Question: Old Lab possibly dying

Wow!! That is cool. I live on 10 acres of mostly oak trees. And that is always where I find him, lying in the leaves... and sometimes in the water. He looked so content lying in the water. It was icy cold but he didn't shiver. It just seemed odd to me that he showed no sign of distress.

All of what you suggested is a good idea, but I do have hills and steep small cliffs where he could fall. So I think I'll just take a stroll with him. His pen will have plenty of oak leaves.... lol Thanks, this has turned into a very interesting thread and of course, a much better day! I appreciate everyone's support and insight.

digApony

This is wonderful - I am so glad you get to spend some more time with your beloved dog! Such a touching post....you brought me to tears.

Yes, I have gained a lot of inspiration and insight from this one thread that I thought would go no where! I'm home now. My ex husband tied him up for me and he ate a full bowl of food. I just moved him up on to the back porch for the night. There is a storm coming. He ate another bowl of food with lots of milk bones and his vitamins! And of course he got a lot of hugs and pets.

He seems perfectly fine. However, I am going to take him to the vet Saturday to see if he can put him on an antibiotic and/or a mild pain reliever. I see no sign of suffering or pain though. Just some weight loss in his hind.

I am excited about our first stroll. Saturday early in the morning I am taking him into the woods and if he wants to lay in the oak leaves to heal I will sit next to him in the leaves and try to do the same... I have a broken heart that needs to heal... and maybe I'll write something about it all.

I found some pictures I took of him last month when were on a road trip. I'm going to try to upload them now.

Have a good night everyone... Thank you and I hope this thread never ends...

digApony

Three years on three legs Our Vet asked me if I wanted his leg removed or put him to sleep. I said remove the leg. He was septic and needed a lot of care and I needed sleep, so I put plastic on my bed and put him in bed next to me and we slept together...he healed fast.

Puppins:

hit by a car lost a leg and 9 months ago a bullet lodged between his lungs and just above his heart.......... lucky dog and handsome too! lol

okay, I'm done bragging... lol Last one. It was after a rain that I took these pictures. The guy flat out refuses to go into a dog house. He prefers to lie in the rain.... dunno...can't figure that one out... good night

I apologize for the size of the pictures. I thought Photo Bucket would auto size the images. I can remove them if you think I should.

I wanted to say that what I found so profound in Copperhead's words, above... is Copperhead said: "...go with him on his walks............" Instead of "taking" him for a walk. Yep.

Anyway, he's doing fine and seems happy this morning. I left him on the back porch today. It's raining. My porch is large enough and I can always hose it when I get home.

Take care and have a good day everyone!

This mom always tells her children: No one can take care of you, but you...because

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own.


1 Corinthians 6:19

I don't know how common it is for dogs to go off to die. Cats, for sure. Maybe this guy instinctively knows leaves and/or water is comforting/healing for him. Plus being a lab, they do love water. It must have been such a joy when you got him back.

He is a BEAUTIFUL dog. Dogs can go senile for sure, in fact I *thought* there was a med for that? Let him enjoy whatever he wants to enjoy, soak it all up, and just be with him. Sounds like he is more just wandering to wander than going off to die. Don't listen to those who say to put him to sleep, he will let you know when it is time.

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Becky

He's a beautiful pup. Enjoy your walks.

Just Enjoy Your Old Puppy. We Looks Like A Winner To Me.

Thank you. He's here with me now just being a dog . Chowed down and drank a lot of water. I will spend as much time with him as possible. I'm so glad I posted. Everyone's support helped. Thanks again and have a good night. DigApony

Hi,

Just an update. This dog absolutely amazes me! I took him to the vet and he said that he is 15 years old and the oldest living Lab he has seen... and he's been in business for quite a while.

My dog has rectal cancer, however he said he's doing pretty good. He still eats two cans of dog food a day + bones + oatmeal + cooked white rice + blueberries + hard boiled egg --white only + fish oil and vitamins.

LOL He eats better than I do! The vet put him on antibiotics for skin infections, nsaid and something to protect his stomach.

Anyway, he's getting better.... the silly dog's got more lives than a cat.

Thank you for all of your support. I'm just happy I can keep him a little longer and that he's a "special" Lab... :banana02:

Have a great day.

I am glad he is hanging in there. I was near frantic when we were up and down on the site, and I saw you had posted, but I couldn't get in to read what you had written!! So glad it is good news.

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Becky

Ya, a lot has happened since the site went down. I thought he wasn't going to make it a few times.

I keep him on the back porch when I am at work and one night I didn't get home until after 10 and I found him hanging halfway through the porch rail. He looked dead. I got him out and tried to see if he was breathing. He was breathing, but limp and seemed almost dead.

So I called my vet in the middle of the night to see if he'd meet me at his office to put him down. So while I was waiting I picked up the big lug and held him in my arms and talked to him. He was still limp for almost an hour. Then he just picks his head up and looks at me and around at the cats acting like nothing happened at all!

When my vet returned my call I told him that what happened and that I would meet him in the morning if I thought it was time or call to cancel. Well I canceled. I gave the big lug some water and a little food and laid him on his pillow. He wagged his tail.... like a "thank you".

I think now that he was exhausted. He wore himself out trying to get out of his jam.

He popped back by the morning. I blocked most of the railing, but he always seems to get stuck somewhere. Under a chair or under the table. He plays all night long, gets stuck then barks for me to come help him out.

He wants to go wandering in the woods again, I guess.

Rectal cancer is very aggressive and I know I don't have long. So now I don't see his little night time antics as a nucance, but I joke about it with him. He wags his tail every time I get him out of his pickle.

I feed him good .... with a spoon and he drinks a lot of water and doesn't seem uncomfortable. Except for his distaste for a loss of freedom. He doesn't walk anymore.

My vet said he'll let me know when it's time. I appreciate yours and everyones thoughts and support.

I'll let you know.......... digApony

sending prayers your way...

Hi all,

I'm putting my Lab down today. Sunday I bathed him and I found that he has maggots on his hind. I poured peroxide and warm water over him and removed all that I could find. Since he is only three legged and has lost the use of his remaining hind leg, I suppose he got the maggots from lying on the ground. He's always been an outside dog.

The last few days he has been happy, eating and drinking and scooting around. Last night I brought him in the house and he was scooting all over my wood floors.... all night! He dusted my floors with his tail! It was so cute. I had to close my bedroom door to get some sleep. I bathed him in peroxide again this morning, but he is in pain.

My youngest son is taking him to the vet for me. I can't.
So I guess we can end this thread.

Thank you everyone for your support. I really appreciate it! digApony

((((digapony)))) I'm so sorry for your loss.

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So very very very sorry. He was such a pretty boy, and I know you filled his last week with love.

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Becky

Thank you very much. I miss him still and cry sometimes. Yes, and thanks to all here who wisely adviced me to do so. I loved on him every minute I could. And even when I searched for him in the woods he was so happy that I found him and helped him out of his prediciment. Silly dog.

The first night I came home and I sat down to emptiness and it was cold. It really is a loss.

I've been through it before but this guy was special for some reason

Anyway, I've got a female yellow Lab/Shepard/Mutt that's got me all to herself now!

....And two cats

Thank you again. digApony

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"Of course there is a light at the end of the tunnel; another train is approaching there". ~ Slavoj Zizek