amick

Thanks, I think happy is the right word. She loves her boyfriend of 10 years or so, I think having two dogs make them live longer. Im working on a video.

Well reading the replies has perked me up no end. I think we pass the test listed with flying colors. I am of course sorry for the sad stories. Its not my first time at this game but it doesnt get easier. Ive been lucky to have long living dogs. When I was a kid 8 was old for a dog, you might find an old Lab about 14 but that was it, they all lived outside and got chased all day, went to bed wet. We are going to the vet soon, the nails worry me as she is not as agile, so we are getting them fixdd up this week, the vet does it, its easier, believe me, if a girl does it shes fine, a boy, no way. I think her tail was damaged and she was held down and the end cut off. I think she was a failed hunting dog because she had some old scars when I got her 13 years ago or so. She was on death row for the third time when I got her. I never had a problem, she didnt like me much for the first few years but she came around. I have been watching her defecate, the front right leg has a tremor in it but the back ones seem to be fine and strong in that regard. Its hard to tell with a bitch as she always splayes her legs wide when she pees anyway. Its just arthritis, she still has good muscle tone for her age according to the vet. General soreness. Just part of getting old, like I said, no cure only treatment. It would just be nice to wake up and find her cold than the trauma of putting her down, but at the end of the day, its part of the responsibility I suppose. Thanks to all for the replies, advice and experiences. This is a recnt pic, excuse the big fat guts, just ate a huge chicken carcass.

Well reading the replies has perked me up no end. I think we pass the test listed with flying colors. I am of course sorry for the sad stories. Its not my first time at this game but it doesnt get easier. Ive been lucky to have long living dogs. When I was a kid 8 was old for a dog, you might find an old Lab about 14 but that was it, they all lived outside and got chased all day, went to bed wet. We are going to the vet soon, the nails worry me as she is not as agile, so we are getting them fixdd up this week, the vet does it, its easier, believe me, if a girl does it shes fine, a boy, no way. I think her tail was damaged and she was held down and the end cut off. I think she was a failed hunting dog because she had some old scars when I got her 13 years ago or so. She was on death row for the third time when I got her. I never had a problem, she didt like me much for the first few years but she came around. I have been watching her defecate, the front right leg has a tremor in it but the back ones seem to be fine and strong in that regard. Its hard to tell with a bitch as she always splayes her legs wide when she pees anyway. Its just arthritis, she still has good muscle tone for her age according to the vet. General soreness. Just part of getting old, like I said, no cure only treatment. It would just be nice to wake up and find her cold than the trauma of putting her down, but at the end of the day, its part of the responsibility I suppose. Here is a recent pic, just after a huge chicken carcass, big fat guts on her.

I had to walk away twice before startng this, so here goes and apologies if its in the wrong section. My old bitch is 19 in november. She is a wolfhound x kelpie x three other things I reckon. She has always been around 43 kilos, I do my best. Its a lot longer than I thought it would be the life of this dog. She has top eyesight, top hearing, everythings good except going in the back legs as yuo would expect. There is as you know no cure, just treatment and that is pretty much useless at this age. The problem is she gets up and goes out to check things out 100 times a day, gets on and off the couch and does her best to run outside. So no matter how calm I may keep her when I am at home, I cant stop her nature. I have had one dog go in the back legs in the middle of the night, never again can I handle that experience, so I want to avoid it for both of us. She can only walk about 100 metres now without slowing to a crawl, which in a dog equals pain. So when is it time to do the right thing. Do I wait until she cant walk 40 metres, 10? Is it best to go out on top of your game? Does she have another two or three years left in her? One thing I noticed that is interesting is that now when you scratch any part of her chest or tummy, the bad leg does the auto scratch thing, so I guess its all nerve related? When I got her she had obviously been mistreated. She did not trust me for about 5 years, now she sneaks onto the bed as soon as we are asleep, had to get bigger bed 10 years ago. She knows I am typing this, she is watching me and just rolled onto her back. She tskes up a 7 ft couch and as I glance across, the tail wags, she knows. Its not an easy thing to discuss but I have done my best, over to you if you have any advice.