The Jack Russell Terrier struggled to get on his master's bed, but unforgiving arthritis of the hips had made it impossible. He gamely tried repeatedly, until he was given the needed lift. His gray whiskers bristled as he settled onto the bed to loyally wait for his master, who was never to see him again. I had to look away from the movie screen-this was more sadness than I could handle in one day. Although not all dogs will live as interesting a life as the terrier in the movie My Dog Skip, most will deal with many of the same geriatric problems.
Arthritis is a given in most dogs, and can be severe in some large breeds.
Although pricey, these drugs can make an old dog young again. Some dogs may have bouts of disorientation, incontinence and confusion. Most dogs can live with this condition as long as their owners are willing to tolerate an occasional mess and some disorientation. But when a dog doesn't recognize or respond to its master, there is no human-animal bond to sustain the relationship. While certainly a tough decision by any standard, most owners seem to know the appropriate time to make it.