My 12 1/2 year old Great Dane

[adamgamz]

Hello,

My Dog Thunder is now 12.5 years old, I've had her since she was 5 weeks old and now it's very hard to see her get old. She has trouble standing up on her own, usually if she is on the tile floor she will bark to get help up, also she is now having trouble controlling her bowel movements so we have to keep her in diapers pretty much all the time. Thunder has a red tender area on her left hind leg as this is the point where she puts all of her weight when trying to stand up, I took her to the Vet but there is not much they can do for her, they did give her a shot of depo mixed with something else for her arthritis which seemed to help her. She still can go for short walks and she still gets somewhat excited when I ask her to go for a walk but I dont know if she is suffering or not. It's going to be really hard on me to put her down but it might be time, some of you may have seen Thunder on Animal Planet, Good Dog U had an episode "come when called" she was the big black Great Dane running all over the neighborhood in that episode LOL. She has been a great companion and just a loyal dog without a mean bone, my kids as babies would play with her food, pull on her ears, etc.. and she never once showed any aggression, just a great dog through the years. I guess I'm here today looking for some opinions.

 

[SummerRiot]

lol Nothing came through on your post.. make sure you have

for posting pictures

 

[poodlesmom]

Thunder looks like a grand old furgal and I have no doubt she is quite a sweetie! I know the hard spot you are finding yourself in having gone through it myself. I lost my 1st dane at 10 yo to bloat and I had to help my 2nd to the Bridge at 11 yo when his hind end stopped supporting him.

You know Thunder better than anyone and you will know when the time has come for your assistance to the Bridge. These gentle giants are never with us long enough. You and your family are in my thoughts & prayers and give a hug to Thunder from me.

 

[SummerRiot]

Yay, everything came through now

I must say - you are one of the RARE lucky ones to be able to have a 12.5yr old Great Dane among you. You defiantely have taken top notch care of your girl to prove her age to everyone!! Just amazing at that.

I'd say that you have given her the best of life she could have asked for.
Only you can make the "final decision" for her though.

you will know when she is ready. She will tell you and the sign will be clear.

Definately would LOVE to see some pictures of your girl though!

 

[moxiegrl]

Im sorry...she is a beauty though! Agree w/ Summer and would also love to see some pics!

 

[misticaleclipse]

Oh my, she is beautiful. I think I would be looking at the quality of life right now. It the quality of life is there I would probably wait for a clearer sign, but only you can know.

I would love to see more pictures as well!

 

[mjb]

It's a hard decision. We had to make this decision for our Pug when he was 13. For about a year, he was incontinent. He occasionally would get lost in the house. He would yelp, and we would find him where he would walk until he got to a wall and then not know what to do...which way to turn. This didn't happen all the time, but sometimes. He would go in to our walk-in closet sometimes and not be able to find his way out. But he didn't seem to be in any pain.

When he started having health issues and alot of pain, that's when we decided it was time. I always thought it was harder for me to make the decision because I wanted to be so sure that it wasn't the fact that he was having accidents in the house and that his care had become so time-consuming that was swaying my decision. I was wanting to be sure that it was in his best interest, not mine.

Looking back, we have all said that, if anything, we might have waited longer than we should have. I guess because he was having issues that made caring for him more difficult, I felt guilty making the decision, but after it was done, we felt at peace about it.

I know it's hard to make the decision and a hard thing to do, but when they live a good, long life, sometimes this is our final act of love for them.

 

[Citrus007]

12.5! Just think you must have taken good care of him for him to live so long so he must have had a happy life. I feel for you, its a hard thing. (((hugs)))

 

[Whisper]

She's a beauty. Obviously she has been taken care of very well. I have gone through with having to put down my 11 yo Rottie. That was one of THE hardest choice I've ever had to make. My only regret is that we didn't do it sooner. She was suffering so much and by her last days was actually having rectal bleeding. She was so ready to go. We brought her to her favorite spot in the whole world on the hill with her favorite people. . .except my mom didn't want me to be there. It was just too much. Sorry I am going on about my sweet girl, I just have been thinking about her lately. I think that when the time is right, you will know.

 

[Danegirl2208]

wow, 12 1/2 years young, What a stunning girl!

Its never easy to see a dog grow old, i know how you feel, and i wish you the best. I know when the time comes you will do what is best for her..*hugs to you from me and my furkids..

once again she is so gorgeous! I am owned by a 1 year old black dane, its nice to see another dane lover on here, feel free to private messege me if you want to talk about your girl.

 

[LeoAussie :)]

Wow! 12.5 is fantastic for a Great Dane! She looks great too, I'm surprised she doesn't have alot of gray hairs.

 

[Zoom]

Wow...12.5 is amazingly old for a Dane, you are one lucky person!

I would keep a very close eye on her quality of life. If it starts to seem like she's getting a pleading look in her eye when she cant' get up, or is increasingly more embarassed by her accidents, in addition to the larger health issues, you may want to consider helping her along to the Bridge.

 

[Lizmo]

WOW 12 years is a long time for a dane!!!!!! You are very lucky!!!!!!

She looks stunning for a 12 year old Dane!!!!!!

I agree with everyone else, you will know when she is ready to go.

But we will all be here after you make your decision and if you need any encouraging, we will be here!!!!!

More picts would be great!!!!!!

 

[oc_spirit]

Wow 12 years old and a coat that''s still shining!!! A must applaud you with how well you have taken care of her!

 

[smkie]

A new Member to our much loved Geriatric club. THat's a grand old dog you got there!!!!!!! I have similar worries for my good old girl. Just know we are here to celebrate the golden days and to be there when you need us too.
I use t -touch massage for my Mary to help with her stiff joints, and deep heat soaks in the tub on her stiffer days (i know for i have stiffer days too) when she needs one. Sometimes she beats me to my bath water if i don't get right in.

 

[Julie]

What a beautiful dog. And like all the others have said..... for a dane she has had a very long life. I can tell you have made it the very best for her.

With that being said, when the time comes, think of her - like she has thought of you, and don't let her suffer unneedlessly. I have been there... I know how hard it is for a dog lover to make that decision. I think most of us on here have been through something similar. But even though the decision will be a hard one...... as to when. The outcome will relieve all of her pain and should bring peace to both of you, and your family. It really is a final act of love. I wish you all the best, and I am very glad you have found us to share in your dogs golden years.

 

[Renee750il]

There will be a day when she looks in your eyes and lets you know that she is tired of this life. That will be one of the hardest days of your life. Please go with her and stay with her until the end . . . you will never regret being the last person she sees and knowing that she closed her eyes looking into love.

But as long as she is finding joy in her life, let her live it. Ask your vet about giving her a regular dose of buffered aspirin. I've found it helped my elderly Shepherds a great deal.