HELLO SO SORRY ABOUT 'ABBY', HAVE YOU SPOKEN TO THE VET, SHE MIGHT BE IN PAIN, AND FEELS WORSE WHEN LIFTED UP, IT IS VERY SAD TO SEE OUR PETS GET OLD, IF SHE HAS ARTHRITIS THERE IS A FOOD THAT REALLLY HELPS WITH MOBILITY FROM 'HILLS PRESCRIPTION DIET'', THE DRY FOOD IS CHEAPER, TIN IS EXPENSIVE..ABBY IS NOT THAT OLD, I GUESS ITS THE HEALTH THAT MAKES HER GRUMPY, ABOUT THE HOUSE, SURELY YOU WILL GET TIME TO FIND ANOTHER PLACE, MAYBE YOU SHOULD BEFORE THIS ONE ITS SOLD, AND HAVE NOW TIME TO LOOK FOR ONE SUITABLE, LOVE L*******

Thanks, I have been looking for a place but I am on housing so it has to be a place that takes section 8 and so far nobody will take a dog that big. The vet has told me through x rays that she does not have much arthritis but her back legs are very weak and will only be a matter of time before she will no longer be able to hold herself up.

Abby is on pain meds right now and takes it 3 times a day. The vet also found a small mass but without further testing that I can't afford there is not much they can do. They can't even put her under to do surgery because of her health. We were told just to spend time with her and we will know when it's time to let her go.

I am just afraid she will hurt someone before that time. Today I have a woman coming to help me take her to have her nails trimmed. The lady is the one that is going to lift her in to the car. All I can do is pray Abby does bite her. Thanks again for your help.

Meant to say does NOT bite her.

I SEE THAT YOU ARE DOING ALL YOU CAN, MY OSCAR ,HEALTH WAS FAILING LIKE ABBY, BUT BEING A SMALL DOG IT WAS EASY TO CARE, I UNDERSTAND ABOUT HER BITING, HAVE THE BEST TIME POSSIBLE, LOVE TO YOU AND ABBY, HUGS LUCY****

Perhaps the dog is in too much pain...At some point, there may be a very hard decision coming your way. Quality of life is something to be thought about. My old lab was over 100 lbs, and not fat. He had hips that were going, and needed the help all the time too. finally, after various illnesses, he just wouldn't eat, and tried to keep digging under a bush..finding a place to go away and die. I had to have him put down. It was a hard choice, but the right one for the dog...tho not for me. And it was done very lovingly, and I was petting him and he just went to sleep. When the time is right, you will know it.
Meanwhile, you have to keep your son, strangers and friends away from the dog. if they get bit, all bets are off as to you having any choice, plus you could end up with big bills from their doctors or a lawyer! Please take every precaution.

how about a kennel run with dog house in the yard for during the day? and at night she will be inside as always. then no worries. i also think fresh air is a cure all for all living things for EVERYTHING and where we all should be as much as possible.

there are muzzles as well

forgot, you can get painkillers to put in her food. might solve it as well.

How is the dog now? any changes?

She is still eating and drinking and sometimes gets excited when we get home. She is still falling a lot, yesterday she fell twice in the back yard and couldn't get up. I went out to try and help her and when I go to put my hands under her to help is when she snaps at me. Someone told me to gently put a towel under her and try to lift her up that way. I am so afraid she is going to break one of her back legs falling.

I don't think we will have her to much longer although she is eating and doing well in other ways she almost has no use of her back legs. She still pants and paces most of the time. I try to get her to lay down so she won't fall but she just gets back up and paces again. She is also having trouble breathing through her nose. That is another long story that been going on for years with her. Her nose is so dry that it bleeds all the time and cakes up with green snot. I don't want her to suffer but I just don't know when would be the right time for her. I have been putting virgin coconut oil on her nose so it won't be as dry and sore. I know it must hurt when I have to try and clean out her nose so she can breath. She bites at me when doing this.

I am just afraid of waiting to long and her suffering. She is a big dog and don't want to wait until she can't get up at all. I would never be able to carry her. I just don't know what to do. She has more sores all around her mouth and the list goes on but like I said she is still eating and drinking. I don't know how much pain she is in.......so confused right now.

Thanks for asking about her.

My vet told me that I should think of 10 things my poor dear yellow lab liked to do...he really never liked much beyond eating and drinking and sleeping and walking. Not much of a player, etc..ANYWAY, he said when the count gets to 5 things, then you know the quality of life is diminished...and time to start thinking of a peaceful sleep. Especially if the dog is in pain.
I wish we weren't put in such a position, but we are.
Sounds like hard times are coming. I wish she could just go to sleep and not wake up one day so you wouldn't have to do anything, but that has never once worked out for me....at home, and really, only once or twice with all the hundreds of animals I have worked with at the spca...SIGH. so hard. but, when she is too miserable, or dangerous or just too immobile to get outside, you will know it is time.
I hope today is a good day for her and for you.

I am so sorry to hear about your sweet Abby. I know you cannot ever see yourself without her. I have had to many dogs in my life, many were as close as my own children. I loved them all, but you know, after going through so many of these dogs and their short lives, I have come to be abe to see signs of end of life.
Panting and biting are signs of pain, same with growling as they are afraid to be handled. Shaking is also a sign of pain, not sure if Abby has done that. My vet once asked me something, he asked are you keeping the dog alive for you or for him or her? I know it is the hardest thing in the world to have to put the dog to sleep but, that is exactly what you are doing. She goes into a peaceful sleep and is out of pain. The signs seem to be there sweetie, and my heart goes out to you. If you are going to be moving, that would be too hard on her as well.

Good luck and much love,
Sandy

HELLO ,YOU WILL KNOW WHEN ''ABBY'' IS READY, I KNOW IT IS HARD, BUT YOU LOVE HER AND SHE WILL LET YOU KNOW, LOVING HUGS LUCY**

Thanks so much for all your replies. Today Abby seemed to be having a harder time breathing, she breathes really fast and hard even when she is laying down sleeping. Then she still paces around panting.

Kasandra: Abby does all those things you listed including the shaking. She still gets so excited to eat though and eats her food all gone. I had been told once that when she no longer wants to eat then it would be time. I have had Abby for 12 of her 13 years and I just can't picture our house without her.

I had this feral cat named Baby who was in pain and would scream in pain while trying to eat or clean himself. He would go through periods where he could eat and I did everything I could for a year but one night I was outside and he was peeking his head out the shelter and I realized when I looked in his sad eyes that he was not getting better. I saw the pain in his eyes and knew I had to end his suffering. I feel so guilty that I didn't act sooner but I was not ready to let him go. I still think of him often and cry.

Abby always looks sad and was never a dog that like playing ball or anything. She liked to eat, sleep on my bed and go for walks. Now all she can do is eat and sleep on the floor. I just wish I knew if she was really in a lot of pain because if I knew that it would make my decision a little easier as I don't want any animal to suffer.

I understand your pain. It is the hardest thing about loving and owning a pet. You might call your vet and tell him/her what you are noticing, and see if maybe you could get a better idea of how she is doing. My heart goes out to you, I wish all dogs lived longer than God allows them.

Please except my hug,
Sandy