Anyone else as daft as us with their dogs???

sankev Fri 13-Dec-24 20:21:04

Our much loved chocolate Labrador is almost 14 years old now. He now has quite bad arthritis. We are managing his pain thanks to our wonderful (though very expensive) vets and he is happily pottering around and still enjoying his short walks. Problem is he can no longer manage the stairs! As he has always slept at the bottom of our bed he becomes very distressed if we leave him alone down stairs. Hence we are now sleeping downstairs every night in our living room! Thankfully we have managed this quite comfortably and he is much happier and more settled. Many friends agree that they would likely do the same whilst others think we have lost the plot! The way we see it is he has been our constant companion and shadow for nearly 14 years and we have no intention of abandoning him now. Any other grans out there made similar decisions.

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MissInterpreted Sat 14-Dec-24 09:46:21

My husband was away for a couple of nights this week, so I had a 'black Lab blanket' on my bed helping to keep me warm! grin

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Oldbat1 Sat 14-Dec-24 18:00:33

Ive carried a few dogs up and down stairs to bed when they could no longer manage. Ive also slept on the sofa for over a year to be next to an old rescue. Weve missed out on many holidays once our dogs are too old/ill. No regrets.

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LovesBach Sat 14-Dec-24 18:57:45

TheWeirdoAgain59
Those who think you've lost the plot are heartless and selfish. One day they'll be old and arthritic and will need someone to look after them.

THANK YOU for what you're doing for your gorgeous glorious doggy!

People who have missed one of the best relationships in life, the unconditional love of a dog, are to be pitied. When you look into the eyes of your dog, you are seeing the best that there can be; a pure soul. To never experience this is a true loss.

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MissInterpreted Sat 14-Dec-24 18:58:57

LovesBach
TheWeirdoAgain59
Those who think you've lost the plot are heartless and selfish. One day they'll be old and arthritic and will need someone to look after them.

THANK YOU for what you're doing for your gorgeous glorious doggy!
People who have missed one of the best relationships in life, the unconditional love of a dog, are to be pitied. When you look into the eyes of your dog, you are seeing the best that there can be; a pure soul. To never experience this is a true loss.

Yes, completely agree with this. It's a love like no other.

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Marg75 Sat 14-Dec-24 19:00:49

We had a beautiful little black & white Springer Spaniel for sixteen years and I called her my little angel. DH likes to get up very early in the mornings and she used to sleep full length against my back and when I turned over, she would as well. She was the sweetest dog and when she got old with cataracts and was slightly deaf we used to lift her in and out of the car so that she could have walks that she loved in the country. Oh how we miss her still.

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gmarie Sat 14-Dec-24 20:33:25

You have definitely not "lost the plot" and sound like a lovely, caring person. I slept downstairs on the couch for a couple of years when my wonderful, old, blind and deaf boy (a shepherd mix) could no longer climb the stairs like he used to and he was too heavy for me to carry.

After he passed on Dec. 23rd, 2010, I couldn't imagine getting another dog but then my son showed up on Mother's Day, 2011 with a small terrier mix puppy. Of course I loved him right away and he was my little buddy for the next 14 years. He passed last week due to his poly-cystic kidney disease. Of course, when I say "passed" in both cases, I mean I had to make that dreaded trip to the vet to say goodbye probably a little later than I should have, but it's never easy to make that decision.

Toward the end, he would wait for me to pick him up to carry him up the stairs or over tall door jams. I actually came on Gransnet today to see if there were any posts about grief after losing a furry family member. Right before I had walked upstairs and was tearing up, again, remembering how warm he felt against my heart when I would carry him up so, obviously, this post stood out. sad

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pably15 Sat 14-Dec-24 20:48:34

we don't have a dog, but we had 2 cats, when one of them was very ill, because of a tumor and the vet said he didn't think an op would be successful but he would try anyway, we had to take him in the next morning. I slept in the spare room with him his last night and woke in the morning with him lying beside me looking into my face, as if he knew ..so yes I think you're showing how much you love you boy, he is family..

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sankev Sat 14-Dec-24 20:53:49

So sorry for your loss gmarie it’s such a devastating time for you. Take comfort in knowing you gave him a life full of love and kindness and I’m sure he reciprocated that 10 fold. Reading all the posts replying to my original post has really warmed my heart. I may not know you and your beloved boy but it definitely brought tears to my eyes. Reach out to others and don’t grieve alone. People who say it’s only an animal has definitely not had the close bond we are lucky enough to have been privileged to share with these beautiful animals.

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gmarie Sun 15-Dec-24 07:02:08

Thank you, sankev. After I saw your reply I went back and read all of the other comments, as well. Such kind people and a lot of loving stories. thanks