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  1. #11
    Senior Dog Sue-Ram's Avatar
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    Last summer there was an old yellow lab that we would see at the beach. He had really bad arthritis and could barely walk but his dad would put him in a cart from the parking lot and pull it onto the sand. He would do 3 or 4 retrieves of a stick and then lay in the water and talk to every body that went past.

    Just an idea if Kimber still wanted to go out.
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  3. #12
    Senior Dog Berna's Avatar
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    I understand completely because I feel like that too. Our world getting smaller and smaller. This is the reason why I finally decided to get a loan and buy a car. I want to take him to places where we used to walk to. I miss the young Cookie sometimes and all the things we used to do. I think he handles it much better than I do. He is happy to just go and sniff around and mark the bushes.
    Cookie Black Snowflake
    July 12th, 2006. - May 25th, 2023.

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  5. #13
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    Many of us can definitely empathize with what you are going through. I can still vividly remember the moment I realized mine were no longer young dogs, some were very slow declines, others the time from slow down to passing was very quick.

    My boy Clancy was a big, fit, goofy boy who could literally go all day without stopping. One evening when we were on our normal walk, he went a bit wobbly and stumbled several times almost falling. I could tell he was not comfortable, and didn't seem to want to go on. I had my wife go home and get the car and drove him home. A trip to the vet the next day revealed he was in congestive heart failure. I was shocked as he had shown no physical issues until that previous evening. The vet gave us Lasix and a script for a human heart drug (can't remember what now). We managed his symptoms fairly well, but his body cavity would fill with fluid to the point I'd had to take him to the vet to have it drained. This would happen more frequently as time went by. I remember a trip we took to my Mom's house on the Rappahanock river in Virginia. Clancy positively loved this place, he would spend hours swimming in that river. It was Memorial Day weekend, and I can remember watching him, and how hard it was for him, how much he slowed down. I thought to myself that this just may be his last trip. I sent him over the Bridge 20 years ago tomorrow, July 6, 1997.

    I know the pain you are feeling watching Kimber slow down. I can honestly say I'm also very sad as I almost feel like I know Kimber, as with many other dogs that are here. My heart and prayers are with you and Kimber, I know there is nothing I can do to make this better. I pray that you still have many happy days remaining, even if she can't do what she once could. Please give her a scratch on the head and a belly rub from me.

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  7. #14
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    Thanks, everyone. Your thoughts and suggestions really help. Tanya and MontananDakota, I think we're all in the same boat; hopefully we can support and empathize with each other without whipping one another into a frenzy! It's easy to spiral downwards when you're sad/scared, like I was yesterday.

    This morning I did some gardening and Kimber had the best time just wandering around the beds, digging up the mulch, and tipping over my garden gnomes with her tail. It was a good sign she still finds more joy than not in life.
    Stormageddon, Princess of Darkness, aka "Stormy"
    Birthday 9-13-18, Gotcha Day 11-11-18
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  9. #15
    Senior Dog Snowshoe's Avatar
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    I know what it's like too. From Jet and my first dog. Strangely though, our ESS, Whisper, did not really slow down much. She had many VEt visits for asthma had no mobility issues. She just went and went and went till her body failed all at once and she died at age 14.5. IN a way that made it harder to accept Jet's slowing down. We made shorter walks, slower walks, walks in places we'd never been before because I knew they'd be too short for us. The cats followed us when we walked around the park behind our house. WE'd never walked there before, not with a dog. We made new discoveries that we both enjoyed. Still, every now and then I'd look at Jet and remember what she used to love to do with me and feel so badly we could not still do them.
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  10. #16
    Best Friend Retriever Java's Avatar
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    It's hard to relax and enjoy the moment with your dogs as they slow down. Sometimes you can switch to a different activity (I got into paddle boarding as a way to get my previous dog outdoors without wearing her out). Sometimes you have to switch to hanging out together outdoors and keeping things low key. I feel your sadness through the computer screen but like you said, Kimber loves being with you as you garden. She loves puttering about in her yard. And she loves you. Her life is as rich and full as it was when she was younger - as long as she has you.

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  12. #17
    Best Friend Retriever outrag's Avatar
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    So many of us can empathize with this situation. Some of my fondest memories of Tanner were when he was declining. Simple things like lying in the sun, going for a ride, getting something special to eat, short gentle walks, etc. There was acceptance and then making due with a new normal. These are really gentle times with these senior dogs. If Kimber is eating well and otherwise comfortable, I would just keep going and enjoy more sedentary moments with her.

    Bob
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  14. #18
    Senior Dog Tanya's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by outrag View Post
    So many of us can empathize with this situation. Some of my fondest memories of Tanner were when he was declining. Simple things like lying in the sun, going for a ride, getting something special to eat, short gentle walks, etc. There was acceptance and then making due with a new normal. These are really gentle times with these senior dogs. If Kimber is eating well and otherwise comfortable, I would just keep going and enjoy more sedentary moments with her.

    Bob
    Was at the vet this morning and he said what you describe - that these last year(s) with our senior dogs are the best moments. I'm still strugging on that front. YES we have some great moments. Since loosing penny especially. But I struggle with the anxiety over his health to an extent it impedes my ability to truly enjoy it (I really really am). I think in part is having to work together more and things are scaled back to only what brings joy. short walks to just enjoy the sun, the grass and the smells. No more rushing to get a long exercise walk done

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  16. #19
    Senior Dog Labradorks's Avatar
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    I'm sorry you're feeling sad. It can be so hard watching them age and change. Kimber is not thinking about the past, or the future. She is not dwelling on what was, what could have been or what will be. Dogs are remarkable creatures because they have an amazing ability to adapt and live in the moment. We all go through stages of life; it's normal. And, just because a dog is unable to do what they used to do, doesn't mean they are suffering. It just means that they have moved to the next stage. It is hard for us to watch, because we know what it means, but they really do not. It sounds like she is happy. Doggie old age can be an enjoyable time for both dog and human. Try to live in the moment with her and enjoy every minute. It's different, but it's peaceful and sweet. When they go, it is very sad and empty. But, I don't know, I think there is value in trying to turn that energy into being thankful for our time with them, what they taught us, the unconditional love we received from them. So, when I feel sad, I try to look at what I gained, not what I lost. Hugs.

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  18. #20
    Senior Dog Berna's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Labradorks View Post
    I'm sorry you're feeling sad. It can be so hard watching them age and change. Kimber is not thinking about the past, or the future. She is not dwelling on what was, what could have been or what will be. Dogs are remarkable creatures because they have an amazing ability to adapt and live in the moment. We all go through stages of life; it's normal. And, just because a dog is unable to do what they used to do, doesn't mean they are suffering. It just means that they have moved to the next stage. It is hard for us to watch, because we know what it means, but they really do not. It sounds like she is happy. Doggie old age can be an enjoyable time for both dog and human. Try to live in the moment with her and enjoy every minute. It's different, but it's peaceful and sweet. When they go, it is very sad and empty. But, I don't know, I think there is value in trying to turn that energy into being thankful for our time with them, what they taught us, the unconditional love we received from them. So, when I feel sad, I try to look at what I gained, not what I lost. Hugs.
    I should print this and read it every time I feel down.
    Cookie Black Snowflake
    July 12th, 2006. - May 25th, 2023.

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