While scrolling through Facebook recently, I came across several dog-related posts on a friend’s page. They were about her eighteen-year-old pup, Gizmo. His health was failing and she’d been taking him to the vet frequently. Over a period of days, the posts went from distressing health updates to announcing she’d made the tough decision to put him down.

Her post read, “I have tried all I can and he’s had a great life to 18.2 years. I just cannot watch him struggle, I feel at peace with it, but it’s still incredibly hard to do. I’ve been in tears most of the morning.”

It’s a heartbreaking story. Losing a member of her canine pack leaves a void in her life. I hope she realizes what an amazing dog-mom she was for Gizmo to make it to the ripe old age of eighteen. Still, no matter how long they live, we are never prepared to say good-bye to a beloved pet.

I’ve had other acquaintances lose their elderly pets of late as well. My friend Theresa spent the night lying on the floor next to her 170-pound Mastiff, comforting him as he took his last breaths.

Another friend’s 13-year-old Scottie has been newly diagnosed with cancer of the bowel. He’s home after surgery, but the prognosis isn’t good. “Ramsay is the best dog we’ve ever had,” his owner told me. “He’s been a comfort to us through all the loss we’ve had.”

A dog’s lifespan is woefully short compared to a human, and although some pets succumb early to illness or accidents, many live long enough to experience the trials and tribulations of aging. We know that going in, yet are never fully prepared for those heartbreaking geriatric years. The mysterious lumps and bumps, the limping, the incontinence and coughs. The dimming of their vision and hearing. The confusion that often leads to barking for no apparent reasons.

It’s one thing to face our own aging challenges, but quite another to watch our pets become senior citizens. They don’t understand why they can’t run and jump like they did as a pup. They have aches and pains they just can’t tell us about.  Dogs are also stoic animals and will endure pain and discomfort for long periods of time with little in the way of complaint.

I’ve learned a lot about life from raising dogs – and more specifically from caring for elderly dogs. The puppy stage is full of cuteness, unbound energy, early mornings, sleepless nights and lots of accidents along with lots of vet visits.

Years later, the elder-dog stage has some similarities. There are also potty accidents and lots of visits to the vet – but we know it won’t get easier this time. And that puppy energy has been replaced with hours of long snore-filled slumbering.

Yet, even the most aged pooch can surprise us with occasional bursts of energy. They will vigorously wag their tail when their owners return home or over the possibility of a short walk, a biscuit or when the kibble hits the dog bowl – all followed by yet another nap.

Over the years, we’ve raised two Golden Retrievers followed by our two current pets. Our first family dog, Barron, lived to be twelve. Our second, Cooper, had debilitating hip dysplasia and we lost him at ten. They were both wonderful dogs (as all Goldens are). They were members of our family and loyal playmates to our children. As their muzzles began to turn gray and their gaits became stiff, the kids learned to treat them more gently, giving them extra attention and compassion.

Our present dogs include a hearty little Havanese named Dash, who is nearly fifteen, and our seven-year-old Spinone Italiano, Louie (a big goofy hunting dog for those interested). Louie is still in the prime of his life, but little Dash has been slipping into old-age and all its woes for the past few years.

It started with a raspy cough that the vet diagnosed as a “collapsing trachea”- something many small dogs develop as they age. It’s a horrible hacking sound that seems to go on forever – until he lets out a final wheeze and starts breathing normally again. There’s no cure, but the symptoms can be treated with steroids – which also have an unfortunate side-effect of increased urination. Not a good thing for an elderly dog already struggling with potty issues.

No worries. We keep a large supply pee-pee pads on hand along with carpet spray especially for pet accidents and lots of towels strategically placed around the house. I’ve learned to let go of the impossible goal of having a spotless home during this time. Others with elderly dogs have recommended “doggie-diapers” or wraps. I’ve already placed an order.

His vision and hearing are also going and sometimes he will bark for no apparent reason. Through all of this, his sense of smell is top-notch judging by the way he scampers into the kitchen when I’m preparing meals. And always a big eater, he still has his appetite.

My 27-year-old son points out that we’ve had Dash for over half his life – he was 13 when we adopted the little fluff ball from a farm near St. Louis. He ran out to greet us and we knew he was the one. He’s been entertaining us with his spunky personality ever sense.

Dash has always had an amazing vertical jump for a little dog, but lately he struggles to jump onto the couch. He makes it unassisted about half the time. When we take him on occasional walks, he will scurry along trying keep pace with Louie until it’s obvious he needs a break. We then pop him into the doggie-stroller for a rest. We’ve also installed a ramp next to our bed so he can climb up and down at his convenience. Anything for the dog.

As I’m writing this, I hear a little scuffling sound coming from the bathroom. Upon investigation, I find Dash has unrolled the toilet paper from the wall and is playfully shredding it. When he sees me, he wags his tail and gives me a mischievous look. No matter his age, he will always be that playful puppy who “picked us” to be his family.

Living with and caring for dogs throughout their life stages has taught me many things. Patience. Empathy. How to assist them when they need help getting up, getting down or just finding the way outside. I take the inevitable “accidents” in stride knowing that the messes on the carpet can be cleaned. I try not to flinch at the bill when checking out at the vet’s office. I know those treatments and medications are money well spent to keep my pups comfortable. My senior dogs have given us years of unconditional love and companionship and you can’t put a price on that.

Here’s to all the aging doggies out there. May they get extra treats, snuggles and cuddles every day for the rest of their lives.