Old Dog Dementia and Incontinence-Sad Update

[Daydream Believer]

My most beloved dog, Darby, the best JRT ratter and farm dog ever, is sixteen in a month or so, and the last few months he's declined quite a bit in his awareness of his surroundings and will sometimes seem very confused. His ability to go out to potty is on and off also. We have a dog door so it's available anytime but just out of the blue, he'll walk up anywhere and pee or poop as if he has no idea what he's doing. I'm trying to watch him like he's a puppy now and guide him outside proactively but that doesn't always work and I'm not inside watching him all the time. He'll go out, walk around in the grass, walk right back inside and mess at times. Sometimes he gives no warning at all almost as if he just can't control himself at all. It's so hard to see him decline. :(

He is on Enalapril for his heart and that seems to be well under control and he gets Comfortus for flea prevention and I do Ivomec and Prop. Glycol for heartworm preventative. Other than that, I'll use Previcox for days he seems very creaky and sore. He's got a great appetite, still functions reasonably well, enjoys his walks, and still a lot of zest for life so I don't think it's time yet to cross the bridge. :sadsmile: I know that day is coming and when it's time, I'll let him go...but I don't think we are quite there yet.

Is there anything that can be done at this point to make things easier on us and perhaps to help him? Any suggestions? To say the least, keeping the house decent is harder than ever with his messes and our remaining carpet is coming up this weekend, and I'll live on the subfloor until we get the hardwood put in later this summer. (Our house is a duplex that is being remodeled to one residence)

[LLDM]

My old Gordon Setter is really starting to check out mentally as well. Not as bad as your JRT, but clearly more confused and out of it at times.

I just saw something (a flyer) at my vet's office about CCD - Canine Cognitive Dysfunction. I had my other dog there at the time, but made a note to do some research on it. My girl has some, but not all of the symptoms listed - the big one for her is nighttime restlessness.

At least with a name, you might have some luck with google. Good luck with your dear old dog.

SCFarm

[Horsegal984]

Start him on fish oil NOW if he's not already. It can help a lot with brain and cognative function. They can also have some hormone related incontenices, but if he's pooping in the house too it's probably not that. Do your homework on canine cognative dysfunction, then schedule a talk with your vet. There are some things that can help.

[Daydream Believer]

I googled that...never heard of it before. OMG it is my dog to a tee. I will schedule a vet trip this week. This has all come on quite suddenly in the last month and I was planning to get him to the vet as it was but I did not realize it is treatable.

Fish oil? Where does one get that?

[jetsmom]

Fish oil- in the vitamin section of any grocery store/drug store. They sell capsules for people, that you can pierce with a pin and squeeze over their food.

[Bluey]

There is medication that helps some dogs.

Don't let him have the run of the house, unless you are right there with him.
Confine him to one easy to keep clean place, that you can make very confortable for him.
Maybe, if he is the only dog, put an x pen in front of the dog door, so he can't come all the way in the house and make that an indoor pen for him, if possible, with a tarp for flooring.

A few of our old dogs went thru that and they learned new routines and all of us coped best we could.
One had a bad liver and she had incontinence problems also.
Doggy diapers work for some dogs, but for her didn't work well, she kept getting sore, so we just cleaned her all day long.
She was very tough and kept on going, until one day she became very sick and our vet decided it was time, before she crashed on her own and had to go thru that.

While all that is happening, you will feel so bad and anxious for them.:(

[pintopiaffe]

would he go for paper if it was down? My 'special' dog did *most* of the time... though Gus would also just stand there and pee, as if he didn't know he was sometimes too. But *most* of the time, he'd go on the paper. I use grain bags, as they are lined. Not a big deal. I actually put them on the spots where he'd have accidents--sort of bring the mountain TO Mohammed...

The plus side of it is because of him, the older dogs would also use paper if they were sick or whatever... which means I can put paper down and go away for one night, two tops, if needed, without boarding.

It *might* be worth trying if you paper trained him as a puppy. If you didn't, then proably won't help a bit.

:sadsmile: I honestly think that Shenanigan gave me a gift in going so suddenly without illness or age... she was 10 this year, which isn't terribly old, but is getting up there for a big dog. Every time one of them goes I wonder WHY we put ourselves through it, knowing they will go before us. And every, SINGLE time I know it is worth it, for they are beings meant to be in our lives... :sadsmile:

[Horsegal984]

Yep- human fish oil, regular strength for him, it is somewhat size related, but overall you can't really overdose so to speak. Since most dogs like the flavor you can also just put them whole in the food bowl, usually they chew them up on their own. Just in case you're like me and manage to wear it everytime you try the pin technique. ;)

[clm08]

Sorry to hear about your dog. I too have one with cognitive dysfunction, she is 15 and a half years old and has been showing the same signs as your dog: she wanders around the house a lot, sometimes gets "stuck" in corners, has accidents inside the house. I tried selegiline which is a drug indicated for senility but it didn't help at all. Other than that she is still doing OK, good appetite, enjoys short walks when weather is not so cold, and gets excited when the other dogs get excited. I keep watching for signs of discomfort, but so far I think she is doing fine and hope to keep her for a little longer, as I've had her since she was born and just last summer lost her mom :(

No advice for you, just hang in there and I hope you can enjoy some more time with your dog as I am with mine.

[Jaegermonster]

I'm so sorry about your doggie.
when my doggie got to that point, my vet gave me Proin, which makes them really think about the peeing thing. It really helped a lot.

[Ambrey]

Are you sure his vision is OK? Our old dog is doing similar things, but she is almost completely blind now. It's hard to watch :(

[AnotherRound]

Are you sure his vision is OK? Our old dog is doing similar things, but she is almost completely blind now. It's hard to watch :(

Bet its even harder to be the dog. Any reason why you haven't put the poor thing down?

[Daydream Believer]

Thanks all...I appreciate all the suggestions and support. PP...yes I think it is easier to lose them quickly and unexpectedly than to watch them decline slowly. I feel like I'm going to lose a member of my family. I've had Darby since he was 5 weeks old...I know better now that is too young to pick up a pup...long story how that happened. Anyway, he is like a child practically so this is really hard. I never tried paper with him but it's worth a shot.

I have a note to call the vet tomorrow a.m. and get him in. Hopefully there is something that can help him.

Ambrey, he does have mild cataracts also but I don't think that is it for him.

Thanks clm08 and I hope your dog and you enjoy the time you have left also. It is so hard.

Bluey, I thought about diapers actually but he's gotten very grumpy about being handled and I suspect that he would not take that well at all.

I'll get some fish oil asap also. Thanks for that tip and thanks again for everyone's posts and ideas.

[Snapdragon]

A friend's 15-yr-old dog also had the classic symptoms of CCD. Started making messes in the house and was confused, as if he didn't know where he was. He would go to the door to go out, but stand at the wrong side of the door. There's a medication for it--can't remember the name--and it helped her dog immensely. She said it was like night and day. They eventually did have to put him down, but it made the time left better.

Good luck to you and your pup!

[monstrpony]

Sorry to hear you're going through this. I've got one too, a 13 y.o. corgi who has spinal arthritis, has almost lost the use of his back end and shows some signs of cognitive disfunction, though I think he also is losing his hearing so just isn't as aware of what's going on around him. He's on Metacam for his arthritis. He also has occasional accidents, but amazingly isn't yet incontinent. Anyhow, my sympathies. Let us know how the fish oil works and what the vet advises.

It is hard to go through this part, but I just can't imagine life without them.

[Horsegal984]

Since a lot of us seem to be dealing with aging animals right now, I'm going to share some of the best advice I have heard to help with knowing when it's time for The Decision.

Make a list of your dog(or cat's) top three joys in life; chasing rabbits, eating, chewing up non food items, harassing the cats, sleeping on your bed, whatever it may be.

When he can no longer enjoy those things, it's a good sign that he wouldn't consider his life 'quality' anymore, and it's time to give the gift back.

[Bluey]

Anipryl is the name of the drug for cognitive dysfunction in dogs:

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2110&aid=1095

Your vet will know if it is right for your dog's condition.

[Ambrey]

DB, I appreciate your starting this thread- I did some research and think there might be a bit of this going on with our old girl as well, although the blindness seems to be the biggest thing for her right now.

Hugs to all of our old friends. I'm not sure how many meds we'd be willing to put her on- she's on an NSAID daily now for her arthritic back/hips and it has given her so much of her life back, but at some point we're going to have to let her go.

[deltawave]

Do dogs get normal pressure hydrocephalus? "Wet, wobbly and weird"

I put my old golden down when it became pretty obvious--all in the space of a couple of days--that he didn't have much of a life any more. Slept all the time, choked on his food, and his occasional seizures that he'd had since he was a puppy were getting more frequent and more severe. :(

Horsegal's advice is very, very good. :sadsmile:

It was a very, very easy decision and a huge relief (for both of us) with my other dog--a lab--who had something REALLY painful that wasn't going to get better. With the golden it was more subtle, but no less sad. :(

Good luck.

[hitchinmygetalong]

What are you feeding him?

I was giving fish oil to my old JRT (will be 17 in July), but after an attack of pancreatitis she was put on S/D EN with NO SUPPLEMENTS. She is allowed a high-fiber "biscuit" ("Fiber Formula" I think is the name) but that's it for her diet.

Strangely, since the diet change, she's been acting like a feisty pup on cool days, and on warm days (her nemesis) she is no worse than she has been in the past.

She is on no medication whatsoever.

I think she might have some floating cataracts or something because she will sometimes go to the wrong side of the door to go out. However, she has no problem finding my toes to nip at to remind me that she gets a treat when she comes in the door. And she'll take off after a leaf blowing across the yard.

Every day is special with these tough old dogs. Cherish them.

[dalpal]

DDB....just a thought

Here's the protocal on Previcox


Precautions and Side Effects


While generally safe and effective when prescribed by a veterinarian, firocoxib can cause side effects in some animals.

Firocoxib should not be used in animals with known hypersensitivity or allergy to the drug. It should be used with caution in animals that are dehydrated or those with kidney disease, heart disease or liver disease.

Since firocoxib has not been tested in cats, it should not be used in this species.

Firocoxib may interact with other medications. Consult with your veterinarian to determine if other drugs your pet is receiving could interact with firocoxib. Such drugs include aspirin and corticosteroids. There is an increased risk of NSAID-related problems such as bleeding or ulcers if other NSAIDs or cortisone-like drugs are given at the same time.

Few side effects have been reported upon initial testing of the drug. The most common side effects are anorexia and vomiting.

[Old Equine Lady]

I just put down my old friend Max. He was a large dog with hip and eye problems. We went though three years of his pooping and peeing, even with Proin. His hips were going, we tried MSM and all of the other joints meds. that I can't spell. But when he lost his mind, forgot where he was, what he was doing, we couldn't stand to see it. He even forgot to bark at the horses and the deer, so we knew it was time. I still miss him greatly!

[yellow-horse]

I'm putting my old boy down tomorrow, husband still isn't 100% on board but it must be done, he has lost all the things he loved to do, incontinent and confused.
He actually was the reprieve for another old dog I had years ago, she was senile and incontinent, lost her joy and was just not enjoying life, she was an only dog for years and I hesitated getting another dog because I thought it wasn't fair to her, but Buddy needed a home and I took him. Best thing I did for the old girl, when Buddy showed up and he is one of the kindest dogs you'd meet, she started wanting to go out again and whenever he got up to go out she went with him, she even started to enjoy life a bit, and even if she couldn't chase the ball anymore, she would spend hours watching him play, with her ears up and wagging her tail, I swear he added another good year to her life.
Anyway, is this your only dog?

[Daydream Believer]

I have a very bad update this morning and I'm typing this through tears. Darby is at the vet and he's not doing well. I came in from chores this am to find him staggering around the house with wounds all over his back and shoulder and in a terrible mental fog. He did not know me. He was in such distress. I took him straight in on a walk in emergency.

The vet believes he was attacked and the most likely culprits are my two other JRT's. His yard is fenced in with a lowish wire fence...enough for our small dogs but conceivable a larger dog could jump in or perhaps a varmit of some kind. Thet have a dog door and can go in and out as they need to. I was only gone for an hour for chores and I heard nothing but I might have been out back and the Gator is a loud diesel. Neither of the other dogs has a mark on him nor any blood. It just makes no sense. When I got in they were following him around looking concerned. They all get along well. The only other possibility is a coon or something got in the yard. He was boostered for rabies but we really don't know. The whole rabies thing has me terrified since I don't know what really happened. Of course I handled him as did the vets. Not sure how we'll ever know for sure what happened.

The vet found a little blood in his abdomen which has fluid in it from his heart problems also and wanted me to take him to the emergency clinic for possible surgery. I said that I would not put him through surgery. I feel that he would not survive it after some discussion and she agreed with me. So they are keeping him on pain meds and fluids to see if he stabilizes or worsens. If he does not improve, we will euthanize him and my first dog and one of my best friends will be gone.

I'm in a terrible state right now. So upset. I knew I was going to lose him but to lose him in such a terrible trauma was not what I expected at all. I have a mare that will be foaling at any minute also so add some more stress. I cancelled a trim appt for this afternoon as I am sure I'll be dealing with this situation all day. My husband is going to try and get home early from work so he can be here to help me if Darby does not make it.

It just sucks. Hug your dogs. You never know when things will change in an instant. Hug your kids and husbands and parents and all your loved ones also. Please don't criticize folks for keeping an old pet going. It is hard enough to deal with such sad things without people who are not involved giving you a hard time. No one wants to see animals suffer needlessley and certainly not me, but as long as he has a reasonable chance to recover, I will let him have that chance. If things do not look good, I will let him go to the bridge even though my heart is just breaking with the thought.

Thanks to all of you for your support and please jingle for Darby.

[Ambrey]

Oh no, how heartbreaking! I know we're all hoping for those peaceful passings for our old friends, not something like this!

I'll be jingling.

[ESG]

I'm so very sorry.

We let our 16 year old Rocky go, two weeks ago today. He had CCD (although I didn't know it), liver problems, kidney problems, and a heart murmur. He hadn't been happy to eat in a couple of months, although with a couple of changes of diet and some hand feeding, he coped well enough. But on Sunday, he was down and had a LOT of trouble getting up. On the Monday, we took him to the vet, to be told that he was in the process of "leaving", and he wasn't going to get better. While he was still relatively comfortable, and cognitive, we let him go. I still miss him horribly, but know that I gave him the gift of a peaceful, pain-free passing.

Jingling that your Darby is granted the same. :sadsmile:

Beth

[monstrpony]

So sorry to hear about this latest downturn. We are thinking about you and Darby, hoping for the best.

[Horsegal984]

I'm sorry to hear about the turn of events for you. I suspect it was your other dogs, as dogs in a pack situation will often turn on the weakest link, so to speak. It's basically a packs version of euthanasia, as they realize that the oldest of sickest dog is suffering, and in turn slowing them all down.

If he does recover and can come home, he should be kept away from your other dogs, as they may feel that it is their duty to 'help' him again. Please don't think less of your other JRT's, in that this kind of behavior is not viscious or agressive, it is just the way of life as they understand it. They don't have Euthasol, so they do the best they can to end the other dogs suffering. It's akin to if we were to hit an aminal on the road but not kill it, for many people they feel it is kinder to run it over again than let it lie there and suffer.

Katherine
Vet Tech

[MistyBlue]

So sorry about your older dog. :( It probably was your JRTs...it's very very common for even the sweetest closest canine companions to turn on older, sick or injured ones. It's instinct kicking in, nothing more or less.

[Daydream Believer]

I have an update. Vets say that Darby is holding his own. No sign of deterioration and they will probably send him home to us tonight. They were doing some more bloodwork. He's still under some sedation and a bit out of it, but he's gone out several times and it seems like he escaped serious injury at this point.

My husband stopped by on his way home at the vets and he and the two vets there both examined him closely and they are now thinking that the bites are not consistent with dogs or cats. There are like scrapes all over his back and no clear place where you can see the two fangs dogs have nor nothing close to the size of a JRT's bite. Also strange is that there are no bites on his neck, legs or belly...a place a dog almost always mauls.

The thinking now is a coon or some other wild animal somehow got in our yard and attacked him in broad daylight or perhaps he did somehow get hung up in something and scrape himself so badly...however we are at a loss to find the spot where it happened. I'm very very concerned about rabies. I have seen foxes in our front yard not far from the dog's fence also.

[Ambrey]

I'm glad he's doing OK, DB :) Hope he heals up well.

[MistyBlue]

Is it possible he had a seizure? The scrapes and then acting more dioriented than usual...those could be possibly signs of a seizure. If they convulse hard enough on rough ground they can scrape themselves up pretty badly. Poor boy...glad he's doing better.
Even without signs of dog bites...I'd still consider monitoring him whenever he's loose with the other younger dogs. They can get snippy out of the blue with an older or infirm dog.

[Jessi P]

Oh DDB I am so sorry to hear that you have having to deal with this. Lots of hugs and jingles for you, Mr DDB and Darby. And your other 2 jrts too of course. Wishing you all the best in the coming days with Darby.

[MintHillFarm]

I feel for you! Our dog Whisky was the same; incontent and not all there. She had lost an eye as well and going blind in the other eye, which was really the beginning of the long end. We kept her in a small area in the mudroom the last 2 months or so with lots of towels on the floor. She peed on most of the dog beds, so I gave up on those. I had several changes of many towels and kept rotating them into the wash several times a day. We finally put her to sleep in January, it was becoming so unfair to her. VERY tough but I just know she is better off than the diminished life she led. I think you are aways from that with Darby...you will know when the time is right. You are in my thoughts and I really know what you are going through.
I posted on this site when we put Whisky down...it helped to write about it. Let us know how you are doing, please!

[Daydream Believer]

Well, I have a very sad update. Darby crossed the bridge about an hour ago at the vets in my arms. He deteriorated overnight and by this a.m. it was clear he was not coming out of it. It is also more clear now that what happened was a major stroke and he probably injured himself so badly in the convulsions from it. We have concrete steps going off our porch and he probably fell down them causing the injury to his back and his internal bleed. He was unable to walk without circling in one direction, he would not eat or drink and the vet felt he was still bleeding internally. There was only one thing left to do.

He is gone now and I feel a great emptiness but relief in knowing that I could give him this last gift. My younger dog, Casey, Darby's son, is taking this hard and tried to rouse his sire by gently licking and grooming him when I let him see his body...my husbands older dog, Dylan, seemed to know immediately what had happened. Both are clearly withdrawn and subdued...there is no doubt they know and understand. There is a sadness in our house now and I know it will take a while to get over this. Later today I'll probably be delivering a foal...Lodi, one of my Spanish Mustang mares, is five squares and very close...so the circle of life continues.

I'm not much good at tributes but to me, Darby will always be my first dog and one of my best friends. He traveled with me for years to work, to events, to shows, all over the US as we moved from place to place (military life) and he has always been there ready to sit in my lap, guard my back, or lay at my side at night. He saved me once from a creep who was trying to grab me in my truck and nearly took his arm off. He was the best JRT rat hunter ever...had his Go to Ground Certificate and was JRTCA registered. He sired several litters of pups over the years and left a legacy behind. He was a part of my life for 16 years and there will be a huge void for a long time to come. I told him to go to the light and I know all dogs go to Heaven. I know I'll see him again someday....of that I have no doubt.

Please hug your loved ones and thanks again for all the kind words and advice and jingles.

[Jessi P]

Awwwwww {{{{DDB}}} I am so sorry to hear Darby is gone.

Hugs for you as you face the day without Darby at your side. He is at peace now, and it sounds like he lived a long, happy, fruitful life with you. Big hugs for you and those who will miss him.

[Parker_Rider]

So sorry for your loss DDB :( It's always so hard to lose them, no matter if you see it coming or not. I hope your other dogs are OK, it's so hard on them too - our Rocky dog still won't let any of us out of his sight ever since we had to put our golden retriever down. Again, I'm so sorry!!:(

[monstrpony]

{{{{{HUGS}}}}} So very sorry. It's so hard to say goodbye to one like this.

:cry::cry::cry:

[LLDM]

I am so sorry to hear this. Our thoughts are with you today. :cry:

SCFarm

[JSwan]

DB - I'm so sorry he didn't make it. You did the right thing... but I know that doesn't give you any comfort.

My condolences.

[Home Again Farm]

RIP Darby. Hugs to you DB. I know how hard it is to let a good friend go.

[deltawave]

Very sorry for your loss, and godspeed to the brave little dog. :sadsmile:

[dawglover]

So very sad to hear of Darby's passing. JRT's are just so special. I have 5 now, have had some very dear ones over the years. It hurts tremendously to lose one.

Hugs to you. You'll be together again some day.

[shea'smom]

Sharon,
Try to put this last day out of your mind and enjoy your memories. I am glad you know it was not the other dogs. I know that would be so hard to bear. We open ourselves up to this when we pick up that little puupy for the first time. Think how lucky you were to have all those years.
Hugs,
Kathi

[Ambrey]

Awww, DB, so sorry for your loss :(

[MunchkinsMom]

My deepest sympathy for your loss. It is never easy, but you will always have Darby in your heart and memories.

[JB]

Oh Sharon, that is so, so sad. However, take heart that it was not one of your other dogs that attacked him, not a rabid wild animal either. Small consolation, I know, but we take what we can :sadsmile::sadsmile:

Losing YOUR animal sucks. Truly. He was your soul-doggy, I lost my soul-kitty. Sucks.

Godspeed Darby, you're in great company up there/over there/wherever the heck you beasties go ;) You had a great, great life, and the bestest mom.

[Daydream Believer]

Thanks to all of you for you kind words...

Jordana...thanks that was very sweet, he was my soul dog, and I know I do feel better knowing it was not an animal attack now. Kathi you probably remember him from the events I brought him to. He was inseparable and with me almost everywhere. He jumped a lot of XC courses and just loved to go with me.

I've been trying today to remember him as he was younger and all the fun we had. It is hard right now but I do have relief knowing he is not suffering anymore and free of his old feeble declining body at last. We buried him next to a young tree I planted last summer...a quiet place where he can rest. As dogs go, he was one of the best.

[grayarabpony]

Sharon I am very sorry to hear about your dog. We had to say good-bye to our JRT last August and it was hard, although she'd had a long, full life.

[JB]

I've been trying today to remember him as he was younger and all the fun we had. It is hard right now
It will come in time. Your mind has to process the recent past before it can easily get back to the older past. It was quite a while before I could think about my kitties' younger years without first thinking about their respective last days and weeks :cry::cry::cry: It will come, I promise :sadsmile:

We buried him next to a young tree I planted last summer...a quiet place where he can rest. As dogs go, he was one of the best.
Trees are awesome resting places :) My kitties are under a Japanese Maple in front of the house, which is now "footed" with lots of blue creeping phlox :)

[Bluey]

My condolences also.
At least he is at peace now and you can rest too.
Never easy to let them go, even if it is the right thing to do, no matter how many times we go thru it.:(

[clm08]

So sorry to hear of your loss.
May you always remember the good times with Darby.
I'll be giving my old girl an extra hug and kiss tonight.

[SLW]

I'm so sorry for the loss of your faithful friend and I'm walking in your shoes right now. I had our 13 year old whippet at the vet today, his bad tumors have returned and he has heart murmour. He is urinating "at will", twice in the clinic just walking along, stopped and peed. Sadly, he does this at home. Young Doc told me what to look for as far as "when it's time due to the tumors." He raised our oldest daughter, did a damn fine job with her. Her husband is almost as good as her dog.

Hugs on your loss. You did right by your dog.

[jetsmom]

DB, my condolences. Godspeed Darby.

[yellow-horse]

I'm sorry to hear of your loss, he was well loved and lived a great life, I will be thinking of you both today.

[MintHillFarm]

SO SORRY! I had an inkling that he may have injured himself from something unknown...
He will always be your first dog and you will always love him...someday I hope we all see our beloved pets again and this time around for eternity. It would be comforting to know that. You have my sympathies....
When I lost my pet steer last year, he had injured himself badly and it looked like he had been attacked too. He had a heart attack and was stuck against the wall and banged his head. My housesitter thought he was attacked, when in fact he was in distress....

[Tiki]

I'm so sorry about the loss of your beloved Darby. It's so hard to lose them even though we all know they won't last forever.

I was getting ready to go to New Jersey Saturday morning for a horse show. I went out to feed the dogs and horses before I went and found my sweet Kahlua dead on the garage floor. Friday night when I went out to shut off the lights and say goodnight to the dogs, Louie lying in a place I'd never seen him lie down before. He was very, extraordinarily quiet. I asked him why he wasn't in his house and patted him, but he stayed there quiet. Next morning he was over by the doggie door, dead. When I first got him, Christmas morning 9 years ago from the Pound, I thought he was part Flat Coated Retreiver with a little Golden in him. As he matured, I figured he was a good part Newfie as he was so big. He would have been 10 in July. That's old for a big dog, but he never showed any signs of slowing down, he had no white hairs on his face. He was happy and playful and always, always, always came to the front of the garage to say 'goodbye' to me when I went off to work. RIP Louie. I miss you. I have only 4 dogs left now. They all walked by him, touched him with their noses and said goodbye to him. Their lives are so short. We know that when we bring them into our lives, but it's still so hard.

[pintopiaffe]

oh, I am so, so sorry.

I did not see this until this morning.

I am crying for you. My boys reacted very differently too when I lost Shenanigan, and Gus, before him. I am glad you let them see Darby though. I *do* think it helps.

What a heartbreaking end. I know you were getting 'ready' for it to be time... but not like this. :cry:

I'm just so sorry. Words don't help. :cry:

[eventgroupie2]

Hugs from VA. So sorry for your loss.

[Cielo Azure]

Thanks to all of you for you kind words...

Jordana...thanks that was very sweet, he was my soul dog, and I know I do feel better knowing it was not an animal attack now. Kathi you probably remember him from the events I brought him to. He was inseparable and with me almost everywhere. He jumped a lot of XC courses and just loved to go with me.

I've been trying today to remember him as he was younger and all the fun we had. It is hard right now but I do have relief knowing he is not suffering anymore and free of his old feeble declining body at last. We buried him next to a young tree I planted last summer...a quiet place where he can rest. As dogs go, he was one of the best.

Try pulling out your old photos, finding the great shots and then framing a couple or put them on your computer desktop, chose some that you haven't seen recently. Seeing him in his glory days...it will help.

take care. Losing a loved one hurts.

[Alagirl]

Biggest hugs! Losing a pupster hurts. been 2 years and is coming on one since mine passed. I have a couple of shots on the computer that pop up on the screen saver. So I have come in several times to see my old Dalmatian lounging on the couch. The special ones is extra hard to let go. But you know he is now causing a ruckus at the bridge, gotta love those terriors! :cool:

[Buffyblue]

I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your very special friend. Hugs from New York City.