I don't want to face the truth

[mylady]

That my dog Lady is really starting to decline. I've been making excuses, trying to find times when I can see the young dog she used to be. It tears me up to think that time is catching up to her. I can't imagine my life without her in it, as crazy as that may sound. I know our beloved dogs don't live as long as we'd like them to, but I guess I've been trying to turn a blind eye to the fact that she's not doing well. For the last two weeks I've woken up to urine on the kitchen floor. She's never had accidents in the house. Now I'm mopping the floor all day because of her and our cocker is incontinent at 15 years old. Tonight I watched her struggle to get up the back steps and just wanted to cry. her back legs are not working as well as they should more and more. Her hearing and eyesight are failing. I'm so not ready for this. I know she's not at deaths door, but she's 14. I've had her longer than I've known my husband, my kids. This dog, many years ago, literally saved my life. I may have saved her from the streets, but she has repayed me a million times over. I feel so helpless. I will be taking her to the vet to see if there is anything I can do, if she has a bladder infection, if it's just weak muscles, etc. I know my poodle Molly was put on some meds when her bladder muscles were a bit weak and they helped. I just hate having to realize that she's old and that the majority of her life is behind her. I don't think I will ever have a bond with another dog like I have with Lady. She's my heart dog. And I have to chastise myself because I am doing what so many of my clients do, try to ignore what is going on because I don't want to face the truth. I hope I can be strong enough to see the truth about her health when the time comes to let go. If I could have one dog for the rest of my life, she would be it.

[hairlessdogmom]

My heart goes out to you, One of the hardest things to think about is what you are thinking, and it seems to be all you can thinks about.(been there done that) Take her in and see what is going on first, before you worry yourself. Also she an old girl and needs to feel special, give her that little extra piece of steak, the milk left in your bowl, why not think of all the secrets she's kept for you!

[groomingfool]

I hear you and know exactly what you're going through. I thought my heart would break when my first Pharaoh Hound Rahotep passed. He and I went everywhere and did everything together. I still miss him even now, 13 years after he crossed the bridge. I still feel his presence, though, from time to time. The brush of a tail that's not there, the soft poke of a nose, and his wisdom shining out of another's eyes.
I now have a mini poodle, Zaf, who is my everywhere guy. He's wormed his way into my heart, and there is much of Rahotep in his cleverness and manner. I have a feeling they never leave completely, they just find another way to be with us. So enjoy her as long as you have her, but be sure it won't be the end, just a different arc of the circle.

[Beanermom]

I'm so sorry for the pain you are going through, MyLady... I think all of us can understand exactly what you mean and the depth of emotion you are going through right now. I had a very serious scare with my Bean this summer (they said it was either terminal cancer or a really bad ulcer!) . Thank God he made it through- but I was right there where you are, scared to death, facing that possibility. My thoughts and good wishes are with you.

[Jadenlea]

(hug) I am sorry Lady. I know what you are going through and it is just awful

[Dog Daze]

Sorry about your doggie aging and not doing well and send hugs your way.

[puppy love]

((HUGS)) I am so sorry for you and your Lady, it is a pain beyond belief when we see our best friends starting to decline and there is nothing we can do to stop it. Hopefully the vet will have something to help your sweet girl.

[toomie]

I am sorry your cocker is not doing well.

I don`t know if you already do this or not, but you might try giving her something for her joints. We have a large older dog (11) and he is arthritic, and on the advice of a friend (thanks 4 Sibes!!) we started him on a daily glucosamine and chondroitin supplement called Arthogen. I see a big difference in him now that he`s on it. We also put 2 of our other dogs on it as well, and I`ve seen a difference in them also. I myself have started drinking something for my joints and it is amazing what a difference it makes in my pain and flexibility levels.

As for the incontinence, my vet told me sometime ago that female dogs who are spayed will very often have bladder control issues as they get older because of the uterus being gone, I guess it has something to do with things shifting around inside somewhat? Not sure. Are you finding puddles or just some drips?

She is probably lying down much more than she used to, and maybe holding her urine longer? She could very feasibly have a bladder infection from that. Whatever it is, I hope it`s something that can be fixed. I hope you can have some more quality time with your baby.

[doggydivas]

Awww, I went through this with my dane, Hank, last May. I sooooo understand what you are going through. I just ache for him sometimes.....*sigh* He was my best friend.
I would hear the coughing and just say "huh, he must have something in his throat". Knowing deep in my heart that NO dog coughs that much in a day. I KNEW there was something wrong. But the one thing I can tell ya is you KNOW when it is time. The cough that told me it was "time" for Hank was a cough like no other. I heard it and was running to him as if he had broken his leg or something. He was SUPER old (12+ for a dane is like living to 100 in human years) so I wasn't gonna put a ton of money into saving him. I knew it was old age talking. He couldn't walk up and down the stairs anymore and he had stopped eating. So I called the vet and he was put to rest the next day here at home. It is hard but it felt good at the same time letting his pain and discomfort end.

[Smart-n-Pretty]

My .02

I know your pain. I wish I did not.

I put off sending my old Chihuahua to heaven because I was too weak to make the decision. He had literally saved my life. He had literally changed my life. He set me on the path to becoming a groomer. The day he went to Heaven we were at the ER and I was watching him die. Slowly. And the vets were urging me to put him down. As I took him out of the oxygen chamber to love him one last time he died in my hands. Painfully of a heart attack. The look of shock and pain on his face is with me (haunts me) until this day. Had I known then what I know now I would have made his journey much easier and sooner. I will always feel terrible that Shorty did not get the easy passage from this world to the next because of my cowardice. I will pray for wisdom for you to make the right decision and the strength to do whatever you think is right.

[flyingfur]

((((hugs for you))))) I think everyone wants to ignore or trivialize their pets decline. We want them to live forever because they are so dear to us. As long as they are not in pain and have some enjoyment in life, it is up to you what you are willing to do for them, whether it be carrying them up the stairs or cleaning up urine. We do it because we love them and appreciate their unconditional love.

[dogmom]

My Shelby is having the same problems your Lady is. I just try to spend a little extra time with her. She loves to go to the field and run with the rest of the gang. Today though seems like it was to much for her. Enjoy every minute with her.

[rapuzzled]

Oh MyLady, I'm so sorry to hear that. Unfortunately, I know too well how hard that is. We just had to put down Molly a few weeks ago and boy was it hard. I had never had to do that before and didn't realize quite how hard it would be. I too was in denial with her. Before the end she was sleeping more and more and deaf, plus her back legs started going out on her. My parents kept telling me that maybe it was time but I kept saying, No she'll be fine. The morning she wouldn't eat anything I knew it was time. But it was still one of the hardest things that I have ever had to do. I have another senior citizen, my Biscuit who's 16. She's deaf and almost blind and she's real stiff, has trouble with stairs. She still eats well (a little too well!) and there are days that I swear that she's still a young dog the way that she'll act. Unfortunately those days are getting fewer and farther between. It'll be even harder with Biscuit though because we've had her since she was a puppy, she was the dog I remember from my childhood. I'm just trying to remember all the good times that I've had with her, and how much she has given me. Spend what time you have left with her and don't think about how much longer she has, just enjoy the time that you have with her. Anyway, don't think about it being in denial, there is nothing wrong with not wanting to think about it. Old age is no fun, that's for sure. BUt I know when it comes time you'll make the right decision, as hard as it is. But for now just love her while you have her!!!

[PuppyFluffer]

Wyatt is starting to slow down as well. Along with his $4000 knee, he has bursitis in his left shoulder and two of the worst hips I've ever seen on an x-ray. We've been giving him Deramax to help with the pain, but lately it doesn't seem to be doing much good. He's gone from wanting to walk for HOURS to literally giving out after only 10 minutes.

After extensive research, and on the advice of my vet, we have started a series of Adaquan injections. He had his 2nd one yesterday. Its a series of 8 injections given twice a week for a month. Unlike glucosamine/chondroitin supplements, adaquan has been shown to not only halt joint damage due to arthritis, but to actually help the body rebuild the cartilidge (sp) and synovial (sp again) fluid in the joints. It usually takes 3-4 weeks before you see any noticeable results, but its supposed to be nothing short of miraculous in its effects (thats what I read anyway). Its expensive (about $250) but if it helps to give him a better quality of life, its worth every penny.

Before you give in to despair, take Lady to the vet and get her checked. You may be surprised to find that she has some quality life in her yet! And ask about the adaquan...Ill let you know how it goes with us.

[Jersey]

Mylady, you will know the time is right when you look into her eyes and she tells you. That is what happened to me and my Vegas. I saw her pain and knew what I had to do. I still miss her everyday.

Jersey