Dilemma

evelyn · Old Hand

Dilemma

Lesley · Guru

Gosh Evelyn - that is a really tough one!

I really don't know what I would do. I suppose the vets rationale is that he should be allowed to enjoy his life, but on the other hand - greyhounds are very accepting when on the lead and it doesn't seem to bother them.

Another thing to consider is how much it will affect both of your enjoyment being in the garden if has to be on the lead. If we have a nice summer - would you be able to be outside and leave him inside, or be outside with him on the lead - it would be quite restrictive.

My neighbours dog is on medication for a heart condition and he recently had to have it increased because he collapsed a couple of times through excitement when he met another dog on a walk. His medication seems to do the trick for him, but of course he is not a greyhound and doesn't run like they do.

Out of interest - what age is Andie?

Good luck.

evelyn · Old Hand

Hi Lesley, it is really tough. I did let him out at breakfast time but to be honest by the time he came back in, I was nearer a heart attack than he was!!! I don't want to let my stress rub off on him either.

I can see where the vet is coming from but would she be so keen to let him do his own thing if it was her beloved dog?

By the way he's betwwen 11 and 13 we think.

Thanks for listening and replying

Evelyn

Carol · Master

Hi there,

for what it's worth, I think that what it basically boils down to is Andie's quality of life. I know that this must be extremely heart-wrenching for you and I truly understand the feeling of panic and the cold sweat that must come over you when you see him run.

One of my dogs, Kelli (a GSD), was diagnosed with an enlarged heart and was placed on medication. The temptation was there to stop everything, wrap her up in cotton wool and see how we got on.

We decided however, that it was probably best for her to continue as normal: we shortened her walks slightly and they began to take longer but we still got out there every day. She still got off her lead to sniff after squirrels and still managed the odd trot after them.

Of course the obvious did happen, but strangely enough, it wasn't during, or even close to a period of exercise. I was with her when she died and I'm really glad that, right up to that moment, she lived a normal life.

The decision, of course is yours and I can completely understand if you chose not to let Andie run. After all, there is a big difference between a big GSD trotting after a squirrel and a Greyhound. If Andie is quite happy walking on a lead and you don't think his quality of life is affected then I can see nothing wrong with that.

I'll be thinking of you and wish you luck with whatever decision you make.

C

-- Edited by Carol at 17:52, 2005-05-12

Dave · Enlightened One

Hi Evelyn, I'll start this post by saying that the EVERY owner's relationship is different with their own dogs therefore in this situation I'm sure you'd perhaps get differences of opinion depending on the relationship with the dog (I do hope that makes some sense!)

Our old Girl Suzie will be 13 at the end of the month, we've only had her for just gone a year now, she was rescued by GAL from pretty awful circumstances and has underwent 2 major operations to remove tumors in that time (along with a whole list of other ailments!) Time is slowly catching up with Suzie, I think in her head she thinks she's a young sprightly 2 year old but the body says different, she doesn't get taken out for walks but enjoys wondering around the garden however her favourite pastime is running really fast chasing after our other dogs, think she still fancies being in charge of a few of them and you'll often catch her running at high speed chasing the other hounds and putting them in their place. Over the last few months she's started to get a bit unsteady on her old legs and and she's also developed a bit of a 'wheeze'. She'll run daft after the other dogs for 5 minutes then come in panting and all breathless wheezing badly, she'll have a big drink, a lie down for 10 minutes then she's up again for another stint round the garden, repeat this a few times and that's her very sleepy for the rest of the day.

I don't doubt her mad dashes round the garden are doing her much good (health wise) however the look on her face as she dashes around is a sight to behold and one that I wouldn't take away from her for anything in the world..

cheers

Dave

takecon · Master

Hi,

Yip - I agree with Dave and his Suzie - it's down to quality of life. If the dog is enjoying life and running aboutthen great In my experience they soon tell you when things are not right. The look on the face etc 'My time is up'

Charles

evelyn · Old Hand

Thanks everyone for all your thoughts on this one. Well....this morning I let him out as usual and he didn't even consider running, just peed, sniffed around, peed again, more sniffing etc, then toddled into the porch. After reading your reassurances I did feel less anxious about letting him out and I think with me feeling calmer he was less prone to start gallumphing at top speed.

My gut instinct is to let things go as usual....with a little help of some treats to recall him if he gets too manic.

Ta to you all

Love Evelyn

FAJ · Enlightened One

Looks like Andie is being a sensible boy all on his own. Here's to loads of happy times enjoying the garden - at whatever pace he choses.

Fiona