Need some advice re: geriatric dog

[housewolf]

Hi -

I have a 13-1/2 year old Great Pyrneese/Old English mix dog who's about 120 - 120 lbs. Going by the chart at his vets' office, that makes him about equivalent to a 105 yr old human. I rescues him out of a mechanic's yard when he was so small I could hold him in one hand, and he's travelled with me from Colorado to California to Phoenix and now to Portland, Or.

He's been doing pretty well except for a lot of hip weakness, and maybe some hearing loss, along with a few fatty lumps here and there and cloudy eyes. He still like to go out for walks and eats regularly (although perhaps a bit less than he used to), and sleeps almost all the time. Lately he's been having some trouble getting out of the house in time enough before before his bowels release. He's had trouble getting himself up and down for a few months, and lately he's had a lot of trouble with the stairs, getting into and the car, etc.

I am so grateful that he's been my dog and been with me his entire life and I know that the time is coming when either something will happen or I'll have to make a difficult decision. My hearts aches even considering such events, as I am sure some here also know.

The thing is, I live alone, and he weighs about as much than I do, and I can't lift him or move him. What I need some help with is some ideas as to what to do if something happens. What do I do if I wake up or come home from work and find that he's either died or had a stroke or something? Or fell and broke a bone? So there are two scenarios - one being that he died and the other being that he can't move and needs help. I'm alone here in Portland with no family and no real friends. I slightly know several of my neighbors but I'm not close with any of them. What are options for dogs who have died? I can barely bear to think about all this stuff but I know I have to, and I'll appreciate any suggestions anyone has to offer.

Here's his picture, taken in March, 2007 when he was 12 yrs old, after months of growing his hair out and professional grooming

<a href="" target="_blank"><img src="" border="0" alt="Nakita, 03/2007"></a>

[Longhorn]

1. He is so beautiful!

If only we could have them longer!

I have a couple of suggestions. One is to call your vet and share your concerns. If your vet is nearby, they might send someone to help you or give you the names of pet sitters or staff who would be willing to help if the call comes. One of our dogs got shocked when he was a puppy and had chewed on an electrical cord. Our daughter was home alone and was going to take him to the vet but her car battery was dead. She called the office and told them what happened and they actually sent two vets to the house to pick him up! (He's eight now, about 100 pounds of Rhodesian Ridgeback!)

My other suggestion is to visit your neighbors now -- maybe even bring your sweet dog with you -- and explain your concerns and ask if you might call if you need help. If you have a couple of names and numbers, you're more likely to get help when you need it. I think most people would be happy to help you, even if they didn't know you that well. I sure would!

It's good that you're thinking ahead but I hope you have a long time before you need that kind of help. :hug:

[housewolf]

3. Thanks, Longhorn

Good ideas, just the kind of support I need. I hope it's a long time too, but the only think I can think of that's worse is thinking that I won't know what to do if/when something happens.

Thanks for your ideas and your support, it means a lot to me.

[BrklynLiberal]

2. He is gorgeous.

It is true that they are never with us long enough.

The suggestions above seem to cover anything I could think of.
I would definitely talk about this with your vet.

[housewolf]

4. Thanks, BrklynLiberal

There's never enough time, is there?

Thanks for your support, it means a lot. My vet is not too far away, it's a good idea to stop in there on my way home one evening this week and have a chat with the folks there.

[IndyOp]

5. Thank you for asking these questions. I have 2 bigs dogs and I've wondered

some of the same things myself. I couldn't lift my Golden by myself and I hadn't thought through what I would do in an emergency. I have a few neighbors I could trouble in an emergency, but I just hadn't visualized doing that or getting a pet sitter or vet to come help. Just visualizing those possibilities makes me feel a little safer, a little more sure I can help my buddy when he needs me.

:hug: :hug:

[Gore1FL]

6. I have similar concerns

I don't know what I would do without my Kiwi. He and I have been through hell and back, and I am not confident I would have made it without him.

My "Pit-Beagle" once jumped up on the bed, but now has to climb up (I moved the mattress off the box spring enough to make a step for him.) I have always been close to my dogs, but Ki is really special.

[sandsavage]

7. The face on your dog

is so kind and beautiful. All the vets in our area make house calls.It costs a bit more, around twenty five dollars more for a house call. In the past we have had two old friends, scared to ride in a car. They were drop offs at a young age. One was a St.Bernard and the other was a Lab cross. Very big dogs. When they reached the time in their lives, to cross the Rainbow Bridge. The vet came out and gently helped them there. They would have taken them with them too. We took care of that ourselves. I know this might sound harsh to think about. Also know these are things we worry about, this is why I share this.
We were with our old friends holding them and loving them right to the end. This was important to us.

My old Dan had cancer he was my best buddy in the whole world. He was given a shot to make him sleepy and didn't know the other shot was even given. This last summer was when he was put down. Pete the St.Bernard, hips were shot. He got to the point he could no longer control when he had to do his business. He was in a lot of pain. Pete was 15 and Dan was 16 when we had to make the awful decision. Both times the vet came to the house. It only cost a hundred and twenty five dollars to have Dan be relieved of his pain forever. Small price to pay for not stressing my best buddy.

Please let me say that I'm passing this along not to cause you more pain. I could read the pain and love you have for your dog in your post. Your post about this matter, may be on other peoples minds too.
I'm an old gal, for many years, I didn't know that vet's would make house calls either.
I do hope you can find someone to help you. The vets here will come if your animal is down and you can't move them. I'm sure yours would do it too.