MadWoofter

Sending hugs to you & Boofy Anne.

My cat used to cuddle up with Tess during those last few weeks too. I do reckon they know. Mac looks sooo comfortable & warm. Hugs to you both

Thoughts are with you Anne & Boofy.

Oh hugs nickyp, it is such a hard thing to go through. Tess always slept on my bed so I'd never really got proper 'dog' beds, but then she started having joint problems and when she couldn't get up on the bed anymore I managed to get a couple of foam mattresses off gumtree which became her bed, she had blankets and everything needed to keep her warm and her joints & poor old bones off the floor. The last few weeks she slept nearly all the time, so I used to lug those bluddy things through the house - from the bedroom to the lounge to be with me when I was home, out to the kitchen when I was cooking, back to the lounge, and then into my bedroom at night. She had tummy troubles, and could only eat certain things, so I was spending more time cooking up her meals than I did for myself. I reckon her food looked more appetising than mine as well :laugh: I'd spend hours out in the front garden with her, as she loved lying in the sunshine and watching all the kids & people go past. I'd sit there with a book (and a glass of wine) and just sit with her, patting her head and talking to her. Who cares if I froze, and my backside got numb ! I spent as much time with her as I could. If that meant turning down social events, then I turned them down. leave work early to catch 30 mins in the garden? Yep, stuff work ! Do the housework or anything else that actually needed doing or sit on the sofa with her head on my lap? The house was a tip - so much so I wouldn't let people actually come in I was so embarrassed by it. That kind of sounds like a list of complaints, but it's not. What I mean is, you do whatever you can to make them comfortable, and happy, for as long as you can, regardless of what inconvenience it puts you to. Take it a day at a time. Spend as much time with her as you can. Focus on the little things that make you both happy - even if it's a potter to the front gate for a pee and a sniff. Keep an eye on Emmylou's eyes, they will tell you all you need to know. Hugs to you both

No real suggestions from me in terms of food, as Tess had so many tummy troubles I couldn't spoil her with food. What I will say is I spent at least 6 months doing the "is it time" thing with her, to the point I'd be OK that's it she's going tomorrow, and then she'd rally and be fine for another few weeks. It's a really really tough time WM. You want to make sure that you make the right decision at the right time, but at the same time your heart is breaking. I remember someone said to me it's better to send them over the bridge too early, than too late. That's the thing I hung on to. Nearly 8 months later, and I still get the odd moment of thinking I made the decision to early, and if I was a better mother she'd still be here, and if I worked harder on making her comfortable she'd be OK, and if I didn't do this, and if I did do that... but ultimately I know I made the right decision at the right time. Sorry I've waffled too much about myself, but hopefully you can find something in this to help you. Sending loads of hugs to you, and gentle pats to Mac.

So very sorry for the loss of your beautiful boy. How devastated you must feel. Big hugs to you.

I was at the Sydney Royal over the weekend and came across a breed I'd never really taken much notice of before - the Harrier. What a beautiful looking dog While at first glance they're not appropriate for me I thought I'd see if I could find some information on them but it seems that they're not that popular in Aus. Does anyone have one? I'll continue googling for info but where better to start than DOL :D

My gosh, how time flies. Happy Birthday

Oh Anna, big hugs to you. ChiChi was so loved, and I know the pain you are in. Lots of love to you all

Oh Bob, so sorry to hear this. RIP beautiful boy

My mum's greyhound does pretty well exactly this. She will walk up the hallway no problem for days on end, and then all of a sudden get to a spot and go "nope, not going any further". We've no idea what causes it either. She will eventually walk 'through' whatever it is that she's got the heebie-jeebies about with lots of encouragement (and food), and then it is if nothing has happened and she's back to walking up the hallway without a problem. Sorry, can't offer any advice, but just thought it would be nice to know you're not the only one :D

What a lovely ending to a stressful time.

So sorry to hear this juice. What a lovely tribute. Hugs to you all. Vale Appollo

Very cute :D

Fleming is a dag because sometimes he forgets that he's missing a back leg. He usually cocks his stump, but sometimes he'll cock his other leg ending up doing a handstand while peeing away It only becomes a problem when gravity takes over and he lands on his head :D

Oh happy birthday sweet funny girl

My boy Fleming has only 3 legs, however, he was only about 5 when it was removed, it's a hind leg, and he had been living with such a badly damaged leg for dog knows how long (he's a rescue) so he had already adjusted in terms of weight-bearing, and having it removed was probably a huge relief in terms of pain. Saying that, I don't think I'd amputate in your case. As others have said, an older dog may have trouble adjusting, particularly when it's a front leg. This is a timely thread for me, Fleming is having what appears to be a spindle cell lump removed on Monday. Fingers crossed the vet can get good enough margins, as even if he wasn't elderly (he's also about 12) amputation wouldn't be an option for my tripod. Best of luck with your decision and for your boy.

Panto, I gave all the large ones to Bull Arab rescue who also collected my old crate. I'm sending the few little ones I had been given to Powerlegs here on DOL I'm still clearing stuff out, so if I find any more I'll let you know and am happy for them to go to Griffith :)

Oh so sorry to hear this. They leave a big hole in your heart when they go, and while it hurts now, the pain lessens and you will remember her fondly and with laughter (and occasionally some tears) for ever. Sending big hugs to you and Kenz. Fly free Ness

Crate has gone to Bull Arab rescue via Facebook :)

I've got a large metal crate which folds down flat which I'm no longer using. It's free for anyone in rescue who wants it and can collect it. I haven't put it up, but flat it's 72cm x 110cm. Send me a PM if you're interested.

I've got a few collars, leads, haltis and harnesses (various sizes) which I'd like to give to rescue if anyone wants them. PM me if you can use them. Thanks

Oh Happy Gotcha Day Maddie It seems like you've had her forever HW (I don't mean that in a bad way LOL)

So sorry to hear this Scootaloo. Hugs to you and your family. RIP Robo

Fleming's ears get filthy and they're sticky-up ears - gawd knows how they'd be if they flopped. I get baby wipes (fragrance free, sensitive skin ones) and give his ears from the tip to where they join his head a good wipe out every couple of weeks. I very carefully also give the straight part of the ear canal I can see a clean with them as well. Strangely enough once his canal 'bends' it's clean. Strange boy :D