my doggy is getting old?

Question

well he's getting old- he's 12 going on 13 and i know he has to die but i don't want him to. i really love him..and i just want to know before it happens...how should i remember him? i know i should remember him when he was young and happy and healthy and all the good times with him but if i think about when he was old and dying how do i get it out of my mind? i'm crying just typing about this!

i already have another dog- he's almost 2

Answer 1

You remember him however you like. No one can tell you what to think! Some people like to take bits of hair from their animal, some just like to keep photos and videos. How you say goodbye (i.e the funeral, whether you bury him or have him cremated) is also an important part of grieving.

You don't have to witness your dog dying. Animals are lucky enough not to have to go through this ( I mean suffering and dying a natural death which is not often pleasant), so you never have to see him suffer. When your dog eventually gets ill, a vet can help you decide when he has started to lose what we call 'quality of life' - i.e when he is no longer happy anymore because illness has changed the quality of his life so much. You can then have him put to sleep, which is peaceful and the best way to go - no animal should have to suffer right to the end. That way you're only left with the good memories, not with months of suffering. It's just a shame we humans don't get afforded the same dignity.

Take your dog to the vet regularly (i.e at least yearly) so problems can be caught early. If your doggy isn't ill, don't be sad! He's lived a good long life, that's great thing! Losing a pet is always so hard, but grieving is part of it. The most important thing is to make sure you do right by the animal so you know you looked after him right to the end.

Chalice

Answer 2

My dog was going through some health issues over the course of last summer and we had to put him down. I still remember the day as if it was yesterday, it was the hardest day of my life but what I do to remember is that he had an awesome life, he was 15 when he died so I just remember that he lived a long fullfilling life and how much I had when he was around and how I did everything I could to make him feel good. He was adopted by my family when he was 5, the family that he him before was abusive and dropped him off at a shelter, so I like to think we gave him a new life to live normally. Just think of the happy times and how happy you made him and everything :)

Answer 3

Hun, you need to stop dwelling on what could happen. What kind of dog is he?? Some dogs live well beyond 15 years old. You said your dog was only 13 so I'm sure that he may have a few years left in him. Go cuddle with your dog and relax. Everything will be fine. Don't worry about what could happen. Be in the moment with your dog right now. Good luck

Answer 4

Well if you have pictures of when he was younger you can look at those and remember those times when he was able to do more things. I know how you feel. We had to put down our dog 2 years ago because she was so old and having hip problems. All you can do now is enjoy the time you have left with him even if he doesn't do much.

Answer 5

Aw, I am so sorry. The most beautiful thing that my sister did when she had to put her beloved, cancer-ridden dog Suzy to sleep was to spend the whole last day doing things Suzy loved--going on a walk, eating special treats, going to a favorite park. When the time came, she held Suzy as she was put down. It was so sad, but beautiful, and Suzy died very happy, in the arms of an owner who cared very deeply about her (now I've got myself crying). It will hurt, but you will get over it, and have good memories. I really wish dogs lasted longer!

Answer 6

The only thing that will make it easier is time. Unfortunately they can't live forever...none of us can. We just have to remember them like they were and move on. Your doggie had a good home...plenty to eat and drink...people who loved him. That's about all you can do for a pet.

I know it's tough right now...but it gets easier. You'll remember him always though. I'm so sorry Molly.

Answer 7

Don't cry, enjoy the time you have left. If you want some ideas for what to do when he passes, I'll give you my idea for my beloved little Yorkie. When that (horrible) time comes, I want to bury her in her favorite garden to dig in, and plant some red flowers and a weeping willow tree over her, with maybe a nice bench. If you don't have the room for this, maybe you could get him cremated? That way, you always have him around. And never ever forget the memories you had together.

Answer 8

I am hopeless in my belief that pets have souls, especially dogs. I cried a long time when my dog Bosco died....and so did my daughter who was 12 at the time. He died on a Sunday on a bitter and snowy December and my daughter could not contain her grief. The day of Sunday inspired me to bury poor Bosco near the Garden and I used an old toolbox for his coffin..... which I then wrapped in plastic. I took out my portable FM radio to help with the service. I made a little cross out of wood and my daughter wrote his name on it. Then I tuned the radio to Sunday church music and then I said a prayer ........ my daughter did the same. You see, I think God's Spirit is in all living things and when you respect the Spirit, you respect life and honor God. My daughter and I, since that day, have been tightly bonded because of mutual love for Bosco and our memorable Sunday service. Twenty five years have passed since that day and we still talk of Bosco and look at his pictures in the family album. Only loving pet owners will understand this.....Fortunately, we had another Dog, Rocky, to help us get on with our loss. He missed Bosco too. Oh, by the way, Bosco died on Christmas day.

Answer 9

You're kind.

What is the quality of his life now? Is he sickly and poorly? Is he still pretty alert?

My border collie, for example, is 15 (yeah for real!) and still as spry as a chicken. I expect to get about 5 more good years out of her as it is.

That said, make sure to talk with your vet about things that older dogs get - arthritis, maybe skin problems, as well as changes in diet and exercise.

I bet Fred isn't quite as feeble as you think he is. But planning for his senior years is a really good thing to do. Speak with your vet.

good luck.

Oh and when he does cross over - he'll be waiting for you in Heaven - read Psalm150 to see that all living things praise God. If they haven't got souls - how can they praise God?

Answer 10

My dog was so sweet. She got older and she got cancer. We petted her alot and talked very nice to her because we knew she was in pain. We knew that we would have to take her to the vet to get put to sleep. The night before we took her to the vet for the last time, my mother said that she saw her sleeping outside my door. She never did that before. I think she knew she was going to die. She just wanted to come in and see me to tell me goodbye. I am still sad about it and it was years ago. But I just remember the good times with her. She was a funny dog. Wehave a piece of furniture that she always used to sit under and every time we point to it we think of her and we tell a funny story about her. Just spend alot of time with your dog he is old and talk nice to him.