When will our 20 year old Aussie Cattle Dog die? I want a pup but mum says not until she dies! Answers? Plz!?

Question

Our 20 year old Aussie Cattle Dog (Rain) is still alive and we can't believe it! She is really very healthy but she is blind in her left eye and that's it. We have a 13 year old black Labrador male (Bobi), and a 9 year old Border Collie female (named Jesse). They're really good pets but I want a puppy of my own. I have always wanted a German Shepherd or a Boxer but my mum always tells me that if we spend $700 on a new dog, if something happens to Rain, we won't be able to afford any surgery or medication. I'm 15 and I have a part time job and I work 5 hours on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday so I said that I will pay for 3/4 of the price and I will pay for everything else, like shots, bed etc. The life span of a normal Aus Cattle Dog (Blue heeler) is only 14 so what's going on with Rain?
Has anyone ever heard of a heeler living this long? And yes, she is spayed now (like all of our dogs) but she had an accidental litter of 4 pups when she was 8 months old.

Oh and Rains mum lived until she was 13 and her dad until he was 17. We know because my dads sister owned the mum and dad.

Rain will be 21 years old on the 14th of March this year!

And if you think I want Rain to die, I don't. I just would like to know WHEN she SHOULD die. Mum and dad aren't going to put her down or anything..
It's just weird knowing that our dog is so old and I'm not even allowed to buy a new dog (they think it might stress Rain our if there was a new "kid in town") until she dies.

Mum thinks that Jesse and Bobi are good friends together and they probably won't want a puppy in the house. She said it's still OK to get one, just wait until Rain dies! They are all real good mates and they are always running and playing with each other (even Rain) so they are all happy.

I DON'T WANT HER TO DIE! WHY WOULD I WANT A FAMILY MEMBER TO DIE? THAT'S SO CRUEL TO WANT YOUR OWN PET THAT I HAVE GROWN UP WITH FOR ALL OF MY LIFE, TO DIE!

GIN, BELLACHIC AND WOOHOO: MAYBE IF YOU ACTUALLY READ WHAT I POST, YOU MIGHT ACTUALLY KNOW SOMETHING. HOW CAN YOU THINK I WOULD WANT MY OWN DOG TO DIE? YOU THREE PEOPLE ARE THE CRUEL PEOPLE, I HOPE YOU DONT OWN A PET.

I think a couple of you people need glasses because the LAST thinng I want is for her to DIE!

It may sound like it because of the way I phrased the question but I don't want Rain to die so STOP TALKING TO ME AS IF I AM THE CRUELEST PERSON ON THE EARTH!

Just because I want a puppy, I wouldn't trade Rain in for anything in the world.

Answer 1

Maybe YOU will die first. When do you think THAT will happen? Perhaps THIS should be your question.
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And if you think I want Tom J. to die, I don't. I just would like to know WHEN he SHOULD die. Mum and dad aren't going to put him down or anything..
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Now do you understand, Tom?

Answer 2

I think it's amazing that Rain has lived past 20 years of age.
I don't think you should be worrying WHEN Rain is going to die, you should enjoy the time that you spend with her. I think that it's fairly obvious that it won't be too long but don't think about it.
Getting a puppy would stress Rain out a LOT, it could also stress the Labrador and your Border Collie.
Just wait.
Maybe your mum is worried that something might happen to Rain and it will be expensive. That's why she can't afford to pitch in $200 for a puppy of your own.
Being 15 and already having a job, how are you going to take care of your new Boxer or German Shepherd?
Puppies require a lot of attention, attention you should be giving Rain at this age.
Obviously don't forget about Jesse and Bobi, they are old as well.
Bobi is also at a very good age for a Labrador as their life span in generally around 10-12 years, maybe a bit older.

Edit: Your ACD is very healthy, to only be blind in one eye is great. A lot of ACDs suffer from deafness so at *almost* 21 years old, Rain is doing great. She has obviously had an amazing life and I hope she has many years in front of her. ACDs can generally live past 16 years of age (oldest dog on record is an ACD named 'Bluey' who died at 29 years of age).

Answer 3

Wow, I hope my blue heelers live as long as Rain. You must be taking good care of her. I would say that as the age she is she could probably die at anytime. However by the way that you describe her she doesnt look like she is going to slow down anytime soon. If I was in your situation I would enjoy the time you have left with her cause I can tell you will miss her once she is gone and in the mean time do some research on what type of dog you want your new puppy to be and where you will purchase them from and how you and/or your parents are going to afford the costs of raising this new puppy.

Answer 4

That is amazing that your dog is almost 21. I have a heeler and I hope he lives that long. I think you should enjoy the dogs you have right now and just wait to get a pup. I think your mom is right about a puppy stressing Rain out. I know that's not what you want to hear but that's what I think. Maybe if money is the issue you should try an animal shelter. They have wonderful puppies there. Not to mention that cross breeds are healthier (although they might not live to me 20)!

Answer 5

You answered your own question...breeding an 8 year old b*tch for the first time can have serious consequences. And this is one of them. An 8 y.o. body cannot support a litter like a 3-4 year old body can. And a uterus that has simply been sitting for 8 years won't be as capable as one in a younger dog, or one that has been "used" before. Could the people at the vet be liable because you couldn't tell that your dog was pregnant? No. Even when you palpate a female at 30 days post-breeding, you have to "dig" deep, and all you'll feel are small nodes in the uterus. At 40 days post-breeding, the puppies' placentas would have begun to expand, making individual embryos harder to feel. At neither of these stages would you b*tch have looked pregnant to the naked eye. If you didn't ask your vet to palpate, and didn't mention your dog had been bred, why would your vet have any reason to suspect she was pregnant??

Answer 6

That is amazing that she has lived so long!!! I would just save up your money now, maybe get some things here and there to put back until you get your puppy. Research the breeds you are interested in more thoroughly and research the places you would be going to for purchase as well. This will give you time to fully be prepared and show your parents how dedicated you are to this and how responsible you will be with your new companion. Don't rush Rain to die hun, she'll go soon enough when her time has come. Feel blessed you have had her this long.

Answer 7

It's hard to read your question without thinking that you want Rain to die - your phrasing is hideous, and I can't believe you didn't see that before you clicked "Post the question." Your supporting/additional details also don't help the later explanation about not wanting Rain to die.

You really ought to instead be enjoying Rain's long life and savoring every moment she's here with you. Obviously, 20 years is a long time for a medium-sized dog (or any dog, for that matter) to live. Apparently, you have a special dog there in Rain, so treasure her.

(And maybe you should remove this question.)

Answer 8

No one can tell you when your dog is going to die. That's WONDERFUL that she's that old. Kudos for obviously giving her a good life. The "average lifespan" of an ACD refers to city dogs and ranch dogs combined; many ACDs live to see 17. In fact, the oldest dog on record died at age 29, and was an ACD named Bluey! Heelers are great dogs, congratulations :)

Answer 9

I think its absolutely TERRIBLE that you want your dog to die so you can get a new one! Talk your mom into paying for 3/4 of it and everything else after that ie-shots, food, toys, and cleaning up his waste. Who knows. Maybe even Rain will enjoy the pup and knock a few extra years onto his life

P.S. Sorry about my first sentence. Although I meant it, I didn't mean to sound really, really, mean because I really love puppies.

Answer 10

I have to agree, it's all in the wording.

If I posted a question that said...

"When will my 98-year-old father die? I want his money, but can't get it until he dies! Answers? Plz!?"

...how would you take it?

But, to answer your question, interestingly enough, the world's oldest dog was an Australian Cattle Dog named Bluey, who died at age 29 in 1939.

Answer 11

That is awful that you want your dog to die so you can have a puppy. Why not tell your Mom that it would be nice to give your dog a companion to play with, since she is old, it might put some years onto her life! You could try that line anyway! Never hurts!