Silly question maybe but I’m not sure our dog is happy. She is nearly 9, had her since she was 4. Very resilient when it comes to pain, has lots of health issues the latest of which is a problem with her teeth which must be sore (can’t risk an op to clean them because of her heart murmur).
She stays in her bed nearly all day. Will go on a walk but doesn’t want to be out for long. Doesn’t greet me or visitors coming through the door like she used to. Takes or leaves her food, does eat but not racing to gobble down breakfast, might not eat it until 1-3pm. Likes sitting next to anyone for cuddles. Likes sniffing / barking at invisible stuff in the garden. Rarely plays with a toy. Vet says she is probably getting a bit senile. I posted recently as she was barking at night, that’s now solved thankfully.
I just can’t tell if she is happy / indifferent / in mild pain. She’s not a bouncy bundle of joy like people describe. Any ideas from you lovely doghouse people?