Molly, our English Bulldog is nine years old and her health has failed rapidly in the last few weeks. We started to see some senility issues over the last year or two, but they weren't awful and we knew how to handle them. About 5 or 6 weeks ago, she woke up one morning and peed on our bed. This is totally out of character for Molly. She would occasionally "poop a trail" as Randy would say, if she couldn't make it to the door, but to go on the bed was not her normal thing. Do you know how big a Bulldog's bladder is????? Since then we have noticed that she is trying less and less to even go outside anymore. She also has cataracts and we have watched them grow rapidly and completely cover one eye and start on the other. I am still shocked at how quickly we have seen her change. Meghan was home yesterday and was shocked. Since she doesn't see her everyday, she could really see the difference.
We are blessed to have her as long as we did. She is old for a Bully and they usually do exactly as she has done, their age just suddenly catches up with them. The summer is tough on them and this one has been brutal. She is rarely outside, but I think the humidity must make a difference.
I know the time is very near to help her cross to Rainbow Bridge. I've accepted it, but Molly is Randy's dog. She considers him her human. He will have to make the decision, I can't make it for him. We started talking about it more yesterday and he knows the time is close. Please send your prayers and rays for Molly, and prayers that Randy will be able to know when the time has come to help her go.
Teresa, we'll send rays and prayers for Molly, Randy, and you. I was just thinking about Molly the other day and wondering how she was doing......seems like these days, I'm doing a lot more reflecting of all of our furkids and Molly was one that came to the front. Having just gone through all of the decision making and assistance to the Rainbow Bridge with Earl, it's still very much there in our thoughts. To assist our furkids to the Rainbow Bridge is a hard, hard decision to make and it breaks our hearts, but when the time for the decision needs to be made, it is the most loving one we can make to ease their pain and suffering even though it leaves a hole in our heart. The day that we had to make the decision to help Earl over, Earl communicated to us through his eyes and soul that it was time for him to go home to God.
Hugs to you all,
Dee
Randy being Mollies person she will tell him when they have there ways of letting you know it is so hard but we dog people have to be brave for them it is good that we have that option for them.Rays & Hugs to Mollie & Randy & all of the family.
Teresa, so sorry to hear that Molly is not to well. Could she with the cataracts lose herself, that is what we found with Emma. Emma was Nick's and like you I had to honour his thoughts, but Molly will say when enough is enough. Have you tried a scent trail to outside. It is never an easy decision even when you have to make it.
You all are in our thoughts.
The Earley's
It's so sad when our little furry ones start to decline. I can relate to the incontinence issue. Our Maddie is more and more not making it outside, even though the door is open for her. We just move a rag from spot to spot.
Please give Molly a fat slurpy Bullie kiss for me. Bless her big heart. Praying for your peace for which ever decision and road your choose to follow. We are in the same boat. Some days I think it's going to be this week that we'll have to make the call to the vet. Then she rallies and we start over.
You know, at this time I would like to commend everyone here who has had to care for an elderly pet. The EASY thing to do would be to dump them off at a pound or shelter because you don't want to exert the extra effort it takes to care for an aging animal. Thank goodness for YOU. You have taken on the responsibility and care and LOVE. You have proved true to your commitment to care for your pet even in sickness and old age.
Why do I say this? Yesterday, I helped out with an adoption event for Foxy Doxy Dachshund Rescue
foxydoxydachshundrescue.com . Among the many doggers, young and old, needing homes was Lady. Lady had just been pulled from a Kern County shelter. She had been dumped there by her people the day before who didn't want her any more because she was OLD. That poor baby. She was so distraught and confused. All she would do was walk around doing a little purr sound, not quite like a squeek. She was full of sores, scabs and she has the coat of a dog who was fed a very poor dog food. When I picked her up, no matter that her ears and mouth smelled awful, (Stacey who runs Foxy Doxy will spend her money-her own and through donations- to get Lady as healthy as possible before she is adopted), she just hid in my arms and did her purr noise. She was so afraid of the world that day. What a shame that people don't live up to their promise to care for a dog in sickness and in health.
I'll step off my soapbox now but when you participate in an event like a rescue adoption day, it just really makes you wonder about some of the humans who walk this earth. Very sad.
Sending HHHHHH's & PPPPPPP's for Molly and family. It is so hard when they get old and you have to make this decision.
As for Lady. I hope they get it back in spades. I hope no one ever gives them a dog again.
Maybe their kids will pay them back by dumping them in a nursing home as soon as they start to have old age problems too. It would serve them right to be told they are too much trouble to take care of.
That is the difference in these stories. We care and the others have no idea how to care.
:heart: :heart: :heart: :heart: to all our oldtimers!!!
Merion & the ZZ's
Thank you all for your care and concern. I wondered about Molly not finding her way out, but she does seem to be able to know where to go, and the door is close to the food which she has no trouble finding still, but I think that she just can't make it and she doesn't want to handle the heat. I am so glad we no longer have carpet in the house! I do wish she would stick to going on the floors and not on her bed or, worse, ours. We tried not letting her sleep on ours, but after an hour of her constant growling and then barking (since she doesn't whine very well), finally gave up. I did get her to go outside with me tonight since it was cloudy and cool, but she still came back in and went back to her bed and started snoring.
I know that she will let Randy know when the time is right. Each morning, I will tell her goodbye with a kiss to her bullie face, because I know that Randy will not be one to plan ahead. He will have to look at her, see it is time and take her right then.
I did have a good laugh today. Schatzi, who is probably 90-95% housebroken, definitely not 100%, kept going into my room and looking back at me. I finally followed and she then went to a spot where Molly had peed. I guess Schatzi wanted me to know that she wasn't the only one who had mistakes!
You can always do the doggie panties with a pad I did that for about 2 years with my old Papillon Gizmo,Mollie would be easier she has short hair. I used baby wipes to keep Gizmo clean i did finely have to trim her long beautiful panties towards the end she did have Alzheimer's confirmed by the vet.I sure is awful when they do not know you any more getting stuck not knowing where the door is any longer. They say pick 3 favorite things the dog does when they no longer do them it is time? Hugs to Mollie & family.
Unless something changes, Randy plans to take Molly this morning and send her peacefully on her journey to the Bridge. When I came home yesterday, he was washing the bed linens again, and had cleaned up after her all day. He was still okay with that, but then, I was in our room and she came and stood behind me. I thought she was just seeing what I was doing. I turned to say something to Randy and slipped and fell because she had peed in the floor while standing there (that's the downside of laminate floors-they are slippery). Other than banging my head on the wall, I am fine, but it was if she was really letting us know it was time. Randy said then he had already called Monday and found out about getting an appointment sometime this week if he needed to.
Remember him today, if you think of it, as he does this.
Oh Teresa I am so sorry. Having gone through that with both boys I know it is really tough on both dogs and their owners. I wish I had known more about the condition when Sam was still around and maybe I wouldn't have gotten so frustrated with myself for not being able to help him. You, Randy and the rest of your family will be in my thoughts today.
My heart weeps with yours. God, this is hard!