I have a wonderful senior dog and he’s my best friend. And I’m so scared of his aging. As he’s slowing down and I keep an eye out for medical issues I just can’t imagine how and when to make a call about his life.

I work all day away from home and live by myself, which was not the situation when I’d adopted him initially. I don’t have a community or friends or family around to help during the day if and when it comes to that. I can’t afford dog sitters especially not ones with training.

What if he could be fine with more support and money, should I give him back to animal rescue?

  • eldavi@lemmy.ml
    2·
    15 hours ago

    i wish i had advice to offer you, but i’m in a similar boat with my senior cat.

    i was devastated when my senior dogs & cats passed away and i was able to weather it each time it happened thanks entirely to my other pets commiserating with me; my 16 year old cat is the last one left alive and he’s been by my side through all of those deaths.

    the bar for approval to get another pet from the shelter is far too high; too long; and too invasive were i live for my attempts to be successful, so i’ve only adopted pets that i found on the streets and those that others wanted to surrender to the shelter.

    i’m on the spectrum which makes human relationships very difficult to create and maintain, which means that my cat is my life.

    i cannot express how much i dread the inevitable day that i have to see him suffering once he gets ill and i have to decide to it’s best to end his life.

    i hope you’re better prepared than i am.