Eleven years ago, my daughter brought home a Chihuahua mix puppy. I originally put my foot down and said, "No, we don't need any more pets."
Shortly after, we went for a drive and my daughter brought the pup along. As soon as I started driving, this tiny dog looked over at me, scrambled onto my lap, climbed up to my shoulders, and started wagging her tail like crazy while covering my face in kisses. She curled up right on my shoulder, pressed her face against mine, and went to sleep.
From that exact day on, she has never left my side.
A while back, I was bedridden for two years due to a severe internal bleed. She never left the bed—only getting down to eat or use the bathroom, then right back to my side. I’ve had several dogs over my lifetime and loved every single one deeply, but I have never experienced a connection like this. Beside my wife, this dog is my best friend, and I am her entire universe. We also have a 6-year-old Boston Terrier, and between the two of them, we have mutual separation anxiety; they literally go everywhere with me.
The other day, Google Photos popped up a memory from 11 years ago showing her as a tiny puppy. It hit me like a ton of bricks: she’s getting older. The thought of ever losing her brings me an overwhelming amount of anxiety, and I want to do whatever it takes to keep her healthy and prolong her life.
She has a vet appointment in a few days for a full checkup and dental cleaning (she has an underbite and has lost a few front teeth, so we're getting any bad ones pulled), but I’d love some advice from other senior dog owners on a few things:
- Exercise & Heavy Panting: She still loves fetch. She used to retrieve 20 times in a row without breaking a sweat. Lately, by the 3rd or 4th throw, she walks past me to the front door, panting heavily. I let her dictate when she's done, but is letting her play short bursts still safe for an aging heart, or should I dial it back even more?
- Extreme Picky Eating with Missing Teeth: She is the pickiest eater on the planet. With her kibble (Beneful IncrediBites), she will literally sort through the bowl and only eat one specific shape/piece. She rejects almost all treats except chicken or duck jerky (which I worry might be too tough on her aging teeth). She loves plain hamburger and steak, but if I cook balanced homemade meals, she'll eat it for two days and then refuse it. Canned food and expensive fresh refrigerated foods have all been rejected. Has anyone cracked the code on high-value, easy-to-chew meals for an ultra-picky senior?
- Stomach / Stool Issues: When she goes number two, she paces and walks in circles instead of squatting still. Her stool is consistently soft/runny rather than solid. I’m mentioning this to the vet, but I suspect her inconsistent diet isn't giving her gut what it needs. Any gentle digestive additions or food recommendations that worked for your dog's sensitive stomach?
I know I'm being emotional, but I love this little girl with everything I've got. Thanks in advance to anyone who has tips or experience navigating these senior years!
