My "baby" Rosco
 

He is getting old and it's getting hard for him to get around. The last few days have been really hard on him and sometimes he physically can't get up. He just hasn't been looking himself lately and has even been losing control of going potty.
I'm just sad that it's getting close to that time:( But we're watching for when he tells us when and just enjoying every second with him.

Praying for your dear Rosco and his friends and family...

Awe Rachael I am sorry. I can totally relate. I am here if you need me.

Oh Rachael. I am so sorry to hear about Rosco. He is such a sweet gentle giant. Sending him good thoughts and blessings.

I am keeping you in my prayer// I am so sorry

I'm in a similar situation with my Peek A Boo. I was thinking he's having mostly age-related issues, but I decided to take him to the vet to make sure he wasn't suffering from a tumor/cancer, or from something that may be causing him pain (he's not acting as if he's in pain). Also I wanted to have an idea of what he/we may be facing, and if there is something reasonable that can be done by way of medication to help him. There are many new meds on the market now available for our aging pets, so I wanted to be able to do something good for him if his health would benefit from it, or if I can make him more comfortable. We went to the vet last night, and just did the basic Bloodwork for seniors, full body X-rays, and a urinalysis. The x-ray did not show anything major, so Yay on that. We're waiting on the bloodwork results today.

I'm praying for good things and more good times with Roscoe with the time he has left, and praying for Joel.... poor guy... what's he going to do without his 'twin' by his side? (Did I say your avatar reminds me of Forrest Gump when Forrest and his son sit down to watch TV?...Lol)

Thanks everyone,
Last night when we got home he was crying because he couldn't get up to see us:( It's not like he's small and I can carry him around or I would lol

I know, I think about what Joel will do, that will be sad too:( I imagine him searching everywhere for him. He doesn't even like when Rosco is outside without him.

My brothers collie is large and aging.....she had trouble also, getting up and down, moving much more slowly, and moving only when it was absolutely necessary.....I had suggested he try putting her on Glyco-Flex III, which is the third stage in this joint supplement. It is working super and has vastly improved her quality of life going into her senior years. She doesnt run and play fetch any more, but she does follow my brother when he gets outside and walks around his property (12 acres), and she goes with him down the driveway to the street when he puts the garbage out.....she had stopped doing any of those activities, choosing to just wait at the garage door for my brother to return from his walks....I found the best price on VetDepot. You might give it a try. (I had seen my vet give this to a daschound patient that could not walk.....they were looking at surgery for that little dog and he had other medical issues that prevented that from occuring at this time. Then, 6 months later, I saw that little dog back in the office, trotting and running around!)

Rachael, my heart goes out to you. Rosco is such a handsome boy. I had no idea he is a senior. Keeping him and you in my prayers.

Yeah he has that puppy face:p He's almost 10 and that's pretty old especially for his size.

I dread thinking about when this day comes for me...I'm so thankful that my fur babies are all still really young cause I cant imagine my life without them. My heart goes out to you and your family! Rosco is adorable!

This post had me in tears. I just lve to see pictures of Rosco and Joel, I hope you can find meds that work for him. I just dread to think of how you, your sister and Joel would cope without him.

Food is the ONLY thing that gets him this happy:p This boy loves his FOOD!

Oh I am so sorry to read this. How old is Roscoe? Do you think some sort of joint med or supplement could help at all?

Give him a big hug and kiss for me. I have always felt so drawn to Roscoe.

He's almost 10 but I think his size adds more years lol. He's been on Cosequin which made a small difference.

I got a little shiver when I read this....I'm sorry....I have followed your family since the beginning, all the photos and the stories, I'm glad you've had such a wonderful life with Roscoe and I hope that his many happy times with your family keep you all in comfort...Its obvious he is very special....warm thoughts, prayer for Roscoe you and family....

Roscoe is gorgeous! I understandhow you feel and I'm so sorry you are going through this. My DH and I have had talks about Julia who is 11. She has really slowed down in the past 9 months. I will be praying for Roscoe and your family.

How is Rosco doing, Rachael? Have in in my thoughts and prayers.

Terri, I'm glad you bumped this. I missed it the 1st time around. I didn't realize Roscoe was getting up there. I love seeing his happy pics with Joel. We had a very overweight lab mutt (over 100lbs at one point) that we got at 9wks old from the Humane Soc. and he lived to the ripe old age of 13. His main issue was his arthritis/bad joints/severe pain moving that was caused by the ignorance of his owner. Over the last 2 years, he had times he could not get down the stairs-bad in a split-level, and some days he couldn't walk at all. I cheated as a nurse and brought home injectable steroids from work (solumedrol) and would inject him a couple of days in a row and he would rally and be ok for a few months. Maybe that is something you could discuss with the vet? I also had him on anti inflammatory med and tried the chondroitin glucosamine (couldn't tell if that helped since he was so advanced when I started it).
When he quit eating, we made the appointment. He was having a good day that day and TROTTED into the vet office to see all his vet tech friends. We almost didn't do it, but it would have been unfair to this dog that was our only child and who was down to 65#. It took us 5 years to get another dog (Huey).
RIP Homer

I hope Joel has a couple of good years left. Maybe check about the steroids? It really seemed to help, even though I really didn't know if it would at the time.

Thanks guys:) He has his good days and bad days. We took him in for a check up and she said he looks very well taken care of and nothing else is wrong with him.
I'm giving him the stronger Cosequin and he's doing okay. He's getting spoiled like always:p The only thing we're not letting him and Joel wrestle anymore which is sad for them.

I will be thinking about Rosco, Rachael. He's such a handsome boy and it sounds like he is really great with Joel. I hope the increase in Cosequin helps.