My 13 yr old mixed cocker spaniel is not doing so well. I feel like he is not living his best life. He has developed several issues in the past couple years that impact his QoL. I’m worried how to deal with his buddy an 11-12 year old mixed shih tzu. I do not want him to get depressed nor do I want to get a new dog just to replace him. I’m open for suggestions. Thank you. I also told my older sister to not get me a new dog as she has a habit of doing so lol.
I’m sorry you’re going through this difficult situation. I wanted to privide my perspective as a long-time shelter employee, once upon a time.
I put in nearly ten years (variously full and part time) at a local animal shelter and can confirm many others’ concerns about senior animal surrenders. It doesn’t usually go well, and is hard for the folks on the shelter side playing damage control. It amounts to shifting the onus of euthanasia from the owner, who the dog knows, to a stranger. Often, shelters will sponsor senior animals’ adoptions (waive the fee), but often, even this isn’t enough an incentive.
Instead of a shelter, you could try reaching out to a privately run rescue, which frequently “specialize” in senior animals and animals with health issues. They aren’t obligated to accept surrenders like a municipal shelter, but the extra effort you go through in placement would mean your senior pup gets place in a home or home-like setting, rather than a room with crates or kennels. Search petfinder.com for rescues in your area.
I also wanted to give you some encouragement for the wellbeing of your other dog. Its important to remember that animal are individuals, too, and handle loss and grief, whether surrender or euthanasia, differently. My dog Louis (now passed himself) was originally one of three and had adapted to the only-child lifestyle without much issue at all.