How do you deal with pets getting older?

[Heartbreaker]

So this is my doggy Buddy, who is currently stinky and needs a bath. He'll have one tonight.



He's a good, healthy boy and doesn't have any weird health issues. Though he has nasty breath and will not let anybody touch his mouth, so I can't brush his teeth.  However, he is about/turning 13 this year. Lately my mum's been saying that he should relax a little when it comes to jumping on beds or going crazy when somebody comes back home. Buddy sure likes to make biiiiiiiig jumps and leaps. Obviously he's going to grow older, but my mum talking about how Bud should slow down has me really thinking about how much longer he will be around for. He has been by my side since I was 12, the age where my life was turned upside down because of a number of reasons. I'm also currently going through a rough time and I feel the bond we have has grown even stronger. I've lost pets that belonged to my grandparents, but the idea of losing my own boy is giving me bad anxiety. I love Buddy so much and wish he could last forever.

I guess I want to know how other people deal with facing that their pet might be gone or become senile in a few years.

[Mozenrath]

I try to think of the good times, and try to hope I can say I gave them a good life, and to appreciate the time I've got left with them.

There's no way to make it not suck when the end gets closer, but the right attitude can help it suck a little bit less, and to not end up with a lot of guilt.

[Fade is a CodyCryBaby]

My Pom, Regalo, has to be around 20. We found him sometime in the mid 2000s and he was full grown and trained. I was worried a decade ago he’d be leaving but the sob is stil kicking. Erections all the time. Full head of hair. Eats like a pig, doesn’t gain weight. He’s at peace. He’s happy. And so I’m happy. And I know any moment can be his last and I let the asshole how much I love him.

And in general, I know it’s soul-crushing, but it’s a good time to be there for them as they have been with us.

[mattyc]

I couldn't ask for two more wonderful cats than I've got right now. Though this doesn't stop me from thinking back to pets I've lost from time to time. Losing a pet you love is always going to hurt, but over time it'll be the good memories you revisit and treasure. Instead of worrying too much about a future you can't control, be happy that you've had 13 years with Buddy in your life already, as I'm sure he's happy to have had those 13 years with someone like yourself who clearly loves and cares for him.

For however long Buddy is still around (and I hope it's years!), I'd just carry on as you've been. Adapt to any health situations that may arise, but don't be in fear of them. The fear of what could be is often greater than the reality. You've already suceeded in the mission of being an awesome pet parent, so just keep bringing the awesome!

Also, make sure you have plenty of pictures/videos of Buddy. You'll be thankful for these in the future.

[Toilet Paper Roll]

My pug (in avatar) turns 13in the next couple of mo this. He’s got arthritis and can’t do stairs, he’s gone completely deaf and has breathing issues. Unfortunately we’ve exhausted pretty much every avenue to help his breathing and the next step is to get an MRI to see if he has a cardio-pulminary issue which from what we’ve been told is chronic.

My wife still acts like he has a lot of time left because his energy (for an old pug) is pretty good and his appetite is strong.

I don’t know, it sucks but if you make the deal to get a pet you do so understanding you’re likely going to outlive it and need to make the decision to put it down.

He’s been my best bud for 13 years. Take him just about everywhere dogs are allowed so it’s going to suck when he’s gone, but again it’s part of the deal you make getting a pet.

[SmashTV]

My dog Oscar recently turned 14. He’s a border collie so is used to lots of exercise, but he’s slowed down in the last year or so. I’m more conscious that though his spirit is willing his body might not be, so I just try and take into account he’s getting older - as we all are.

What I try NOT to do is think of the inevitability of him passing away. It’s coming, some time in the next few years, and seeing him ageing just reminds me of that. I try not to think about it....but don’t always succeed.

Here’s to many more years for all of us and our pets.

[YAKMAN is ICHIBAN]

Poorly. Just had to put down my 18 year old cat.

Currently have one cat about 10.

When he goes I'm never having an animal again because I refuse to deal with that again.

(And, honestly, I'm sick of cat hair, litter, and meowing at 3am for food.)

[SmashTV]

Jun 20, 2019 15:13:01 GMT -5 YAKMAN is ICHIBAN said:

Poorly. Just had to put down my 18 year old cat.

Currently have one cat about 10.

When he goes I'm never having an animal again because I refuse to deal with that again.

(And, honestly, I'm sick of cat hair, litter, and meowing at 3am for food.)

My condolences. I’ve lost cats before, and it never got easier. Hang in there, my friend.

[edgestar]

My dog passed when he was 6, due to a kidney issue. Our oldest dog had to be put down, at 16 years old, due to dementia. I dread the day, when my chiweenie passes.

I hope for the best for you and your pup!!

[asellus]

A few days ago we had to put down one of our dogs. He had been in a lot of pain over the years and recently had gotten something, I couldn’t find out what it was, but it got him bad. he’d drink and drink then he’d wet himself then sulk away somewhere. We couldn’t get him to walk much outside and he started just laying around tired and hurting all the time. He was only 8 years old.

It hurt a lot to put him down and a lot of the hurt from when Grandpa died came back. He was a huge comfort when I lost him so it kind of flooded back. Mostly afterwards as I was almost trancelike the day it happened, like it never really set in that my best friend was truly gone til the next day.

I still have two dogs left and I love them dearly, but at the same time I’m dreading dealing with something similar in the future.

[Derk!]

Had to put my dog down a few years ago. He was at least 10, maybe older. He stopped eating, had a lot of accidents among other issues. Made the painful decision to put him down and it still hurts like hell to even think about that day. I have 5 other dogs. One is probably around 10 or so, who still in good health. One just turned 6 and the other 3 are 5..

Yeah, I'm dreading knowing I will eventually have to make that decision 5 more times.

[Clash, Never a Meter Maid]

My cat Sawyer is almost 20 now, and I enjoy every single moment I’ve still got with her . She’s fairly active but much slower and needs help when she gets into narrow areas now.

Her mate Dax passed a decade ago at 12 or so, and it was insanely sad because she needed a lot of time being comforted. When I got my pup Dolce in 2010 it helped heal the household all around.

[Blindkarevik]

It's never easy. I think of losing my guy more often than I'd care to admit. He's 7, so I know I have a good number of years with him still, but you never know what the future will bring.

Realistically, all you can do when those thoughts creep in is take a deep breath, look at them, hug them, let them lick you or do whatever derpy thing they do when you cuddle and just say to yourself... "Yes, but that day is not today." And enjoy your time while you can.

[Matt]

My sister lost her two 15 year old cats a month apart. It’s really tough to see them get old and sick but I try and remind myself what a great life they have had.

[Starshine]

You just enjoy them as much as you can while they're around.

I lost my cat I had for about 15 years a little while back. He got sick, and we had to put him down. It's hard, but it was harder seeing him in such a bad way. I loved him and miss him, but I'm also not sad that he's gone knowing what he was going through at the end.

[carp (SPC, Itoh Respect Army)]

I'm always surprised it's less hard than I think when an old pet goes, because they're old for a long time. It always feels like it happens gradually to me.


Also, just think of it this way: What creature in the entire history of earth has a better life than what we provide for our cats and dogs? We treat them very well, and they're MADE to do what they do for us, literally. Both species hitched themselves to humans and became what we wanted them to be, and they exist for that. It's not just hedonistic pampering you're giving your dog, it's doggie fulfillment.

[Prince Petty]

My sister had to have her ten year old cat put to sleep a couple of days ago. It broke her heart, and made me think again, 'why do we do this?' Why do we invest so much love in animals when we know their lifespan is so much shorter than ours?

We've always had cats, and have said goodbye to four over the years. Three of them lived to ripe old ages, and two died of natural causes, but one was put to sleep because his liver had stopped working. But the last one we had was a great little guy who we adopted after his previous owner had died. He was about seven, had lived his first two years as a stray before that previous owner took him in. And he had so much character and showed more affection than any cat I've known. We had him a year, before he got a blood clot that paralysed his back legs and we had to say goodbye. I just focus on the fact that we gave him a great life, in that year, and I know he was happy.

[Heartbreaker]

I’m so sorry for the losses of all the passing pets mentioned in this thread.

I’ve been reading all these posts over and it’s true that I should simply enjoy Buddy’s time while he’s still here. He stays at my dad’s house, he’ll be over my house from one to two weeks every month or so. He is quite a lucky boy having two good homes. Next time Buddy stays over, I plan on taking him to a big park where he can pee on every single tree because he thinks he owns the planet!

Hopefully soon we move house and have a backyard with lots of grass. I also want to adopt a kitten so Bud can have a new best friend. He’s never really been around cats before so I hope he doesn’t mind having a kitty sibling.

[Ultimo Gallos]

It was hard when my last dog died. She was 15 1/2 years old. And died 2 days before X-mas.

I was getting ready to goto the coast for X-mas. Was going to town to eat dinner. Peaches asked to go outside. So I opened the front door and she ran out. I walked away and got a drink come back and she isnt at the door.

Search all of my land can't find her. Started searching the neighbor's property. Nothing. As old as she was I assumed she had wandered off to die.

About 11pm that night it started getting really cold. And all I could think about was if she was still alive outside in the cold. So I went looking for her again. Found her floating in the lake near my pier. Got her out. Brought her inside and wrapped her in her blanket.

Left the next morning to go to the coast. On the way down stopped at the family graveyard and buried her at the foot of my grave.

That was almost 8 years ago. And I swear I still sometimes see quick glimpses of her in the house. She had been with me for so long and through some hard times. I swore I was never going to get another dog.

Then 5 years ago was in town and saw some people with a bunch of tiny poodle puppies for sale. Got their number and a few days later ended up going to their place. They had a bunch of maybe 8 week old puppies. I sit down and this little grey,white,brown,black puppy runs over and tries to jump up in my lap. I knew then I had to have this puppy.

So I bought her,and wow the price on poodles had went up since I bought my last one. And now that puppy,Maggie aka Maggot Ass,is 5.

I know no matter how bad my day is Maggie will be there to cheer me up. And she can sense when I am feeling bad. She will start doing stupid things to make me laugh. Like how her favorite toy is a squirrel made of rope. She will grab it by the tail and start swinging it around. Usually hitting herself in the face.

Sorry to hear how many of yall lost pets. I know I will be a wreck when Maggie dies. Just hoping she will live a long life like my last one.

Was looking for pictures of Maggie and the previous dog Peaches. Can't find any I have uploaded but I do have a short video clip of Maggie.



Now I never taught her to do this. What I think it is is yall know how most dogs after they take a crap they kick dirt on top the pile of crap. Well Maggie isn't the smartest dog. So she waits until she is up on the top of the steps to kick dirt. WHich makes it appear like she is cleaning her feet.

[Paul]

Just remember that you are the very best caretaker you can be for them and that you do everything you can to make them happy and make sure they're healthy. That's the best you can do for your special friend.