Brutus the Miniature Schnauzer is 12. He must be carried up the stairs. Degenerative Myelopathy is my diagnosis. If I am correct he may live another 14 months. Most are put down 6 months after it starts. He is my third miniature, had two Standard Schnauzers. Schnauzers are hypoallergenic and their coats don't pick up pollen and other carp like the coats of poodles and some other hypoallergenic dogs. Learned about the disease this morning and learned it occurs in Miniature Schnauzers, but can be bred out. I bought Brutus because he was related to my second Schnauzer who was a superb dog. Brutus is a backyard breeder dog with a good bloodline somewhere.
-------------------------------- Several people have eaten my cooking and survived.
Posts: 25850 | Location: Still living at 9000 feet in the High Rockies of Colorado | Registered: 20 April 2005
The blessing of a small dog--you can carry them when they get old. All the bigger dogs have to be put down at this point. 12 is a good long life. Well do I know about this stage, when you anticipate the end, but it isn't yet time. A bittersweet time. May you deeply enjoy this last stage of your time together. So sorry.
-------------------------------- fear is the thief of dreams
-------------------------------- “It's hard to win an argument with a smart person. It's damn near impossible to win an argument with a stupid person." -- Bill Murray
Posts: 13890 | Location: The outer burrows | Registered: 27 April 2005
It’s so hard to say goodby to pets. My golden of 15 years ago had a degenerative nerve disease (don’t recall name) that left her unable to walk. She was fine in other respects but there was no way I was going to be able to carry her where she needed to go.
J
-------------------------------- Be calm, be brave, it'll be okay.
Posts: 17734 | Location: Maine | Registered: 20 April 2005
Thank you. Ordered a sling for carrying him from Amazon. So far I can pick him up and carry him up the stairs, but Bob has back trouble and Don is limited.
-------------------------------- Several people have eaten my cooking and survived.
Posts: 25850 | Location: Still living at 9000 feet in the High Rockies of Colorado | Registered: 20 April 2005
