I think Hanna is nearing end of life
 

My sweet Hanna is almost ten years old. She is showing signs of dementia. Starting a few weeks ago she gets nervous, inconsolable. She tries to get as close to me as possible and it’s never close enough. She is driving me nuts. It’s like when a dog is afraid of a storm, but there is no storm. She paces, pants and tries to crawl in my lap when I’m working.

She has never been afraid of anything. It’s obvious that she is often confused.

I tested her eyesight today and it is clear that she is losing her sight as well. She can see, but it appears she only sees shapes. I told her to get her collar tonight (one of her favorite games) and she walked right past it as she searched. She made a half hearted attempt to play with it when I showed her where it was. Usually she goes ape shit with it, whipping it around to the point we worry about her putting her eye out with it or breaking the TV.

She can find that collar no matter where we hide it. It’s her sole possession.

She has been an incredible companion. She is unbelievably empathetic and maternal. She knows when I’m sick before I do. This is going to be hard.

She isn’t ready to go yet. But it’s coming. I will post photos later. She is absolutely beautiful. She used to look me directly in my eyes, as if she could read my mind and understood EVERYTHING. Now she seems vacant.

She is my ninth GSD. I’ve been here before. It’s going to be very hard on my wife and son. I’m tempted to import a puppy but it’s not a good time.

**** I hate this part of dog ownership. She will live like a queen as she always has. Usually when I see this, it comes fast and they degrade in a matter of a couple months.

Sorry, Snik. We all have been there, and it sucks. Be good to her and spoil her with extra pets from all of us.



:sadangel:

I’m so sorry. She’s a beautiful pup.:sadangel:

Sorry for downer thread. I know so many can relate. Plus, I don’t have any friends. :shots:

It could be worse. Hope this cheers you up:

So sorry man.

Sorry to hear about Hanna. :sadangel: She is such a beautiful girl. :angel: I'll give my Nukka an extra hug or two.

You have friends here ! sorry about Hanna :sadangel:

Hanna is absolutely beautiful :angel: savor every moment left with her, and give her a big ol' hug and kiss from me. :yesnod:

I know the pain all too well :( as well as many other folks here...I still stay in touch with my local and online pet loss support group, and try to help out newcomers there whenever I can. It's the least I can do when they helped me so much through the process.

Make sure you talk about it whenever you need to, it is a big help in healing. Thankfully we have this thread here for tributes for everyone's pets as well.

I'm OK with it. I feel it's my responsibility to them. I always know when the time has come. It won't be for a couple months - maybe a bit longer.

She will tell me when it's time.

We told Enzo we were driving to SeaWorld when we actually were going to pick up Hanna - technically, it's she is his dog.

The shot in the vehicle below is on the drive home from that day.

That is an awesome picture. Frameworthy. :yesnod:

Sorry to hear Pete. :sad:

She is a mega snuggler. She embraces you with her paws as in the photo. She will also lay with you for hours. Most dogs will tolerate it for 5-10 minutes, but Hanna can’t get enough of it. Every night when I go to bed she sneaks in there and hops on the bed before I get there. She demands petting.

This might sound weird but I lay down beside her, talk softly in her ear and pet her for 30 minutes or so every night. She actually purrs. I’ve been wanting to shoot video of just snuggling with the dogs.

As a trainer, it’s a really important thing we start when they are very young. I believe it shapes their brain and makes them loving and gentle. It builds the bond and trust. I can see how important it is to the dogs. They need to be reassured they are loved members of the pack.

Shadow only lasts about ten minutes. He clearly loves it, but he gets bored with it.

Loki is not a snuggler. He wants his lovin's on his terms. Nukka is more of a snuggler, but again, it is mostly on her terms. She's usually curled up on my pillow, and at bedtime, she graciously will move over to let me in. And then she won't let Loki on the bed. :funnier:

:cheers:

Sorry to hear man... She looks like a beautiful pup.
Scott

:sadangel: I've had to watch my best friends go too. It's just so hard.