Its not time yet, but I'm afraid its getting close

[ccetta]

Lucy is now 12 years old and has slowed down considerably. She's been living with hip dysplasia and arthritis for the past few years. I currently give her Rimadyl (75mg) 2 times a day along with Gapapentin (300 mg) twice a day. She also gets cosequin supplements 2 times a day as well. The last time she was at the vet in December, he upped the Rimadyl to 2 times a day and basically told us that we were doing all we could making her comfortable. She struggles more and more with getting up. I try to walk her for a short time a few times a day, but the walks are very slow and short. I try to take her lead, stopping when she does and waiting for her to start walking again. She no longer sits but lays down after a short time standing. At night, she wakes up, moves around a little and pants for a while. The past few nights, she is waking up at around 4 or 5 and goes outside to poop and pee. She sleeps on a doggy bed next to our bed and usually gets up with us for her breakfast. Today and yesterday she stayed in her bed way past breakfast tim (after 9 yesterday and after 10 today)I had to coax her up today with a treat and bring her to her food and water which she ate with no problem.

On the bright side,she greets guests in our house and anyone she does meet on our walks with enthusiamism, everyone comments on how sweet she is. She still enjoys her meals and looks for treats, and still demands and loves pets, body scratches from us. She does sleep a great deal of the time, sometimes I miss the crazy puppy she used to be.

For right now, we will just love her, keep her comfortable and see what happens. I know the day is coming and am just dreading it.

[kimbersmom]

Oh, I’m so sorry. This is the worst part of dog ownership. No matter how long they’re with us, it’s never enough.

[Jollymolly]

This is so hard. I feel your anguish. Its true we never have enough time with them

[barry581]

I've been where you are too many times, and it never gets any easier. All I can tell you is to enjoy every single day.

[Berna]

I wrote this a few years back in order to share our experience with arthritis and how I'm managing it. Cookie is turning 16 in two months and is still mobile (he has other health issues now which are more worrisome).

Hope it helps you some and gives you some hope: https://adventuresofacookie.wordpres...ur-experience/

[smartrock]

Such a difficult phase. Slower but still a happy girl. Hope you still have lots of time to enjoy things at a more measured pace.