You are not alone - I'm going through this with my 13.5 year old now. Yesterday, I took her to get her eyes checked and she was so cute! She was all excited to have her leash on and be seeing people. She was even trying to trot along side me even though her rear legs aren't very co-ordinated any more. She kept pulling me to strangers so they would pet her

Last night, when I was getting ready for bed, I noticed her sleeping next to the couch. She was so deeply asleep, she didn't hear me rustle the cookie bag. When I put a cookie down by her nose she woke up for a few seconds to eat it and then went back to sleep. When I got up this morning, she was in the same spot and my heart skipped a beat as I watched to see if she was breathing. She was and she woke up a few seconds later and came over to say Good Morning.

Today, hubby said she was playing earlier but later she seemed to be uncomfortable, laying with her feet kind of tucked under her. I keep checking on her to see if she's okay. Currently, she's all flopped over on her side which usually means she feeling better. The trip to get her eyes checked was about 2 hours long, including driving time. She rode in the back seat and we had to walk pretty far (for her) to get to the CERF clinic. I think maybe she's just exhausted/sore from that.

Every night before bed, I give her a long hug and tell her that I love her. On her bad nights, I tell her that it's okay if she needs to "leave" me. Then I anxiously walk downstairs if she doesn't greet me at my bedroom door.

It's hard to go through each day thinking it might be her last but I wouldn't trade the time I've had with her for anything.

Barb, I'm sorry to read about Toby. I'm not on here as much anymore, but I know there is no one who loves or cares for their dogs better than you do. It is SO hard to watch them grow old. My childhood cocker spaniel still lives with my parents and at 12 he is really going downhill with his hearing and vision. The good news is that you can make their later years the best they can be with a lot of TLC!

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DTK's One Over Par (Bogey) - CGC TDI
May 12, 2008
Doolin's One Life, One Love (Ace) - CGC
November 10, 2009

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“The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is his dog.”
George Graham Vest

I know I'm one of those you are taking about and you sure did hit the mail on the head with this post.

We've had a not good weekend so I am on the downslope, but hoping the predinsone he started Saturday will help. Sound familiar?

Copper is my 4th dog in 8 years. My other rescues were older, but once it was time I lost them very quickly. I've never had to deal with geriatric issues like this and it can be very disheartening. We get one thing better and another crops up. The missing spleen may be contributing to the issues, but if that hadn't been found and removed I would have lost him 02/2009.

I love my old boy dearly and treasure every moment with him as we all do. I pray for more quality time, not just "time". And yes, I frequently look closely to see if Copper is still breathing and hold my breath until I see he is.

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Copper's Mom (always )

One thing I have noticed more and more with my 13 year old Rosie, is that these dogs are very, very good at not letting you know when they aren't feeling well. They are so in tune with pleasing us, they don't like to show their bad days or when they are ill.

After the go around in May with her inner ear infections, Rosie has been sick again this last week. She is having immune system issues due to her age. Three trips to see the vet and massive amounts of antibiotics. She will kick out of this one, but the next? I just don't know.

I have to hand it to our vet. He is not the best vet we have had, but he is kindly, likes goldens very much, does his best, and he understands me. He refuses to try and "counsel" me about the time Rosie and I have left. We both understand that a deficient immune system is a problem. He understands that I know what the story is, and he respects my space enough to not bring it up in our conversations.

Yesterday, Rosie needed her third penicillin shot, and his wife was asking what the scoop was, and Dr. just said "she is having a compromised immune disorder from age, we'll talk later..." in response to her. The subject quickly changed and that was that. I appreciate that. I have lost enough pets in my life that I have learned to deal with it in my own way. I have also learned that heroic efforts to keep these wonderful dogs going is generally only for our own needs after a while.

I will treasure every day that we have left. Rosie has been a wonderful dog from the day we brought her home at 7 weeks. Always good natured, always well behaved, always just a great doggy. When she is gone, I will surely miss her like none other. I will shed a great many tears, too. I will also do it knowing that God gave me two wonderful golden companions in this life to treasure the memories.

Now, where did I put those dog brushes. She's behind schedule.

Sigh... Barb, you've certainly captured it in a nutshell. I'm feeling somewhat fortunate that right now, my oldest is just going to be nine. At one point, we had one almost 16, one 14, and two at 12.5. It was doggy old folks home. So hard to think about them not living forever.

I just recently started down that rollercoaster ride and I'm not loving it though I wouldn't change it to keep them going another day. My 2, 9 y/o senior Goldens, so young in comparison to some of you who have oldsters, started having health problems. Baylee, with hypothyroidism all her life is now having back problems and was diagnosed with GRPU with eye problems. And well, Beau now has osteosarcoma, is hypothyroid and has survived melanoma, mast cell tumors and cardiomyopathy. It seems like I spend more time researching answers to their senior ailments than I do attending to my household and job. Both are seeing specialists to keep them comfortable and happy and the rollercoaster ride begins.
But I wouldn't have it any other way for everyday I have them to enjoy and love and spoil.
This rollercoaster is not so much fun but it is the best we can do.

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"Beau" Mr. Beaujangles Dancin on a Wim CD, RN , ASCA CD (RIP my shining star 1-17-11)
"Baylee" UCD Baylee Golden Butterfly Wings CDX, RN , ASCA CD
"Baxter" Promise's Purpose Driven Vision (looking toward the future)

I know exactly how you feel. We are going through the same thing with our Jake who turned 13 in June. Just when we think he is not feeling well, he surprises us and snaps out of it, rolling on his back kicking his legs all around as happy as can be. :-)
We treasure each and every day we have with him.

Teresa, just wanted to put out there that all 3 of the acupuncture vets we used for our dogs did not want to do acupuncture while the dog was on prednisone or had some other steroid in his system. You might want to check before spending hard-saved money for acupuncture.

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It looks like we're starting down that rollercoaster ride. You are so right one day you think things are going ok and then you get the blood work back just to find out it's not as good as you thought. I will keep you and Toby in my prayer's.

Well, shoot. I was going to call tomorrow to schedule a visit. I will ask if the laser treatment is at least beneficial. I'm sticking with the prednisone for 3 weeks as the ortho vet recommended. I just don't know what else to do.

Thanks for the info!

Barb - I hope Copper's alter ego Toby is doing better. He is sooooo close to my heart too.

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Copper's Mom (always )