[RangerMom]

I'm noticed in the past 6-9 months now Reggie's 13 years are starting to catch up with him. He's lost muscle mass. Needs to be close to the door at night for those late night pee breaks and quickly out the door in the morning for the same reason.

He's also been getting stiff in the back legs and he's developing weakness in his back legs also. Sometimes when he stands, you'll see him start to crouch down in the back or sometimes his leg will shake a little bit.

This weekend, something new. Reggie and I went on a road trip, and while I was getting him in the SUV it became obvious that due to the weakness in his back legs, he can no longer jump into the back even with my help. Even getting him into the backseat with the running board was a no go. So I will be lifting him up from now on. I'm going to look into a ramp or some sort of sling to help me. He's not too fond of being lifted.

This growing old thing stinks.

 

[RangerMom]

This old age thing is a real *****.

You said it Garth!

Aww... Well, his muscles may be tiring, but his spirit sounds puppy-ish.

That is so true. He still is a happy boy. This weekend he was trying to hump a cute young border collie more that half his age.

((FWIW -- I'm now keeping Wes out of the back of the SUV because I no longer want him jumping in/out. He's now in the back seat, where he can step up and step down. And he's only nine!))

I hear you. I don't let him jump out but he could make it in (with a little bit of help) until recently. It's because when he puts his weight on his back legs to spring, they give out on him. He can't make it into the back seat now either.

I am either getting him a ramp or steps or I was thinking of making a dog sling to assist. We'll see how it goes. Overall it is just a minor inconvenience but it is just a bit sad.