My little dog is getting old

[TheQuirkyMaker]

Golden/border collie cross. Always told how beautiful she was. Used to go for walks for hours on Dorset heaths. Now her back legs are collapsing. Not asking for advice, but asking: why do we set ourselves up for such heartbreak?

Oh it’s so hard. My boy is almost 9 and every day I think one day in the not so distant future he will be gone. It is just so hard to bear.

I don’t know!

❤️🐶❤️

It’s so very hard and one reason why I don’t think I could put myself through having another dog.

It's so hard seeing them getting older. But you adapt. You move things in the house so it's easier for them to get where they want, shorten their exercise sessions, change their diet, get them the meds they need to be comfortable. You cherish them and tell them you love them.

It's painful when they go, like actual physical pain, but you take comfort from the wonderful life you gave them.
She could have ended up with anyone but she ended up with you ❤️

I know what you mean op, our greyhound is 12 and this week has stopped being able to manage the stairs. It feels like the beginning of the end.

He's always slept upstairs with us and although he's adapted really well to sleeping downstairs I feel like his world has shrunk (we have a small house) and I just feel very sad for him.

I'm trying to be positive though and think what a lovely life he's had and how much joy he's brought to our lives (whilst also trying not to write him off just yet!)

I’ve had 4 dogs over the years and I felt the same as you.. just helpless and that they were slowly slipping away 💔
Why do we do it ? Well for me it was because I felt I could give another rescue dog a home, that there was room in my home and my heart. But, yes, it’s hard as they get older.

We lost our old girl last year and the last few months you could see her starting to show her age. In the last couple weeks it was clear we had to pts but it was a sad decision to need to make.

I have got another dog, we got him when my old dog was about 9 because I didn’t want to have an empty house or feel I was replacing the old dog when she went. He is now 7 himself! I’m not sure I’ll get another though as I’m getting older too.

She has stopped going upstairs, (which was a loved place for her as she could survey the whole house) a year ago, has stopped trying to get in the car boot even though I park against places where it was an easy jump in for her. I have made everything better for her, but I am so sad. I just can't understand why, in a world full of sadness, we choose to add to it by adopting a little fur-baby who will only live a decade or so.

Lots of love, Op, it's so tough. I think we add them to our lives because in the prime of their life, the joy they bring us outweighs the grief losing them later. We know it's inevitable but you wouldn't swap them either.

I lost my shih tzu back in 2019, he was only seven, it was very tough. I've since got two little ones who have filled the house with menace and fun again. When my mind goes to that place....I remind myself that for the short years we have them, you are their world, you really are. They depend on you and love you , and that really is something special. Thinking of you and your lovely collie. 🥰

I think that it is because they melt our hearts with their big eyes and devil-in-disguise personalities when they're tiny, and you don't think about the realities of growing old together! You spend a lifetime sharing the ups and downs, and all of the joys and responsibilities of being together, and... well, everything! For me, one of mine is also a work colleague (working dog) and I would be lost without her! The other just comes along for the ride and a grand time out half of the time, because cows are much scarier than sheep 😁

Just don't watch the video of Lewis Capaldi's "Wish You the Best". I am not usually an emotional person, but that got me and my neighbour in tears! My dogs were thoroughly unmoved and wanted to play ball instead.

I've been thinking if it is possible to offer a free dog walking service. I don't really want to pay for insurance, but I'd like to take a friendly mutt out for an afternoon.

I know what you mean, but I guess I wouldn't swap the past 9 years with him so maybe it's worth it. Not sure we'll have another though!

My girl is 11. Having lost two past dogs at the age of 14 I find myself looking at her and wondering how and when it will come. She's still going great guns (but that's terriers for you), but the heartbreak when they go is so awful.

Big hugs to everyone facing the ageing pets dilemma.

Lost my dog of 15 years in January and I've tears in my eyes writing this. But I've got a puppy. I know it's insane and I don't know why. I guess it's hope over experience which is how most of us get through the day.

I know exactly how you feel. My dog will be 16 in February and her legs are also getting weaker and more painful. She has recently been diagnosed with liver problems too. Realistically she has months at best. I'm heartbroken and don't think I can get another especially as my health is poor. My dog has seen me through the deaths of both parents. It's horrendous.

I hear you. My sweet Jack Russell is 16 next week and she's still got it, despite getting old. She has slowed, her eyes are slowly clouding over and she discarded rules like recall about 3 years ago, so no off-lead time now. All the same, I'm so grateful to have her and old dogs ROCK.

Have Jack Russell's ever had recall? Just joking. I'm feeling better now, we have been for a late walk, the usual treats back home and now she is settling down in bed. I belong to a group called One Golden Brain Cell, which sort of describes why we love them all- kind, loyal, silly, and always surprised.

My boy is 15 and a half.
Last year we were told he had cancer and to prepare for the end .
Amazingly, he's still here. Still enjoying life as much as he can.

A year ago, just after the diagnosis, I started up a Tik Tok of him, just for fun.
It took off in a way I never expected.
And now he has almost 40 thousand followers gets thousands of beautiful messages from all over the world.
I'm not spiritual at all, but I'm sure that this outpouring of love is keeping him going.

But you're right OP.
They just don't live long enough.
I'm dreading the day.

That old joke: a fortune teller told me I would have terrible heartbreak in 12 years time, so to cheer myself up I got a puppy.
After our last little dog left us, we said never again. Nearly 20 years and I still miss her. But we did it again within weeks. And I would do it again, but I am getting too old myself. I'm thinking of trying free dog walking.

The Cinnamon Trust might be suitable for you, volunteers take dogs for walks if the owners are ill/ elderly etc.

She DID have; but one blustery January day on the local beach she decided those rules no longer apply! Our two have had their obligatory chew, and so to bed.

Dogs are the best companions, always want to be with you and go on adventures.
My current collie is a pain in the arse but I still love her desperately.
Lost our old girl a year ago, I’d tell her I loved her over and over again while I cuddled her. So much love we had shared over our 13 years together.

I lose count of the number of times a day I scoop my little lady up in my arms and whisper "I wuv you" into her big floppy ears

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