My girl is getting old

[ladyluck_t]

Well, I finally had to face the facts that my girl is getting old. Earlier this year, I thought she was suffering from cataracts, well it turns out it was just the lighting and my over active imagination. So lately she has been quite crabby, for the most part I was chalking this up to a new puppy in the house and my foster boy not leaving yet :rolleyes: But the other day, I ran my hands down the sides of Katie (from shoulder to hip) and noticed that when I got close to the hip area, her skin would "scrunch" up in that area, I thought, oh well it must be her hip dysplasia. So, I call the vet to get a new Rx for Rimadyl and they ask me to bring her in. So, 1 hour later, here's her prognosis:
She has Arthritis in the knees, hips and back. Hip dysplasia in both hips and also a spinal disk lesion. Which from what I gathered is a degenerative spinal injury. :( He did say on a scale of 1-5 she ranks in at about a 2, mild case. So we are starting on an asprin regimine until that no longer works and then moving up the chain of pain killers. She has been on asprin for 3 days now and is literally DRIVING ME CRAZY! I had no idea she had been in that much pain, now that she is feeling better she is quite a handful! He also said, and I fully agree that he prefers that the animals get 2-3 great years of life rather than being restricted in activity and living 3 times that many years but all of them very boring. I think even my kaite girl would agree with that. Anyhow, how do you keep a boxer calm and quiet! It just isnt in their genetic make-up.
So here I go down the road of old age in boxers. Definitely gave me a quick reality check. I just had to share, especially with those of you who know and understand. Life sucks sometimes!

So here is my greatest piece of wisdom:

Never take these guys for granted.

 

[Maxwell's Ma]

Thanks for the wisdom to not take our babies for granted. I know Maxwell in the short time we have had with him has given us more laughter and love than anything else. Well, as much as my kids and grandbabies anyway. I agree that it is quality of life instead of quantity.

 

[bucca]

sorry to hear about your baby at least you know there are things to make her comfortable, chloe is 5 and due to a knee injury and surgery she has arthritis in her hind leg and takes meds for it. my maxi is 10 and getting there i know how you feel somedays she is like a puppy and others she doesnt want to do anything, just be there for her and keep her comfortable and i enjoy every moment with them

 

[boxerrussell]

I hear ya! Our Max will be six next year, and thankfully, he has not had any major health issues. Where did all the years go? I remember when he was just a puppy, bearly able to make it up the stairs... now he's a silver-faced beauty! You never know how long they may be with you, and with that, I agree.. Never take them for granted.

 

[Vela]

I couldn't agree more, never take them for granted. My poor girl, now barely over 5, has been "old" since I go ther at 2-1/2. She has always had pain and medical conditions and we do our best but the years are telling on us both. Her pain causes me pain and I hate to see it, but she still enjoys life and if she can take the pain and be so exicted just to go bye bye she gets up those stairs, well then by damn she's going bye bye. I know she will let me know when it's time, and I know it's not far off, but it's not yet. Treasure every day, they are gone much too fast.

 

[rrrmarie]

I agree with you 100%.

My *personal* opinion is: It's the quality of life not the quantity that counts.

 

[AFBunni25]

awwww this post hit home for me. DH and I have a 7 year old Lab and I know he will be going within the next few years, I am gonna definitely treasure the time i have with him. same goes for people you know, you never know when it will happen

 

[Cheryl&Ellie]

I know she will let me know when it's time, and I know it's not far off, but it's not yet. Treasure every day, they are gone much too fast.

Truer words never spoken. We just lost our Boxer Faithy this passed summer at 10 1/2 years old. We agonized with the idea of "how do you know when it's time" Make no mistake and trust me any of you who haven't experienced this, they will give you a clear sign and you'll know 100% that it's time. Faithy lived a full and very energetic life without many health problems, we were so blessed and so was Faith. The night Faithy passed away was definitely her time to go. I called my oldest daughter who's an RN and happened to be working a night shift to come and say good bye because I just knew. We took her to the vet and he said she wouldn't make it to morning. We said good bye to Faith just shortly before 2:00am on July 4th and I never have to wonder if it was the right time. The void that you feel in your life from the loss that you're suffering isn't any easier but the decision certainly is when you know it's right.

ladyluck_t and Vela, I know you both already know this but love them hard!

 

[Boone's. Fmly]

I know how you feel. I had to put my St Bernard down in June and that was so very hard, but I knew that it was his time and it wasn't fair to him to keep him in pain because I was too selfish. You just don't think of them "being old" at 6 years old. Since then I am in constant fear for when I have to do the same to my two other babies. That will just KILL ME.
Sending understanding vibes. Hugs
Michelle

 

[boxerchick12]

Carolyn - I am so sorry! It is so hard to face the facts when they get old on us! When I look at how gray Ruckus has become, it breaks my heart (his Christmas picture actually looks great, he has a lot more gray than what showed up!!) It has started down his back and on his arms! Poor boy, so I know a little bit about how you feel. But, thanks for sharing your story with us and reminding us just how precious every day is.