the older dog

well sash will be 10 in a few weeks time,i cant believe its gone so quickly,i think she's generally in good health(fingers crossed)i have noticed the last months she wants to be on her own a lot more   ,instead of sitting with us,she'll take her self off up stairs to lay on our bed,its not like ours is a noisy house hold,any one with an older dog does their's do this too?

I think it may be an older dog thing but if this is a sudden change get the vet to check she is not in pain

My sisters 12 year old dog Tilly started to rest far more from 10, part of that was down to wear and tear on her joints. She also perfected the art of hunting down any warm comfy quiet spot for a crafty extra snooze.

In the past few weeks she has slowed down some more but still enjoys a light short walk, and can be found sunning herself varying between dozing and watching the world go by in her front window.

Moo has certainly slowed down and will quite happily take herself off to bed - she is only 5ish but has old lady joints lol, I think she just prefers the peace after a busy day

Although my Flo isn't exactly old & she does love her cuddles but will also look at me and then decide to take the other side of the sofa. She just enjoys a little "Me" time   

Aww Sash just wants her own space perhaps Stella   

Snoop used to cry if no one went to bed with him. we found he would sleep most of the day away with short burst of energy

Given the chance Ledger will take himself off up to bed at about 8pm and wont resurface until the morning

My Stella has changed quite a lot over the past 2 or 3 years. She started to want to be on her own more often during the day instead of having to be very close all the time. It was a gradual process and i think i'ts quite normal that they need more peace and quiet. She also sometimes has to get up very early morning to go out for wee which must be her bladder weakening.
The most sad thing that I've noticed, and has just recently started a few months ago, is her not being very enthusiastic in general about everything. For instance, previously, if we were going to do something special and I would get excited by telling her this, she would show such happiness and curiosity with the head tilt etc and she would be excitable also. The tail wagging is still there but now a gentle wag and not the whole bottom wagging thingy.

When we go out to the beach , she looks at other dogs flying around and I'm convinced she is thinking "why can't I do that" Do they remember that they used to be young and fit?

It's so sad to see them growing old and I know Stella won't be here forever but I often wonder what goes on in their little minds when they start to get older.
As I was typing this, she has just had a pee in the kitchen at the back door on the tiles but the back door was open!!! Dementia moment me thinks  


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aww sheila dont you just love their senior moments   

Piggie is already acting old at 5 including the peeing! Often I wonder what is going on in their minds as well. Frosty has recently decided he will go to bed rather than stay with the fam if the TV is on... no idea why, but he decided he doesn't like the noise.

stella wrote:aww sheila dont you just love their senior moments   

Another thing Stella, does Sash seem extra needy? It must be like looking after an old person as she seems to whine/cry more often. I don't think Stella is in pain when she does this as she's on tramadol for her arthritis.

I think i'ts frustration with Stella as her heart want's to do things but the body can't  

Is she doing too much exercise? Sometimes when my dog does too much he gives the impression of not feeling well afterwards and stays on his own.

What does your dog's tail do? Is it curled under?

I love all the pictures of the staffys on here my mia sleeps quite a lot and still has what we call in scotland " a mad half hour" love when she has them mia can spell as well. I just need to rattle a bag and she goes and nudges her collar and lead sitting on the door handle! Shes very funny she also takes the micky quite a lot and knows where her biscuits are kept. ;-)

My previous dog liked her alone time as she got older. Suki does as well when she is tired out