Just putting him out there to the Universe again today. Picked up his ashes and paw print this morning. I think today was harder than the actual deed. Now its final. This is him annoying the crap out of me while I solved all the world's health insurance problems. He was often a voice in those conversations. Odie would not be ignored, even if your Physical Therapy claim got denied. It was not his problem 🤣😂 Remembering this turd today 🥰

I found Huxley on the side of the road almost 17 years ago. We lived all over the country together, went on countless road trips and adventures. It’s just so weird not having him around.

He got diagnosed with aggressive mast cell disease earlier this summer after a mass removal. We opted for palliative care instead of more invasive treatments. It was the best decision, we got to spend 4 more wonderful months together.

He caught a possum (which survived) 3 days before his last day. He dropped it at the back door, went inside and laid down, and I knew that was him telling me he was ready to go.

He crossed the rainbow bridge peacefully with a wonderful in home vet. I made him a steak, gave some slurps of beer, and almost a half a pint of ice cream before he left. It was beautiful and awful all at once.

I’ll love you forever buddy. I saved his life and he saved mine.

Many of your posts and comments on this sub helped me through this difficult time, so I thought I’d share Huxley’s story to maybe help others going through the same thing.

Hello, fellow fur baby parents!

I have a 12-year-old Maltese who has been struggling with really bad, smelly, yeasty ears and a crusty nose for several months now. I’m honestly at my wit’s end, and it breaks my heart seeing him so uncomfortable.

The vet treated him with Mometamax, a one-time treatment in each ear that was supposed to last 30 days, along with steroids. He seemed to improve, but about three weeks later, the symptoms came right back.

I’ve also been alternating between TrizUltra + Keto and Zymox, which help a little, but nothing seems to clear it up completely. I’ve even changed his food, hoping it might be allergy-related. He’s also received a Cytopoint injection and has been prescribed Numelvi pills.

I feel like I’ve tried everything, and I’m getting desperate. 😢

Has anyone dealt with something similar? What finally worked for your fur baby? I’m open to any suggestions or experiences you can share.

Thank you so much in advance!

Oldest generation with the newest! They all get along so well. I find it so crazy yet amazing that the dog I essentially grew up with is still around to see the first pets I've adopted as a new adult. I love them all so dearly.

His birthday is coming up too, actually! On the 30th.

Today we said goodbye to our 16 yo border collie Arrow. She was the absolute best dog we’ve ever had. She was the sweetest, smartest girl. She accepted her duty to protect her kids, and then their kids. We knew the day was coming as arthritis, deafness and dementia kept taking a toll. But she was with us to the end and I will never forget her.

Hello everyone,

Thought I’d reach out because I’m almost certain my 14 year old angel is in her last days right now. I’m obviously devastated. She’s seen me through so many dark days. I just wanted to know what advice some of you may have for making her last days as nice as possible.

She has a growth on her liver that can rupture at anytime according to the ER vet I saw yesterday. She also started having seizures a week ago.

I’m so greatful for the time we’ve had together and I’m scared of what life will be like after she’s gone.

Any advice would be welcome

He was with me for almost 14 years and I don’t know how I’m going to live without him. It’s never enough time 💔

We have an almost 15 year old black lab/ Great Dane mix. We’ve had him since he was barely a year old. We’re looking to switch him to wet or fresh food. He’s got a couple of missing teeth, as well as the obvious loss of a little of his weight with age. I debated Farmer’s Dog. Open to fresh or wet food recommendations. He’s my big old man, I want him happy for the longest time possible.

I am struggling with knowing when it is time to put my dog down. He is my baby and 16 years old. He has a number of issues (deaf, kidney disease, heart issues, Cushing's disease, polynuria, and severe arthritis). He is on a number of meds and fluids daily.

I take him every other week to the vet to get both monthly blood work and treatment for his arthritis. Ultimately, his blook work shows he is managing most of his issues fine. His CREA/BUN while high is stable and not out of the norm for all his issues.

The problem is his arthritis it is really bad. He has trouble walking, standing and has loss so much body mass he looks very ill (skin and bones). Because of this he has trouble pooping on the pee pads and now just poops laying down. Additionally, he has a huge mass on his face that constantly opens up and bleeds. It is benign and I can't get it removed as he cannot have any anesthesia. It usually opens up every 2-3 weeks and it's a huge mess to clean up and monitor it does not get infected.

If I am being honest, I am exhausted. Between his daily care, coming home to poop all over the place and taking him 2x a month to the vet and having to be there for 2+ hours each time. I am TIRED. My vet has told me Thumper should not be alive but with all I do for him its a miracle he has lasted this long. She said it is up to me for when I put him down.

I am just conflicted. He still is alert and loves his food. I wish the bloodwork would show something different as that would make this decision easier. I feel really guilty thinking about putting him down when he is still eating but watching him waste away is heart breaking. I can't really cuddle too much with him as he will poop right on the furniture, so he is no longer allowed on it.

When a dog is old and has issues but stable how do you make the decision its still time to put him down? My last dog had leukemia at 4 years old and had a seizure, so I never really had to make this decision before.

Splenic hemangiosarcoma diagnosed ~8pm on 6/19 with emergency splenectomy at 2am on 6/20. Five rounds of chemotherapy, yunnan baiyao, other medications, his strength, and lots and lots and lots of love gave us four more beautiful, playful, and joy filled months with our boy.

Unfortunately he suffered internal bleeding in his abdomen and chest this past Thursday night and he was so, so scared. We rushed him to the emergency vet and he stabilized Friday. We were able to bring him home for the best 48 hours which included basking in the sun at the front door on his favorite bed, enjoying the cool weather while listening to the birds on Sunday morning, two sniffari walks with a pep in his step, seeing his Nana & PopPops, and spending time & snoozing with his Mom & Daddio.

I thought we had more time, but we decided ‘Too soon’ euthanasia was the best gift to him so he didn’t suffer from another bleed and have to spend his last hours in pain or fear. He was and will always be my heart-dog. He got me through my mid-twenties and the pandemic. Deciding to say goodbye was the hardest thing I think I’ll ever have to do. I wish I was a little more at ease with this decision and I wish I ‘showed up’ differently at the euthanasia, hopefully forgiveness and grace for myself will visit me soon.

Bennett, Benny Boops, Mr. B, and all the countless endearing names we gave him
♥️🐶❤️‍🩹
12/9/2015 - 10/18/2026

I ordered the health tracker for my 17-year-old Chihuahua in July. My buddy has a heart murmur and at the time stage 1 kidney disease. On Friday, I received 4 alerts throughout the day for increased resting respiratory rate. I notified the vet and we took him to the ER where he was hospitalized with heart failure. He was immediately placed on oxygen and started with an IV lasix. It was touch and go but we were able to bring him home yesterday and he’s been resting comfortably since.

We still aren’t in the clear. The lasix is very hard on kidneys and honestly we may have only delayed the inevitable for a short time, but he at least had a chance thanks to the Maven pet track. Without it I’m confident he likely wouldn’t have been here today.

And I want to add that I have no affiliation with Maven Pet. I’m not sponsored. I don’t have a discount code. I’m not trying to sell you anything. None of my vets have ever heard of it, but one is now recommending it for certain patients. It just seems like a product that isn’t too well known but is invaluable for senior pets.

A gray muzzle does nothing to diminish a dog’s capacity for affection or the joy of sharing a home. Before buying from a breeder, consider the dogs already waiting. Their best years may begin with you.

I’m curious to hear from people who have changed their senior dog’s food. As dogs get older, their appetite and digestion can change, so I imagine finding the right food can take some patience.

For those who have switched their older dogs to a different food, how did you manage the transition? Did your dog adjust easily, or did it take some time?

Did you notice any differences in their appetite, digestion, stool, or willingness to eat the new food?

I’d appreciate hearing about your experiences and any advice you wish you’d known before making the switch.

She died quite suddenly and unexpected from reasons the vet could not tell and it feels like a bad dream I'm expecting to wake up from. Still struggling to realize she won't be barking that she missed me when I get home. She won't be exploring new paths in the forrest with me or waiting for her morning cuddles when I wake up. It's painful and heartbreaking going on the mundane without her, she was a big part of my life and who I was and I dont know who I am anymore without her.

But remembering her helps, it feels like honoring her and who she was. So I am going to write about things that made her special.

When Ella got excited her whole spine seemed to get shorter and she became like a packed candybar. Her ears would go back and she would throw her head from side to side like she wasnt believing what was happening.

Every time anyone opened the fridge we would see a nose poking from under the door, seeing what treats she might get. There was always a slive of turkey she would get.

She would get vegetables with her food and she always picked them out and threw them into her water bowl. We used to joke that she was making broccoli soup.

If me and my boyfriend were hugginh she would get jealous and start demanding hugs and attention.

She was quite insecure and needes constant appraisal. Everytime she ate she needed compliments that she had done a good job and that she was a good girl. She always was the best girl.

She was mad about treats and this one type of treat was like heroin to her. She would look at the bag and bark and command to get some and we used to joke that she needed her drugs.

She had a terrible habbit of pulling on the leash and using it as a toy during walks. It used to drive me mad when she was a teenager but when she got older she stopped playing all together and I miss those youthful bad habbits of her.

We used to play a game of chase every time before going on a walk. She would run to the door and I ran after her only for us to turn around ans run to the other side of the apartment.

She loved water but only to waddle in, she never liked swimming. She used to walk out till the water reached her stomach and then dip her butt and growl playfully. We used to joke that she had a hot butt.

It’s that time of year where we get our wood stove going for some extra heat in the house. This is the first fire since Archie’s passing back in April, and he always laid next to the fireplace when we had a fire going. It’s hard not seeing him actually there, and the emotions came flooding back, and I figured he could enjoy the warmth of one more fire…

My lab is 11 and he’s been a bit stiff after lying around, plus more restless lately. Long car rides to new places stress him out too. I’ve been reading up on CBD oil for the aches and stress. I’ll run it by my vet first, but has anyone tried it with their older dog? Did it help?

Jabo is recovering well, according to the vet, but we still can't let our guard down. My friend and I are being very careful to keep his surgical wounds (on his lower limb, left bottom, and right bottom) clean and prevent infection, especially around his bottom area. Whenever he defecates, we make sure to clean and disinfect the area right away. We also make sure that his bed is always clean.

We'll continue giving him his medications as prescribed and bring him back to the vet for his third laser therapy session.

I HAVE SOME WONDERFUL NEWS! 🎉 Finally, my friend and her husband have decided to adopt Jabo!!!!! Yoohoo!!!!!!

I knew this would happen! A lot of foster stories end up becoming adoption stories LOL.

I am sincerely grateful for everyone's kindness, generosity, and support throughout Jabo's journey. I would also like to thank this sub and the mods for letting us share his story and seek help.

A BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE who helped give Jabo a comfortable, happy and pain-free life!

I'll post another update after his third laser therapy session.

Thank you once again for being part of Jabo's journey!

You may also follow my rescue journey on Instagram: http://instagram.com/catsofmagdalena

This was our sweet wonderful boy Ginga, mostly yellow lab, some Shiba Inu. We got him in Japan as a puppy and he was with us for almost 16 years. I’ve been thinking about him a lot this weekend.

He was the perfect dog, full of personality, ready for whatever, big dog energy and bark, but in a much more portable size.

He left us last December. Near the end of summer with aging hips and a bad abscess on his foot. He also started having a hard time keeping his food down. By the end of November his foot had healed and we had him on a diet where he was doing much better.

Around mid December on a Sunday night, he threw up his whole dinner, by Monday evening he had gotten much weaker and his breathing much faster, we decided it was time. Our son was flying in Tuesday evening from college so we decided we’d say goodbye Wednesday.

Tuesday he was much worse could barely stand. I don’t know why but I went to work anyways. My wife called before she left for work saying she couldn’t get him to stand either. I almost left work then and don’t know why I didn’t. By the time I had got home he had passed with only the cats there with him. This still eats me up to this day.