hallo everybody!I just wondered if anyone has been in this situation,and could maybe offer support?My Flyss is now 15years old,but I cant really say she doesnt look it,bless her!Her brain is still collie,but shes riddled with arthritis,and I can see the deterioration almost weekly now,for instance,shes more wobbly,and I now have to help her down the 2 steps to the street,as well as back up,which Ive been doing for ages.
She has regular "mots"at the vets and is on trocoxil,also glucosamine,and she has a bio flo collar,so I pray shes not in too much pain.
She still has 2 daily walks,wants to go out,although sometimes,I hate to see her struggle .Im not asking for advice as to when to let her go,as there comes a point when you know theyve had enough,and shes not there yet,she does still enjoy life,in her limited way,loves her food,being groomed,and fussed,etc.It just breaks my heart to see her reduced to this.I did consider leaving her at home,but she really wants to come,and I feel she l pack up quicker if she doesnt come on walks(we make it round a playing field at the bottom of the street,twice a day,taking our time)-I dont really know what I expect you to tell me!But thanks for"listening"!

Hey colliepam

I feel for you matey, 15 years is a good age, but then collies seem to go on forever don't they? my friend has just lost hers, 17 1/2 he was.
I think if your dog was in too much pain, if any at all, then she would tell you and stop wanting to go on a walk with you.
Providing she's not incontinent and stuff, then walking slow, nothing wrong with that, we all walk slower as we get older.
I'm sure in your heart you will know when it is time.
Thinking of you pam.

xx

Oh Colliepam that pulled some heart strings in me, I too have an oldish Collie nearly 12.

I'm no expert but I reckon if there's one breed that doesn't know when it's got old it's a Collie, I think it's their lust for life and determination to go on that keeps them going on.

I think you're doing wonderfully well by your Flyss and she will keep going as long as she can as she wants to part of everything and part of you.

So no advice from me other than to keep doing what your doing and your girl will keep you posted on how she's coping.

Chin up girl, Flyss is still game in her slow sort of way.

That's why we're all here - to listen, or have someone listen to us!  :-)

My eldest Collie was 12 earlier this month.  It is 5 years since she had a haemorrhagic tumour on the spleen burst.  Very, very poorly girl for months after removal.  But I still have her!  :-)

Then, a couple of years ago, she was diagnosed with thyroid problems, and it took a while to get her dose right.  She now looks forward to her twice a day bread and butter, which hides her tablets!

She is slowing up, but still has her moments of play bowing when excited, and, like you with Flyss, I will know when she isn't a happy bunny.

So just enjoy her!  :-)

old dog's can still enjoy life even though they cant go for long walks. 
I used to take my old collie for hydrothapy, it did him the world of good and he loved it.
He also used to love a car ride, he would sit up and watch though the window.
There does come a time where they cant get into the car, and you do have to be very carefull getting them in and out.
we used to play with a ball every evening I would roll it to him and he would nudge it back to me.
He loved vistors and lieing in the sun, in winter I used to light a real fire for him which he would 'hog'!
It is inportant they do some walking to keep the joints moveing and keep the muscel from wasting, and they still enjoy sniffing which is very importent.
I didnt go far with him he was a big dog and if he collasped I would not of been able to carry him far.
your dog sounds like she is still enjoying her life with you, they really do break your heart though.

She sounds wonderful and enjoys her family and life even at a slower rate. I am 70, legs creak going up steps, I stroll instead of brisk walk and love having my family around me ( dogs that is ) and I enjoy my life at this pace and am certainly not ready to be put down yet !!!  Go girl....we oldies keep going forever.

Oh,bless you all,I knew youd understand!I lost her sister,sadie,aged 12,her heart packed up,she d been on pills,and getting slower for a year,god,its so hard,isnt it!and such a lonely time.
but,yes,flyss is still with me,and keeps plodding on.Maybe best to switch off from whats coming,and live in the day.On a lighter note,no,shes not really incontinent,but has been known to lay the odd log on her way out!She also likes to "play ball",2 or 3 feet max,or she falls over!Thanks again,everybody,its really appreciated.

With my dear old Rufus, from the day his heart got bad (aged just under 8) I always let him himself decide what he wanted to do. At 9 it meant he went to training classes and passed his Good Citizen Gold, in later years it meant some days he came on our walks, others he didn't. It was entirely his choice and it was easy to see. I got the collars and leads out and either he'd be there waiting for his to be put on, or he stayed in his bed -very clear. This way he managed for years longer than anyone had ever thought. The last couple of years he was deaf and blind and fell over a lot but STILL now and then he'd be there waiting for his walk. He was just over 15 when he finally had enough and I'm convinced he would not have lived as long had he been forced to either come or stay at home. Only he knew what made him happy. :)

Hi Colliepam

I would reduce her walks and just have mooching around in the back garden as if you feel she is struggling on the walks then it is time to reduce them :-)

I know she may want to come on them but she insists then reduce the duration so at least she thinks she is going on a the walk and then take your others out seperately.

15 is a great age and hoep she continues to enjoy life :-)

Oh bless her...you have to love and admire the collie determination to never give up (or to turn down a game of ball..!)...they are the ultimate Free Spirits of the dog world....and I think her Spirit...will tell yours...when its time for her to let go. I'd just do exactly the same...oodles of love while she's still on this side..and just thoroughly enjoy each others company and live in the moment x

Hi Pam :)

My eldest border collie is 16! He was the most driven dog I have ever known. Would work from dawn till dusk, come home and jump out the truck to find his football!! I used to say he was a dog that would work with 4 broken legs - he has taught me what it is to be determined!! Up until he was 15, he still ran to the truck to come out working with us (even though all he ever got was a token "hold" of the sheep :)) He still came with us down the fields for our walks and chased the ball. One day, he walked to the gate with us and sat down. His eyes told me "I'll guard the house for you coming back". There he waited until we returned and happily tottered back indoors again. This is now our routine. He lays in his bed when I pull my wellies on (always the cue for preparing to work and go in the truck) telling me he's happy to wait for me in his bed! Walks mean he ambles out to the gate, waits on us all returning and ensures we make it safely back indoors.

I did toy with the notion of encouraging him out with us. However, I soon realised that I needed to listen to what he told me. However, only you know your dog. If my dog was happy to still come walks with me, then you can bet he would be coming :) Your dog may tell you in a different way that they would prefer not to join you - maybe appearing less happy to amble along, body language showing signs of discomfort or displeasure....just keep your ears and eyes open so you can pick up what they are telling you in whatever way they know best :)

Soft and gentle hugs to all the oldies

She also likes to "play ball",2 or 3 feet max,or she falls over

LOL - that made me laugh as my boy is the same. I bought a soft football from Ikea for him and he adores it. It's only him who is allowed to play with it which he thinks is pretty cool! I can only "roll" the ball about 3 feet or else he gets in a terrible fankle with legs everywhere!!

Dukedog passes on his love and best wishes to Flyss colliepam and says what's the odd log between friends. ;)

Two collies one reached 17 one 16.
The bitch ( childhood pet),was going for a daily walk right up to her last day,meeting us kids from school. It would take ages but She still had her work to do!!
My 16 year old got to the point where he was just happy to sit on the front door step watching the world pass and accepting all the greetings he was given.

Just let Flyss set the pace.. she'll soon tell you when she does not want to go out..

AHh bless her.

My last dog was about 14 years old when he stopped going for a walk. He'd always had a dodgy back-end with a wonky back leg anyway and age took it's toll on his walking ability.  When he got to the stage that he would go for a walk if I asked him, but he appeared to be 'putting up' with the walk, instead of enjoying himsefl, I then stopped taking him. It was plain to see that being out & about was not what he wanted - he was deaf, blind in 1 eye, loosing the sight in the other and not very stable on his feet, I think he felt vulnerable (he was walked alone as Buster was only a pup then and needed all my concentration for training!). As a young adult he would play football allday long or walk as many miles as you could manage but as an oldie, he was happy to potter around the house  & garden :)

It seems, by reading others replies, that it really is an individual thing - some old dogs want thier walk, others are happy to not go on a walk.

I think your old girle should have whatever she wants  :)

Hi Colliepam

I know exactly where you are right now.  I have a 15 year old collie x hound who also has arthritis in his back legs and is wobbly every now and again.  If he tries to turn round in tight spaces he falls over - he has to move in wide circles now.

I too can't take him far on walks because I know if he went off his legs I couldn't carry him home.  But, he does have the occasional walk off our property on 'good' days and comes out every day in our field with the other dogs.  He loves his stroll, loves to sniff out all the furries that have been around over night.  He still loves his food although I have changed him back to a home cooked diet which I gave up last year when I took in our little deaf dog as I ran out of time.  He eats much better on home cooked than kibble stuff.

I took him to hydrotherapy last Spring to keep him mobile and stop muscle wastage but he hated being lifted into the hot tub after his swim so the vet advised us to stop going.

He is on daily Previcox and Tramadol. 

Every morning when I first come downstairs and everytime I come home I watch from the doorway to see his chest rise and fall before I go to him just in case ....

But the vet thinks he is doing fine and for a large breed he is now the equivalent of being 103 years old and is entitled to be wobbly on his legs!

He sometimes seems to get confused - he goes to the door to go out but when he's there he forgets what he went out for and turns round to come in but he still seems to enjoy life and as long as he does, that's all that matters.

no,shes not really incontinent,but has been known to lay the odd log on her way out!

Just a slight addition to this. If you find she starts to have a slight dribble on her bed etc, I found recently that the puppy training mats placed over the bed with an easily washable old blanket over the top works a treat and keeps her dry. My aging gsd went through a spell of incontinence due to medication recently and I put a few training mats on top of her bed and an old blanket on top to keep them in place and they caught every drop and still kept the surface dry and the bed clean. You only need to replace the ones that have dribbles on them daily. The rspca ones at Argos were the best for size and absorbancy( and price)

> Soft and gentle hugs to all the oldies

Holly say thank you for the hug.

My girl is almost 131/2 and similar to your girl, she won't stop.  She still loves going on her walk and hates being left behind, I sometimes have to sneak out without her knowing to give the young 'uns a decent paced walk.  Holly likes to sniff every inch and plod along and she'll do it in her own time; she's very good at putting the breaks on and strong with it.  She lets me know if she can't do the whole walk and she'll get dropped back at home on the halfway mark, I'm lucky the route lets me do that, she'll turn up the street if she wants go back or cross the road if she doesn't.

She can't get upstairs very well any more so only goes up for a bath and has to be lifted in, she does still help a little but it upsets her legs for a few days.

She used to go in the car everyday even just to pick hubby up, but i try to leave her as its a big struggle for her and me.  she fell out the other week and frightened me to death, she fell sideways onto her poorly side.  Pleased to say that she was ok and just a little sprained.  I can't find a ramp that fits the back of the car, she doesn't go in the boot.

I know how you feel about letting them do what they want and what they can do but I do tend to let her decide, like the other said.  I give her Youmove which has helped a lot, i can tell when she's been off it for a few days.

I loved reading all your replies,had tears in my eyes,even while I smiled at others!Arent dogs just so lovely!It was lovely hearing all your experiences,and thoughtsI too check on the chest rise and fall and ive had a few heart-stopping moments,doing it,too!Once,on holiday with a friend,wed had a pub meal with the dogs by our feet.When it was time to go,we couldnt wake Tweed,Jims old dog,at the time,so he picked him up-and his head lolled,we seriously thought hed gone!then a second later he lifted up a very bemused head"whats up?"Phew!Dogs!

i forgot about the chest rise, i'm sure my heart stops.  She gave me a scare the other day, i heard a noise, looked and she had that look and very still.  So relieved when i disturbed her.