Yes I’m getting old. But this is not about me, it is about Yosemite my Great Dane. He was such a tiny little thing when he came to live with me. Now he is 150 lbs and over a year older then the average life span for a Great Dane.
He is not doing too well. His hips are going bad and he has arthritis. I made a appointment with his doctor for tomorrow afternoon. Maybe she can change his meds. Give him something to make him more comfortable.
I don’t know. All I know is that his remainder time with me will not be long enough.
I will make him as comfortable as I can. And when the time comes to say goodbye, I will do it with tears in my eyes.
18 Likes
This is the worst part of being a pet owner,
But also one of the most important.
Taking care of them and making sure they are comfortable at end of life.
You’re doing the right thing for your friend!
Hopefully you’ll get some new medication tomorrow.
3 Likes
Oh @Ridgerunner. I’m really sorry to hear that. Hopefully the vet can prescribe something to help your dog feel more comfortable.
When a beloved pet ages, it is a bittersweet time. There is something so special about caring for an elderly pet, a companion that has been such an important part of your life. Yet it is also a sad time.
Be strong and cherish the time you have left with Yosemite.
3 Likes
Facing the same thing with my darling cat. She’s 17 now. Has had a brain anierism and gets by with a limp. Been such a darling companion but I realise that it’s getting a lot closer to the end. That won’t be any fun but I enjoy the time we have left!
3 Likes
Just a couple of pictures from better times.
He was still growing in this one.
Here he is full grown
11 Likes
He’s a beautiful dog. 
2 Likes
All we can do is make them comfortable and love them like always. Yosemite was lucky to find you @Ridgerunner, all your pets are.
Shame our pets have such a short time with us and humans can live so much longer…
3 Likes
Cute dog…ridgerunner…
1 Like
Yosemite had a x ray. His arthritis is getting worst. But the doctor said he has also strained it. His front right leg. He is order to bed by his doctor for two weeks. She said he may have a early release depending on how he is doing. She is researching a other med for his arthritis.
Saturday is the full moon. Without Yosemite to go with me. I’m not sure I want to go for my full moon night walk. It just would not be the same without him.
3 Likes
I’m so sorry,
You’re doing the right thing for your friend.
1 Like
I hope she finds the right medication for him.
My cat TopCat is getting older as well. We need more time.
1 Like
Palliative care.
Blessed it be!
My darling dog died .
Her heart was what killed her.
I left her in Sweden and I regret that so much.
I had her since she was s puppy .
They said she was to old to travel.
That she would not survive quarantine.
I did not make the same mistake with my neigher.
They said she was to old to travel but I moved us both here and they took good care of her and she traveled perfectly they said.
Hope she will be happy here and when the time comes get a good death .
How she would want it.
Hope your Darling will have a good death and that you will get support through it.
1 Like
I’m sorry @Ridgerunner.
All dogs are Beautiful.
1 Like
Sorry about your companion yosemite’s deteriorating health. Glad you are taking such good care of him and keeping him comfortable @Ridgerunner
1 Like
My cat, Simba, will be 15 years old on January 1rst of 2018. He is getting older too. But, he seems healthy still. He still climbs to high places in my apartment and seems to have no trouble getting down. I don’t think he even has arthritis. He’s never had a sick or injured day in his whole life. Except for hairballs.
1 Like
I had to put my last dog down when she was 15 and two weeks. She had bad hips.
She took Rimadyl for it and I think I got an extra year of her walking by getting her laser therapy every week. A tech can do it so it doesn’t have to be the vet. They didn’t charge me for an office visit when I brought her in for her laser treatment. So it was about $30 a week. You might could try it.
1 Like
I will tried any thing to make him more comfortable, and to make his time with me longer. But when the time come I will let him go. Most recently I had too do it once in 2014 and twice in 2016. I did not plan on having so many senior dogs about the same time.
i heard on guiness book of world records that a cat once lived to be 37 years old in human years
1 Like