Why do they have to get old?
- Thread starter Leanne
- Start date
- Location
- Argyll & Bute, Scotland
Leanne that is so beautifully written and so heartfelt. Enjoy your lovely Leo for as long as he is by your side, treasure every second and make special memories that you will always have in your heart. He is a stunning boy xxx
Jacqui-S
Moderator
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
I found myself tearing up for you Leanne.
For the beautiful story of Leo's solid support.
And for the future for you both xxx
For the beautiful story of Leo's solid support.
And for the future for you both xxx
- Location
- East Sussex
Beautiful post and beautiful boy Leanne.
It’s difficult - sometimes it’s just little things that trigger it.
Leo’s beautiful and you’ll support him just has he has supported you.
- Location
- SW London UK
That’s such a lovely tribute to him. He’ll stay by your side for as long as he’s able.
Atemas
UK Tour Guide
- Location
- North Cambridgeshire
Aah @Leanne, I understand how you feel. My black Lab Sky will be 12 at the end of the year and she has deteriorated/changed so very much in the past few months. Red the big puppy knows not to play with her anymore - I see her gently nuzzling Sky sometimes as if to say ‘are you alright Sky?’ It’s hard and sometimes I look at her and feel very tearful. However, I feel very blessed to have two lovely dogs and I cherish each day with Sky. She doesn’t want to go on walks now but knows I will take her out early evening for a wander and lots of sniffing - she gets quite excited in her ‘old’ way when I get her lead.
Enjoy whatever time you have with Leo - a day at a time.
Leanne
Sniffer Dog
- Location
- Shropshire, UK
Anyone have any ideas why suddenly Leo is CONSTANTLY trying to hump Mas? He’s literally (Monday) just had a full blood panel done which was totally clear apart from the hypothyroidism of which he is medicated.
It’s just constant at the moment, every time Mas lays down Leo is trying to mount him - so far Mas seems totally unbothered by it and we move Leo away but he just goes back!
He’s pretty much totally deaf now and his eyesight isn’t great but I need to get this sorted before it starts causing an issue between them!
It’s just constant at the moment, every time Mas lays down Leo is trying to mount him - so far Mas seems totally unbothered by it and we move Leo away but he just goes back!
He’s pretty much totally deaf now and his eyesight isn’t great but I need to get this sorted before it starts causing an issue between them!
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
It might be a scent thing in Mas that's triggering Leo. Maybe testosterone fluctuations, maybe a bit of a UTI/anal gland thing. Minor ear infection etc. Any change in odour can trigger humping behaviours.
Leanne
Sniffer Dog
- Location
- Shropshire, UK
We are getting to the place I really don’t want to get to 
Leo is now having poo accidents several times a day, in his bed, on the sofa - I watched him this morning and he was pooing as he walked - literally no awareness that he was doing it (small mercies as he would be mortified)
A decent walk knocks him out for days, he can’t get up when he’s down and he rarely settles - he just seems to pace constantly.. it’s like he’s looking for something.
In the hopes of finding something (anything!) treatable we paid for a full blood work but nothing, everything is working as it should - vet gently suggested dementia. I knew it but I didn’t want to know it if that makes sense.
It sounds awful but I want something to be wrong with him, I want tablets or I want something that tells me that it’s the right time for him.
Every time I think that’s it, we are there... he seems to perk up, he will play with Mas or he will bring a ball to me.
How do you know when it’s time? We have provisionally booked a cottage for the weekend before Christmas in wales, he loves the beach. Then I think it might be time.
Maybe.
Leo is now having poo accidents several times a day, in his bed, on the sofa - I watched him this morning and he was pooing as he walked - literally no awareness that he was doing it (small mercies as he would be mortified)
A decent walk knocks him out for days, he can’t get up when he’s down and he rarely settles - he just seems to pace constantly.. it’s like he’s looking for something.
In the hopes of finding something (anything!) treatable we paid for a full blood work but nothing, everything is working as it should - vet gently suggested dementia. I knew it but I didn’t want to know it if that makes sense.
It sounds awful but I want something to be wrong with him, I want tablets or I want something that tells me that it’s the right time for him.
Every time I think that’s it, we are there... he seems to perk up, he will play with Mas or he will bring a ball to me.
How do you know when it’s time? We have provisionally booked a cottage for the weekend before Christmas in wales, he loves the beach. Then I think it might be time.
Maybe.
Oh @Leanne , isn’t life brutal sometimes? I’m so sorry you’re facing this with lovely Leo. I don’t know the answer to ‘when’, except what you know, which is you love him, so you’ll know when. But you’ll find a lot of support here when the time comes. Sending you stacks of hugs in the meantime xx
- Location
- Argyll & Bute, Scotland
Oh @Leanne, how sad for you, poor lovely Leo. I haven't had to face this awful dilema. Harry was Hattie's best friend and he was diagnosed with Cancer of the lung. When his owners were away for a day I looked after him. He lay on my lap looked up at me, the sad and emptiness in his eyes made me cry as I cuddled him. His owner asked me how I thought he was and I told her what I felt. It was his time, she knew. He passed almost a year ago. I am sure you will just know in your heart and in Leo's eyes. He will let you know when he wants to go. Enjoy every day with him, take photo's of your precious time with him. I am so sorry, thinking of you. xx 
- Location
- Vlaardingen, the Netherlands
We are getting to the place I really don’t want to get to
Leo is now having poo accidents several times a day, in his bed, on the sofa - I watched him this morning and he was pooing as he walked - literally no awareness that he was doing it (small mercies as he would be mortified)
A decent walk knocks him out for days, he can’t get up when he’s down and he rarely settles - he just seems to pace constantly.. it’s like he’s looking for something.
In the hopes of finding something (anything!) treatable we paid for a full blood work but nothing, everything is working as it should - vet gently suggested dementia. I knew it but I didn’t want to know it if that makes sense.
It sounds awful but I want something to be wrong with him, I want tablets or I want something that tells me that it’s the right time for him.
Every time I think that’s it, we are there... he seems to perk up, he will play with Mas or he will bring a ball to me.
How do you know when it’s time? We have provisionally booked a cottage for the weekend before Christmas in wales, he loves the beach. Then I think it might be time.
Maybe.
Thats the same way with our very first lab.....We waited also, until she was so ashamed of what she had done....We thought she had dementia, probably did with some good moments. When the good moments stopped we had to let her go
You are a kind loving person and know your boy. You will know when it's time. You just will. It's a wish that's so clear on them it's unmistakable. Just enjoy him now. Don't worry about what's to come.
- Location
- Sydney, Australia
Oh Leanne, I am so sorry. I am taken back to our first lab and it is so heartbreaking and I feel for you and your family. Good luck with this terrible decision
- Location
- Wellington, NZ
It really is a "you just know" situation. We just knew when it was Daisy cat's time. I'm sorry to hear that Leo has deteriorated so much 
- Location
- Cornwall , UK