12 yr old lab messing in the house

[ladybird69]

my lab has started messing in the house, all times of the day. I regularly let him out, leave the doors wide open, tell him to go, then I turn around and he's been in the house even minutes later. I've always had dogs and the only time that they have ever messed is right at the end of their lives, but he seems happy and well apart from the messing. It's been the past few weeks, I just don't know what to do. Anyone have any ideas?

Our old dog had dementia apparently. What we thought was incontinence or a possible kidney infection turned out to be his deteriorating brain forgetting all his basic training. It went on for a good 18 months or so. We didn't consider putting him die on this alone because otherwise he was enjoying life still and itbwas a seizure caused by vestibular disease that finished the poor chap off. The vet said that dementia is often the cause of accidents etc.

I'm so sorry I only read the first page of posts. So sad for your loss but it sounds like you have done the kindest thing to let her go xx

thank you all for your kind words. I'm an absolute mess he was my life.
I went to surgery on the wed and the vet was away so I asked to speak to the other vet about upping meds. Whilst in the waiting room I got talking to another lady who said that the vet I'd been seeing was a top orthopaedic vet!!! They gave me stronger painkillers and an appt for X-Ray to see what was happening, on the Friday.
I managed to get him to the vets first thing on the Friday morning even before the vet! He said he wasn't sure about another X-Ray as there was no way it was cancer as it was too fast, he'd probably need a steroid injection and strong meds. So I went home ready to treat him long term. Then at mid morning the vet rang and said he was so sorry but it was cancer,an extremely rare and aggressive type, within 2 weeks it had destroyed his humerus and had spread further. I thought that he was going to discuss painkillers, but to my shock he said he's still anesthetized from having the X-Ray and I don't want to bring him around, it would be kinder to put him to sleep whilst still under. While I was crying he said that they'd had him on morphine all morning and that wasn't helping the pain. Luckily I live 2 secs away so I made him keep him alive til I got there, where I managed to have 5 mins to cuddle him and stroke his velvety ears one last time (God can barely see for crying) then they came in and put him to sleep. Me and nurses were in tears, they said that he was such a lovely lad and they had all gotten attached to him over the past weeks.
My house is empty
My arms are empty
And my heart is empty.
Please hold your beloved babies a bit tighter tonight in memory of my dear boy.
Bless you for being here for me at this time x

my thoughts are with you OP. I'm so sorry for your loss :(

ladybird, I'm so sorry for you.
Your boy was so poorly that absolutely nothing could have been done for him, and he's at peace now.
I've said to another lady on here, to be sad that you've lost him, but happy that you had him.
ladybird, have a look at the Your Dog magazine website, and search for "bereavement": there are some articles on there which you might find helpful, including a survival guide to losing your dog.
You might wish to contact a bereavement support service, as listed on there.
I don't know you, but I'm thinking of you.

Thank you sky and pippin I'll take a look at the website. I wanted to ask vet to cut off one of his ear! They were so soft and velvety and he adored his ears being played with (wouldn't have really just joking!) it's hard as I have no photos of him as a young dog as they were all taken by my ex. I haven't moved his bed as one cat has been sleeping in it so I think he's missing him. Had a good cry with a good friend today, one that truly understand the bond, but hard coming home to no wagging tail, his whole body used to wag bless him

Sorry syk

www.petloss.com

I found this website helpful when we were grieving our late, beloved Lab, Lizzy. The people there are so compassionate.

I found the Monday Candle Ceremony comforting and it helped me start the path to healing.

We also commissioned an engraved river rock for Lizzy that we keep over her resting place on our property. The rock will come with us when the time comes that we move to a smaller place and will have a special place in any garden we have.

thanks across I'll take a look at that too. I'm hoping to move soon so I don't want to do anything permanent here, so I was thinking of a rose tree in a pot so that I can take it with me for now. bless you

Aww, bless him, and you. I'm feeling weepy reading this thread. I've got two labs too, one of whom is getting old and also has those gorgeous velvet ears, so I knew exactly what you meant.xx

Thanks Honey yes I'd lose many an hour just stroking his ears. Give yours a cuddle from me. Labs are just the best dogs ever and my lad was an extra special one I was so lucky to have had him.