In 1996 my husband and I decided we’d like a dog for both company and to give us an incentive to go for a walk each day. We had a very small section at the time and needed a dog to suit. We also decided to re-home an unwanted dog rather than purchase a pedigree animal and wanted an older dog instead of a puppy. With this in mind, our first port of call was the nearest SPCA. We visited on several weekends, but most of the dogs were larger ones with definite Pit Bull ancestry. Not quite what we were looking for.
Our search led us to the Humane Society next. Yes, they had three fox terrier-cross dogs that required homes. One was a confirmed digger, another was younger and quite nervous, but they thought the third dog might suit us—a female of around three years. She had lived on a farm and her owners had moved to a town. Her determined straying became a problem, and she needed a new owner. Would we like to meet her?
The following weekend we drove to Orewa, north of Auckland to meet our prospective dog. The first time I saw Scotty I thought what an ugly little dog. She looks like a fox terrier but is a little larger. She has a black head and a white coat with mottled black spots on most of her body. On her back toward is rump is one large black spot about the size of a tennis ball. She still has her tail, which pleased us very much since my husband and I like dogs with tails. It’s the personality factor for us. The interesting thing is that my husband thought she was a plain-looking dog too, but if anyone dared to say that to either of us now, we’d argue long and loud.
We ended up taking Scotty home with us. She settled into our routine very easily, the toilet training no problem at all. We decided we’d walk her morning and night and we’ve kept that routine up until recently.
From the start she never barked much. She didn’t like magazines near her, especially if they were rolled up or having her head touched, although she’s grown out of this. Scotty has a delightful personality, and I’ve never known her to bite anyone. When my husband used to work a lot of nights, Scotty would disappear around our usual bed time. I’d go to our bedroom and find that she’d jumped on our bed and dragged back the duvet cover and sometimes the sheets. I’d find her curled up in a ball, fast asleep. It was like having hotel turn-down service, but she only did it if my husband was working nights.
Fast forward in time. We’ve had Scotty for thirteen years and she’s now almost sixteen, a good age for a dog. Throughout the years, her health has been excellent. She has slowed down a lot, her face turning quite gray and both her eyesight and hearing greatly reduced. This year she’s lost a lot of weight and developed problems with her spine, losing much of the feeling in her hindquarters. She’s having trouble getting up and down, sometimes requiring help to get to her feet. She tends to lean on walls and other items of furniture for balance. We’re closely monitoring her condition and she’s on medication, which seems to help a little.
I’ve read that the measure of quality of life for a dog comes in the form of three questions.
1. Does the animal still have a healthy appetite?
2. Is the animal in pain?
3. Is the animal able to continue with normal toilet procedures or do they lie in their waste?
Scotty has always had a good appetite and this continues. She never complains and remains happy for us to pick her up if she falls over or for a cuddle. Mostly she’s pretty good with her toilet practices, although I have to be vigilant if she’s inside. If she goes to sleep in her basket sometimes she can’t move quick enough to get outside in time.
Her lack of mobility is a problem though. When she walks her spine is arched and her fur along her backbone is very erect all the time, as if she’s angry or about to attack. If she lies down for too long, she finds it difficult to get up and often falls over. When she is moving around she often turns in circles because her hindquarters don’t function as they should. And as I mentioned earlier, she has lost condition despite her good appetite.
While she seems relatively happy, there is no doubt her health is deteriorating quickly, almost weekly. It’s not fair to prolong a dog’s life (or any pet’s life) when their life lacks quality. The day is fast approaching when we’ll have to make the decision to have her put down, and it’s breaking my heart. She’s offered faithful companionship, given us incentive to exercise and even inspired the first book I sold to Ellora’s Cave. Life won’t be the same without her small furry face around the place.
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You have my deepest sympathy. I’ve outlived a lot of animal friends (I never thought of them as pets) over the years and saying goodbye has become no easier. I’ve not recovered from the last occasion, four years ago, and cannot face doing it all over again yet.
by Amy Gallow July 20th, 2009 at 3:02 amAmy
What a touching post. Our animals are so much a part of us and it’s so sad when they get old way before we do. It’s hard and my thoughts are with you and Scotty.
by kaye Manro July 20th, 2009 at 4:19 amThis is a lovely post. Your Scotty is a cutie
by J.K. Coi July 20th, 2009 at 4:21 amWe have several animals as some of you may know. I hate to hear about Scotty. Having to put an animal down is one of the hardest decisions you will ever have to make. My prayers are with you. Have a great day.
by Roberta Harwell July 20th, 2009 at 5:01 amYour story breaks my heart. After my last dog died, I decided I would never have another one, because it’s so hard when you lose one.
by Lucinda July 20th, 2009 at 5:29 amIt is very hard to make those kind of decisions, and all of us who are animal lovers will have to do it We have started the journey with our oldest dog. She’s 13, and has been raised with our kids. She’s been a friend, a protector, and at times a babysitter to the children. Although she’s physically in good shape, her smell, eyesight, hearing are barely there. Last night I cooked bacon…she’s usually my constant buddy during the process. Ever sitting at the corner of the kitchen waiting for her snips of the bacon. She wasn’t there last night, and I realized it is because she couldn’t smell the bacon cooking.
I walked through the house and found her laying on my son’s bed. I held a piece of bacon up and she cocked her head. No excitement on her face, I bent over and gave her the bacon. Once in her mouth, she got all excited and decided to hop off the bed and follow me upstairs. Oh yeah, she remembered what bacon tasted like even if she couldn’t smell it cooking, lol.
*Hugs Shelley*
by Debra Kayn July 20th, 2009 at 6:37 amI lost my darling dog Bailey nearly two years ago, and my heart is still broken. You’ve had so many wonderful years with your baby, but it’s never enough. (((hugs)))
by Marianne July 20th, 2009 at 7:07 amOh Shelley, this is such a difficult thing. I’ve been through it several times, and my heart is with you. Have you read the Dog’s Prayer? http://www.chanton.com/prayer.html
by Helen Hardt July 20th, 2009 at 7:08 am((hugs)) What a wonderful life you’ve all shared together! Thank you for giving her a home and a place to love and live to her potential, so many animals don’t get that chance. When the time comes to say goodbye, know you’ve done whats best for her since the first time you saw her and she knows it, too!
by Marissa Alwin July 20th, 2009 at 7:48 amMari
I’m so sorry….I own a dog as well and I know my little guy is like a family member who I love so much….You are truly amazing to give your dog a good home….I am so sorry about everything..huge hugz
by Savannah Chase July 20th, 2009 at 11:43 amI know where you are. My cats are 15 and it seems they both have chronic illness. For now, they seem fine. I hope it continues, although I know it can’t.
by Susan Helene Gottfried July 20th, 2009 at 2:28 pmThank you all for your words of sympathy and support. I really appreciate it. I know many of you have gone through the same or similar situations with your pets. It is hard because they become members of the family. All we can do is move forward with love and remember the good times. Thanks again.
Shell
by Shelley Munro July 20th, 2009 at 5:52 pmI understand completely, Shelley. Last week a little stray kitty we’d been feeding and taking care of for the past year died when our neighbor was taking her to get medical care. It’s been a difficult thing and it hits me at the oddest times, though it always stays with me. I’ve lost so many pets over the years and still tear up when I think of them. They give us so much love and it’s so hard to let them go.
(((hugs)))
by Cari Quinn July 20th, 2009 at 6:42 pmDebra – I bet she enjoyed that bacon snack. Scotty sure loves her food – smell is one sense that still seems to be going strong.
Helen – thanks for the link. The prayer is wonderful.
Cari – I’m so sorry about the kitten. It is difficult letting go.
by Shelley Munro July 21st, 2009 at 2:43 amScotty is a beautiful animal, Shelley. And obviously a beloved family member. It’s hard to watch her grow older and you do face even harder times ahead. But you’ve given so much to one another. That’s the gift and the beauty.
Hugs
by N.J. Walters July 21st, 2009 at 4:01 amYou know how I am about my furry babies, Shelley. And I know too well what you’re going through with Scotty.
Even now it brings tears to my eyes.
I think if there is only one condolence, they know they are loved and will always be protected. Scotty is safe and cherished and that means everything to him.
Scotty was lucky you picked him. And you’re lucky you found him.
Hugs to you and Scotty
by Maria July 21st, 2009 at 5:25 amIt’s so sad when we have to make this kind of decision. I still haven’t quite got over putting our 15 year old cat down (we got her as a kitten the week after we returned from honeymoon so she really was our first little baby)
Hugs for you and Scotty
by Christina Phillips July 21st, 2009 at 6:52 amAnimals are one of the things that make life worth living. My best friend and soulmate was a cat. We communicated with each other with a look or a meow better than I have with any person! There is nothing like the unconditional love you get from an animal.
by Anne Jones July 21st, 2009 at 3:00 pmYou are a good person to first go to the shelter for an older dog, and to now put his quality of life first.
I really liked this book too. My book; http://www.eloquentbooks.com/TrueLoveIsNotCommon.html, has similar main characters. I grew up reading this author. Hope my book one day will reach many readers as this author.
by Peter July 22nd, 2009 at 1:10 am[...] Munro presents Quality of Life posted at Shelley Munro Blog, Author of Contemporary and Paranormal [...]
by Second Edition of Your Pet Monthly July 26th, 2009 at 10:32 am