Living With An Aged Dog

Bailey is 15 years old (in human years). In dog years, he's very old. He's a beagle-mix. He has cataract on both eyes and is most probably blind. His hearing is still good but he will only comply if he feels like it. His sense of smell is very good. He has arthritis on both hind legs. So, movement is a challenge for him but he loves to walk around in the compound. He has dementia. He sometimes, walks in circles or sits down and stares at the wall or tree.

When I want to feed him, I've to let him sniff my hand and gently lead him to the feeding area. Feeding him is different from before. When he was younger, he would gobble his food before I could even remove my hand. Now, I would have to coax him to eat and have to be with him while he eats to continue coaxing him. And he is very picky with his food. Previously, he would gobble anything we put on his food plate. Now, he would eat what he likes and leave the rest. He totally refuses to eat vegetables now. Previously, he loved carrots and broccoli stems.

It takes a lot of patience to care for an aged dog. He can't hold in his poo now. Sometimes, he would poo as he ate.

When I clear poo from the garden or compound, he would come to me and block my way or step all over the mess. When I do gardening, he would come to me and interrupt my work. Whenever I move away to another location, he would find me. For a blind and lame dog, he can locate and come to me very easily.

It takes more effort to care for an aged dog. Bailey is still happily doing his own thing. One thing we noticed is, Whiskey who grew up with him bullies him. She is reprimanded each time. Sammy, the dog we are fostering, is more caring towards Bailey. Sometimes, Sammy would even try to play with Bailey.