I apologize in advance if this sounds disrespectful of people who have lost their pets due to old age, it's certainly not meant to.
I adopted an 11-lb chihuahua mix about 7 years ago from a local rescue. I don't know exactly how old he is now but I'm guessing he's at least 10. He has always been a calm, good boy, I don't have children but he is like a child to my DH and me.
In the last few years his age has really taken a toll: he's got so much gray all over (muzzle, chest, stomach, even eyebrows!), he's lost a couple teeth (during cleanings), he's on medication for seizures, etc etc.
Anyway, the point of this post is that I find myself thinking more often about how much longer he'll be with us. I know I shouldn't worry about it and I should enjoy every minute with him, which I try to do, but I can't help it - I'm just reminded of it every time I notice more grays or he has another seizure. I've had pets before but I am more attached to this little guy than any other pet I've had (I think part of it is my age - I've never felt maternally towards other animals but this one, like I said, is like my child). Why do I do this to myself? Did anyone else with aging pets have feelings/thoughts like this?
I adopted an 11-lb chihuahua mix about 7 years ago from a local rescue. I don't know exactly how old he is now but I'm guessing he's at least 10. He has always been a calm, good boy, I don't have children but he is like a child to my DH and me.
In the last few years his age has really taken a toll: he's got so much gray all over (muzzle, chest, stomach, even eyebrows!), he's lost a couple teeth (during cleanings), he's on medication for seizures, etc etc.
Anyway, the point of this post is that I find myself thinking more often about how much longer he'll be with us. I know I shouldn't worry about it and I should enjoy every minute with him, which I try to do, but I can't help it - I'm just reminded of it every time I notice more grays or he has another seizure. I've had pets before but I am more attached to this little guy than any other pet I've had (I think part of it is my age - I've never felt maternally towards other animals but this one, like I said, is like my child). Why do I do this to myself? Did anyone else with aging pets have feelings/thoughts like this?