I gently disagree, as a vet tech. At least here, he still shows ample joy and his human is providing care for his special needs. It’s a very individual decision :)
My dog is very old and struggling to walk but very happy, he regularly falls over and needs help getting back up, but he makes me play fetch with him still even tho it's a few meters now instead of across the field.
He sleeps all day unless it's time for walks, and I've been struggling with the decision to let him go.
Heck, sometimes I just sit down and need help up, but I’m still happy to be here ☺️ I wish you and your buddy all the best through this part of your journey together xo he sure sounds well loved!
My friend's dog sleeps all day besideis of walks too, she's only 8, just lazy af (that goes for the owner as well to be honest).
So if your dog eats and doesn't struggle with pain it's not time yet.
I'm in the same situation. He still brings me his ball to throw and is excited when my wife or I get home from work. He's 15 and while he was young looking and spry a few months ago, the years are quickly catching up.
That's what I'm saying, I don't know what's right on 1 hand he's clearly got some age related problems, but on the other hand, he's really happy and excited for his walks
Does he have arthritis? And have you looked into meds if he does? We started my dog on an injection and laser treatments and it’s been night and day.
If he isn’t in pain and is deriving joy from the things that he normally loves, I wouldn’t worry about it too much. On the one hand, I understand and agree with not making dogs suffer needlessly, but I think quality of life is very relative. If he’s enjoying his life now, then I don’t think you should automatically feel like you have to do it just because he’s slowing down a bit.
Aging is normal, not always “pretty”. I’d agree, that euthanasia shouldn’t be considered purely bc of lifestyle/care changes. Ofc it can be warranted, but there’s no “one size fits all”. I’m glad to hear your buddy is doing well :)
My mums dog turns 15 in a few weeks. The first time she took her to the new vet two years ago, the vet thought mum must have her dogs she mixed up. The vet thought mums dog was only 7 then because of how fit and energetic she was. Two years later she still loves the zoomies and jumping up on the verandah. She definitely behaves like a dog a third her age.
I do think it's important to know when to say goodbye. But this dog still seems to have some spunk despite being very old. He's walking and recognizes his human, so it seems like he still has some life left. He shouldn't die just because he is old, he obviously still has love to give, and his human clearly loves him very much.
i’m gonna be honest, my oldest dog didn’t have the the best youth. he grew up outside with a dog older than him. he was constantly competing for attention, food, and water. i was still a kid then, but i fought hard to help my dad understand why these members of our family needed to be in our home with us. he lives a much better life now… and it shows. his eyes are hazy and his legs are lame, but he always gets excited for us. he loves and understands us like we love and understand him. he got home in my arms as a puppy, and i damn sure won’t let him leave my arms without that love. there is no dog that deserves anything less.
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u/1-800-ASS-DICK 26d ago
but can you imagine the awesome life this dog must have had to still be this giddy at this age