Feeling blue....a rant on aging....

[lolli94]

Awww! I'm sorry!

[Alysser]

Oh my gosh, do I know what you're going through. It is awful that pets do not live as long as we do. It's never a good thing to experience. I'm sorry Malone is starting to feel his age.

[Freedom]

If your vet is still open (this being Saturday some only do a half day), give a call and see if you can run him back in and not pay for a second office visit. Usually they are good about this stuff. Even say you don't know if it is just a reaction to the shot, and you need to have it checked. They shouldn't charge you for that!

Yup, tough watching our loved ones age - furkids, pawrents, I got it both ways.

[FurkidsMom]

I remember w/my old girl Mickey when her hearing, sight and stamina were going. It's so hard to go to that place where you realize they are moving on. My thoughts are w/you.

[Asiel]

I remember when we took the last trip to our vet's for our other dogs-- I always swore I was never getting another dog . After a few months the longing started and I would start looking for another. Right now we're down to one little one and she's 12. I know she has a few years yet but I also know that anything can happen without warning when they reach that stage. Very fortunate that she is still as healthy as the day I picked her up and I hope things will remain that way. I also know I should be looking for another dog so that I'm not left without one if and when she does have to go but now I'm wondering if she would feel slighted.
That lump could be just a fatty tumor, they're harmless and most old dogs get them. Stay happy and bouncy for your dog's sake, they feel our every mood. It would be sad if she were to sense the vibes and become depressed.

[Cookiebaker]

Hi guys! I wanted to pop in and post an update. After i started this thread, Malone's hot spots got worse.....and hubby and i had a long talk. We decided that we aren't satisfied with the answers the vet gave us. Mark did a TON of research....and discovered that the food he has been on for years and years changed formulas in the last 6 months. Grrrrrrr! It never had corn in it, and now corn was at the top of the list. We have known since he was a puppy that he is sensitive to corn. So, he did tons of searching, and we just finished switching him. And the exciting part?? We have a brand new dog.....no more anal gland issues , his hot spots are healing, he is much more playful.....I KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG! Don't distrust your instincts and intuitions!! And I am thankful, so thankful!!!!

[FurkidsMom]

I lost my old sweetie, Mickey a couple years ago to old age and yes, it was hard to watch her age. As her hearing and sight diminished, she stayed close to me on walks instead of being 20 ft. ahead of me. I had to take it as it was...this is how she was then and enjoy that she could still walk and smell and hear (sort of) everything around her. I guess I had to focus on how she was at that time of her life and not so much on that she was older and I would lose her in the somewhat near future. We still had wonderful walks and playtimes but just different than before. I know you feel that pain already, just try not to focus on it completely. You can't ignore that they're getting older of course but enjoy and make it the "new normal" with the changes.

[Karen]

Hi guys! I wanted to pop in and post an update. After i started this thread, Malone's hot spots got worse.....and hubby and i had a long talk. We decided that we aren't satisfied with the answers the vet gave us. Mark did a TON of research....and discovered that the food he has been on for years and years changed formulas in the last 6 months. Grrrrrrr! It never had corn in it, and now corn was at the top of the list. We have known since he was a puppy that he is sensitive to corn. So, he did tons of searching, and we just finished switching him. And the exciting part?? We have a brand new dog.....no more anal gland issues , his hot spots are healing, he is much more playful.....I KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG! Don't distrust your instincts and intuitions!! And I am thankful, so thankful!!!!

That is so good! As a human with food allergies and sensitivities, I always read ingredients before buying anything. The shorter the list the better!

[*LabLoverKEB*]

Wow, this is such great news, Anna!! Way to go to both you and Mark!!! I've always loved Malone, such a handsome, sweet boy <3 It makes me so happy to hear he is doing so much better!

[Jessika]

Hi guys! I wanted to pop in and post an update. After i started this thread, Malone's hot spots got worse.....and hubby and i had a long talk. We decided that we aren't satisfied with the answers the vet gave us. Mark did a TON of research....and discovered that the food he has been on for years and years changed formulas in the last 6 months. Grrrrrrr! It never had corn in it, and now corn was at the top of the list. We have known since he was a puppy that he is sensitive to corn. So, he did tons of searching, and we just finished switching him. And the exciting part?? We have a brand new dog.....no more anal gland issues , his hot spots are healing, he is much more playful.....I KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG! Don't distrust your instincts and intuitions!! And I am thankful, so thankful!!!!

Yay yay yay!!! As the Dr's I work with say, "Age is not a disease". For someone to assume that something is an age-related issue isn't appropriate (some ailments are related to aging, but not all, so never assume!). I am SO GLAD you guys dug a little deeper and found the cause!!!!!!!

[Vette]

I too,, havent posted here in ages but i just wanted to say you have my sympathies an i know how you feel as Kirby is now 13years old.
all we can do though is try to make sure that theyre happy an comfortable. past that theres not two squats we can do about aging =/

glad you guys caught the food thing an that doing an feeling much better =D