Like someone said above, this happens to old dogs. Humans go through the same thing when they get older. If you don't believe me, go visit a nursing home and you will understand. Be kind to your dogs. They were there for you. Now it's your turn. It's not easy,nor fun but it's the right thing to do.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I cringe when people elevate animals to human status. No doubt dogs are rightly described as 'man's best friend' for their innate loyalty and desire to please. But they are still not humans, no matter how enriching they are to our existence.

Why are you reading posts from the pet forum if you don't believe dogs should be treated like a part of the family.

EXACTLY!

Anonymous wrote:I cringe when people elevate animals to human status. No doubt dogs are rightly described as 'man's best friend' for their innate loyalty and desire to please. But they are still not humans, no matter how enriching they are to our existence.

Why are you reading posts from the pet forum if you don't believe dogs should be treated like a part of the family.

Anonymous wrote:When I read stories here about putting cats and dogs to sleep due to their litter issues, I feel pity for the posters' older parents. What will such miserable people do if they have to take care of their old and sick parents. There is a difference between dogs and parents, but posters who do not have patience and who do not show compassion for their pets who have made them happy in their happy times cannot have compassion for anything or anyone in their lives.

I do not only have sympathy for the posters' older parents, but I think about the posters' own children who are probably raised without compassion, empathy and responsibility.

I do some volunteer work for a breed specific rescue and most of the dogs that come into our rescue are seniors. Most of them haven't seen a vet, have illnesses that could have been easily treated and have been neglected by the owners. When the owner starts looking at the dog as a burden, they dump them at the shelter or if they are lucky a rescue. Volunteering in rescue has opened my eyes. I had no idea how little compassion people have and how badly they treat those who depend on them. And this has absolutely NOTHING to do with elevating a dog to human status.

If your dogs suddenly starts peeing in the house after being reliably housebroken for many years, you take the dog to the vet to have him/her evaluated. You shouldn't have to come to an anonymous forum to be told that the dog needs veterinary care. This is called common sense. Most of the time, it is something that can easily be treated with medication. Otherwise, there are doggie diapers or you hire a dog walker to give your pet a few extra bathroom breaks during the day. Your pet deserves compassion and love in his final years.

Reading some of the responses on this thread, makes me shudder, but then I'm not surprised. I see it every day. To all the people who are so bothered by their aging animals, I will tell you that you, TOO, will someday be old and you will need assistance from your loved ones. If you raise them without compassion, you will find yourself alone and bitter in old age. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree... Think about how you would like to be treated in your senior and final years. Would you like for your loved ones to visit you, hold your hand, share stories about their lives or you would like to be pushed off to the cheapest assisted living place around hoping to receive maybe a call on Christmas Day?

Anonymous wrote:When I read stories here about putting cats and dogs to sleep due to their litter issues, I feel pity for the posters' older parents. What will such miserable people do if they have to take care of their old and sick parents. There is a difference between dogs and parents, but posters who do not have patience and who do not show compassion for their pets who have made them happy in their happy times cannot have compassion for anything or anyone in their lives.

+1 agree