15 year old Indy's vision and other health problems

Ya know, dogs are amazing. My vet told me long ago they just keep trying to keep up with the pack - of course in a survival way it makes sense but it still is a little humbling. Since I take care of sick folks as a profession I always marvel at how some people can make a hangnail into a death sentence, and others just keep on pluggin' away.

It's so hard to see them diminished in their abilities but they cope pretty well. Hang in there Janet. You have had more than your fair share of trials and tribulations. We are all pulling for you and your Shelties.

Sharon
 
My heart and prayers go out to you Granite. Everyone's story is also so sad that reading this thread brings tears to my eyes. I'm going to go hug my dogs now and let them know that I cherish every moment with them. Please keep us updated on Indy. I'm sure your little man knows he's very much loved =)
 
How I wish we still had dear old Lassie meandering about. Indy sounds as if he's still vaguely in the game.
 
After our beloved best friend and soul mate Tyler was diagnosed with prostate cancer, we thought, "let's put him down while he is still acting very happy and healthy"! Then we thought, "duh, how selfish of us, he IS still happy and healthy, he's himself".

He lived a happy healthy year and a half beyond his diagnosis. He let us know quickly it was time in one week when he began to vomit undigested food for a few days, and he was not himself.

Indy will let you know when it's time :sadsmile:.

My heart felt prayers go out to you and your family.
 
Hi Janet,
I am just checking in to see how Indy is doing and also how you and your family are doing. I am keeping you all in my prayers hoping Indy is comfortable and Angus will find his way home soon.
 
Well all the shelties here had a fine morning barking at the people coming to our yard sale. Indy didn't come down off the deck; but he certainly did come to the high end of the deck and stick his head thru the railings to exchange insults at the cars pulling in and out of the driveway. Now they are all sacked out inside in the cool. We had to cut the yard sale day short as Alan fell and hyperextended his elbow. He's in a good bit of pain but has said NO repeatedly to offers of an ER visit. So I tucked him in bed with ibuprofen, ice, and a pillow support for his elbow and saw to getting all the stuff hauled in myself.
 
granite said:
Well all the shelties here had a fine morning barking at the people coming to our yard sale. Indy didn't come down off the deck; but he certainly did come to the high end of the deck and stick his head thru the railings to exchange insults at the cars pulling in and out of the driveway. Now they are all sacked out inside in the cool. We had to cut the yard sale day short as Alan fell and hyperextended his elbow. He's in a good bit of pain but has said NO repeatedly to offers of an ER visit. So I tucked him in bed with ibuprofen, ice, and a pillow support for his elbow and saw to getting all the stuff hauled in myself.
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Wow, sounds like you all had quite the day, huh!? I guess we have Alan to add to our prayers for quick healing :rolleyes2:..
 
As everyone else has said, I really think you just know. There will be a point when he'll be a different kind of tired. I hope for you and your family though, that that day is quite far away.

With my absolute love (my Abysinnian) we knew when her eating slowly declined. She was a rescue that lost most of her teeth by age 2 because she had been so malnourished. I want to say she lived until 7 or 8, cataract in one eye. She had cancer and I don't think it would have been fair of us to put her through chemo. We decided to keep her comfortable and when she wasn't - to let her go.

I think at the end of the day that's really what they trust us to do. I miss her all of the time though. It's been years and i'll still think I see her out of the corner of my eye.
 
I hope that whatever amount of time Indy decides he wants to spend here, he enjoys. It sounds as if you are doing everything you can to make sure Indy has a good life.
When I read this I thought about our Pongo, he's fought cancer in his intestines once and had a softball sized malignant tumor removed and now has a knot on his chest. I hated the thought of my life without Pongo that day at the vet's. But I looked at my boy & he looked back at me as if to say don't give up yet mom I'm not done. Thats been nearly 2 years ago and I still tell him every night thanks for letting me have another day with you by my side. Arthritis has a grip on him now but his little adopted sister Stormy keeps him going.

Sorry if I rambled, But what I wanted to say is, I will be praying for all of your family.
 
Indy's having a fairly good week in terms of eating and waking. However, the urinary incontinence is becoming more of an issue. The blindness is also obviously worsening. I've had to untangle Indy from several corners, from the bedcovers, and yeah he even walked into the refrigerator.

But, he's happy when we come home, tail wagging. He's eating well, and taking his meds.

So we are keeping him comfy and making sure that he's not alone...either with one of us or with one of the other dogs here.
 
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