My Dog is not doing well

[1015elvis]

Hey listen, my dog, Yogi is not doing well and is not expected to last the coming weeks. I decided to not put him down until after Christmas. He's doing okay right now, but anything could change in a heartbeat. Are their any suggestions in how to make his last few days the best he's ever had?

[drjohncarpenter]

Hey listen, my dog, Yogi is not doing well and is not expected to last the coming weeks. I decided to not put him down until after Christmas. He's doing okay right now, but anything could change in a heartbeat. Are their any suggestions in how to make his last few days the best he's ever had?

You don't go into many details here. Are you certain that Yogi's illness cannot be resolved with the help of a veterinarian or medicine? Is your best friend an older dog, by which I mean at least ten years old?

My current pal is 14 and in decline. She's losing the use of her hind legs and is becoming incontinent. But her heart, mind and soul are the same as they've always been. She's kind, loyal and loving. I've determined to make each day as joyful and comfortable as possible.

Maggie gets only special food now, mixed with a little "regular" chow, which means lots of cooked chicken or hamburger with a side of Beneful. If she acts reluctant to make it down the steps to go out the front door for a walk, or to head into the back yard to do whatever, I carry her out and gently place her back down on all fours. I make sure she's clean if she's accidentally wet herself. I give her lots of affection and petting. She has a nice, soft dog bed for whenever she gets tired.

For your boy, just take it a day at a time. Give him all the love he's shown without hesitation since you became his guardian. As long as he's eating, and appears to be active and happy, keep him close. I hope everyone in your family does the same. You'll never have a better friend.

Hope this helps.

John

[1015elvis]

Hey listen, my dog, Yogi is not doing well and is not expected to last the coming weeks. I decided to not put him down until after Christmas. He's doing okay right now, but anything could change in a heartbeat. Are their any suggestions in how to make his last few days the best he's ever had?

You don't go into many details here. Are you certain that Yogi's illness cannot be resolved with the help of a veterinarian or medicine? Is your best friend an older dog, by which I mean at least ten years old?

My current pal is 14 and in decline. She's losing the use of her hind legs and is becoming incontinent. But her heart, mind and soul are the same as they've always been. She's kind, loyal and loving. I've determined to make each day as joyful and comfortable as possible.

Maggie gets only special food now, mixed with a little "regular" chow, which means lots of cooked chicken or hamburger with a side of Beneful. If she acts reluctant to make it down the steps to go out the front door for a walk, or to head into the back yard to do whatever, I carry her out and gently place her back down on all fours. I make sure she's clean if she's accidentally wet herself. I give her lots of affection and petting. She has a nice, soft dog bed for whenever she gets tired.

For your boy, just take it a day at a time. Give him all the love he's shown without hesitation since you became his guardian. As long as he's eating, and appears to be active and happy, keep him close. I hope everyone in your family does the same. You'll never have a better friend.

Hope this helps.

John

12 years old, and they don't know what's wrong with him. Our best guess is cancer, and it's the same with our dog. He still has his spunky spirit, but his body won't let him be. And thanks, John, we're loving him and taking all the memories we can.

[drjohncarpenter]

12 years old, and they don't know what's wrong with him. Our best guess is cancer, and it's the same with our dog. He still has his spunky spirit, but his body won't let him be. And thanks, John, we're loving him and taking all the memories we can.

He'll feel the love. Take good care of him, I'm sure he is as wonderful a friend as you could ever hope to have.


John

[BrianTCB]

12 years old, and they don't know what's wrong with him. Our best guess is cancer, and it's the same with our dog. He still has his spunky spirit, but his body won't let him be. And thanks, John, we're loving him and taking all the memories we can.

I'm sorry to hear this. Pets are like family. It's never easy when they go through this.

Like Doc said, he will feel the love. Perhaps when you know the end is near, and you have time, give him more of his favorite foods that you might keep at arm's length (meat, veggies, things of that nature that they enjoy) so long as they don't cause discomfort. Give him more new toys to enjoy. Spend more time with him. And spend every last moment to the fullest with him.

[1015elvis]

Small Update: Yogi is doing as best as he can. Still drinking, not really eating his normal food (though he'll eat everything else). Giving him all the love we can and taking as many photos as I can.

[drjohncarpenter]

Small Update: Yogi is doing as best as he can. Still drinking, not really eating his normal food (though he'll eat everything else). Giving him all the love we can and taking as many photos as I can.

Don't rush anything!

Would you share a photo? Love to see your best friend.

[1015elvis]

Here you go, John. This was taken earlier in the year.

[drjohncarpenter]

What a great photo. That looks like the vet's waiting area, yeah?

Yogi is everything you say, loyal, bright, happy and loving.

Thank you for sharing.

Here you go, John. This was taken earlier in the year.

[BrianTCB]

Here you go, John. This was taken earlier in the year.

Awwwww. He just melts your heart. I am sorry you are going through this. Things like this are never easy.

[1015elvis]

Update: We will put him down sometime this week. Gonna take him on a joyride around the neighborhood tomorrow. It's the most ironic thing, the very first night he was with us, I couldn't be here, but I was watching a local Elvis impersonation contest. March 9th, 2012. Looked like Jerry Garcia because his previous family was horrid to him for his first year. (Similar photo taken in 2020 but he had full-blown curls)

[drjohncarpenter]

I can only assume things are getting worse for him. I'm very sad to read this update.

I've never met him (or you!) but there are tears right now.

It is so hard to say good-bye to someone you love. Make sure he knows you loved him, all the way until he's at peace.

Update: We will put him down sometime this week. Gonna take him on a joyride around the neighborhood tomorrow. It's the most ironic thing, the very first night he was with us, I couldn't be here, but I was watching a local Elvis impersonation contest. March 9th, 2012. Looked like Jerry Garcia because his previous family was horrid to him for his first year. (Similar photo taken in 2020 but he had full-blown curls)

[1015elvis]

I can only assume things are getting worse for him. I'm very sad to read this update.

I've never met him (or you!) but there are tears right now.

It is so hard to say good-bye to someone you love. Make sure he knows you loved him, all the way until he's at peace.

Update: We will put him down sometime this week. Gonna take him on a joyride around the neighborhood tomorrow. It's the most ironic thing, the very first night he was with us, I couldn't be here, but I was watching a local Elvis impersonation contest. March 9th, 2012. Looked like Jerry Garcia because his previous family was horrid to him for his first year. (Similar photo taken in 2020 but he had full-blown curls)

Well, it just happened about an hour ago. Went blissfully. Gave him so many cookies and kisses. Buried him in the backyard. Had to flip him around since he fell back first. Raining right now so we'll fix it up properly in the coming days. Thanks for the support.

[1015elvis]

It is gonna hurt for a while, but I'm glad I got a week to say goodbye to him. One last Christmas, one last drive around the neighborhood, gets all the treats he wants now.

[elvis-fan]

It's never easy saying goodbye to a pet. We went through it with our last dog and having to put him down (after 16 years) was a very emotional experience for our entire family... specially for my two boys. I wish you the very best during this difficult time...

[drjohncarpenter]

I will be thinking about Yogi today. You did all you could.

Our current doggie is nearing the Rainbow Bridge, and we're taking it a day at a time. She is 14.

It is gonna hurt for a while, but I'm glad I got a week to say goodbye to him. One last Christmas, one last drive around the neighborhood, gets all the treats he wants now.

[drjohncarpenter]

Back in 2010 I wrote about our previous pup, a topic called Elvis at McKellar Lake 1960:

That is the exact spot in Memphis where we found an injured stray puppy in June 1995.







We named her McKellar (after the lake), and took her home with us.

We had to say good-bye to her on April 13.





McKellar: Jan 8, 1995 to Apr 13, 2010



15 years of love, friendship and wonderful memories.

[1015elvis]

Thank you everyone. I can imagine him now, flying through the sky like a superhero. Secretly protecting the world against all evils. Peeing on politicians when they don't know it, or tripping up bad guys on foot.

[BrianTCB]

I can only assume things are getting worse for him. I'm very sad to read this update.

I've never met him (or you!) but there are tears right now.

It is so hard to say good-bye to someone you love. Make sure he knows you loved him, all the way until he's at peace.

Update: We will put him down sometime this week. Gonna take him on a joyride around the neighborhood tomorrow. It's the most ironic thing, the very first night he was with us, I couldn't be here, but I was watching a local Elvis impersonation contest. March 9th, 2012. Looked like Jerry Garcia because his previous family was horrid to him for his first year. (Similar photo taken in 2020 but he had full-blown curls)

Well, it just happened about an hour ago. Went blissfully. Gave him so many cookies and kisses. Buried him in the backyard. Had to flip him around since he fell back first. Raining right now so we'll fix it up properly in the coming days. Thanks for the support.

I am truly sorry to hear about this, 1015elvis. Our pets are always family. And it can be devastating.

My deepest condolences for your loss. May he rest in peace.

[1015elvis]

Made a video paired to a cover of Old Shep with different lyrics

[BrianTCB]

Made a video paired to a cover of Old Shep with different lyrics

[1015elvis]

Made a video paired to a cover of Old Shep with different lyrics

Did it in two takes, plus a quick edit of one chorus. Didn't want the gun reference, so had to think of the lyrics on the spot. I could probably make 3 or 4 more videos

[arnaudbxl]

I only read your post now, I'm sorry I didn't earlier.

I hope you handle the grief and deal with his absence, losing an animal, a faithful and loving companion, is really hard and I'm sending you all my thoughts.

Keep him in mind and take car of yourself.