Hi from Michigan USA - senior lab

Hi all,
I joined another lab forum so you might recognize me if you're over there too.

I just adopted my new best friend, Phil. He's approximately 13-14 years old and was found wandering the streets. He had been lying in the shelter for weeks before I got him and was at the top of the euthanasia list.

I went to the shelter looking for a pup and ended up with an old grandpa dog! But I couldn't leave him there - he's got the worst hips I've ever seen, 100% deaf, no teeth, covered in fatty tumors, and heartworm positive. How could I just walk away??

I've never had a lab before, I've always had dobermans, but I have worked with them for a long time as a professional trainer. I've always preferred the working group but Old Phil might be changing my mind.

My friend's son decided to call him Dr. Old, which is fine with me because he can't hear us anyway LOL.

He likes to fetch his toys, hobbling all around and woofing at me when I'm not paying attention. He also likes to lay in the snow; he dug himself a hole and just lays there, smelling the air and looking around. The first time he did it, I thought he had fallen out there, but no - he just likes to be outside in the fresh air. He lets me clean his badly infected ears without so much as a whimper, and somehow climbed the stairs to the bedroom the first night here. (I left him in front of the woodstove downstairs where it's warm.) Now I use a sling to get him up.

He doesn't appear to be in any pain from his hips, they're just very weak and wobbly. He's getting x-rays next week to make sure it's dysplasia and not something else. He's too old to do anything but comfort measures, but anything I can do to keep him comfy, I will.

I love him so much already. He's a good ole guy.

 

Re: Hi from Michigan USA - senior lab

Hello, and welcome to this forum.

You have done a wonderful thing there, but I am sure your new best friend will love you forever for taking him in, and will repay your kindness many times over.

 

Re: Hi from Michigan USA - senior lab

Welcome to you and your lovely old boy Phil, what a lovely person you are , though looking at his gorgeous face I wouldn't have left him in the rescue centre either. I wish you all the happiness there is with your boy, and he has certainly fallen on his paws when he you found each other

We are me, Helen, Hattie 6 years and our rescue Charlie 3 years. I will look forward to lots of lovely stories about Phil. Enjoy this special forum. xxxx

 

Re: Hi from Michigan USA - senior lab

Welcome and what a lovely thing you've done. I hope you have many happy days together, he looks like a sweetheart

 

Re: Hi from Michigan USA - senior lab

What a lovely boy - I love they grey on a dogs muzzle - so distinguished.
Well done you for giving him his forever home :'(
Hope he has many happy years ahead with you

Welcome form me and Lilly ( 3 and 3/4 yr old black girl )

 

Re: Hi from Michigan USA - senior lab

What a lovely old lad he is! I do hope he converts you to the Wonderful World of Labradors ;D Whereabouts are you in Michigan? My sister married a guy from up Traverse City way and although they live over here in England they spend quite a bit of time over there. We've enjoyed some fantastic holidays with them- beautiful woods and lakes. A big welcome from me and little Merla (8 months)

 

Re: Hi from Michigan USA - senior lab

Welcome to the forum, Phil is a lovely looking distinguished old man, he looks very content.

I own a 5 ish year old rescue mongrel called barley and an 8 month old fox red labrador puppy called puzzle

 

Re: Hi from Michigan USA - senior lab

What a wonderful person you are, to rescue Dr. Old and give him a comfortable retirement. You've made my day. Feel a bit teary.

Welcome to the forum!

 

Re: Hi from Michigan USA - senior lab

What a handsome boy, and how lovely of you to take him on for his twilight years Welcome to the forum.

 

Re: Hi from Michigan USA - senior lab

He looks like a lovely, lovely dog - he has a very kind face, and wise eyes. I hope you have happy times together. Wishing you all the best, both of you.

Welcome to this lovely forum.

 

Re: Hi from Michigan USA - senior lab

Welcome and wow, what a fantastic thing you have done by giving old Phil a forever home

Ternaya and Harley (6 month old red fox lab)

 

Re: Hi from Michigan USA - senior lab

oh my world , thank you for sharing this beautiful photo,.....welcome from me lynne and my black lab jasper,......oh my i am in love xxx thank you for giving him a forever home

 

Re: Hi from Michigan USA - senior lab

Thank you all for the warm welcome!
Merla, I am about 100 miles south of Traverse City, but all of Michigan is very beautiful! I love it here, even with our cold, snowy winters. (Although I am very ready for winter to GO AWAY already!)

Here's a couple more pics of my old boy:

 

Re: Hi from Michigan USA - senior lab

He looks a darling of a dog and is very lucky that you walked by and adopted him.

 

Re: Hi from Michigan USA - senior lab

He's beautiful

The lovely thing you have done reminded me of a program I heard on the radio once about a book that had been written about old dogs and what we can learn from them. Here's a link to the site where you can download the audio, if you are interested http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/lifematters/old-dogs3a-loving-and-ageing/4406394

 

Re: Hi from Michigan USA - senior lab

Oh my, these kinds of stories make me all teary too.

How wonderful that you have adopted this old boy. He is lovely. Wishing you some wonderful times together.

Warm welcome from Lisa and Simba 1 1/2 yr old LabX

PS I live in Canada and echo your winter-weariness.....

 

Re: Hi from Michigan USA - senior lab

[quote author=Lisa link=topic=4303.msg51871#msg51871 date=1391391100]
Oh my, these kinds of stories make me all teary too.


[/quote]

I've been in tears just reading your introduction....but happy tears that Phil has found his way to you and will be loved,safe and comfortable in his old age.
I've got Dexter a 15 month old yellow boy,we live in Dubai with him,he's our first dog and I've had so much help,support and friendship from the Forum...
Welcome and Best Wishes
Angela x

 

Re: Hi from Michigan USA - senior lab

Hello and welcome... Just look at those eyes! I am delighted for Phil that you left the shelter with him, and I hope you now thoroughly enjoy each other's company.
Clare

 

Re: Hi from Michigan USA - senior lab

what a beautiful boy

 

Re: Hi from Michigan USA - senior lab

He's lovely. Such a kind thing to do to rescue him like that. He'll be happy now.

Oh and welcome to the forum. No snow here, but wet, windy and flooded in the south of England.