@Charlie1941 how wonderful that your furry friend is enjoying life at 16. @Minie shared the link I was going to suggest - thank you, Minie! - because you and you alone know your dog well enough to assess quality of life. Your well-meaning friends may be projecting how they would feel if they were deaf and blind - for dogs, the primary sense they use is smell, not vision or sound. I've had several dogs who went deaf late in life and one who had very little sight in one eye and lost the other - all of those dogs did great, as it sounds like your guy is doing. If he can find you in the house, knows when you get home, and is still living a good life, then celebrate that with him every day.
Atlanta Kennel Club's guest speaker this month was a veterinarian who specializes in hospice care for pets. She recommended the link posted above by Minie, and also suggested making a list of all the things your pet really enjoys and make those happen as much as you can in his old age. That way you'll know you gave him a great life, right up to the end. Through the years I've had to make the decision to euthanize many dogs, and each one has been perfectly clear with me, telling me in their own way that they were ready to go. Our hearts know - you'll know, and from what you've written, it doesn't sound like "today" is what your little man is telling you. 🐾💖🐾
Atlanta Kennel Club's guest speaker this month was a veterinarian who specializes in hospice care for pets. She recommended the link posted above by Minie, and also suggested making a list of all the things your pet really enjoys and make those happen as much as you can in his old age. That way you'll know you gave him a great life, right up to the end. Through the years I've had to make the decision to euthanize many dogs, and each one has been perfectly clear with me, telling me in their own way that they were ready to go. Our hearts know - you'll know, and from what you've written, it doesn't sound like "today" is what your little man is telling you. 🐾💖🐾
