A Moment With Mel….Caring For An Elderly Dog
The joys of a dog! There are so very many. Starting at the very beginning, when you bring your sweet pup home, there are so many moments that touch your heart.
As a dog gets older, there are still a ton of sweet, wonderful moments. Unfortunately, you don’t realize how hard it can be dealing with an aging dog.
My dog Gypsy is 15 years old. I got Gypsy as a puppy. She was the runt of the litter and only weighed four pounds when I got her. She was THE tiniest thing! She fit in my hand. Right away, I knew this dog was going to be spoiled. Her full name is “Diva Gypsy”.
Gypsy is a Jack Russell Terrier, and has always been WIDE open! Jacks are dogs that are full of energy and require lots of attention. Gypsy was on GO mode at all times until she was around 13 years old. During her 13th year, the veterinarian told me that Gypsy’s kidney’s were failing. The vet said she’d only live at the very least a few months.
Well, here we are! Gypsy is 15 years old and is still going. Her “Jack Russell” moments as I call them, have decreased, and she isn’t as wide open as she used to be. But because of her age and health, she requires lots of attention. Gypsy can no longer jump on and off the bed, she doesn’t see well, and she can now only hear loud noises. Totally normal for an older dog. But because of her kidney issues, she now tinkles on the floor. I can take her outside to potty, and 20 minutes later, she’ll tinkle inside the house. I know she can’t help it, and I don’t get mad. It’s all part of aging.
Gypsy has always had a hard time sitting still….that’s how Jack Russells are. Now, she’s unsettled because she has “doggie dementia” and has a hard time settling down. Often she’ll want on the bed, then within five minutes, she’ll want down. I spend half the day as a “doggie elevator”. Lifting her up and down, up and down. Lots of nights, she’ll wake me up at 2am. If she needs to go out, I’m up. There are many days I just stay awake as I go into work early. She’s kinda like a toddler…..if she isn’t settled, I’m not settled.
I never realized how time consuming caring for an elderly dog is. I don’t board her anymore as I just don’t trust anyone to care for her like I do. I cook for her, walk her lots, carry her around, and let her do whatever she wants. The only time I leave her for more than a few hours is when my mom can come and stay with her.
I’m not writing this to complain. I will love that dog and be by her side until the very end. That’s what you sign up for when you get a dog. You love them and care for them as you would a family member. Luckily, Gypsy moves around well, and isn’t in pain. I would never let her suffer. She’s just getting older.
So, for my friends that don’t understand why I can’t just go to the beach on a whim, or why I can’t travel much, now you know. My goal as a “doggie mom” is to make sure that Gypsy’s last time with me is as wonderful as it can be. She needs just as much attention now as she did as a puppy. And no matter how tired I am, or how annoyed I get cleaning up pee stains, she’s my baby, and that’s my job til the end.
