Loving my Oldies

Oh poor Bella and poor you. You both have been through the wars.

Not all dogs want to be the life of the party and love everyone and everything. Some dogs just want to do their own thing. I know I get envious when I see photos on DOL of dogs and their toys and playing up a storm, but I just have to accept that my dogs don't play with toys, are pretty quiet and a couple play with each other a few times a day. I agree with Haredown on both the points in her post. If you have a large yard, your dog would probably getting the exercise she needs, but she does need to go for walks for the interest. But I wouldn't be putting her in situations where she is anxious and unhappy. Sometimes phobias are here to stay and trying the eliminate them by placing the dog in phobic situations is just not the way to go. Sometimes acceptance and then avoidance is the best policy. Try to find times and places where you won't meet up with other dogs. I have a tiny dog who is hugely reactive so if I see other dogs being walked and approaching, I try to position my dogs out of sight (lots of cars parked in my streets) and I fee the dog tiny pieces of liver treats to keep their minds off the other dog/s until they have passed. The reactive dog sets the others off. Good luck. ETA: We were posting at the same time :) . Regarding your dog wanting to go to the park.... Dogs are very much creatures of habit. For instance, I am sure that the owners of older dogs will relate to this. The dogs get all excited because the leads come out, happy barking and racing to the gate, however, that's about it. Once the lead goes on and the gate is opened, the brakes are applied :laugh: :laugh: . That's enough mum, I'll have a little rest now. (That's just one of my dogs, the others are still up for their walks :laugh: :laugh: .)

Gosh, Bella is hardly out of puppyhood :laugh: :laugh: - Poodles are notoriously long lived. I adopted a toy poodle when he was just a few weeks shy of his 17th birthday. Lived for another 3 very happy years.

I'm not trying to influence you or anything :D :D , but have you seen the pugs in the "Growing Old" topic? Too gorgeous for words.

Having only ever had "toy" breeds, the idea of a 16kg puppy is hard to imagine :laugh: :laugh: . She is a knockout and you are in for years of wonderful times with your beautiful big girl.

I totally understand and empathise, but I can guarantee that if getting another dog is the right thing to do and it makes your dog happy, nothing will surpass your happiness at seeing your dog happy. :laugh: :laugh: I don't know if you've ever been involved in rescue or fostering, but the day you see a fostered or adopted dog finally at ease and playing with one of the other dogs is just the best. I stress that this is my experience - we are all different :) :)

I've been on DOL since 2003. I've seen so many cross the bridge as well as my own. I rarely visit the Rainbow Bridge thread. :laugh: :laugh: Trixie.

It is a bit like asking, "How long is a piece of string?" It depends so much on the dogs. Some dogs would love have a friend and some dogs wouldn't. You know your boy - if you think it would help him then search for a dog who would match. Good luck. And all the bet for your boy's recovery.

Great photos. Love the ones on Mt Coot-Tha. Who/what is Black Dog?

Great to hear. I'm glad that Georgia is okay again

If that is a real bbq snag, I cannot but be amazed, really amazed, at Miah's self control. Great photos everyone

Thanks Rosetta. Much better (she says through gritted teeth as waves of pain go through gut). Considering that a lot of medications dogs receive are the same as those given to humans, we can suppose that they suffer from the same illnesses that humans do, including reflux. I am one who has never given it much thought except to think from time to time that one dog or another might have an upset tummy. I will certainly be keeping a much closer eye on them in future, because reflux is just so painful . I will also be bringing it up at the vet to see if there is something to have on hand if or when it happens to any of them again. The only change I have made to my dogs' diet of late ( and one which I will be stopping) is to rinse out the Dine containers (for my cat) and pour the water into the dogs' food. It isn't much, obviously, but sometimes even a tiny bit of something is enough to tip the balance.

Thanks for all the considered responses. I'll update after I've taken the dogs walking. Unable to respond yesterday as I spent all afternoon in Hornsby Emergency ....... my very own reflux . All better and hard to recall that this time yesterday I was in great pain, sick as, wrapped in blankets on the couch with a bucket handy :laugh: :laugh:

I think reflux might be the problem. When I went downstairs earlier today, I noticed a big grass and other greenery throw up where he'd been licking. Unfortunately, I think he's given it to me :D . A long time ago I was diagnosed with chronic reflux oesophagitis after every test known to man for heart problems, a doctor sent me for an endoscopy . I was on losec for some years and it eventually "went away". I think it has come back with a vengeance. Anyway, if he experienced anything like I am at the moment, a trip to the vet will be a priority. He has had a dental recently and while I don't think he is suffering from dementia, he is exhibiting some effects of old age and increasing stubbornness.

Thank you all for your responses. If it continues, I will be taking him to the vet, but judging from a short time after I posted until now (we are all just in bed), I am thinking along with your assessment, Hockz. He has settled down, shortly after I posted, he snuggled into the quilt under my desk and hasn't done any licking since. I was a bit scared for a while and will be watching him like a hawk tomorrow.

What fun! Sasha looks great - def a star in the making.

Danny (14 years old Finnish Spitz Cross) is wandering all over the house licking the floor: wooden, tiles, mats. I thought he might be having some kind of fit, so I picked him up and held him for a while. He is licking his lips a bit, not from side to side, but just poking his tongue out a bit and then a little bit of gurgle in his throat and his teeth chatter. I was able to make him stop, but only by saying his name every time he started again. Just now he had a drink of water, trailed all through the house licking the floor, went downstairs, licked on the pathway and then started to try to eat a fern. Because I don't know whether ferns are harmful or not, I picked him up and brought him upstairs. He's just standing beside my chair

:laugh: :laugh: I can related and have Jeune to prove it ... from 2004.

So you know him and CT, LF. Humpff!! Jealous

I'll have to get some new photos of all mine. The five dogs are all oldies with Tamar just a puppy at 10 years :laugh:. My cat, Gussy, is over 15 years so she is older than all the dogs. Yes, it hits hard when the dog who used to want to walk for an hour or more is happy to toddle around the block .

Oh that is just too tooo good. Well done. I think the local paper should be told about the MacMobile.

She has a face only a dog could love ?? You are so beautiful to me? Can't take my eyes off you? The look of love Is in her eyes? You are my special angel? And on and on :laugh:

"must get rid of her due to new living arrangements" I think that's wishful thinking, DD. I know, Tintin, but we could all be wrong

Oh god help the poor things. On the other hand, the owner may be very very caring and very very careful as to where they go.

I feel sorry for the dogs like Georgia. We can rationalise and understand - dogs are just suddenly bereft and have no understanding of what has happened. From what you have told us about Bonnie's new people, I feel sure that she will feel safe with them in a very short time. Be brave. It can be very hard saying goodbye.