I had two labs that were littermates. Lost our lovely girl just short of 14 a few months ago. She had some kind of seizure and it was all very quick. Now our old boy is starting to wobble on his back legs. More one than the other and I suspect it's muscle wastage due to old age. He still wants to go out and while he does I'll take him. He can do maybe 20 minutes most days which isn't bad for his age but he's definitely getting wobblier! He has gone down a few times but always got back up again and carried on. I'm dreading making the decision. We're not there yet. He's on metacam every day and also yumove. With his sister it all happened so fast we didn't have time to think about it. They've both led very happy lives and I wouldn't have been without them for a minute but it's so hard when they get to this age
What an awfully sad situation for you. I know a lot of people will say that you will know when it's the right time to let him go, wait until he doesn't enjoy his walks anymore, or doesn't enjoy his food anymore, or is suffering in some other way. Personally, I would prefer to make the awful decision to let them go before they suffer for even a day. Better a week too early, than a day too late x
He's just been bouncing around for his dinner so I'm sure it's not time yet but I do know it's something we need to prepare for.
Hi It certainly sounds like there is “life in the old dog” still. If he is still going out for walks/eating with enthusiasm and going outside to toilet you are a little way off yet. I had a golden retriever for my 16th birthday who then became my parents dog. She lived to nearly 16 and died in her sleep overnight. She had her dinner the night before and yes she was wobbly but she didn’t suffer. My next dog became ill at 12 and it was a couple of months before we knew he had had enough and we let him go at the vets whilst under sedation for a scan. You don’t always have to make the decision for them. All the best with the difficult times ahead.
