DDog2 has an inoperable tumour, and we have been told she has no more than a few weeks to live. Despite that, she's still perky, pootles round the house, barks at the postie and even tries to initiate play on occasion. She's also sleeping a lot and tires quickly.
Her walks have been reduced to a toddle round the block twice a day - she's quite happy to go, and still sniffs and even pulls at the lead, but she tires after 5 mins or so.
What has us stumped is her absolute refusal to go in the garden. She used to spend hours mooching about out there, but she has become more and more reluctant to go out. Up until recently we could persuade her to go out if we popped her on a lead, but now she won't even contemplate that - digs in her feet and refuses to move. If we take her out of the front door into the street, she pees immediately, so she definitely needs to go - so why is she refusing to go in the back garden?
My only thought is whether it is primitive behaviour and she's trying to avoid leaving her scent, which presumably would indicate her illness and vulnerability, on her own territory, to avoid attracting predators.
It's not a problem for us, we will make her final days as comfortable as possible in any way we can, but wondered if anyone can explain it?