOVE YOU,,,,I LOVE YOU KIZZI GIRL!!!!
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Thank you for reminding me to slow down and feel the joy of my dogs.
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My first adult dog was Yoshi, got him at three and was still very much puppy. Since I was a new owner, I fatten him up with treats, so Dr. Karen, my vet said, you know you are going to have to walk that off. So we did. Yoshi demanded a walk 4 x a day even though I was working at the time. So we did. At age 8 or 9 his cataracts started coming in, yet, Yoshi was not bothered. All the kids in the neighborhood came to pet him and were amazed that he walked so well when he became blind. I truly think he was not totally blind, as he never missed a meal. As he got older, I would give him some chicken broth, before his food, he lapped it right up and then took his deep sleep nap. The morning opassing, he went for a walk. I sense something was not right with him, but had to take some doggie visitors home. When I got back he was laying at the bottom of the stairs. A House Vet was called, but Yoshi being the stubborn boy, he was decided to leave on his own. I miss him every day, but am grateful for him teaching me about Life and how to be Happy and Carefree. I now have a American Black Lab Recue, that already has cataracts coming in and he is only 5 1/2 years old. Bear is wonderful, and he too loves his food. His sisters are rescued Great Pyrenees. So thank-you for the article, My heart will break three x close together as LucyBear is ^ Bear is 5 1/2, and LadyBug is 5. For now I am happy to live with them in my Balanced Ying/Yang world.
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Thank you for writing so perfectly my wonderful experiences with my beautiful past senior dogs. It’s funny how you think your own experiences are so unique and yet I think all dog lovers have these wonderful moments to reflect back on! Aren’t memories the best!
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I totally relate to this. My Annie (black lab mix) is almost 14 now. She is lumpy too. She still has bursts of energy which are a joy. Mostly though she naps on her couch. I recently had to replace her dog bed and put a special cover on it because she “leaks” in her deep sleeps now. I love when she comes over for a snuggle as she leans into me and nuzzles. The signs are all there, but I hope I have her for a while yet.
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Thank you for your story. I have a 12 year old White Chocolate lab and it has only been in the last 6 months that I have seen her really slow down. I don’t leave town unless she can come with me and do spend more time just talking with her.
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On March 11,2013 I lost my 13 yr. old Dalmatian, CJ. He was my constant companion (like Velcro). We took every step together. I understand the knowing time is growing shorter, but pushing it in back of your mind. The last few months of his life I tried to remain upbeat around him, showering him with much affection, if that was possible.. I kept my hand on him constantly when we were sitting or laying together. We slept together every night for 13 years, but I never wanted him to see me sad. One day when we were coming home from the vet, about 2 wks. before the end. I laid in the back of the SUV & I couldn’t help but have many tears streaming down my face, raised his head & licked my tears from my face, as if it’s ok. So, you do know when it is time, they will let you know, when my scavenger started to refuse food that was very upsetting, I know that feeling. I miss him every hour of the day. As I write this, I have tears, I will always have tears. He was THE ONE.
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In 32 +years of marriage we have sadly said good – bye to 4 awesome pupsters!! It never ever gets easier as each pup like each if our kids has a different and wonderful personality !! ( we have 5 rescues now) But this is about our middle daughter – her husband and our 2 grand kids 2&1/2 & 5. What caught me Robert about your sweet story was your 11 year old chocolate lab. Our daughter just lost their beloved 11 year old chocolate lab. Cali. She was a wedding present from her husband – given to her the day before their wedding day! Her words were ” I love you – but I hate you because someday she is going to die and break my heart “! That us the sad thing we are given a most awesome gift and they live such a shirt time compared to us . Cali had heart problems for the last year – so everyday was a gift!! She was an awesome awesome pup! It has been devastating for all.., the children cannot quite grasp . Our 5 yr old sent a red heart balloon to her over the rainbow bridge with a note.,, 2&1/2 year old knows we all come and go and come back why not her pup?? It is soooo hard to day good bye to someone who unconditionally loves you for their entire life! Be strong and think of the happy memories when you have to say goodby
————————————————————————————————————————-Oh, this hits close to home. I have a chocolate lab rescue that I got at the tender young age of eleven. She’d been neglected, abused and seriously overbred. She’s thirteen now, and slowing down. She is the sweetest dog I’ve ever know- we call her the Dalai Mama. I hope you are able to cherish every moment with your faithful friend- I know I will with mine.
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I was sitting on couch and just joined my chocolate on her bed to write to you. I am not able to read others comments in entirety, at least those with chocolate labs. My baby girl is 10. just had blood work and she is healthy…al normal levels, but I see some grays and worry. My mom says not to think about losing her…that she will probably outlive me — she is my Service Dog, and the first dog I ever had. I don’t know life with out her. Sometimes people remark on her age, but I have to remember that if she wasn’t getting older, she would be around. I draw to dogs like Scheop, yours and all other large breeds to bring me comfort. Chocolate kisses to your boy from my chocolate girl,
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I loved your post. You spoke so eloquently of experiences similar to mine as I accompanied my Ranger to the end of his life at 16. We held a Call of the Wild Golden Oldies Day Camp in honor of Ranger and other old dogs. There are some pictures of some of the wonderful old dogs who were there. It was a great day because of those great old dogs and the people who love them. Old dogs are so special! https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151842342614319&set=pb.359490204318.-2207520000.1376526945.&type=3&theater
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We put our 18 year old chocolate lab to sleep several years ago and I can honestly say it just about killed us to do so. They are the absolute best dogs anywhere around and love us unconditionally. We talk about our Toby on a daily basis and about how we will never be able to find another one like him. He was truly a part of our family and we continue to miss him everyday. He really thought he was a lapdog at over 100 pounds, and that is what I miss most.
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Thank you for your comments. We all need to recognize that we will live longer than our best friends. One of our dogs gets tired on walks and is getting grey. He is ten and has been the perfect companion. The best gift we can give them to let them go. While talking to a Priest about my dying mother-in-law, he said that many people think that love is holding on but the love actually is letting go when it is time. I get tears in my eyes reading your story and know that is happening right before my eyes here. My heart goes out to you. Enjoy the moments together.
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I have a Lab mix (got her from a county shelter at approximately 4), who is approaching 15. Last year she started having kidney issues. In October, she had a minor bout of vestibular disease. In November, she was diagnosed with lymphoma. Since Missy is first dog (ever), I went ahead with chemothe(close to 5k for six months) because I wasn’t ready to let go. Since then, she has displayed nerve damage in her back legs/hips and now has low-level anemia. I was told the lymphoma will come back (like to be Sept or Oct), so it’s a matter of time whether the cancer, the kidney disease, the anemia or the hip issues will push me to ask someone to kill her (yes, that’s how I choose to phrase it). I expect she won’t last the rest of 2013. I do spend more time with her, making sure that if today was the last day I have her, I won’t regret it and she will know she is loved. At this point, I have no plans to get another dog. Thanks for posting and reading all this.
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This so touched my heart. …Kerry, age 12 1/2 lab 1/2 golden is my first released Caninie Companion pup I raised since 8 weeks old. When she didn’t make the service dog program I adopted her back as a pet. She has been my trusted companion and my mentor girl as I went on to raise 5 more CCI pups for those in need. I can’t imagine my life without her yet your blog article helps gently nudge me toward that coming truth. . . thank you Robert.</sp
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Ah! This post makes me want to go and love my dog right now! They definitely do become our best friends. I am so thankful for my 8 year old labradoodle, She was a dog that I got for my son, 2 years before he died unexpectedly from a complication of his Type I diabetes. Abbie (my dog) helped me to survive Nathan’s death! Always by my side through the good and the bad. I have started to notice some changes with her also. She doesn’t jump as high at the back door when she wants to come in, and she pants more with our walks. It makes me sad. I am confident that I still have a few years, but time goes fast and I will never be ready! Thanks for sharing! It is so nice to know that others have the same love for their dogs! Have a good day!
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Thank you so much for this…We currently have 3 seniors and are also having Ahh Haa moments with them reminding us that We are getting to the end of the story with them…One is almost 14 (shepard/mix) one is 13 (schnauzer/Mix) and one is an 11 year old Black Lab…They have all slowed down but that just makes there excited moments even more of a JOY to be a part of…..We will CHERISH them while we still have them and GRIEF for them when that times comes. In the meantime it is all about MAKING EVEN MORE BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES.
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Yes I too have lived the shoes that you walk in now. Labs are not your normal dogs, they hold on for you, at least mine di. He was my son’s dog but very quickly became the love of my life. For 15 yrs we were side by side. He found my cancer when the doctor said it was all in my head and never left my side while I was recovering. Always had a simple wag of the tail and lean into my side when I needed it the most. So when he started getting so weak that he had problems standing I had to make a choice. A choice that broke my heart and really don’t think it will ever heal. Love your old buddy and live his and your life to the fullest cause yes the senior years are very short.
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Thank you for posting that beautiful tribute to your beloved dog. It makes me think about our Greyhound, Cobra, who passed away in 2007 at the age of 12, from tumors in heart & lungs. I will never forget the look of love & peace that was on his face & in his eyes as he looked at my husband and I as I said my final goodbye to him on the table at the Vet’s the emergency morning when we rushed him there and were told he was dying. He wagged his tail, and he knew that we would never forget him. He was the goofiest, most fun dog I had ever had the privilige of sharing years with, and he was a constant source of entertainment! Lucky for us he was not a good racer, and we got to adopt him at age 2-1/2. The ocean beaches were his racetrack, and that’s where he loved to run. I posted a poem about him at Greyhound Pets Inc. under Rainbow Bridge, 2007. We sent him gently to the Rainbow Bridge with my husband’s arms around him. We still think about and talk about him all the time, only with laughter & smiles now, But even though we have another dog now, there is still that place in our hearts that is only and will only be for him.
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It is sad when your loving animal hits their time as becoming a senior and you watch as they grow older. They seem to eat less, play less and just want to sleep. I have had many dogs through out my life and watched them grow old into the 15-17 years old. Thank you for posting your story as I will soon being going through this again with my English Springer Ruby, she is slowly showing the effects of aging and it is sad for me to watch but it is also a process for someon who owns and loves their pet as much as I do.
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I have a 13 year old lab boxer mix and all the same things are happening to her like the fatty tumers all over her and the weak back legs which she has had surgery to replace ligaments with fishing line like stuff,I saw a story about Rainbow Bridge and I cried my eyes out cause that is where my poor Calliewill be going soon,she is starting to show signs that she gets lost sometimes and thunder and gun shots and fireworks scare her bad.All your story made me feel a little better knowing how the end will come I’ve never had a dog before Callie she is my best friend and I’m with her all day every day even though she likes my husband John better I’m the one that feeds her gives her treats and talk to her every day I am disabled so I’m home a lot. Thanks for the stories but I don’t think it’s gonna be too easy to let her go
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What a beautiful post. My girl Katie, is a 13-year old, gray-muzzled rescue, and she’s been my constant and ever-loving companion since she was 4 months old. Her body struggles with steps and hills and hardwood floors, but her heart and her spirit are strong, as she is determined to take our walk every morning, and to at least bark at every cat that goes by. I can’t imagine life without her, but I know that day will come, and it will come too soon. In the meantime, I do as you do – I wait with her, I sit with her, and I love on her, soaking in as much of her unconditional love as I can get. God bless our gray-muzzle babies. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need a Kleenex, and then I’m going to go love on my girl Katie…
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Beautiful story. We experienced the exact same progressions and lost our lab at 13 years of age. Old dogs are the best! I recommend a beautiful short book for you (and anyone who has been loved by a dog)) – God and Dog (Wendy Francisco). My mother in law gave it to me after we lost our black lab.
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Oh my, what a sweet story. It brought tears to my eyes. We too have a chocolate lab, who looks sooo much like your Dylan. CMoe will be 13 in November and I am dreading when “the day” comes. We have lost two other dogs in the past 3 years. Tough times for sure. Moe has a hard time getting up on the hardwood floors, but amazingly (since he can’t hear a thing), he still heads to the kitchen for a little snack. I love the picture of Dylan jumping in the water. We have a river house and it is definitely one of Moe’s favorite places. Thanks for sharing…
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Heartwarming and heart wrenching. A lovely tribute to a best friend. Makes me remember a couple of my elderly best friends and their last days. Lucky us to be witness to their life, loyalty, and love,
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We lost our 14.5 year old chocolate lab about six weeks ago. Your post reminded me of some of the signs we saw in her last year as well, but mostly of what a gift it was to be able to “grow old” with her and see our bond deepen with all of the passing years. You are right about senior dogs. We’ve never had one before her (we had her from when she was a puppy), and we do realize that the ability to grow and change with a dog over such a long period was such a special thing. We never had to make that heartbreaking decision to put a beloved pet to sleep before, either. Although we know it was the best thing for her, our lives will never be the same. I remember knowing but not wanting to admit, either, that she would soon be leaving us, as it felt like she’d go on forever. But I take some comfort in knowing that in the end, there were no hugs or kisses held back, and nothing left unsaid. Words fail me when I try to describe what she meant to me, but her heart never did.
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Kudos to you for standing by your Sr. dog, I to have a Sr. lab and I love her dearly, she is such joy and wonderful friend(actually I feel she is my baby) I can see her slowing down and getting tired much easier than she used to catching her balls in play and resting so much more but at times she is ready to run and play still. She is getting very grey as well. I will be with her till she crosses the rainbow bridge and I will always have her in my heart. It is amazing how many people give up there Sr. dogs, I can’t imagine that, I feel they are the kind of people who have no compassion or love in their hearts.
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I, along with everyone who’s had a senior pet, empathize with you, and your post touched us all. I thought Cokie was a goner when he fell out of an 80′ palm tree when we first adopted him when he was one. But no… He lasted another 12 years with only a slight hitch in his giddy up before he didn’t show up for dinner one night and we found him paralyzed in the closet. Several weeks of treatments later, he was back. While he has highs and lows, and his own set of indicators that he’s no longer a spring chicken, including having to wear his ‘man pants’ diapers (5 years now) when he leaves his pad (his bathroom. He’s still rambunctious enough to want to bunny hop down three flights of stairs for midnight strolls around our apt courtyard – in and out of the jungle (bushes under the balconies) – and to climb all those stairs back home. I’ve known Cokie’s going to leave us soon, for 18 years now, and have lived in a perpetual state of ‘preparedness.’ It looks however, like he may outlive us all. I love that the BlogPaws Senior Pets Month badge looks like your Dylan, taking up knitting. ; ) Much love, Cokie’s mom, Kristin
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Thank you for sharing this. We have two pugs–the elder is 12 on August 28th and she is slowing down. She will go out the dog door, but likes to be let in by having me open the door for her. Luckily I now work from home so I can be around to appreciate her and be more of a “steward” than I would have been when I had my office job! She jumps down from my son’s bed in the mornings but barks at us to put her IN the bed. Strangely, I am the only one who seems to hear her at 5 AM–so we’ve started to put her in bed when he goes to sleep to make everyone happy. She still jumps up when any food prep is going on, but she is *obsessed* with food so I think she feels like that’s an energy expenditure she’s willing to make. When that stops, we will really know that she’s about to leave us. I don’t really even like thinking about it, but I know it’s the circle of life. Like Dylan, she has been such a cornerstone in our lives I can’t think of her NOT being here. To complicate things, my husband got a new pug puppy 2 years ago when I was out of town, the sneak. I do love her, too, but was worried she would harass our older dog (which she does sometimes) or that our older dog would feel replaced (which she hasn’t). They’ve ended up being good friends. I know our younger dog will grieve, too–she’s never been “alone”, going from her littermates to her “pack” with our older dog. I am rambling, but this post spoke to me–so thank you for writing and helping me to celebrate all of the milestones that come with having a beloved dog(s) in my life!
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I lost my best friend 3 yrs ago. He was 13yrs old. A yellow lab/bull terrier mix. He had cancer. I keep telling myself that GOD only lets us borrow them, so that we have a short time to learn the true meaning of love. It goes both ways, and they leave taking that love with them. I learned to love fully, like him.
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comforting to know we’re not alone realizing this.
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What a wonderful piece! Thanks for sharing it. It reminded me of dogs past and the experiences I had with them. There are wonderful aspects to each stage of their lives, but the senior stage is a wonderful one full of simple activities and simple pleasures. Thanks for sharing…
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My Pit Bull Dog passed away almost 2 months ago….somewhere inside I knew it was coming. We spent our remaining time together being so close. Still miss him greatly and spend a lot of time crying. He was only 8 1/2, but I watched him slow down and saw that he wasn’t able to do the things he used to be able to do anymore.
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So sad, & I have a 12 yr old Lhasa Apso, don’t EVEN want to think of it, but do realize, & I treasure every day with him.Wonderful writing. I too watched idly by as my dog entered her senior years until even I had to admit she was no longer the spry puppy. The dignity of seniors struck a cord. My girl lived to 17…and it was still not long enough
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I too have had many of the very same feelings you describe,when I look @ my 12 & 1/2 yr. old AM. STAFF,Queen Kizzi,her whole life she has been a Princess,the past yr. a QUEEN,her graying muzzle & dignified outlook has earned her that,i heve made a pact w/ myself,every single night as we settle in to go to sleep,i tell her I LOVE HER!!!! she is LOVED! & may the Lord give me the strength to know when her time w/ me is done,so I may not be selfish & give her the departure she SO deserves,w/ her dignity intact!
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Our yellow lab is on the way to going down hill. Noticed I avoided the actual words of ‘he’s going down hill fast’? I have accepted the fact that he’s not going to be here forever but his mom, my daughter, is in TOTAL denial. She will not accept it even when she had to go get him out of the backyard cause he couldn’t make it back up the stairs but tried for a long time. Yesterday she told me he still has an energetic attitude (true) and she isn’t ready to let him go. So I make him comfortable and let him sleep, occasionally wake him up to tell him we are still here. its hard though. have two other seniors, both girls, that are doing better than him. Knew this day would come but still not ready…
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i went thru this for 4 years……… and as long as my girl wasnt in pain…or loss of respect…we waited , with love… she showed us..when it was time……it’s been 3 years since… it still makes me terribly sad…and havent been able to add a new furby to the family…
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Oh it is so hard to lose a beloved pet, I just lost mine 3 weeks ago, and she was only 8, broke my heart, cancerous mass on her spleen. She was treated like the queen family member that she was so I know and she knew how much we loved her
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Our family lost our most precious Bayley, she was a chocolate lab with the heart of a champion. she came to us late in her life, but I would not have missed what time we did have together. She was the matriarch of her pack, which included her son, her grand-daughter and her “daughter-in-law”. When her legs could no longer hold her up when “doing her business” i knew it was time. She was 15 and a half!! She is here on my side table in the dining room- a place we all gather. She will always be missed and loved…
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Thank you for sharing. I have two senior dogs and I have seen them become less active lately. I love them so.
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It is very difficult. But they know you love them.
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I lost my senior baby boy last year within a month of my senior kitty. That same week my sweet chinchilla also died. It was a rough road. I’m loving every day I have left with my senior pittie. She missed her brother so much I got her a kitten! That gave her purpose and she’s so happy to cuddle with her “baby”.
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just lost my 15 year old Linda who had all these signs and more but kept going till her legs and hips could not..i am thankful i was there to help her up the last time but so sad and empty…. i knew it was coming but it came so fast….now she is gone and i have a big hole in my heart..this article came at just the right time thank you
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My mutt is 15 soon to be 16 and though he is still rocking his loss of hearing and teeth are a reminder that my time with him is dwindling. It kills me to even admit it. I’m cherishing every moment till the day when my existence will change. Until then, he is my world and I will honor him everyday! Thanks for sharing.
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Lost me American Fox Hound July 3 due to failing back legs. Hard to go through, but couldn’t let him suffer any more.
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Oh my, this brought tears to my eyes. It makes you think of your own dogs and to appreciate the time you have with them. THANK YOU SO MUCH for sharing this story and reminding us just how precious our time with our dogs are. You are truly an inspiration on your outlook of your beautiful Dylan’s life. He is so lucky to have you.
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my Oscar past 7/2/13….I still cry when i say his name…
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I especially miss coming home from work and finding our dear Pivo (passed this July at 16 yo) on her ortho pad in the hall in front of the AC vent. She was hard of hearing and didn’t wake immediately, so I would lay down on her pad and spoon with her while I still was in my work clothes. That was our daily thing. I will never forget her.
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I recently went thru this with my great dane. She got weaker and weaker until she couldn’t go for a walk even a house or two down. She died April 4. One thing you can do to help him w/the stairs is take a sturdy cloth shopping bag and cut it down the sides. That way you can slip it around his belly and have the handles to lift is back legs up a bit. Harley didn’t like it till she got to the point that she couldn’t go up or down the stairs at all w/o it. Then she was very appreciative of it. I held her in my arms and helped her cross over and it is an honour to do that for our loved ones!
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So sad, I held my two dogs in my arms when they died. Broke my heart.
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Love this. Love the zest that he gathers for the lake splash. Love the moments of unpresumptuous, yet deeply unconditional, love.
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Dylan looks like our ChocLab/Pit, Brewser. Brewser is much younger. At 6 years, he is still in what I guess is middle-age for a 90# dog. He is doing just fine.
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A little less than 2 weeks ago, we had to say goodbye to Pevo, a Shar-pei/Pit that I had known since he was 3 months old. Beautiful dog! He suffered from a liver bile duct condition that affects mostly Pits and Shar-Peis. He was a very muscular dog in his prime, but over the last 3 years had started to waste away to a near skeleton with an enormous belly. He was very reluctant to let us know how much pain he was in, tough guy that he was. But in the last 2 months, we could tell. He spent most of the days sleeping at the foot of our bed, or in the hallway. Laying down or standing up was harder and harder for him. He was having troubles breathing. We knew it was time. We wanted to allow him the dignity of being able to walk into the clinic under his own power, even though I had to lift him in and out of my truck. He was 10. Thanks for posting this.
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My sister has a 17 yr old Papillion, who is in good shape. But she said she knows she could pass at any time, given her age, & considers each day a gift. She said she will honor this dog’s memory by saving another dog. I have my 7th dog. We grieve because we love, & our grief is proof of that. But saving a dog’s life is the worth it. I wouldn’t have it any other way, other than to have them live forever.
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This makes me want to cry but is something we animal lovers must come to terms with eventually and for some of us several times in our lives.
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I have 3 large dogs, 2 of them are over 10 years old; 2 small dogs, one is 10 and the other is 15. They are all shelter dogs. I’ve been blessed to have them this long. It’s not easy. I just lost one that I had all 17 years of her life. They give you so much joy.
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Thank you. My beagle also died of cancer and cushings disease. It’s so lonely without him.
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so touching…and true- my baby passed a month ago at 8- Hemangio Sarcoma- playing all night and at midnight I had to carry her to the car for her last trip to the ER at the vet’s- tumor burst & she was bleeding out- I had no warning…wish I had, she would have feasted that nite- as it was, I was watching her weight….but she was spoiled and loved..miss her terribly
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my golden is 11 1/2 and she has a lot of fatty tissue lumps and started to slow down on her walks. but I can’t imagine life without her even tho I will have to. thanks for sharing your story.
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Have three seniors… I cherish every day with them They too still have gas in their tank and those days are very special; however, every day is extra special.
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My Pit Bull Dog passed away almost 2 months ago….somewhere inside I knew it was coming. We spent our remaining time together being so close. Still miss him greatly and spend a lot of time crying. He was only 8 1/2, but I watched him slow down and saw that he wasn’t able to do the things he used to be able to do anymore.
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Our dog Boomer has more heart than stamina, and our time with him is short so we give him whatever he wants,and we are always close by.
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Bawling my eyes out. God bless. Most painful heart wrenching make you cry forever devastating part of life to deal with. I will think of you and Dylan. Prayers and hugs. Thank you for sharing. It’s exactly what we did with our Jack when we saw that ah ha moment too.
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My Lucy, a yellow Lab I got from the shelter at age 5, is now 13-14 years. I’m seeing the same things. This is the hardest part of owning a dog and I’ve had dogs all my life. Thank you for sharing. Some days I feel like I’m alone with my senior dog.
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What a heart warming story….I know exactly how this person feels and its all so true! The senior time isn’t near long enough…they are finally calm and peaceful and just want to love you and be near you…nothing else matters much to them…and then they’re gone….so very sad
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I started crying when my dog reached 10, knowing the end was near. She lived until she was 13…. Still miss her a lot.
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oh my oh my…..tears flow when it comes to those senior dogs that is for sure… Have one now…he could not make it around the field when I rode here this last week…we stopped as often as he needed but it too brought it home for me that his days are numbered…I dread it for the fact he is not replaceable…yet none of the ones before him were replaceable either…they stand on their own piece of my heart. I just hope for Q’s time to be as happy and comfortable as possible…I know our entire family will miss him beyond measure for his loyalty and love is just so….Q…
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its always difficult…i have had pets for the past 58yrs….always been there when they pass. then along comes another little baby to share your heart & life….xoxoxoxo
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my sweet black lab Ruby is right there with Dylan. I see ”it” more and more and it makes me so sad. I love her more than ever too, now that she is a senior. It is so hard to know my times with her is very limited. She is my baby.
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This looks like dear Lilly that passed away today. God rest her soul.
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I absolutely LOVED this article! Many of us don’t take advantage of the time we have left with our senior kids. Never take one day for granted you never know when it will be the last…
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My Queensland healer mix is 15 now and I see some real signs. She seems to still be spry but I see it happening slowly. I feel lucky to have had her this long and am trying to make her last bit as comfortable as i can. She still plays with her younger sister as much as possible. And I know she will be sadly missed by all.
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Agonizing. I’ve suffered through this. Dogs do not live long enough.
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The joys and sadness of being an old dog parent.
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I feel for you… I lost my yorkie of 12 years… It broke my heart… My prayers are with you…
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Thank you for sharing your story. I also have a senior dog he’s a Irish Setter, he’ll be 12 in Jan. His back legs are very shaky and weak now, we know his time is coming so we just take it one day at a time, it breaks my heart…..
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my senior German shorthair pointer died 2 years ago. always in my thoughts.
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What a wonderful piece! Thanks for sharing it. It reminded me of dogs past and the experiences I had with them. There are wonderful aspects to each stage of their lives, but the senior stage is a wonderful one full of simple activities and simple pleasures. Thanks for sharing…
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My acknowledgement came when his mast cell tumor came back for the third time (and ragingly that time). We still had several months of good days after that, and I rarely left his side, but I knew our days were numbered. I miss him every single day, but he had 12 good years and the heartache of coming home to an empty house gave me the incentive to foster a different, but equally wonderful senior dog who was up for euthanization. These four-leggeds have brought me joy, patience, and compassion that no two-legged ever could. Thanks for the wonderful tribute to Dylan. Logan (and many other wonderful characters) will be there to greet him when it’s his time.
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My dog had cancer twice and the second time was when she was 13. It was then on Thanksgiving 2008 I knew she was going to die that day because she wouldn’t eat her dog food, I gave her cat food she wouldn’t touch it, I gave her turkey she wouldn’t touch it. She loved food. At 9;30 that night she was trying to climb up into the chair and so I helped her and minutes later she died. A parent knows.
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Hits home. Hard. Lost one of my black lab brothers 3 weeks ago. Very peaceful at home. His 12 year old brother is grieving. So very tough. Thank you for sharing this. Helps.
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My 12 yr old boy is there too plus fighting a tumor in his nose : ( Breaks my heart. It doesn’t matter how many dogs I go thru it with its never easy. Tearing up as im typing. He’s sitting here next to me looking at me wondering whats wrong LOL.. I love my boy. Always will.
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Thank you so much for sharing Robert. My own dogs are 10 and 11, and the 11 year old (Bingo) is a border collie/lab mix. Due to circumstances beyond my control I was separated from them for about three weeks recently, and it was probably the most difficult three weeks of my entire life. I will never let that happen again no matter what it takes, and I am so thankful to be able to spend their senior years with them. Bingo’s curled up right next to me as I write this, snoozing away, and nothing else matters to me. Thanks again.
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Went through this in 2010. I held her as much as I could, I hugged her and loved her fiercely. And no matter how much I gave her, in the end, I felt so inadequate and missed her horribly. I still miss and cry for her….in spite of now being in dog rescue and having two new adopted rescues that bring me great joy.
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I just lost my chihuahua of 13 years, Harley dog,. He had been with me thru 7 grand babies who loved him dearly and miss him so much it’s difficult to lose a pet that has been loved and most .of all that has loved you. He was my best friend,my buddy-i will always cherish him and I will never replace him.
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I am very grateful when my TELL me they are declining. I have had friends that have gotten up with a spry middle aged dog that dies by the end of the day from unseen health problems. I want time to spoil them beyond comprehension for all the loving years they gave me.
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the tears are falling while I write this, I lost bear in may and miss him a lot.he had a tumor that I found to late and had to put down. wont forget him.
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I am going through this.She hasn’t eaten in three days but, she drinks a little water.In fact, she chased a cat yesterday but, it was only a short distance. I love you Abby. You are the best dog ever!
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My Chocolate Lab is also 11 now and is showing the same signs…he always loved going to the rivers and lakes but the last time we went he didn’t want to go into the water too far to chase the stick (his favorite thing to do in the whole world!) and I had to coax him and show him that his doggie life jacket would hold him up…then he was having the time of his life again, but he tires out quickly and can not keep up with the 2 yr old yellow lab we have. It is sad, but you are right, it makes me appreciate the time I have left with him and love him even more!
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I’m still grieving over the loss of my Springer Spaniel Clyde who died at 13 1/2 on January 2 2006. He was the “special one”.
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There is a peaceful dignity in an old dog that I so admire and love.knew as well, when we lost our 14 yr old yellow lab last year. I, too, miss her so much, altho’ we have a new yellow lab, now 8 mos old. My 1st lab will ALWAYS hold a special place in my heart, but I try to remember all those fun, as well as funny times with her. I’m loving our new pup, but she can’t replace what I had with my other lab.
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There is a peaceful dignity in an old dog that I so admire and love.
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I have a yellow rescue lab now and last year lost a yellow lab/greyhound mix. She was 12. Never easy but being there for her was very rewarding in its own way. Treasure all the moments. My love for her allowed me to rescue my beautiful lab.
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I have a senior dog to & i treasure every moment with him. I only wish this man had another dog; it is so devastating when you lose your one & only. That doesn’t take away the same grief for me with several dogs but the others help you through it. Beautiful piece…
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I lost my best friend 3yrs ago. He was 13yrs old. A yellow lab/bull terrier mix. He had cancer. I keep telling myself that GOD only lets us borrow them, so that we have a short time to learn the true meaning of love. It goes both ways, and they leave taking that love with them. I learned to love fully, like him.
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It requires compassion and true love to acknowledge when your loved one – be they human or animal – has entered the final stage of their life. One must have the courage to let go when the time comes and the willingness to accept the comfort of others once the decision has been made. Be at peace, all.
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I am going through this. She hasn’t eaten in three days but, she drinks a little water.In fact, she chased a cat yesterday but, it was only a short distance. I love you Abby. You are the best dog ever!
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We have three dogs – 10, 7 and 4). The middle one a Weimaraner named Cooooooper (he really is a 6 “o” kind of dog), will probably be the first to go. I just know it, my husband knows it. He’s lumpy, he had pneumonia inn both lungs when we got him, he an accident with a circular saw, he eats too much, drinks too much and throws up regularly. Despite our best efforts to change his behaviour, Cooooooper has remained immune to change. We don’t care, we love him unconditionally; when his time comes and I do not expect him to live until he is 14 or older. I will be devastated because although I love them all, he is MY dog. We were looking for an older, medium-sized, female dog as a companion to our Husky/Mal cross. We found a two-year-old, male, giant. One look and I was hooked. He is without a doubt the nicest dog we have ever met of any breed. He just loves everything and everyone and everywhere. We all have our stories to tell about that special dog who just speaks to us in that wonderful secret language that only the two of us can hear. Cooper is my special dog as Dylan is Robert Pregulman’s. We’re pretty lucky that in this big, old world we found each other. Thank you for a heatbreakingly good article and treasure that joyous picture, I would.
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This a such a touching story. Seniors are so dear and special. I lost both of my girls, siblings, this past year. One three months after her thirteenth birthday, and the other three months before her fourteenth birthday.I believe its just as painful to them that they have to leave you. Enjoy every moment of his life. They just aren’t here long enough.
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My husband and I are facing the same with our larger than life, literally, Pom! We got her when she was three months old, and she will turn 13 this September! She has been the love of our life and still is, but I see ,her slowing down. She doesn’t RUN up the twenty plus steps to the house, she kind of lumbers up. Once in a while sh,e gets a burst of energy. Her muzzle has turned whiteish. I think her eyesight is failing, as at night she won’t jump up on the bed, just whines to be be picked up, something she used to never give a second thought. During the day she can get up on. The bed by herself, so now think she can’t see it. When she tries at night, she hits and falls so we pick her up! Poor baby! Like some other’s I’ve been reading here, she she will just stop and stare at me for the longest time when we go outside, like – “what do you want me to do?” She sleeps a lot more than she used to. The day is coming, and along with it will be tears, like it always has been with all of our other pets, gone either from old age, disappearance, accidents! I guess at 64 & 65 ourselves, we are slowing down a bit ourselves, and have gone thru this process with our beloved pets more times than I care to remember! Each time I think I don’t want another one because it hurts to much to let them go, but then, we just can’t seem to live without their furry little bodies to cuddle, their loving eyes of anticipation, their wagging tails when we come home, their barks of happiness, their misplaced piddles and poops, their little wet kisses, their concern and discontent when we pack to leave on an extended trip, their angst at going to the vet, their running away. Just their presence in our lives! Can’t live without it! Our lives would be lost! When WE become to old to take of our pets, then it will be time for us to go as well, because life without a pet, is not life!
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Thanks for sharing…your observation is “on the money”. I was fortunate to have my Ley ( bah-BOO ) for 18 yrs and as with you, I saw her age/time catching up with her. I made special times & things that she hadn’t done and LOVED it all, til she could do no more. Hugs to you & your babe and “happy times” to you both..Happy Trails !! <3
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Your post literally brought me to tears. I just had my a-ha moment as I read this. My dog, Madison, is 13 years old and she is a mix of German Shepard, border collie and something else we think. She has been the best dog that I have known and I’m proud to say that she is mine. I have grown up with her all through elementary school to my years in college. Reading your post made me realize that my puppy is showing these signs and she is slowing down as you said. It’s heartbreaking to think about but I know that the time is coming soon. It’s so hard to think about that but she has been a good puppy and it’s even harder to even think about saying goodbye. Thank you so much for your post 🙂
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lost our 12 year old Newfoundland mastiff mix in Dec. Like you, we saw her declining little by little until she could no longer get herself up, even with the sling we got to “give her a lift”. fortunately she let us know when she had had enough and it was time to let go. We found a vet who came to the house, was wonderfully compassionale and let us take us much time as we needed to say goodbye. It was peaceful and dignified as our Kenya girl deserved. It still hurts alot and I still look for her to greet me at the door with a toy but I know she is waiting for us at the Rainbow Bridge.
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I had a similar moment when I realized my girl Sophie had entered her final phase of life. I was so blessed to have her with me until she passed at age 16 1/2. In her younger years, I’d spent moments, more moments than I’d like to admit, worrying about what would happen when she got old, when I had to make decisions, how empty my life would be without her when the time came. Yet when she reached that final phase in life, she did have a quiet dignity about her that was breath-taking. Her gray face and her slow, deliberate steps. She was the most beautiful being I’ve ever met. It’s been two years since she passed and I miss her every day. But I feel so blessed to have had her with me for so long and to have had the true honor of caring for her in her elderly years.
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Thank you for this, thank you for letting me know that others have the same feelings we do. We to had a chocolate lab, Colby, the most amazing and definitely the sweetest dog in the world. We too thought she would live forever, or at least hoped she would as we could never picture our lives without her, our children had never known a world without her. She was 14. We lost her this past Memorial Day weekend, tragically. She was swimming and retrieving and her paws became entangled in the lily pad stems and the next thing we knew, she was floating on the pond. We raced in to get her, gave her mouth to snout CPR and chest compressions and WE BROUGHT HER BACK! She walked out of the park with us, we brought her straight to the vet emergency hospital and they, and we, thought everything would be okay. Sadly, she had ingested too much water. We were there, surrounding her and holding her and talking to her and loving her as she slipped away and it is honestly the most tragic experience I’ve ever been through., sometimes I think more tragic than losing a person, because dogs give you nothing by love, nothing but unconditional love and sweetness. We felt as if we had somehow let her down. I can totally understand when you say that you dog didn’t show up for food…we used to say “lucky dog” every time something dropped on the floor and faster than we could say it, she would be there…then all of a sudden, she wasn’t responding to “lucky dog” anymore, the hearing was suffering, she stayed downstairs overnight instead of making the trek up the stairs, you could tell in her eyes that she would rather you come to her instead of her coming to you…but still loved to swim and loved chasing that frisbee. Even though we all witnessed the events that lead to her loss, including my 12 and 9 year old, I have come to the conclusion that there must have been something more horrible and painful in store for Colby. She was taken on a beautiful, sunny day, while we were walking, running and playing at the state park. You couldn’t have stopped her from swimming anymore than you could have stopped her from eating the turkey and cheese sandwich she had for our picnic lunch. She was doing all the things she loved, she was trotting along in sheer happiness, walking along side the people that loved her the most and who she loved and protected most in the world, it was a good last day. Old dogs love you differently, they love with experience and with dignity. We know she is jumping high for every tennis ball, catching all the frisbees, eating dishes of vanilla ice cream and pizza crust and resting in all the sunny spots. Take every second you can to love your old dog, the space that is left behind is painful is impossible to fill.
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As someone who grew up in the Pacific Northwest. I really appreciate some of the little quotes in your posts. I have this weird affinity for reading blogs from back home and getting all nostalgic. As a dog owner, an animal shelter employee and a dog-parent of two technically senior dogs I had to post on this one post. My oldest is just about 10 now. I adopted her 9 years ago from a shelter near Sequim. I can’t remember the name of. I just remember being told “euthanized” by friday. She has been my dog forever. She’s grown up with me. It’s really been this past year that I have seen her slowing down. I probably should have thought of it sooner. Her hips angle a little, the muscle tone is thinning… She’s a ball chaser, through and through. Had I known then what I know now, I imagine she could have done amazingly well at agility. She doesn’t go after the ball nearly as much anymore. But with glucosomine and fish oil caplets.. she’s back to being able to jump on the bed. You see, I, oh, devoted dog parent with little sense of shame let my dogs sleep with me… In a king sized bed. Me and Dogs. No one else. I lowered it to the floor for her. My other dog came to me older, at 6, he’s 8 now and a 4 lbs chihuahua that walked into my life on accident. He only jumps down from things if he reaaaally wants something. I figure I still have years left with them both. But in the back of my mind, a flurry of medical conditions that aren’t easily notice sit, nagging at me. I see a lot and do a lot, including humane euthanasia. It’s not something you share with people – but it grants me peace of mind, knowing that when the time comes I am prepared.
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Senior dogs, like horses, are royalty. I had a flat coat/Newfie/ lab named Mo until a year ago February. She was 15 and Monday, we were at the nearby park, she got to romp loose, pick up burrs from the one bush in the place… Her love of tennis balls trumped food. With arthritis in one leg, I couldn’t throw them anymore but rolled them toward her. She still picked it up and howled. A noise we simply called her chewbacca call. The next morning, I called and she didn’t come. She couldn’t get up… For two heartbreaking days, I did my best to carry her downstairs and steady her with a harness to go out. I talked to my vet. With detail on the symptoms- she wasn’t in pain, other than upset she could hardly walk – we tried one med she thought could be it. No dice. I called the people who loved her (and there were many. I often heard she has people eyes) to say goodbye. She was glad to see each of them. I called my boyfriend, on a business trip and let him know I didn’t believe she would make it until Friday. He flew home immediately. He loved that dog, and she him. She was friendly and outgoing but didn’t attach strongly to others. This man? She knew an ally when she met him and she made him one of her tight pack. He melted right into that glorious coat and and loving heart. Thursday night, I slept next to her and in the morning we brought her in with a stretcher under the bed we carried her into the car with. My wonderful, straightforward vet looked at me. ‘This isn’t Mo’. She had the techs stand her up so she could see how she stood, how her limbs felt. The days since she collapsed, her head was up, she responded to people and was very calm. My vet told me I could take her home, see how the weekend went and… I looked at my girl. For the first time, she put her head down. Very very clear. I’m done. I stopped my vet and said absolutely not. I pointed to Mo and she was brought to a private room and we were given time to say goodbye. She went quickly, I am so grateful for the privilege of being her friend for so many years, and so grateful to be able to end her life when suffering set in. She was the most polite, gentle, loving soul. It’s been nearly 2 years and I still miss seeing those brown eyes, those giant feet coming around the corner with a hopeful or mischievous look! What a gift to have had her and I trust she is able to chase tennis balls with the gusto and joy I saw again and again. When pets are older, that is when they need us most. I see photos at shelters of discarded senior dogs and I’m furious at the owners. I admit I judge, feeling they haven’t deserved that dog… Thank you for sharing your story… That dog has a loving home, great consideration by his owner and I applaud your patience and recognition that this is a remarkable time.
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