Got a bad feeling that my dog is nearing the end of her life, she's pretty old now for her breed and already at the lower end of her life expectancy and going to be taking her to the vets to get a general checkup although she has a little trouble holding down food and I think she has developed arthritis since the last time we went to the vets the doctor expressed that she was showing early signs.
Any tips on dealing with this? After having a pup for 8 years it's kind of like seeing a family member slowly drift away, she certainly isn't her old self anymore. :(
Dying is a part of living. It happens to all living things.
Just keep you dog comfortable until the end.
When the end finally arrives, you will have many years of memories.
Love is the strongest emotion you can feel, and one of the few things that is universal. You will always love her. Her going to the next life will be hard for you. But just remember that the way to keep someone alive forever is to never stop loving them. My view is that the pain never goes away, but time makes it easier to take it. Shed your tears when you need to, and remember the good times. She will always remain in your heart if you do this.
Theoretically, people are supposed to put their pets down when they are in pain or lose their body functions, but in reality, who can do it?
I kept my 14 year old little West Highland Terrier alive (by praying over her every time fell on the ground) until she appealed to me, looking pleadingly into my eyes. Since I could never refuse her anything, I mentally gave her my consent, so she lay down and died within five minutes. I felt so devastated I knew I could never have done that on my own.
We all have to rest.
When life wears the body out, there is at least the fact there is no pain and no suffering in death. What I believe, anyway. We come out of that state and go back to it. We've all been there before and we'll all be there again. There're no problems in that place.