What did you do for your aging dog?

Our Ozzie-dog is almost 16 years old. He is a Chihuahua Pincher mix and he has really started to show his age. Normally jumping on and off the sofas and barking at anything that moves, he barely notices anything anymore. He is napping now most of the day and constantly has to be next to one of us.

We live in a second story apartment. Taking him out has always been pretty simple up until recently. The millisecond we got even close to the stairs he would be down them at the door. Now he hesitates. About a year ago, we noticed a lump on his stomach and we had it checked. The vet didnt seem concerned. In the last two months it has tripled in size. The blood work hasnt given us a definitive answer yet and its even more expensive to get the biopsy.

He has been a good boy and we can see just how much slower, blinder and more deaf he has gotten. We think that he might make it thru the end of the year but he needs full time watching now. He used to love his crate but now if he is in it he howls and cries. Since he really cant see much he is bumping into walls and falling off the bed. Don’t worry its a low bed and he always sleeps with one of us but he is restless.

So I am curious what any of you have done when your dog got to this point. This is our first dog to have to let go of. We love him, he isn’t suffering, doesn’t seem to be in pain just that functions are starting to fail. We can install a baby gate so he cant fall down the stairs. We have switched to soft food for him but practically have to hand feed it to him. We also cant always be home with him.

Its not easy to think about him going but we do want to love him as long as we can. When did you decide if it was time to take your dog in? Or did you make them comfortable? What did you get for them for food or for comfort? Ive seen others take them out for their favorite snack or to their favorite park for the last time.

Maybe I’m overthinking this or maybe I’m just a bit sad today. But if you guys have any ideas or can share any experiences, especially if you have kids that were attached to your pet please share. My nephew has said that he doesn’t want Ozzie to go. I hope we have my nephew when the dog goes but he is part time with his dad.

Anyways, please share your story or your dog pictures. They are here for a short time but give us all the love.