Originally Posted by LindaLS (Post 4549189)

I want to thank you all for replying. It is so good to hear from others who know exactly what I feel.

Even my daughter said "Mom get a grip, no matter how you look at it she is only a dog" (they have outside dogs) Well I blew and told her no matter what she had better get prepared because when it does happen I am gonna fall apart and grieve her like my baby she is.

This morning at 5:30 am. she woke my up whining. Took them outside (I also have an 11 yr old Shih Tzu Chihuahua mix) and then brought them in and gave Hanna her meds.

She is doing much better this morning she is laying in the living room looking towards the bedroom waiting for Dad to get up. But there is no whining and pacing

In one way it hurts to hear about your babies going through senior changes and yet it is good to know I am not the only one. I am so sorry your babies didn't make it this far and I guess I am being selfish caring on about her. I am very grateful I have had her in my life as long as I have and will value each day we have left.

Again thank you for your responses and my heart goes to each of you

Originally Posted by sampsongc (Post 4549723)

What kind of ramp do you have? I had to try a couple didn't steps before my dogs would use them. They would only use the very sturdy fully carpeted kind. They didn't feel safe on the lightweight kind made from plastic. Also if their foot hit any plastic on the way up they would slip and not want to go up again. Good Luck!

Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1 (Post 4549316)

These are all issues we are all faced with when we are fortunate enough to have a wonderful devoted senior with us for that length of time. My seniors are on Glyco-Flex III for arthritis in hips and spine. It makes a tremendous difference, enabling a little old lady that could gotten to the point where she just would rather not get up at all, to once again chasing birds up and down the fence.....she moves a little slower than she did when she was young but the change after the med was started is nothing short of a miracle.

The congestive heart failure should be looked at by a specialist for the best, most cutting edge approach in meds....if she is beginning to cough a little, she may need some diuretic for the congestive failure that will/may be developing.....I had one on Vasotec and Lasix and she did fine with her heart issue for 8 years.... Milk Thistle for the assault on her liver from the addition of all the meds, could help her.....I give mine Milk Thistle because I know the benefits for their liver!

The dementia is tough to watch.....it breaks your heart to see the confusion and that "lost" look....supportive care and tenderness and love to help her with this....they have meds for that too, but I did not ever have one treated medically for that. Eye sight also goes...cataracts develop and that adds to her insecurity and feelings of being lost. Keep her very close to you, leave the house the same (dont rearrange furniture as this will add to confusion), travel in whatever mode she is familiar with, and I would maybe hold off on any adventures that would add fear or confusion to her day....

I lost my baby girl at 17 years old...and those last 3 years I devoted absolutely to her and what she needed and wanted....less stress and no changes in schedules or environment.....and I dont regret one minute of that restrictive, confined 3 years....I would do it all again if I could have her back for another 3 years under the same circumstances. Trust me, these are feelings you will also have, as you love and care for and make concessions for your baby girl's senior years. Her race is almost completed....clear her path, move all obsticles from her way, and help her finish victoriously!