Hi everyone! I've got a 14 year old lab mix that is losing her faculties — she can no longer go downstairs for walks, she wakes at night (doggy dementia or pain from arthritis).
During the day, she gets excited when I take my smaller dog for a walk, I've tried to carry her (85 lbs) down, assist her going down the stairs (with the towel trick), and coax her down, but she just can't make it. She can't even get down to the yard, so we have a porch potty on the deck for her.
HOW can I keep her mentally stimulated? I feel like an aging dog is similar to an aging human. If you don't use it, you lose it and I cannot bear a rapid deterioration. She's my buddy! The other day I must have been holding my coat coat like an animal because she ran up to me, was wagging her tail, looked so excited, and started sniffing the coat!? She loves other dogs so I was thinking about getting a larger breed puppy?
She doesn't play with toys anymore, unless it's the treat hiding toys/puzzles. She tries to play bitey-face with my other dog, but he is 15lbs and gets sick of the play easily. Thoughts?? Play suggestions?? I appreciate it
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