Thing is people never think of the day they get a dog and the day the dog will be put down that is a gift and a curse and exactly why we will never have another Great Dane it breaks your heart every 10 years.
The deepest hole I ever dug (and I worked as a well driller while going to college) was to bury a beloved white german shepard. I cried like a baby every scoop because I knew he was gone he guarded my kids and kept us safe.
I always get a bit sad hearing this type of news. Alot of people can't understand how important a persons dog can/was to them.
We have a female Great Pyrenees named Roxy in our pack and she's approaching 11 years old. She has been a trusted guardian for over a decade and I've always slept comfortably knowing she had the watch. I know a Great Pyrenees life expectancy is 12 years and I know she's getting close to the end. She has trouble getting up off the floor or the ground, but when she does get up she's still a very formidable force to be reckoned with. Roxy has been a finicky eater for some time, but now she will not eat out of her bowl or any bowl. Now she will only eat when we hand feed her. We've tried elevating the bowl thinking maybe she can't bend down that low. That doesn't work. I know it's not the food. She's getting browned venison/broth mixed with really good dry food and we change the dry food up from time to time. I really don't understand what's happening, but I honestly think that she knows we want her to eat and while she won't eat out of a bowl, she is loyal enough that she'll eat it if it's in our hand and we're trying to give it to her. Has anyone else had a dog that acted like this?
not exactly, but I feel you and you know her best- that sounds like an excellent theory as to why she will eat out of your hand. Also it is probably her way to show you she appreciates you and is turning over the reigns. I haven't owned a Pyrenees, but I have had an experience with a couple that I will tell you over a campfire sometime. best wishes for when you have to make The Decision.
me and @Okiebob have a matter of honor to settle, and the venue is the Show Me State. Carbon, at dawn. Or maybe closer to 10:30, depending on the amount of Templeton's the night prior.
Both our dogs, near their ends became very finicky eaters. With the lab, it was a cancer. The terrier mutt, congestive heart disease. Give her a hug and an extra snack.
My male black mouth cur, 8 years old has been a finicky eater for the last 5 years. It has peaked for the last year and a half. He has the most problem when eating breakfast. He piddles around for up to 40 minutes sometimes. I cut back on his portions especially the morning feed. I feel bad for him but he has to eat enough to maintain his weight and health. He's been to the vet and checked out healthy. He is very active and in great shape. I'm guessing that as he ages he doesn't need the amount of food like when he was younger. I just keep watch of him. Your case may or may not be similar. Also, check for tick bites. Good luck. Sent from my SM-G981U using Tapatalk
In the end I went through this with my Angel and the cat Jade. I was switching foods and grinding deer meat.,Then went to making a slurry for them to eat. Eventually they shut down completely and would only drink water. You will want to take them to the vet and say good by for it can be painful for them.
tried free feeding? I just give both mine a big full bowl in the AM and check it again when I get home. Sometimes one or both needs filling, sometimes they don't. They usually graze during the day, eat a good portion in the evening, and will kick their empty bowls if they want more and I am home. The big one will usually eat in the middle of the night too, although not quite as often as he used to now that he's coming up on 9. I will hurt something awful when it's his time.
I used to feed my previous dogs that way. But my current other dog, a 3 year old female pit mix is a super chow hound. Possibly because she was starved and mistreated when we rescued her. Anyway, if I left a large bowl of food out, she'd eat it all and probably blow up. I've never seen a dog eat like her. She wolf's down every meal in seconds. Then waits for my other dog to finish so she can pick up bits he missed then lick his bowl clean. I actually watch them eat because I caught my big dog act like he was finished and let her eat his meal. So she'll eat double if she can. Sent from my SM-G981U using Tapatalk
You describe A.J. even though he's gotten better he loses his mind at feed time. We have him on the " gobble resistant" dish. Though I have been able to train him to sit stay and wait for the release command before he is allowed to eat. When we first got him he'd mug me trying to put the dish down.
WTF? she's asleep and snoring...that's like a foot and a half gap between the couch and ottoman. I love this little dog. She's the happiest creature I have ever seen. Even when she's sleeping she's hilarious.
