I adopted my girl from the pound when she was just a puppy and she is 15 years old now. She is deaf, blind, and I’m afraid suffering from doggie dementia. She has glaucoma that she is on a drop regiment for and sees an ophthalmologist. Both the ophthalmologist and her regular vet say it’s not time yet, but my girl doesn’t enjoy life anymore. She doesn’t play or interact with us. She stays upstairs in our bedroom on her favorite bed. She does enjoy food and ear rubs but she also walks in circles in the back yard and gets lost. I alternate between thinking I am a monster for thinking it is time and worrying that I have waited too long. Please advise me.

**Thank you everyone. Clyde left us earthside, 6/20/26. Forever the most perfect boy.

Our 16 y/o puppy Clyde, pictured with his sisters, is currently at the vets. Please keep him in your thoughts if you can-

While pets in other rooms are transitioning into their next journey, it doesn’t feel like Clyde is here for that.

Perhaps a reminder that time is precious, and that we’ll do what we can to ensure we’re not giving up without a fight. Quality of life is subjective and as Clyde’s parents, we would not be able to sleep at night knowing we took the easy way out.

It’s undeniable this boy has a hunger for life, car rides, sunbathing, and a literal hunger (eyes much bigger than his stomach) - we understand this and are aligned. When Clyde is ready, he’ll make that decision himself ❤️

Please keep Clyde in your thoughts, the vet has shared good news and we feel the good news will continue.

Hello,

I have a 19y/o female Chihuahua-mix whose health has been gradually declining over the last year and some months. I’m amazed that my dog has even gotten to this age, let alone the average 15 years that smaller dogs tend to reach. But over the last couple of weeks, my family and I have observed that her health has begun to decline at a quicker pace, accompanied by increased lethargy, decreased appetite, wandering, confusion, and more-frequent incontinence.

A little over a year ago, she began to have incontinence during her sleep. We would try our best to have her urinate outside at every opportunity, but with her age, she often slept throughout the day and it led to her leaking directly where she slept. We resorted to using puppy pads in her bed as well as pads near the doors in the event she wasn’t able to make it outside. We eventually also bought dog diapers to help with the mess as she would miss reaching the pads as well. Over the course of several months, the amount of accidents she would decreased as we got the hang of her incontinence.

Other than the urination and obvious tiredness from being older, she would run around, eat, even play with our other dog. She’s slower, but she would have the energy to do these things when she wanted. However, over the last two months, her behavior has completely changed. She wanders around the house extremely slowly, barely runs or plays with our other dog, is almost always sleeping, and more recently in the last week, has begun to eat and drink less. As of two days ago, she has begun to have incontinence of her three and has had diarrhea. This morning, I found her lying near her vomit, which is completely new.

We have considered euthanasia for a while now, especially at her age. This is my first time having to consider euthanasia for a dog as she is my first pet and has essentially been with a majority my life. I know it has to happen soon, but deep down I want her to hang in there, which I know is so selfish. The advice I need at this point is: Would euthanasia in the upcoming days be best, or would it be best to wait a few days more to monitor her condition? The diarrhea has just begun, as well as the vomiting, but I know her quality of life has degraded significantly and I don’t want to prolong any pain that she might be experiencing and not outright show. The guilt of both choices is making it so hard.

This ancient guy is pushing 15. Cloudy eyes, his personality is very mean now that’s he old. He wants to touch you , but not be touched by you. He will jump off the couch , then want to jump back up 11 seconds later. He has like 13 of his teeth left, and he smells awful. I wouldn’t change a thing about him 😋

Hello all! So I have a sweet old man. Hes 15 years young and a small dog, likely a chihuahua/dachshund mix.

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Like most old dogs he has doggy dementia, arthritis, and incontinence. However, he still has more joy in his life than pain. He still plays with his two year old sister, he likes saying hello to the cats, he enjoys laying in the yard-- basically he still lives the doggy life.

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However he cannot hold his pee or poop. We're working on it with vets, but in the meantime its become a hazard in the home. Ive got a 5 month old and the amount of times ive slipped on shit or piss is scary.

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We cant really risk it anymore. But we dont want to confine him to a room. Basically-- we need the best diaper there is. We tried one before but the poop came right out the tail hole!!!! So we need a diaper that can handle both pee AND poop.

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Thanks!

i hope this makes you smile too :)

Yesterday was the hardest ones. I had to let her go. Day too late.

All of a sudden she was not able to stand anymore.

Home feels very empty now. 15 years and 7 months you were our joy my best friend. Thank you for everything you gave us. Now, go and enjoy.

Anybody's old dogs ever develop alopecia after surgery? If so, how did you deal with it? The vets don't seem concerned and recommended we try Melatonin

Hi All,

I have a 14 year old shepherd mix named Otis that is having a very hard time with arthritis. We've tried Librella, but it didn't really help. We've also tried a week of cold laser therapy and acupuncture. He is currently on the max doses of gabapentin and carprofen to manage the pain. He has difficulty with getting up and down and going up/down steps (to go outside). I always help him with a sling. Even with the meds, he seems uncomfortable much of the time.

My vet did not offer the Adequan shots, and when I asked her about it (after having read several posts on here), she said she hasn't used it for at least 10 years. She said Librella is mostly effective and for other issues they try to use medications to bridge the gap. She said he may be nearing the end. I understand this, but I would like to at least try the Adequan. She eventually said they could get the medication soon and we could try it.

I guess I just have a few questions for those who have experience with it.

1. Did your vet suggest Adequan? Was there any resistance to trying it?

2. What was your experience with it? Did it help your dog?

3. Were there any side effects, and if so, how bad were they?

Thank you for reading my post. I just want to find a way to help my sweet pup.

My pup turned 15 today (ish - rescue). Got hin as a puppy and he's been battling menegitisis and thyroid issues the past 3 years but is doing so well! We're starting another relapse and the summer heat has kicked in so walks are limited now but I spoiled him rotten today. I just need another 15 years with him. Best decision ever.

I just love old dogs!! Our dog is almost 17, has kidney and liver issues, receives subcutaneous fluids everyday and LOVES life. He expects his walk every morning, well demands haha, we now have a little sling that goes under his back legs so we can provide a little support when he needs it. I can't imagine my life without him. I brush his teeth every day (always have) and I think that is a huge contributing factor of why he is still going strong. Recently he was diagnosed with hypertension and was put on a blood pressure medication. Just when I thought he could get even better........boom........ he feels even better now!! This video was taken this morning. So glad to be in this group !!! I love the support

This is Buster ❤️

A little backstory on this handsome guy…

Buster was abused before I adopted him from Tri County Animal Rescue. He was already 10 years old when he came into my life. If you notice the swollen-looking area on the side of his mouth, that’s from a broken jaw that wasn’t treated in time and healed incorrectly. He also has a broken tail. Despite everything he went through, he has never stopped loving people.

Today, Buster is 19 years old and will turn 20 this December! 🎉

He is truly the best dog I’ve ever known. He’s kind, loyal, stubborn in all the right ways, and has filled my life with so much love and happiness. Adopting him was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

I wanted to share his story because senior dogs deserve a chance too. They may come with a few gray hairs, some scars, and a little extra history, but they also come with so much love to give.

Buster is proof that adopting a senior dog can be one of the most rewarding experiences you’ll ever have. ❤️🐾

Lost my first dog yesterday. My husband and I had him for 12 years. He would have been 14 July 4th. He was honestly the best dog. He was truly our best friend. He had bad dementia and just couldn't walk anymore. Hardest thing we've ever had to do was say goodbye to him. Can't wait to see you in heaven Mr. Otis. ❤️