On 6/6/2010 12:15 AM, Phyrie wrote:


"~Karen~" wrote in message
...
I am either second guessing the past here or preparing for the future
with my present dog. I just went through this with our border x who
lived to 16.5 yrs old. She died in early March of this year. I have a
13.5 yr old wire-haired fox terrier who is mentally active and alert
presently. He is experiencing deterioration in vision and hearing and
has a fairly serious liver issue which we have done all that we can do
for.

With our border x we were also dealing with some fairly severe
arthritis and joint issues. Keeping her involved and active called for
some pretty creative thinking. My concern is that there were other
things I could have done. I'm not beating myself up here over it. We
did the best we knew how but I would like to know of how others have
dealt with this - prepping for future issues with present and future
dogs I suppose.

It's obvious there isn't anything that needs immediate attention. I
would appreciate it if you happen to have some advise to share and a
few spare minutes to post.

Karen

A friend just lost her terrier cross a couple of days ago, after 16.5
years. He spent a great deal of the last few years asleep. He wasn't
ill, or in pain, he was just old. His hearing went, and his eyesight.
One thing that that they learned having an "elder" dog was making sure
he knew where they were. Sometimes my friend would leave to go to the
bathroom, or the basement to do laundry, and the old man would wake up
and not be able to find her. He became quite distressed over this, and
they learned to either take him with them out of the room, or be certain
he couldn't become lost in his own home i.e. leave him crated if he was
going to be alone for more than few minutes. Once, not long ago, my
friend was in basement and, to her horror, the dog came to the top of
the stairs and fell down them. He was bruised, not broken, but it was
very frightening for them. He was just looking for her, and couldn't see
the steps anymore.

So I suppose all I have for you, is make sure your dog knows you are
there, don't change his routine, or his environment. My friend had to go
away for a few days, and she kennelled the other two dogs, but the old
man went to her sister's, with which he was familiar. Change is very
distressing to our seniors, it seems.

R.I.P. Morty

Phyrie

Thank you Phyrie. I really hate the day you look down at your dog and
realize that their eyes are beginning to "cloud". This dog has the
greatest sense of humor and has made me laugh each and every day I've
had him.

His breeder works at my vet's office and when his liver suddenly shut
down and I was rushing him in the front door (I had called and told them
I was coming) she was already teary eyed as she got us into the back
room. She had only bred two litters and he is the "last one standing".
Until that day you wouldn't have thought he was a day over 6. Now he
is acting like an old dog.

Thank you again.
Karen