Question:
This is my first TRUE time of living with an older dog, Grizzly. When I was growing up dogs were in and out of the house, on and off the property mostly before they had a chance to get old. The one dog we had as long as I can remember was an outdoor dog only and by the time she started getting up in age I had moved out.
Im just wondering if others could share there experience in living with an older dog. I see Grizzly (who's healthy, just getting older) slowing down as he ages, not having nearly as many rough and rowdy day's like he use to, he still enjoys life and isnt in pain or sick but im just watching him age before my eyes and it actually makes me sad to think that one day he just might not be around. He's a german shepard mix that was a backyard litter I got him at 4 weeks old as they were taking the puppies to the shelter and he's going on 11 years old this year. I cant imagine the day that I will find my boy gone, he's a huge part of my heart and I say he's my furry son. He sleeps with us, ive spent more time in life with him than I have with hubby lol, since Grizzly is always home and hubby works. We still go on our walks but have shortened them as he just cant handle the long walks, he still plays on days but then theres days where he sleeps more than plays. I guess im just talking to talk about it as no one in my family (except jason) really understands that he's so much a part of our life, I cant imagine when him and the girls arent playing or when he's not there for them to cry into his fur or smile and wag his tail when they come running in the door, or to watch him at night make his rounds to each of the girls checking on them, he has been in there life every minute since they came home from the hospital. Im going to miss my preciouse boy when that time comes, I just hope to make the rest of the years he's with us as happy as he's made our lives.


Answer:
I had my previous dog until she was about 10 years old. She never really had any problems except her anal glands needed to be emptied once in a while when she got older. She's a Lhasa Apso so she was a pretty small, laid back little girl, no joint problems or anything. She just liked hanging out with the family.
She was a great dog to me to have, I was a scaredy cat as a kid and she kept me company and showed me there really weren't any monsters under the bed and when I was afraid to roll over in bed after my afternoon naps because I thought there was a monster behind me she'd go get my godmom to come into the room and show me everything's ok. Yes, I was a pretty neurotic kid and she had lots of patience for me, lol!
Lavander is starting to get older, she's about 7 now. I'm really looking forward to spending tons of time with her when I go home in a few months.


Answer:
having older animals actually is great. what isnt great is knowing their time is coming up fast! my old guy is gonna be 15 in less then 4 months and i love him more now then ever. hes slowed down and has had some problems with vestibular dz but that just endears him more. he has to ask for help sometimes jumping up on things and since hes deaf hes always looking at me to see what im doing. hes more resigned to just sitting on my lap when i feel the urge to hug him. he can still go all night(and sometimes until near noon) without going out to pee. because hes deaf he sometimes wont hear me getting up and will continue to sleep on in his little bed.


Answer:
I have two 11 1/2 year olds. My doberman is still pretty active. When we had x-rays done to check out the tumor on her spleen (had that removed) the doctor saw arthritis in her spine near her back end. This explains why she is sometimes weak in her back end and on slipperly floors her legs give out of occasion. We have her on Cosequin now and she is doing extremely well.
My other old dog, a corgi is also doing well. I got him the adequan injections a long time ago for arthritis in his shoulder (due to an old injury) and now I just get him maintanence shots as needed. It is injectable glucosomine. He's slowed down somewhat.
Frequent vet exams help pick up any disease process. Watch for excessive drinking, sleeping, urinating etc. and bring this to your vets attention as soon as possible. You need to catch kidney disease, heart disease etc. early in order to treat it (if that is what you want to do). As always, provide the best diet you can.
I think when you have an aging dog and smallish children you have to be more aware of whats happening between the two. He may have sore joints and not be as tolerate as he normally is of children hanging on him (not saying yours do) . He may also be going deaf and will be startled more easily. Teach the kids to give him subtle warning of their presence so they don't sneak up on him and startle him. He may also begin to show signs of senility and may forget to ask to go outside to relieve himself. He may also forget where he is is left outside unattended. We almost put to sleep an old dog at work that was brought in by animal control. The owner found us just in time. She had let the dog outside like she normally would because the dog never, ever left the yard. Well this time he did for some reason and forgot where home was apparently. Poor thing was soooo old!
Anyway, sorry I've rambled. Just appreciate every day you have with him and know you've provided a happier, better home than many, many other dogs out there in the world. At least he knows love