If you have been following the website and/or Facebook, you know that I have two dogs: a terrier named Gracie and a Shih-Tzu named Chewie. Gracie has been a part of my life for almost 14 years. Yeah, I may have flubbed the time in previous posts; like most people, I lost a couple of years during the pandemic.
Anyway – I digress.
Gracie is a rescue dog. The good folks at the Avery County Humane Society estimated her age to be 3. That makes her 17.
The last couple of years have been rough for her. For the first time, she shows her age. She doesn’t walk as fast or as far as she once did. Her stubbornness is at an all-time high. She wants what she wants, when she wants it. You cannot convince her otherwise. She cannot hear very well, so you must take care how you approach her. She doesn’t always sleep through the night and sometimes paces.
Still, she bounces around the house if she thinks it is time to go outside or take a car ride. She runs to the door for these exciting events. (Sure, she stares at the hinges of the door, but she wants to go.) She eats enthusiastically and enjoys smelling everything on the walkies. It ain’t over yet.
Living with an elderly dog is a challenge. If you are going through it too, I have a few tips:
Consider adopting another dog, BUT it must be the right dog for your dog. I searched for years – literally, years – for a companion for Gracie. I wanted another terrier. BIG MISTAKE. Gracie does not particularly like other dogs. She does not want someone to play with, because she doesn’t play. However, she does like having someone around the house when I am away.
Chewie was everything we needed – a male Shih-tzu who is totally chill. It wasn’t about what I wanted. It was about what Gracie wanted and needed.
Almost immediately, his presence soothed her anxiety. She may not wrestle and play with him, but she secretly likes having someone around in the middle of the night when I am sleeping or when I leave the house. She has even grabbed his toys for a few seconds and slung them across the room.
The temptation here is to get a puppy. Match the new dog’s energy level to your old dog’s level, or you might have problems. It turns out that Chewie does not need a power walk; he is content to saunter along at Gracie’s pace. He enjoys relaxing and does not want constant play. Exactly what Gracie needs! And, equally important, what Chewie likes. You don’t want the new dog to be miserable.
Use nightlights throughout your house. Your old dog may not see very well at night. I placed nightlights in strategic spots around the house. It really helped Gracie navigate the darkened rooms.
Break out the yoga mat…for your dog. I have hardwood and tile throughout my house, slippery surfaces for an elderly dog. I already had a few rugs scattered here and there. I added more.
I also found that yoga mats make great “rugs.” Sure, they may not match the chic aesthetic of your house. If you have dogs (or any other pet or human children), you probably abandoned those efforts at fashionable décor a long time ago anyway.
Keep moving. Like humans, elderly dogs must keep moving. Yes, the walkies may be slower and shorter. Just reconcile yourself to the new way of walking, but don’t stop!
Talk with your veterinarian. Your vet can help you navigate the journey by offering tips for care and preparing you for each stage. The vet also approaches the situation with a little more objectivity than you may have. After all, in Gracie’s case, 14 years is a really long time. It is extraordinarily difficult for me to be objective sometimes.
Gracie takes a low dose of Prozac and a couple of supplements to help with anxiety and mobility issues. I recently switched her food to a formula that allegedly assists dogs with cognitive issues. It seems to be helping, though she is not the spry 3-year old she once was. No food can do that!
Hang in there. Our dogs give us wonderful years of friendship and love. It is our duty to help them in their final days, weeks, months, or years and give them the life they earned. After all, isn’t that was we all want toward the end of our lives? Yes, it is hard, but you can do it!