dog getting old....

[lisaward]

my collie is getting old and its starting to make me sad.
i know i have to do the best for her and although slightly deaf and i think a bit blind she has been coping.
she is 14-15 yrs old so i know she is on borrowed time but this doesn't make it any easier.
recently her back end is getting stiff and as she lives out side the cold is not helping .i have started to shut the door at night and have put a wool coat on her tonight.
she is slightly forgetful on her toileting and OH won't let her inside,which whilst i can see his side it is hard.

just really wanted to get off my chest so need to answer,

the dog is my last link with my parents which both passed away in 2000 so makes things seem worse .
please don't think i won't do right by her as when the time comes i will try to do my best by her.

 

[rema]

I know how you feel.I have a 16 year old collie who is almost deaf and eyesight is starting to fade.He is getting stiff in his hips and thought we nearly lost just before christmas but he had Vestibular syndrome.We have put the old boy on Metacam with fantastic results.So much so that we will have to get some "downers" for him because he cant sit still now.Like you time is getting short for us to have him around.It's heartbraking.Sending you a big hug.

 

[Olliedog]

I know how you feel. My 11 year old G. retriever's hips are starting to get a bit creaky(they were never great) and I've just started noticing the grey around his eyes, which does make me sad as I've always thought of him as a puppy still

(Metacam has definitely helped with the hips though).

[ QUOTE ]
please don't think i won't do right by her as when the time comes i will try to do my best by her.

[/ QUOTE ]
That's all your dog can ask of you. Just remember "it's better to be a year too early than a day too late". I have experienced this first hand with relatives and their dog (she is deaf, partially blind, incontinent, cannot walk properly as hips have given out ,has had at least one stroke to my knowledge and appears to not know where she is

)
In the meantime, sending lots of good vibes and (((cyberhugs))).

 

[GinaB]

I know exactly how you feel it's so hard. *bigs hugs for you & your dog*
We had to get my uncles beautiful gundog Windsor PTS on Monday. He was 12yo. He had been doing very well the past few months, put him on devils claw which improved him so much we could take him of vets prescription. But on Monday it all became to much for him and we made the decision to have him PTS, kindest thing for him.

 

[cheeryplatypus]

poor you!
have you tried giving a bit of cod liver oil in the food it helped my lab with an arthritic elbow
just buy the liquid for humans and put a dribble in at tea time

 

[mrgoop]

Bless you both, it is a horrible situation. We seem to forget that they get old.
As long as you make her life comfortable, and make the heart breaking decision when the time is right, then you can do no more.
It is so sad that she is your last link with your parents, as that of course makes it harder than it already is.
BIG HUGS xx