Hounds > Greyhound Discussions & Pictures

Aging Grey...

(1/4) > >>

Ali:
Niko is 10. Poor old man... We adopted him when he was 5. He had a long and illustrious racing career before he came home to us. He had to learn stairs, sliding glass doors and kids, but he has done great. He is getting grey (no pun intended) around the muzzle, and his teeth are getting bad more often. (We do dentals every 6 months, but they get yucky more often now). About a month ago, he had a stroke that left him kind of dragging his left front and rear paws just a little. He trembles and shakes when he has to hold his weight up to go potty. I know it could be worse, but I didn't have dogs until I was a grown up and this is the first one I've had until old age. (One had to be put down, and one went with ex in a divorce). So, really, I just don't know how to deal with my aging puppy. Am I just going to come home and find him one day? It is so dorky to be all worried about it now, and I know I should just enjoy his company and put it out of my mind, but it's freaking me out. Any words of advice? (Besides "Don't be a dork".)  :-\

Icerotti:
If you have a good relationship with your vet and confidence in him/her. I would work with your vet and take thier opinion into consideration on health issues. We have never had a dog just pass in thier sleep, we have always had to make the hard decision to put them at peace. I think that you will know in your heart when Niko is ready to go and they have a way of letting us know. One thing I always kept in mind was what quality of life are they having right now and are they suffering.
You know your dog best and can make the best decision for him. You are right enjoy each day you have with him.Give him a hug each day and just spend time with him.  None of us really knows how much time we have left.

Duramax:

--- Quote from: gr8dame on June 21, 2007, 02:04:30 am ---Wonderful reply, Michelle. I can only agree that if the time comes to make the decision to end their suffering you know. We also have never had a dog peacefully pass at home. Quality of life and pain were always deciding factors for me.
Stella

--- End quote ---
i agree, it's wrong for a dog with so much spirit to have to end his days in misery, life should be good till the end if it's possible.

GoldenPyrs:
First, you aren't being "dorky" at all, you are thinking ahead and planning for the care of your beloved boy.  That's a very good thing in my book.   ;)  :)

I agree with Michelle, too.  With our last pup that we had to PTS (due to terminal cancer), he told me that she'd tell me when it was time, and she did.   :'(  It was one of the hardest things that I've ever had to do (if not the hardest), but it was the best possible thing that we could do for her under the circumstances.  Grey will let you know when.  The hardest thing though is being willing to hear what they tell us.  That's really tough.  :'(  Enjoy as much time as you have with him and give him a gentle hug for me, please.   :)

zchic:
Cherish every day. The others said it all. He will let you know when it is time. I just lost my 11 year old dane. She was pretty happy and seemed healthy to the end. Last Sunday she collapsed, and she gave me "the look" that i have heard others talk about.... The vet did tests, and she had tumors on her organs and couldn't even pick her head up...I knew it was time. Your boy sounds happy, enjoy him and give him a kiss for me. :) I love greyhounds!

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page