Ideas for spoiling my girl

[MirrorMirror1247]

Sadly, our 14 year old English Springer has nerve degeneration and her legs aren't working so well any more, so the time is getting near to say goodbye to her before she loses the ability to walk completely. Right now, she's happy and still able to get about a bit, and we're looking for this to happen at the end of next week, though we haven't made an appointment yet.

She's due to have a Librella injection on Friday, so the thinking is that she'll have a week of feeling somewhat better, so we can give her a nice time and spoil her a bit while she's got the good effects from it.

Does anyone have any ideas on what we can do with her to spoil her? Right now our ideas are taking her to nice parks, getting her a steak to eat, possibly even from the butcher, and getting her a Puppiccino from Starbucks (it occurred to me last night that she's never had one!). There's another dog in the house too, so he would be included in this.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

I've just been there with my dog, I thought of all the things that made him super happy and that he could still do. Mine was a food lover so I got him lots of his favourite foods (chicken, steak, fish) and allowed him treats that I normally would ration (whilst not going overboard so he didn't get an upset tummy!). He was also a very social dog so I made sure he saw a lot of his favourite people. I got him a new squeaky toy and spent lots of time with him including in the garden. He had a very happy last week. I don't know if you've had a dog pts before, but my experience was very positive. It was very peaceful. Enjoy spoiling your girl.

Im closer than I would like to a similar decision- mine is fine currently but at 13 1/2 yrs I know what’s inevitable
My girl would like exploring a new place more than anything. Taking her on ‘adventures’ to sniff and mooch in new places (she can also do a walk for now but maybe yours couldn’t manage that too)
She also adores the beach or any water. Not to swim but to wallow in the shallows. Or Hydro - if she adores the water.
pub lunches and cafes also work well for her - access to the chips essential
Basically I treat this stage like a young puppy socialising- not walking but being out and about having low key adventures

She’s lucky to have such caring,thoughtful owners ❤️

Yes to family visits too if she’s social. But try and get people to act normal and not freak her out - easier said than done.

my friend's springer would have a loved a trip to the beach and a romp in the sea. Preferably with a lie down in the stinkiest, slimiest rock pool he could find.

We had to make this decision with my 14yo ESS in January last year. We took him to the dog park and on his favourite walks. We let him have all the foods he couldn’t usually have. But importantly we spent time at home with him.

We didn’t travel far as he was quite frail but if she is up to it, the beach would be lovely as above. We booked the vet to come out to us which was very comforting to know he was in his own bed. I don’t know if your vet offers this.

Great ideas so far. Sadly family aren't close by so visits from them are unlikely. She does like the water, we could try taking her somewhere she can have a paddle. There are beaches around, she doesn't like the waves but it would still be somewhere nice to take her. However, she loves a muddy puddle so with it being wet here just now I'm sure we can find one somewhere! She can walk, she does stumble but can get herself around.

We've spoken to the vet and he's told us what to expect, he's also happy to move around his schedule to accommodate us. This is the first time I've had to do this myself, I had dogs growing up but it was mum who took them to the vet when the time came. Dad couldn't face it and I can see why.

We haven't really talked about having it done at home, but with there being another dog in the house it probably wouldn't be ideal as he would either have to be shut in another room/outside or be in the room when it happens, neither of which are great. The plan is that he'll come along to the appointment, then when the time comes he'll be taken outside by one of the nursing staff, then be brought back in so that he can see that she's gone.

@MirrorMirror1247 would you like me to explain what happened when my dog was (very peacefully) pts last week? It was my first pet too and I like to know what to expect so thought I'd offer. However, I know not everyone is the same so no worries if not or you already feel well prepared by the vet.

That's nice of you, but the vet has already gone over things with us. Thank you though, it was a kind thought.

Glad you and your vet have had a good chat. Enjoy your time with your girl, the last week was tinged with sadness for me but I enjoyed spoiling him and knowing he'd had a fabulous last week has helped the grief.

I just had to have my darling 14 y/o girl to sleep yesterday and it’s heartbreaking - sadly she had stopped eating and was barely drinking so I couldn’t even give her any of her favourite treats but we did have cuddles in the sun and one last shuffle around the block. I’m sorry you’re having to go through this, enjoy the time you have left x

Just an update - the appointment is booked for Friday afternoon. Over the weekend we took her to a park where we know there's usually a muddy puddle and she spent a couple of minutes lying in there, probably confused about why we weren't telling her off!

I'm taking Friday off work and I'm going to stay over on Thursday night (she lives with my ex H but I visit every week). She's going to get a steak from the butcher for her dinner and then I'm hoping she'll sleep with me in the spare room, she might decide she wants her own bed instead!

Friday will be spent having a nice slow walk round the park followed by a puppaccino, and then I suppose lots more treats and cuddles until the time comes. Fingers crossed the weather will be dry for her walk.

Not looking forward to it at all as she really seems happy in herself otherwise. I went round last night and she was cuddling up to me on the couch and asking for belly rubs. I kind of feel like this would be easier (for want of a better word) if she was really ill, but most of the time it just seems like her legs are a bit wobbly and she stumbles a bit. It really doesn't seem bad when it's put like that, but obviously nerve degeneration will only get worse and it's better for her to go before she gets really bad. I know all that. But my god, it's hard.

My dog still scored highly on the quality of life things you can get online when I booked him in to be pts but I knew he was struggling with his arthritis and we were out of options. Like you I wanted to let him go whilst he still had lots of good in his life and was happy. I'm a big believer in better a week (or month) too early than a day too late, I would have hated to feel I'd left it too long and he was suffering. My grief has been made easier in the fact I feel my dog had the perfect death, he had a great last week and then a very peaceful last day. I feel very lucky he (and me) was able to have that rather than an emergency dash to the vets.

Your girl sounds like she's had a great life and lucked out on owners. I hope you enjoy your time together, and tomorrow goes ok. I'll be thinking of you.