How do you cope with caring for an old frail dog, that you love?

Question

I have a three ledded 15 year old dog, that mostly sleeps, but Im afraid to find her dead someday.

This is a photo of my girl, and I forgot, she just turned 14.

Answer 1

During my dogs last days battling cancer, I would hold her head in my lap, stroke her and speak to her, telling her what a good dog she was and how much I loved her. It was a difficult time and my heart goes out to you.
She was my Search and Rescue partner for 12 years and even served as the ring bearer at my wedding. Losing her was like losing a part of my soul.

Answer 2

You're in my thoughts. Indeed it is very hard. My Lhasa Apso has heart disease, sleeps mostly but she is not in pain. She's become incontinent and to some it would be a big problem. Not to me though! She always was a very clean girl, gave me so much joy. I take her to the Vet twice a month and feel elated when he tells me that indeed, she is ill and old but doing remarkably well. I give her reassurance, lots of cuddles, make sure she takes her medications on time, eats food she likes and always have plenty of fresh water.

It is very hard to say good bye and we both face it at some stage. until then ... All we can do is be there for our dogs, show them we love them very much, they are not guilty of doing anything wrong, they're simply elderly and ill. My dog responds to her cuddles and she manages a little walk in the house, garden where i carry her. She loved fresh air so i bought a second hand pram, put a comfy cushion and take her out in the pram so she can enjoy fresh air. When i'm not well enough to do so ... We both sit in the garden on a good day, otherwise i take her in the car to her favourite places and i do know she enjoys that.

All you can do is be there for her, reassure her, help her feel contented and not at fault. She loves you as she always did and always will, same as mine does and will.

Best wishes

Answer 3

When we moved to our housing edition, we saw and heard dogs almost everywhere so we thought it would be a good place for us with our german shepherd/greyhound mix. Unfortunately, we did not realize that the neighborhood association "covenant" said all dogs had to be "indoor" dogs and kept inside at night.

Our dog was already old and our veternarian was amazed that she was doing so well for as old as she was. But, as german shepherds tend to do when old, she was developing a hip problem. Every night we had to bring her through the house to sleep in the garage--she had never been an indoor dog and house breaking a dog at age 14 seemed an impossible objective. Over the next two years, she stumbled more when climbing the two steps to enter the house, especially in winter.

One night as I brought her in, her legs slid out from under her and she looked at me with those mournful eyes of despair. The next day I took her for her last car ride as we had her put to sleep. I took her face in my hands, looked her in the eyes and said, "You will never have to stumble into the house again, I'm sorry," then her eyes glazed over, closed, and did not open again.

The veternarian then stooped to look in my eyes and fixed her eyes on me and said, "Thank you." I was puzzled. She added, "You don't know how many people bring in animals that have been suffering terribly because their owners could not bring them to do what you just did."

I still miss that dog, who was like a member of the family--it made me cry just writing this short note--but I'm glad I did what I did and didn't wait any longer.

Answer 4

Oh....reading this made me cry.

Two months ago I put down my 14 year old Dobie. She was battling cancer. I knew it was time when she wouldn't eat and couldn't get up on her own. Most importantly, her last two days she lost that spark in her eyes. I knew that my baby girl I loved was already gone.

The best decision I made was having her put to sleep at home. I don't know if it's available in your area, but I would recomend it. I didn't want to put her through the trauma of a vet visit and a car ride when she was feeling so poor. I didn't want the pain and anxiety to be her last thoughts. So instead she got to lay on her bed, in my bedroom, with her head on my lap. She just drifted off with me holding her and telling her how much I loved her.

Answer 5

Just be gentle with her. If she is suffering, it would be best to have the vet put her down. Sometimes that is the kindest thing to do. You sound like a wonderful owner and 15 yrs is quite old for a dog. I hope you get a puppy to keep you company later on.

Answer 6

Is your dog still eating, drinking, eliminating easily? You need to take your dog to the vet and ask the vet if she is suffering - and what quality of life does she have. If she is suffering - you need to do the kindest thing and have the vet give them a mild sedative so they go to sleep, and then give them the shot to stop their heart and breathing.

That is so hard - my dog was 15, suffering from cancer, arthritis, asthma, deaf - and the vet told us that it was the kindest thing to do because she was suffering. So, we held her in our arms, told her we loved her, let the vet give her the little sedative so she went to sleep, and then gave her the shot to put her out of her misery. It was so sad, but it was the kindest way to do it - rather than just letting her suffer and die horribly alone on her own - maybe when we were gone to work or out somewhere else, she just went to sleep in my arms, with her family surrounding her.

My heart goes out to you. Be strong.

Answer 7

just understand that dogs, like people, grow old and will eventually die. the only solace i have ever found in this is that dogs are to good to live for as long as we'd like. that's why they get taken from us so soon. they're not like humans, they love unconditionally. and when they get old, and down, is when it's our turn to do the same. take the lessons they have taught, and pass them along to a new, vibrant life. a puppy. don't worry about her passing. when she does, she is going home. there's peace there.

Answer 8

I'm struggling with this right now myself. Mine has all 4 legs, but her hips are giving her trouble. She falls every once in a while and it just breaks my heart. She still has her good days and doesn't appear to be in alot of pain (I give her medicine), but I know the day will come that I will have to make a decision. I just try to give her as much quality time as I can.

Answer 9

Your dog may be old but it still loves you dearly.Just make sure it is well fed and warm, and take it out for little walks that don't have to much excitement.

Answer 10

Just let her rest, she's old and tired. As long as she's not in pain, I would just let her rest. If she stops eating/drinking it's probably time to put her down