Hi,
I am the proud owner of a 12 year old Golden Retriever. She has been with me since she was 5 weeks old and she is like a sister to me, we do everything together. I love her so much but lately I have been worried about her declining health. Let me explain.
She is 12 years old and has arthritis in her back legs from being hit by a car as a puppy, so it is hard for her to get up. Up until a few weeks ago, when I came home from school or wherever, she would bark as soon as she heard my car in the driveway, and be right at the front door waiting. Same goes if I had a friend over, as soon as she heard a car come down the driveway she would run to the door and start barking. Lately, she hasn't done anything. Nothing. I come to the door and she's laying down on her bed beside my basement stairs which is close to the front door, so I know she can still hear me.
I even ask her if she wants a cookie, (which she loves) but she won't get up, I have to say her name over and over for her to finally get up and follow me to get her cookie. I have given up sometimes and just brought it to her, she still eats it.
It just seems like she has no energy anymore, she barely gets up all she wants to do is lay down and be pet. This is seriously breaking my heart and I don't know if something is wrong with her or if she is just getting old. I have booked a vet appointment but other then that I don't know what to do. Any advice is welcome. Thank you.
I am the proud owner of a 12 year old Golden Retriever. She has been with me since she was 5 weeks old and she is like a sister to me, we do everything together. I love her so much but lately I have been worried about her declining health. Let me explain.
She is 12 years old and has arthritis in her back legs from being hit by a car as a puppy, so it is hard for her to get up. Up until a few weeks ago, when I came home from school or wherever, she would bark as soon as she heard my car in the driveway, and be right at the front door waiting. Same goes if I had a friend over, as soon as she heard a car come down the driveway she would run to the door and start barking. Lately, she hasn't done anything. Nothing. I come to the door and she's laying down on her bed beside my basement stairs which is close to the front door, so I know she can still hear me.
I even ask her if she wants a cookie, (which she loves) but she won't get up, I have to say her name over and over for her to finally get up and follow me to get her cookie. I have given up sometimes and just brought it to her, she still eats it.
It just seems like she has no energy anymore, she barely gets up all she wants to do is lay down and be pet. This is seriously breaking my heart and I don't know if something is wrong with her or if she is just getting old. I have booked a vet appointment but other then that I don't know what to do. Any advice is welcome. Thank you.
I have 2 golden retrievers so this hit home as well. My girl is 11 years old, will be 12 in September and my boy will be 10 in 2 weeks. Even though my girl still gets up and moves around, goes outside to bark, lay in the sun, etc. she definitely would prefer to just lay around most of the time and she does have problems getting up. I think it's just a matter of old age and I'm sure her legs/ hips probably hurt from getting older and the accident which may be why she doesn't make the effort to get up when she hears you. 
to you both.
I didn't even know and now I feel so bad for just assuming she could always hear me. He gave her some meds and told me that her arthritis could be acting up as well because I am in Canada where it is freezing, (especially this winter). My poor baby, she doesn't deserve this. I gave her her meds with some cheese this evening, she took them right away so lets hope she gets better ASAP. Thank you all for your support! 
