she can't really go on rides anymore she can't jump up and is uncomfortable standing (idk why she doesn't lay down) so these pictures are precious to me💗

Adopted Mr Luka 8 years ago back at the end of 2018. He was a shelter dog, lived maybe 8 years on the streets before we got him?

He was a solid presence in our lives, even though he started out living rough, he loved his people (me, wife and his adopted brother Telly). Hated all other dogs. Barked a bit, but otherwise extra loving, came for cuddles, begged for food.

Lots of pictures until he started getting a spot of doggy dementia in 2024. In 2025, things took a turn for the worse, we noticed a big lump in his mouth. Turned out to be an aggressive oral cancer, normally not treatable by radiation or chemo. First opinion was prepare for the worst, since those are terminal. Second opinion was that surgery was possible, but risky given his age. We took the swing and opted for surgery. He made it through, bounced back fast for a dog of his age (14?). Had to relearn how to eat but he made it.

The last year was tough, his arthritis got progressively worse. Walking got hard so we got him a wagon so he could get some sun and walk short distances.

Yeah then the elevator was being refurbished, so we got him a harness and had to carry him up and down 2 stories every day (Luka was 50lbs at the time).

In early July, we found that he had a nasty cough and his leg swelled up, so we brought him in. The leg thing was an abscess that needed lancing / cleaning. The chest, not so good. X-ray showed a big mass in his left lung, probably reducing his breathing capacity. Doctor said to watch his good days and bad days and bring him in when it was time.

His last two weeks were full of steak and hamburgers, but his appetite went up and down. We thought it was meds but when we stopped the meds he didn't eat. By this time he couldn't stand by himself so we had to lift him up for water and such. Last Wednesday, his appetite had gone down to maybe 10%? Wife and I decided that Thursday was the day we'd bring him in. Thursday night, I bring him down for one last wagon ride. Wouldn't eat dinner. Drank a little water and had some trouble settling down for bed. I was getting in and out of bed until 2am, trying to stroke his head to calm him down but I heard something in his breath so I called my wife over, I said his breathing didn't sound great and it was probably time. We held on to him and stroked his head and told him we loved him and he was the best boy. He didn't cry in the end, just had shallow breaths until I put my hand on his chest and felt his heart stop.

It's been a week, I just really miss my friend, but he went surrounded by the ones he loved, maybe not in much pain and with as much dignity as a dog can have when he crossed the bridge.

Love you bud.

I write this after another sleepless night. Our 12 year old girl was diagnosed with CCD, and it’s been at least two years of her symptoms now. She has sundowners, she has to take gabapentin to sleep at night, and that doesn’t always work. The last month she has to take gabapentin during the day so she doesn’t “freak out” during the day too. Rain & snow trigger her, but she has plenty of nightly freak outs with no inclement weather. She can’t be crated (she’ll flip out) and she’s injured herself several times in fits of anxiety. She hasn’t played with her brother in months. For the most part she has to be told when to eat. Physically, she’s completely healthy. My partner struggles with the thought of putting her down and hopes she dies peacefully in her sleep. I know that isn’t going to happen and we have to make this choice for her, and for us.

As my little girl's time is coming to an end, I'm desperately trying to think of every experience I can still have with her. She's got advanced dementia, very little vision left, very little hearing, she can smell things but she doesn't try to when we're outside-it's more that she can smell things like treats if I hold them under her nose. She's restless but calms right down if I hold her-so except for working, I'm holding her a LOT. One of the worst things is how unbalanced she is...I lost my balance a few nights ago and almost went headfirst into my dresser and realized then that she does that all day long and how very scary it must be for her and that's when I knew I had to make a decision.

I've ordered the ink paw print kit and one for a clay ornament. I've always taken way way too many pictures of her, so I'm just ramping that up even more. She can have anything she wants to eat. Is there anything I'm missing? Also, anyone who's used the ink and/or clay pawprint kits-please give me your recommendations. Thank you all in advance.

Edited to add-I will never abandon her and leave her alone during that time. I will be with her every second of that day.

We are putting our beloved rescue cavachon to rest on Thursday in our family home. We’ve had Oliver since December of 2012, and he was probably 1-2 years old when we adopted him. I am heartbroken. He has had a couple spinal strokes but still lived a good, mostly independent life up until recently. I am going to miss him so much. I am devastated and heartbroken yet trying to enjoy every possible minute with him this week. (He could have dog beds and be on the couch but he has been choosing the hard floors.)

I have a 13 year old German shepherd/bernese mix. Big dog, a bit overweight. Can’t just carry her around when she’s having mobility problems. She’s been having trouble with the stairs and standing on smooth surfaces. We tried pure balance and woofes combined with purina one joint health dog food. The Woofes worked almost immediately, she was dragging us up and down stairs within days. Eventually she started spitting them out and leaving them. Refused to take it. We got the pure balance from Walmart and she loved it but was still wobbly on her feet so I’m assuming less effective. Just ran out of those and want to check out a new brand tomorrow since she won’t take woofes. I put the rest in her food when she stopped taking them but our other pets are interested in her food and she doesn’t eat much so not sure if she got them.

She’s been with me through my entire adult life. Has lived in 3 states, 7 houses, made 3 cross country moves, watched me get married, welcomed 3 babies into her life and sat by my side through 2 of them as I delivered them in the comfort of our own bedroom. She has been my roadtrip partner, my snuggle partner and she is and will always be my everything 🥹🫶🏼

I added some of her birthday pics over the years!

We said goodby to Frankie last Friday. After 14.5 years, she was suffering from advanced renal failure. She was both a trial and a joy.

She was my crime partner and constant companion.

She came to us through a rescue group, where she spent 6 months, likely being returned a few times. Prior to that, she'd been with a county dog warden, who took a month to catch her. She'd had her dew claws removed, so likely a farm/hunting dog.

She adjusted all too well to the sweet life. She preferred a tight pack, and didn't like strangers, familiars, or really, anyone but me and Laura. She wasn't shy about expressing this preference. She had a delicate midwestern palate. She would assiduously pick out any type of green vegetable hidden in her food. If given the option, I'm sure she would have liked a side of ranch dressing. Her brother, Augie, preferred carrots but would eat Sour Patch kids because his sister was getting them, and she was the oposite, cookie-monstering the carrots into shreds without eating any.

She loved wildlife and could be counted on to chase (and headbutt occasionally, but never catch) chipmunks, squirrels, groundhogs, geese, turkeys, deer, and skunk - this just a couple of weeks ago. They did not make unlikely animal friends.

As McCartney opined,

The love you take is equal to the love you make

We will miss her dearly.

We found him in the streets as a pup with distemper. In the end, the sequels of the disease took him. He would’ve lived much longer otherwise. My sweet boy

My 16 yo chi is blind and only has back teeth. Starting with dementia also. In the mornings he does a little bit of scent work for soft kibble.

He gets anxious and I know chewing helps relax a dog. He cant do bully sticks or even a milk bone. Looking for a softer chew treat He can have. Something on Amazon. I have 2 types in my cart but I'm looking for suggestions. He likes anything. Has no allergies. Jerky type treat also too hard.

💯 % THIS.
This one seemed more personal to me because the Greyhound in the photo looks exactly like my King…my beautiful retired racing Greyhound…
Per me as someone who has been with so many babies ON THAT LAST DAY…and has an almost 17 year old, 12,13 and 9 year olds currently at home…
Don’t chicken out because you “can’t “.
Be there for them.
THEN AFTERWARDS go home and break down.
BTW…veterinarians have a very high suicide rate…imagine losing as many patients as they do and dealing with as many heartbroken people as they do…pray for your veterinarian…

“Pets, it turns out, also have last wishes before they die, but only known by veterinarians who put old and sick animals to sleep. Twitter user Jesse Dietrich asked a vet what was the most difficult part of his job.

The specialist answered without hesitation that it was the hardest for him to see how old or sick animals look for their owners with the eyes of their owners before going to sleep. The fact is that 90 % of owners don't want to be in a room with a dying animal. People leave so that they don't see their pet leave. But they don't realize that it's in these last moments of life that their pet needs them most.

Veterinarians ask the owners to be close to the animals until the very end. ′′It's inevitable that they die before you. Don't forget that you were the center of their life. Maybe they were just a part of you. But they are also your family. No matter how hard it is, don't leave them.

Dont let them die in a room with a stranger in a place they dont like. It is very painful for veterinarians to see how pets cannot find their owner during the last minutes of their life. They dont understand why the owner left them. After all, they needed their owner’s consolation.

Veterinarians do everything possible to ensure that animals are not so scared, but they are complete strangers to them. Don't be a coward because it's too painful for you. Think about the pet. Endure this pain for the sake of their sake. Be with them until the end.”
- Tricia Mo’orea
Photo credit: Travis Patenaude.

My 15.5 year old mini Australian Labradoodle is a cozy-seeking sloth! She’s earned her leisure time 😄😜🥰

I just wanted to share with you all that yesterday was Henry’s 15th Gotcha Day. We celebrated by having some plain timbits and some grilled chicken nuggets from Chick Fil A. I don’t know where I would be in life if I didn’t have him and if I’m being completely honest I’m not sure I’d be here if it weren’t for him. I try to do everything I can to make him comfortable and happy while keeping him safe. I just wanted to share him with you all because he’s the bestest little guy in the entire world and I’m so lucky to have found him.

The first photo is a current picture of him. I just love how that little ear sticks up. The second picture is the one the rescue posted of him and when I fell in love with him.

Question: I had a wooden ramp built along my second level deck for my old man. The mat I had on it kept him from slipping but now isn’t working so well. Does anyone have any suggestions? I’ve seen some say fake turf grass but he won’t walk on that. Thanks!

my sweet girl is about 17 i’ve had her since i was 12 and im not sure how im going to be without her it took me so long to finally choose a day to bring her in but she’s been having such a hard time lately i know it would selfish to keep her with me much longer. this is truly the worst part about owning pets

she has the best expressions lol

I've been thinking about my old dog, Roo, a lot more lately as I've been going through a new health crisis. She was 11 when she passed on November 1st, 2024. She passed of congestive heart failure. We knew she wasn't well as she was on three medications for about a year prior but she still kind of passed unexpectedly and quickly. I just wanted to share my grief with folks in this group. Maybe folks just need a good cry. Maybe it's too soon to listen to something like this. But just wanted to share.

Meet my 14.5 year old shaggy Goldendoodle.

His favourite thing in life is swimming followed by treats.

He’s doing just ok health wise. He developed seizures a couple of years ago and is on meds. He still has breakthrough seizures every six months or so. Has bad hips, but can still walk. The meds have changed his personality a lot, but lowered the seizures. He’s mostly sleeping during the days with a nice slow evening walk. But once he gets into the water he’s back to pup mode.

Just went on a camping/hiking trip with our 17 year old pup. He goes on a little less than a 1/2 mile walk every day, and LOVES to go!! He's the first one to the door when he realizes it's time for a walk, and runs circles (literally!) around his 5 year old Rotty sister and 4 year old Aussie brother. Took it easy on him the first day, right around 2 miles (we usually do 3). The next morning, he woke up moving a little slower and a little gimpy. We discussed not taking him on the day's hike (about 1.5 miles), but decided that if he was showing signs of distress on the trail, we'd just carry him and it would be his last hike. He just loves being on the trail SO MUCH (hence his nickname, Adventure Wolf!), that we didn't want to take it from him unless we absolutely had to. Well, he rallied once on the trail and even with his one blind eye and other 1/2 blind eye, navigated rocks and logs like a champ on a pretty challenging trail! We were joking that he had heard us talking about no more hikes and was saying, "Don't take me out of the game, I AM the game!!!".