stellnme

No real surprises at the vet visit. Ned is pretty much blind, at best he is seeing shadows, which may be the cause of his confusion and reluctance to go outside to toilet. In short, lots of old dog stuff happening but no one thing that we can do much about. He is on a senior vitality supplement - can't do any harm. We had a long talk about their decline, but Ned isn't there yet. We will try lots of things, including solar lights on the back deck which may be of some help, and just look after him.

One word: Money - and I completely agree with you. Why mess with perfection?

What a beautiful opportunity you were given to be with your boy at the end. I'm sure his owner's touch was comforting and familiar to him. So sorry it was Scout's time to go.

Taking Ned back to the vet tomorrow for a check. Things continue to decline so want to know where we are standing with all that is going on.

Not fair at all. The only good thing is that dogs don't know what is happening, and all we can do is make their remaining time as good as can be, but you've been there and done that. Give her many cuddles (and take many photos.)

Oh no, Grumpette - I always admired your stunning dogs and the beautiful pictures of them over the years. I'm so sorry Dee Dee has left - may she find the greenest grass and the warmest sunshine, and may she live forever tucked in that little corner of your heart.

I'm so sorry your Lulu has left. What a beautiful girl she was, and obviously so loved. I wish I could tell you it gets better, and it probably does, but mine are all still tucked away in a little corner of my heart, where all good dogs live. May Lulu live in that little corner of your heart and may memories of her make you smile.

So true @WoofnHoof After Ned recovered from his bout of parvo before he was adopted, he hasn't had anything! He has a yearly vet check but mostly he is happy to potter around, have a walk around our property - he really doesn't like traffic at all, and eat and sleep the day away. Suddenly we're watching him all the time. I know there's not much to do, apart from maybe another vet visit to rule out a few things, but my tough little dog isn't so tough anymore. I'm sorry to hear you are also going through the decline with your Lulu.

Thanks, DDD, you've been there many times too.

When Stella died a year ago, I thought we would get a respite from old dog worries with Basil who is now 4 and a half, and Ned, who always just does fine. In September we adopted Tuppence, a 10 year old Iggy, and she is still healthy and spritely. Over the past few months, we've realised with a shock how Ned has deteriorated. He came from Blacktown Pound in 2006 to a rescue, had parvo and survived and then went up for adoption. He was classified as "at least 2" then, but our vet thought he was even older. At the very least, it would make him 14. He seems to have lost his spark - he always kept pretty much to himself but lately we've caught him just standing in places with his head down like a little statue for reasonably long periods. He's still eating well, but having accidents now and then, he doesn't want to be around anyone and takes himself off to a quiet place. Lots of old dog behaviour and probably dementia as well. He's not long had a vet check and we know he's not seeing as well as he used to and slowing down, but aren't we all! Just watching him for any new signs but having been there quite a few times before, I'm sad to say that I think we are seeing the start of the long decline. How did others cope with this?

He intentionally stuck his hand in just to see what he would do? I was right - an idiot - who does that?

Minxy, what an idiot neighbour - I can't imagine what he was trying. It sounds like you are well aware of Kyojin's behaviour and have managed it pretty well. Maybe now is the time (after a vet check) to take even stronger measures and be more aware, especially around your daughter. Maybe the vet will find something , but it sounds like your neighbour triggered the situation.

I guess it is always the quality of life that I look out for. Stella's quality of life (at 17) was not there anymore, and she was beginning to suffer, so that's my benchmark. You know your dogs very well, DDD, and you will know when that happens. Jeune is a sweetheart and from reading about her for many years, I know you have given her the best life. Watch her carefully for changes, cuddle and love her every day, and be guided by the vet who knows her. I hope you both enjoy more time together.

My daughter has one of the KMart ones - $20, I think, which works fine in her small apartment for one small dog.

Yes, that's unfortunately right.

So sorry to hear your lovely girl has left. She'll always be in your heart.

In NSW, found animals have to be taken to the pound. It's fine to take them to a vet to check for a microchip, but if none found, the animal has to be taken to the pound. I see many facebook posts in my town where people presume everyone is on facebook and will see the lost animal on the particular site they post it on - certainly not so, with so many sites and most closed groups. I also see many comments where people presume they can keep the cat or dog, or people reply that they will take it. Not so - it's theft to keep someone else' pet. It has to do 7 days in the pound if not microchipped, 14 if they are, and the finder can put their name on to adopt if no owner comes forward. Why people don't microchip their pets (which is also the law) and give themselves a reasonable chance of being reunited with them should they go missing, is beyond me.

Yes, I think you are right, Pers.

And in the boot too. What a nightmare.

Oh Yuk! Also, rescue groups have always managed to find the money to desex their animals before adoption - why are these people suddenly their saviour? It will be believable when they actually give xyz rescue $xx towards desexing one of their adoptees and the rescue verifies that, not airy fairy promises of some sort of help down the line.

Even if it was genuine, and we know it's not, what a creepy little campaign.

I just read this on my email. Why don't Petrescue let rescue groups do what they do best and they go back to providing a forum to advertise rescue animals. This hand in the pocket dodgy "donation" stuff would turn me off ever advertising a rescue animal on their site now.

This is one of the things I hate (and fear) most. I'm always on the lookout for a stray dog when I walk my little ones, and I hate that I have to feel that way. When Basil was younger and we were walking him on lead in a park, he had two off lead dalmations encouraged by their owners to come up to Bas and check him out. Poor little Bas tried everything to get away and I asked them to put their dogs on lead - they replied - "Oh, your dog isn't very sociable, then" and I said that he was just fine, he just didn't like dogs in his face. Imagine how a small dog feels with two large dogs intimidating him. I spent a good deal of time and training to get a dog that I could walk nicely on lead and idiots like this can turn your dog into a quivering mess around other dogs and ruin every walk you take. I'm not polite anymore and tell people to take their dogs away from mine. It's the stray ones without an owner in sight that worry me. Sars, I'm sorry that you had to go through that experience and he was completely in the wrong. It's the owner that needs reporting - as well as the dog. Also, eating biscuits (followed by a strong coffee) is an excellent way to calm down. I hope you, and your dogs, are feeling a bit better.

We've had our little ten year old 4 weeks on Sunday and it's probably only now that she has realised that this is home. We've just let her be and get used to us on her own terms, but the big thing that has done wonders is routine. My other two dogs know that feeding is around the same time, walks usually occur in the morning and toileting (even though we have access to the yard at all times) is a regular event, i.e. first thing in the morning, last thing at night, etc. Tuppence is an Italian Greyhound - my first of that breed, and those that know the breed well have told me that they are timid little dogs who take time to warm up to people. I also give them all their own safe space to go to and sleep and she certainly likes to retreat to her bed when feeling a bit anxious. She now will come and sit on our laps when she wants to and the big break through is that she has started to play with Basil's toys. I think your Mum's dog needs time, routine and stability - which sounds like you are providing that now. Good luck with the little one!

So sad and unexpected. We all know that heartbroken feeling and the pain of losing our dogs. Sending thoughts and sympathy - I'm sure you did all you could for your boy and Jasper would have known that.