OT - senior citizen dog issues

[teigyr]

I've only had an old/er cat but he would get lost due to his blindness. Between senility and not being able to see so well, he would get lost in the house. Had he been outside, he might have done the escape trick.

Your dog might be looking for Branwen and is confused. She also might be lonely. Is there any way to escape proof your house? Or (and I realize the challenges in this) is there any way to provide her a friend?

I know how frustrating and scary it must be. My cat, though housebound, would end up in really strange places and there were times it took me a long time to find him.

[surgtech1956]

Could you start leaving her inside, leaving the TV or radio on for her? She's probably looking for her pal when she's getting out. She might actually like being inside after she gets use to it.

I have a 14 year old Lab mix, she is almost deaf(except around the 4th of July when I have to drug her a little because she's so terrified of the noise), has cataracts, and she too has started going out of the yard and strays 3-4 houses away. She's an indoor dog and gets a little confused in the house too. I started leaving the TV on when I leave the house. My vet says she's in good health, just old.

Good luck, let us know what you decide.

[Zen]

Better to leave her in the house and know she'll be there when you get back.
Dog-proof as much as possible; lay some pee-pee papers down for her, maybe get her a Kong with treats inside, leave the radio on.

As for her trying to rush the door,well, you know you gotta be the alpha dog in the pack.

Maybe a pet-sitting service that can pop in, take her for a quick walk and a scratch behind the ears?

[Velobambina]

First, I'm sorry to hear about the loss of Branwen. I'm sure that it's still very hard for you and Nala.

Have you thought about getting Nala a new canine companion? Maybe she's lonely, since she was used to having Branwen around? I agree that leaving her in the house is the best idea--you could get those pee pads for her, especially since she's an older gal. It's great that she's in decent health.

[LBTC]

Beth, I'm sorry for both you and Nala for the loss of Branwen. Dogs grieve too, which can be expressed in some puzzling ways. I'm quite inclined to think the poor old girl is lonely and misses her buddy terribly, and therefore misses you even more when you are not there.

Despite the challenges it my pose, please consider getting Nala a pal of some kind. It worked for our 'Cuda dog after the loss of Yogi, helped him become and excellent dog for our family.

As you think on that, I really liked the idea of providing something to keep Nala busy in the house. I used to hide treats around the house for my border collies - in toys, under toys, behind the furniture - anywhere they were allowed to be. It takes a few minutes to set up, but I think they really enjoyed it. Be sure to use really small treats if you're going to put out a lot, though....wouldn't want Nala to gain too much weight (like mine did!).

Sending butterflies to you both to help you sort this out in a very happy way!

Hugs,
~T~

[DarcyInOregon]

Why not just hire a professional fence company to fix the fence? The fence companies are advertised in the local yellow pages.

Darcy

[farrellcollie]

I got a puppy last year who has helped my 11 yr old collie a lot (she is becoming somewhat doggy demented in her dotage). She was raised with another dog who left two years ago in a breakup (they still visit each other). I would not leave her outside - even with new fence if she is escaping. On long days - could a neighbor or pet sitter come and let her out or walk her?

[bmccasland]

Why not just hire a professional fence company to fix the fence? The fence companies are advertised in the local yellow pages.

I have to laugh - this is post-Katrina New Orleans. Finding anyone to do a "small" job is almost impossible. Took 3 months to get a contractor to fix my bathroom, and I still don't have the screen for the new window. But I digress.

The general consensus from the two lists I posed the question on what to do is the same....
So today I'm off to the local shelter to look for a fur friend. Hopefully after my reconnaissance they'll let me bring Nala to meet and greet before we bring someone home. She has gotten along with the various dogs we meet while out on our evening walks. But meeting someone out on a walk is different than having a housemate.