I went to visit my dad today, first time in a while.
He has lots of animals, and the oldest of them all is Gus.
Gus is a sweet, friendly yellow Lab, who we got from the animal shelter in 1988 (maybe '89?). He was at least 2 years old then, so he's at least 18 years old. He's the sweetest dog in the world, and he was my and my brother's best bud when we were kids.
Gus started wagging his tail and "smiled" when he saw me, and I just sat down and snuggled him and cried. He buried his big head into my tummy, just like he always does when he's a happy dog. I have a feeling that was the last time I'll see my Guster-puppy.
The last time I saw him he weighed at least 100 lbs, and he's down to about 65 or 70. He has arthritis in his back legs, and he's had two stroke-like episodes, so his back legs are a bit wobbly and he doesn't get around too well. My dad has a harness on him so he can help him walk when he has bad moments. He's also rubbed a lot of the fur off his back legs where he lays down so much. My dad says he's eating and drinking just fine, doesn't cry or whine, and isn't acting like he's in pain. He gets special food and doggy meds.
My dad's taking him to the vet on Monday for a check-up (he goes at least once a month), and see what the vet thinks...she might say "keep doing what you're doing" and she might say it's time. If it's time, I don't know how a dog could have a better life than he's had. He lived out in the country for a long time, and got to chase rabbits and deer, and killed ground hogs...he even went to Canada a few times and got to swim in the Great Lakes. He's been a suburb dog for the past few years, but he's got 3 dog buddies and 7 kitty cat friends (one of whom likes to nurse on his elbow) and a family who spoils him rotten.
I hate that he's so old.... Normally I'd tell someone with a dog like that to just put it to sleep, but he just doesn't seem ready to go...he's eating and happy and really isn't acting like he's in pain. He wouldn't let me get away when I got up to go outside...he jumped up and stood in front of me and butted his head into my legs and begged for more attention.
For Gus who now travels a different path
He has lots of animals, and the oldest of them all is Gus.
Gus is a sweet, friendly yellow Lab, who we got from the animal shelter in 1988 (maybe '89?). He was at least 2 years old then, so he's at least 18 years old. He's the sweetest dog in the world, and he was my and my brother's best bud when we were kids.
Gus started wagging his tail and "smiled" when he saw me, and I just sat down and snuggled him and cried. He buried his big head into my tummy, just like he always does when he's a happy dog. I have a feeling that was the last time I'll see my Guster-puppy.
The last time I saw him he weighed at least 100 lbs, and he's down to about 65 or 70. He has arthritis in his back legs, and he's had two stroke-like episodes, so his back legs are a bit wobbly and he doesn't get around too well. My dad has a harness on him so he can help him walk when he has bad moments. He's also rubbed a lot of the fur off his back legs where he lays down so much. My dad says he's eating and drinking just fine, doesn't cry or whine, and isn't acting like he's in pain. He gets special food and doggy meds.
My dad's taking him to the vet on Monday for a check-up (he goes at least once a month), and see what the vet thinks...she might say "keep doing what you're doing" and she might say it's time. If it's time, I don't know how a dog could have a better life than he's had. He lived out in the country for a long time, and got to chase rabbits and deer, and killed ground hogs...he even went to Canada a few times and got to swim in the Great Lakes. He's been a suburb dog for the past few years, but he's got 3 dog buddies and 7 kitty cat friends (one of whom likes to nurse on his elbow) and a family who spoils him rotten.
I hate that he's so old.... Normally I'd tell someone with a dog like that to just put it to sleep, but he just doesn't seem ready to go...he's eating and happy and really isn't acting like he's in pain. He wouldn't let me get away when I got up to go outside...he jumped up and stood in front of me and butted his head into my legs and begged for more attention.
