We are crazy, right?

[Bernadine]

MIL has a 15 yo shih tzu that she hates.  It's so sad.  He's penned off in her foyer, and she feeds him and lets him out and that's all the attention he gets.  She keeps him penned up now because he pees and poops inside a lot.  Idk if it's because he's old, or because she doesn't let him out regularly, or possibly because she feeds him cheap food.  Also, I think he has cataracts, and idk if she's done anything for him, or if anything can be done.

Anyway, h and I have offered to take him.  We're taking him to the vet tonight- no idea when MIL last took him- and then bringing him home tomorrow night, when we'll have all weekend to help him acclimate.

We want to give him love and attention for the last bit of time he has left.  But guys...I'm really nervous about this.  I don't want him peeing and pooping all over everything.

Tell me the vet will be able to help. 

[alzi]

You are good people. How sad. Poor guy.

[Muddled]

Poor baby.

You are not crazy. You are kind.

[sequins]

You are awesome and amazing. I hope the vet can help him. Poor baby.

[joenali]

Make sure you get a baby gate.

[wambam]

May 14, 2015 8:27:36 GMT -5 joenali said:

Make sure you get a baby gate.

Legit snort.

[karmasabiotch]

You have a heart of gold for doing this for that poor dog.

[Bernadine]

May 14, 2015 8:27:36 GMT -5 joenali said:

Make sure you get a baby gate.

We have a few- we have a dog already who likes to cock his leg as soon as he's out of eyesight, so we do feel comfortable that we can keep an eye on MIL's dog, and get him outside ASAP.

[Bernadine]

I'm not that great, I promise, lol. I'm nervous as hell about this.

[shopgirl07]

Poor, poor baby. Thank you for taking him. Dogs need lots of attention, and the little ones like to be held and snuggled by their owners.

[konapoppy]

How nice of you!

I don't know how else to say this: there will likely be pee and poop in your house at some point. If the vet says there isn't too much time left, I might just go the puppy pad route to make it easier for you and him. And definitely baby gate off areas.

My dogs have always preferred to pee on carpet, so highly recommend you keep him somewhere with hard floors that are easy to clean.

Good luck!

[kwx2]

This is awesome! I am so happy that he will live out the time he has left in a loving home, you are good peeps!

[Bernadine]

May 14, 2015 8:31:21 GMT -5 konapoppy said:

How nice of you!

I don't know how else to say this: there will likely be pee and poop in your house at some point. If the vet says there isn't too much time left, I might just go the puppy pad route to make it easier for you and him. And definitely baby gate off areas.

My dogs have always preferred to pee on carpet, so highly recommend you keep him somewhere with hard floors that are easy to clean.

Good luck!

MIL has been using the puppy pads, so we will probably continue to put them in the half bath we'll keep him in when we're not home.

[revolution]

You will be fine and the dog will be fine! And, yes, the vet can give you ideas.

I won't lie, we adopted a senior dog, and she took about 6 months to house train. She's a stubborn one. have patience and love, which I know you already do!

You will all love it!!

[FastHands]

Doing it despite being nervous makes you the best ever. Poor sad panda. How awesome to have a whole new life! At 15yo, though, pup may genuinely not be able to fully control her eliminations. The vet will be able to give you ideas for how to deal with that, but know that it might not be "fixable" to a perfect standard. But omg this dog is going to be so happy!

[dojo]

I don't know - my parents had a Shih Tzu that was in a similar position in his end of days (they loved him very much, but just aren't good pet owners in terms of training and humanizing animals to the point where it's a bit detrimental since they're being treated in a way that doesn't jive with their nature though it is out of love). I would have thought this dog was untrainable after a few years, let alone at the end of his life. Then the seizures started and it was unbearable to watch.

I think what you're doing comes from a good place and I hope he responds well to you, but I wouldn't be surprised if he just went about his business as status quo with a bit more room to spread out and some more loving attention.

[Bernadine]

May 14, 2015 8:55:43 GMT -5 daisyfay25 said:

May 14, 2015 8:30:02 GMT -5 Bernadine said:

I'm not that great, I promise, lol. I'm nervous as hell about this.

At least he'll be dead soon?

Ok maybe that's not funny right now lol. But you are really kind to take him in!

That's why I'm not that great, because this has crossed my mind!

[motzie]

You can get doggy diapers if it's bad. If he hasn't been to a vet he could be in a lot of pain with that eye. You're doing a really great thing.

[Booze Raccoon]

Not crazy.  Just good hearted.  

I'd rather poop and piss in my house than keeping that poor guy trapped in a cage in an unloving home.  Also, I bet once he is taken care of properly he'll be better trained.    

[moolarkey]

That is a wonderful thing to do. I hope this works out well for all of you.

[Eagles]

I love you.

[pittsmcgee]

You guys are awesome. Good luck, I think he will do awesome with just some love from you. Poor little guy.

[Deleted]

May 14, 2015 8:30:02 GMT -5 Bernadine said:

I'm not that great, I promise, lol. I'm nervous as hell about this.

You are. Thank you for giving the senior dog a chance. 

There is is a chance that with a bit of care and love he'll at least have fewer accidents, some could be anxiety and as you mentioned not getting out enough. Age could be a factor, but again, it may be like having a puppy and you just need to make a point of going out every couple of hours. 

I dont ing think you're crazy at all. A lot of people would have told her to just out him down and not thought of bringing him to their house. 

We we need pictures when you get him home

[pandorica]

That's so terrible, that poor pup I'm so glad you guys are going to help him.

[dexteroni]

Poor pup. It's so nice of you to let him spend whatever time he has left with a loving family. Hopefully the vet will be able to help, but I wouldn't expect him to be 100%. Plan for accidents, look into medications, diapers, etc., and plan to do at least a little cleanup of both dog and floors.

[tripleshot]

I think it's great your doing this. My 13 year old Yorkie was peeing in the house. I bought belly bands from www.bellybands.net and they've been a life saver. I put a maxi pad on the band and if he pees it's easy clean up to switch the pads. You can get similar items in stores, but they didn't work as well or the material had elastic that hurt his skin. Good luck!

[sapphireblue]

I know you are denying it, but you really ARE great to do this! It is a very sweet and kind thing to do for this dog.