At a vet I worked at, the in-house groomer had a miniature Poodle client that was 21 years old. The dog came in once a month and barely moved the whole time. The groomer would always lay him in the sunshine after his groom. His owner was as ancient, tiny in her wheelchair, and the only time the dog moved was when he was placed in her lap. He would lift his head and wag his tail as she leaned over him and whispered to him. No one ever suggested he be put down. We were all rooting for him ❤
Life expectancies of Berners is only 7-10 yrs & this beautiful dame is 13. She’s been so lovingly cared for. Thank you, Vanessa, for the care you showed her
One of my former bosses I worked with Breed Bernese Mountain Dogs and they had one live exactly until 13 years of age. They did a raw meat diet keeping away from the kibble.
Your attitude towards animals is full of delicacy and profession. And your talking to them like partners, not just objects to be groomed is fascinating. I love animals the same way as you do and just am enchanted! 😮
@@MarkLacThere’s a big anti-kibble group in the news right now. I saw one lady’s post that kibble k*lled her 13 year old Bernese, and that she should have done raw. I thought to myself - at 5 years above the life expectancy, you’d think she’d be singing the kibble’s praises!
Animals can react to pain with aggressive behavior. They're not necessarily trying to be mean, they just hurt and that's the only way the know how to express it.
She's clearly loved and well cared for. Her teeth are in great shape too! Thanks for demonstrating a "care groom", for explaining the situation and for reminding commenters that there's more to these pups' stories than what you see in a grooming video!
Having a slightly pragmatic view on the topic (farm...), I still think a short video of this dog in a stressful situation can't possibly give me grounds to have any opinion. The owner and the vet knows what's right, everyone on the internet HAS to blindly trust them.
She has a lovely temperament, despite her pain...no snapping or hostile behavior at all...what a sweet old gal. Her people are obviously doing well by her...
She's definitely a drama queen, but this beautiful, gentle animal gracing the world with her presence for well past the generally-expected lifespan of her breed can do what she likes! Bernies are so pretty and pleasant to be around: I once went into a small shop and one was minding the counter while his humom was out, just big enough to peer over the counter and smile at me while at his post. She shortly came back withTWO MORE in tow! Three absolute lumps of dog taking up almost half the shop, and they were all very friendly.
I suffer from arthritis in my hands wrists and shoulders - I feel for this puppy and hope no-one suggests either one of us be put down - the pain sucks but l still have life in me and so does this beautiful beloved pet
Yeah, I have severe rheumatoid arthritis in my whole body and this is not a good quality of life. The pain is so awful and I mourn my life before it. Its clear the dog is really loved and cared for!
@@katie7748tell me you don’t live in Canada or know the actual rules about maid why don’t ya. M.A.I.D.: Medical assistance in death; is for people who would rather not live anymore. It’s the persons choice and it’s not taken lightly. It’s a months long process to even apply. And you have to be terminal (on your deathbed and are dying) to apply. you don’t have to like it. You do however have to respect someone else’s wishes. Anyways, I had an old arthritic dog too, 13 when he passed. Ninja was the sweetest Bernese I’ve ever met. Got a lil grumpy in his final year or two. But we still loved him till he needed to be put down because of a G.I. bleed. I helped him up everyday, took him outside and let him get his sun, then eventually herd him back inside when his coat got too hot. He was my brother. I was with him when he passed. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I hope you have someone who loves you that much too, everyone deserves it.
@@katie7748from how i understand it, canada’s MAID system tends to “target” those with mental health issues. if you’re suicidal, you now have a legal means to end your life. they wouldn’t put you down for having arthritis, but if you were depressed and wanted to die, you could apply to the MAID program and say, “my arthritis makes my life unbearable, i want to commit medically assisted suicide.” it doesn’t matter whether or not the arthritis is actually the sole element that’s making you depressed
Agreed, 13 years on a large breed like that is fantastic. It's a sad reality that their lifespans are much shorter, 8-10 years isn't out of the ordinary at all.
To the owners... if you're reading this, know that you are appreciated for the love you have for your beautiful dog, and you chose the perfect groomer to make her clean and happy. Wishing you as much time as possible with your sweet baby. xoxo from Oregon USA
I know what it is like to have a furr baby hurting.. Only you can really make the call what is best for your girl...A bit of advice with a older dog. I found having a hand held shower head and putting my furr baby's in the tub then keeping them in the middle of my legs with me in the tub helps when I wash them... I also like to give my dogs a bath outside with hand held shower that I had a plumber mod to attach to the water faucet.... Keep loving your baby girl.. From Jon in Texas USA
You can clearly see how healthy (apart from arthritis) and cared for she is. Obviously a well loved dog. And she was so well behaved, despite being in pain from her joints. Vanessa did such a good job.
She is clearly adored by her owners if her coat, her teeth, and her temperament are anything to go by, but also she's 13! BMD's average life span is 8 years. She's a gorgeous older lady. I hope her pain is bearable and she continues to be doted on for the foreseeable future. Thank you for taking such gentle care of her
The average life span of Berners is a little deceptive. Berners have a massive problem with cancer, probably because many of them are born with one or more of the 14 known onco-control genes turned off. If they make it to age 7, they are highly likely to make it to 12 to 14 years old because those are the ones that did not die young of cancer. It's like the lifespan estimates for humans in prehistoric times. Yes, the "average" life span was only 30 to 35 years (depending on which study you look at), which makes it sounds like no one ever knew anyone who made it to 60 or 70 years old. But if you look at the average lifespan of people who survived to age 20, then the average lifespan is 70 years old--plenty of people knew 70+ year old people because it was pretty normal to live to be 70. Taking out the effects of infant and childhood mortality shifts the average lifespan dramatically.
@@shadownightguard Add in Addison's disease as well. Hip and elbow dysplasia can often successfully be managed well into the geriatric stage of life (I started out in German Shepherds, another breed with a high incidence of dysplasia) but cancer tends to kill dogs pretty rapidly. Addison's can be managed with medication but it's a constant balancing act and makes the dog more vulnerable to things like diseases and infections. Oh, and let's not forget bloat (gastric torsion) and progressive retinal atrophy. Berners are adorable--I have a friend who is really into them--but owning them in a calculated risk.
I would say cancer has been the least of my berners problems. It has always been consistently hip dysplasia and arthritis. These are often without repair. When I had a newfoundland, her hip dysplasia was so bad ( 100%, 70%) that she died at 10 months. My animals have never had any of the other diseases, just these two, it's a nightmare in my household.
So often you hear a dog complain and think "What a drama queen." but here I think she is genuinely hurting due to her issues (and not anything you did).
I love how you handled telling people to be kind. I have gone through a very tough time when my beloved beagle "Scout" could no longer stand due arthritis in his hips. It was a very difficult decision to have him put down. I was very fortunate to have found a vet who would come to my home and let him go in my arms. Your kindness in grooming shows a lot about you as a person.
Wow--what a kind vet to show you and your dog kindness in his final moments: at home, in the arms of his favorite person. Sending you lots of love and healing
They probably read it as bengal or similar @@lmaree200886 … nothing to face palm anyone about on a channel that should be fostering kindness to others. Not everyone is a native speaker or familiar with dog breeds on here.
As someone who has elderly dogs. I completely sympathize with the owners. Last year, we lost one of our dogs who was about 14. We tried our best to keep her groomed and bathed. And a lot of her grooming was just comfort care at that point.
One of my dogs, at the end of her life, would barely eat. I tried everything I could think of to keep her going. I'm pretty sure she had dementia. She was thin and her coat looked awful. I'm sure people thought I was neglecting her, but I did the best I could.
@@20thcenturyrelic My dog (who left us this summer at 13) had severe allergies. His coat would be patchy from hot spots and skin infections, he might've stunk a little etc and I'm sure some of my neighbours thought we were neglecting him too-- when the damn dog ate better than I did. You can't really judge how a pet is being treated until you know the situation.
I understand that, my red tabby, was like that, skin & bones for about a yr, was eating pretty well, just not putting on weight, till finally stopped, & abt week later passed, but had good life , of 18yrs . @@20thcenturyrelic
@20thcenturyrelic I think it's hard for some people to understand taking care of a dog till the end of their life, there's a reason why a lot of older dogs are just dropped at shelters or dropped in the middle of nowhere. I am sure your dog was very grateful for the comfort. You were able to provide her. She was surrounded by family who loves her in surroundings that were as familiar as they were going to be if she had dementia. We have about 2 elderly dogs who are proaching probably their last couple of years, but we're going to stay by them and give them the best life we can. Taking care of elderly dogs looks drastically different from the care of puppies and adult dogs. And sometimes it's not pretty, but we do it because we love our animals..
I love how compassionate you are about making sure that 1. People are not jerks, and 2. That you take on every single dog and do what you know is best for the dogs.
None of that is true. She can do nothing to make sure people are not jerks. She can even turn the comments off, the people who are going to be jerks are just going to be jerks elsewhere. At the same time, YOU no longer get to comment. So many more people are being kind here; to turn off the jerks, is to turn off the kindness. And she doesn't take all dogs. And she doesn't always know what is best. She is great, for doing what she does, and the way she does it. But she is just doing what everyone else is doing, or most of us anyway; she is doing her best.
@@danielduncan6806 And doing our best has to suffice for others. No point chastising someone for not doing "better than their best"... that's both disrespectful and a gross case of wishful thinking.
@danielduncan6806 Why do I no longer get to comment? When I made my comment, I was referecing the comments she made about how owners see these comments whether they are negative or positive and requesting that her audience be kind. I have seen all of her videos and the shift in her content to take on more difficult grooms. I think that is incredibly compassionate. She may be doing the same grooming job that everyone in her chosen field but she takes on a lot of animals that have been turned away over and over again. I have also heard her say I am just trying to do what is best for this dog or cat. So I'm not quite sure why you are calling me out.
@@Pinkorchid251985 Well, to turn off the the bad people, you have to turn off the good people too. That is her only means to truly getting rid of the bad people; to turn off the comments altogether. They could be moderated, but moderation cannot catch them all. So in the end you're left with total shutdown. So you either find a way to get along with the bad people, or everyone gets wrecked.
His comment to you was very confusing to me. Your original comment was lovely! I'll never understand this "need" some people have to be ugly to strangers on the internet. ***hugs***@Pinkorchid251985
TO THE OWNERS OF THIS DOG: she is absolutely beautiful!!!! What a great job raising and caring for her! Thanks for sharing her with us; I thoroughly enjoyed her singing the song of her people!!! 😂🥰🥰🥰
Palliative care for a dog nearing the end of their journey, has to be the sweetest gesture I've seen you do. You've done many sweet and kind things but I think this one deserves 1st place. ❤
@@HensOnlyprobably even if they would want to do it they still have to consider the liability and the fact that they need to get dogs in and out as quickly as possible
@@HensOnlyit's unfortunate. In the nursing field palliative care is just as important as every other type of care. Hey, it's actually a niche market! Someone could focus on old, infirm animals. I would think there would be a market for that?
The Canadian way of telling people to shut up: "if you have those opinions it would be best to just kept them to yourselves.". Thank you, Vanessa for that reminder. 👏👏👏👏👏 Cali is a sweetheart. Sending ❤ to her and her owners.
@@antisocialangel_182So if the TRUTH could be hard to hear, you encourage folks to lie tobe kind??? I'd rather people be honest. Guess I better stay in the north 🤔🤔
@@ronallen6578 You can tell an ugly truth nicely, but not saying anything at all isn't lying, either. Yes, PLEASE STAY in the north if that's the way you're going to think. We prefer to be kind, unless they've given us a reason to not be. 💗
We got pretty misty-eyed watching this. Everyone - animal and human - deserves this care and compassion as they near the end of their life. Thank you for taking good care of her.
Poor baby. She’s in pain. I understand completely! Arthritis is just ratty!!! But she’s not aggressive, just in such pain. You’re so careful with her. She’s so beautiful! Bless you!!!
I think she is very very loved by her family. And clearly Vanessa is the best person to groomer her. So wonderful that they found each other. She seems to have a lot of love to give. May God bless her and give her many more happy healthy years
People need to remember too that she is likely a pampered princess at home who has lots of cozy resting places and very low stress. I’ll bet she’s a quiet, comfortable and happy girl in the comfort of her own home. ❤❤❤ What a lovely little lady, I’m glad she’s clean and smelling nice now!
This is so healing to watch. I've been feeling really guilty because I can't groom our large older dog like I used to. It's good to know that putting his comfort above the groom is the right thing.
I definitely understand that feeling. My 14 yr old long-haired GSD hasn't been bathed in 2 years because she fights and falls and ends up in more pain. Waterless shampoo does wonders at least 😂
This makes me sad remembering my lab's final bath. I miss that dog with everything I have. He was my partner, always by my side, and now that he's gone I find myself not wanting to do the things I used to love because he's not here. My heart goes out to her owners, and I'm going to go cry into my pillow now.
I am terribly sorry for the loss of your Labrador. Losing any dog that was a part of your life and family is the worst feeling and a lot of us on here understand.
I had a lab female. She went to paradise in 2017. I still think about how she enjoyed car rides and playing with a ball. Labs are so awesome. I am blessed to have been loved by her.
Who’s with me when I say who can resist Callie’s adorable face! I am sure that her human family love her. Thanks Vanessa for always putting the dog’s or cat’s well-being first in the way you groom them.
I had a Chocolate lab named Klowe, she made it to an amazing 13 years old with minimal issues. She was fully mobile up until a week before she passed. What i dont think some people realize is your body can go before youre ready too. Its heartbreaking to see a family member fully aware of everything happening but unable to move or control anything but their head. We had to have her euthanized, she refused to quit. If a dog loves their family and their home they will gladly deal with pain for that. Its just on us to make accomidations for them until it gets to the point we have to take action. Id say this beautiful girl is full of life and still happy, heres to many more years for her
As someone that suffers from rhumatoid arthritis as well as osteoarthritis i can certainly feel her pain. I hope her family is doing something to manage her pain. Thank you Vanessa for beinf so kind and gentle with her ❤️
My fur baby is 14, she has arthritis very bad as do I. She is on Cosiquin. I so understand the complexities of this groom and the snide comments that happen especially those saying put her down..etc. You can tell she is loved and cared for ❤ don't judge the owners that take excellent care of the senior dogs please and Vanessa is excellent and so caring and loving with her 😊
Clean, comfy and minimal tail tangles, just the ticket for this sweet old lady. I bet she slept well after that bless her. If her owners do read this: please ignore the haters, we know you love her and are doing whats right for her! we only see the few minutes of footage here, so we're ignorant of a lot of info. Most of us here respect and understand that fact, so please don't listen to the numpties of the world!
At the end my poor old girl could barely stand. She lived in my bedroom upstairs because she could not get down the stairs. She was also incontinent so my whole bedroom was covered with pee pads. It was a ton of work. But she was still very happy and I just couldn’t put her down. When the time came I had to get help to get her downstairs and to the car. We care for them as long as possible because we love them but your dog lets you know when they are done. We just have to listen.
Very true. We had to put our beloved Shih Tzu down in November. He got some mysterious illness that no vet could determine with confidence, he yo-yoed between being healthy and near death over the course of a month. We think now it was a heart disease. On his final day, he was done with being at the vet. He barked and howled all day, whereas he's usually complacent. The vet urged that perhaps his time was up, as he was oxygen dependant and wasn't showing signs of improvement, but we weren't sure because of the yo-yoing and we were hoping he just needed more time to recover. We decided to let him decide and see for ourselves if he was done. It took less than a minute for us all to see that he wanted to go. It was the hardest thing we've ever done, yet one of the easiest decisions to make for his sake once we chose to listen to what he was telling us. I still miss him to pieces! We really do our best for them
So true I remember the last year worried the first time I had to take her to the vet due to not being able to walk but she pulled through and a friend told me when it’s time she will let me know and she did. The last time she again couldn’t move at all. She looked tired and had lost that sparkle in her eye and gave me a helpless look. We had to carry her out in a blanket between us in the car to take her to the vet. I told my kids to come kiss her and hug her as we knew this was it. Crazy thing right before the injection as we were holding her she got that old sparkle back briefly and was almost puppy like in her affections and kisses. Like she knew we were honoring her wish to let her go. She was my first kid lol and I still 3 years later miss her terribly. Maxine was the gold standard for us for sure.
Thank you all for sharing your stories ❤. Your pups were well loved, they jad to know that. The aged pup Vanessa groomed in the video looks like she has quite a few good days in her still, and her owners take great care of her by the look of things. I had to put down my beloved Miles 2 years ago, he did some of the same things you all were talking about, lost mobility, lost continence, couldn't lay down without rolling onto his front shoulder super awkwardly, battled mid to late stage kidney disease, had a weird growth near his tail, and just generally lost that sparkle in his eye. He howled and yelled terribly the night before we took him to the vet that last time, I think because he was so upset about not being able to walk and in a lot of pain, but we were able to get him to quieten down for a little while was to rest on top of me with his head on my heart and eventually sleep a little. He was a 16 year old tawny Eurasier. He was so loving, and I still miss him, but he let us know when it was time to go. He also got to see his old owners, my in-laws, before we took him to his kind vet for what turned out to be his last day with us. Miss you Miles. Miss you a lot buddie ❤.
My dog resembles this. I’m not getting a lot of sleep but she’s worth it. I hate that she’s in discomfort but she still loves pets and cuddles, treats and very gentle ambles around the yard. I just hope that I’ll know when the time is right to let her go.
I know!!! Me too, I was wishing I could be there and pet her to comfort her as she's getting clean. ❤❤❤❤❤ To help Vanessa do any little thing she'd ask just so I could spend some time with this wonderful and caring old girl.
As an owner of a 13 year old dog I can attest that this beautiful old lady is well taken care of and the owners should be proud of how well she is given her age and condition. The love between the owners and the dog is undeniable, and to the girl with the dogs you really are a solution for many of these dogs and it makes me so happy to see someone who adapts and cares for these dogs that may be a little more challenging due to their health conditions. Proud of you and keep up the good work because I am sure many owners and pups are very grateful!
Thank you for taking care of these challenging cases and being so compassionate. You really are the best. My 94 year old father just moved in with us and I now have him watching your videos with me on tv and he is loving it. I get my love of animals from him.
A vet once told my family about our oldest dog that their quality of life was based on their 8 favorite things. And as long as they could still do the majority of their favorite things then you didn’t need to worry about a horrible decision like having to put them down. This dog is clearly very well loved, and while some things might be hard for her now, she probably still has plenty of her favorite things available to her. Ultimately I wish them as happy and long as life that she has left with them.
As the caretaker of five senior dogs, I appreciate the kindness, care, and compassion you display in all your grooms, but especially ones like this. Thanks for explaining a comfort groom also. I love watching your videos. ❤
Thank you for explaining the details of a senior groom. I totally understand why other groomers had to refuse her. The risk of injury is enormous. Great job as always. I'm sure, despite her fussing, she really appreciates being nice and clean. ❤
She really seemed to relax once she got over the shock of the loud sound of the dryer. By the time you were done, she looked quite pleased with herself & her day at the "Salon". 💝🐾🐾😸✌️
Thankyou so much Vanessa for being so kind with Cali. We love her,she spends most of her time since losing her dog brother with my family and I. I had an excellent groomer for both my dogs who would actually bring her grooming stuff outdoors to accommodate them as neither could do stairs Thanks so much to Jackie. However it reall became to much for her. 19:2919:29
Helen we can see Cali is really loved and cared for by your family. She is a beautiful old lady and I want to Thank You for allowing Vanessa to share your baby and her groom with us. Sending hugs to Cali and you from UK xoxo
@HelenWhite-xq2fu You all are doing a fantastic job with Calli, she is 13 when the average age for her breed and size is about 8! That is a total WOW! You are a great dog mom!
Our elder dog passed away during a groom. We knew his time was coming (he was 16) and a groom would be difficult, but he needed it and we weren't able to provide it ourselves. We had a mobile groomer who was great come and take him in a van but unfortunately he didn't make it. We in no way blame the groomer but we do still feel guilty for how he passed- we just couldn't take the smell anymore and he had diarrhea and indoor accidents that just made him stink. It's hard when they get old.
@@WtF347 we actually were very fortunate to be able to hold him in our front lawn as he passed away. The groomer had stopped the groom after washing and mid dry and notified us that something was wrong. So we were thankful for that!
@@peckc16 even tho going in the middle of a groom isnt ideal, that groomer was the MVP. and your pup was surrounded by those who loved him. i bet he wouldnt have preferred it any other way
@@WtF347 Maybe for humans, but the final moments are not overrated. As long as the dog wasn't passing alone and was being loved and cared for that is what is more important for the dog. Can you imagine being left alone to die without any love and care from your human?
Bless you for taking care of this elderly girl with her best interests at heart. She's clearly loved and has such a good nature, I hope she lives as comfortably as possible.
I'm sure the owners will appreciate the time and care you took to groom their baby. She looked so much better after you were done. Hope her final days are as comfortable as possible.
Vanessa, I loved that you reminded viewers that their comments can hurt and that they do not know Cali's quality of life at home. Personally speaking, we had a cat with cancer and we kept him with us far longer than some might because he was still living his cat life, hunting, eating, drinking, keeping the other animals in line. He was just getting thin, and for visitors, THEY felt bad, but my cat did not. They only saw a very small part of his daily life and imposed their own emotions on the situation to boot.
I had a rabbit who developed a brain parasite as a baby and about five months my vet recommended he be put to sleep. From what she saw at the vet office it was totally valid, but when I had him at home he was running around the room happy as anything despite the fact that his head was tilted almost to a ninety degree angle - it was extremely dramatic. In the end he lived another two years after that, I'm firmly convinced that he was quite brain damaged because he was by far the stupidest rabbit I have ever met but he was incredibly loving and sweet and I don't think he had any idea there was something wrong with him. Vets are experts but even they don't see the full picture, let alone people watching an edited UA-cam video of an animal being groomed.
Had a similar situation with one of my kitties. At 18, the vet said her kidney function was starting to go into worrisome territory. An x-ray showed she had a bullet lodged either in or near one of her kidneys. We adopted her when she was 2, so the only conclusion we could think of was that someone shot her at some point before we adopted her. Well, her vet said we should put her down, just for worrying kidney levels and a slug! She ate, drank, pooped, hunted, played, begged for treats, and policed the other cats in the house. From our perspective at home, she was totally fine! At 21, she developed severe arthritis in her hips and lower back. And at 23, we were no longer able to keep her pain under control and she couldn't lift her back half. The final decline happened in less than 2 weeks, and we made the decision to release her and had her put to sleep. That's 5 beautiful years she spent making our lives better. Vets don't see what we see at home.
This PSA is on almost all of her videos and there's always at least one know-it-all with zero compassion or empathy that comes in and has to make rude comments about the owners. Sometimes they'll even go after Vanessa too. Depends on the day and the animal I guess.
I've had 2 cats with cancer & one with a heart condition. One of the cats with cancer had been active & eating & socializing & seemed to be pain free right up until she died in her sleep. With the other two, I tried to go by what I would want if I were in their situation. With each of them, there came a day when they looked at me a certain way & I knew they were ready. Callie's parents will know when it's time & they will love her & continue giving her the best life she can have until then. Big hugs to Callie & her family.
As someone who also has joint issues, I feel you miss ma'am! I hope the warm water felt good at least, poor babygirl... Thank you for your kind care, Vanessa. ❤
You can see when she was being dried and her hips were bothered her having the dryer but was looooving the front area dried and the warmth probably felt so nice 🩷 I bet her arthritis is really bad in her hips. I wonder if a lower velocity in the lower back would be better for her! She did such a good job otherwise 🥹 and seemed to like the warmth.
What a beautiful old lady. As you said, her parents obviously take care of her very well, and asking you to groom her is a part of that good care. Thank you for taking care of these dogs!
I had an old Maltese that was near the end of her life. She was frail and matted as we were unable to get her groomed because of her frailty. The vet recommended a particular groomer who specialized in such dogs. I was so grateful. She was only with us a few more months but she at least was comfortable with all the mats gone. I am brought to tears when I see how wonderful you are with dogs in this condition. It was so many years ago that was had the dog i mentioned and I wish I remembered the name of that groomer. I’m so thankful for her.
She's a sweet old girl. As a fellow arthritis sufferer, I know her pain and limitations. Thank you, Vanessa, for helping out an old lady who needs a bit of an extra hand with her care. She's still so well-behaved, well-loved, and a pretty girl.
Kudos to the owners who have cared for two large breed dogs into their super senior years. Kudos to Vanessa as well for caring so much about this sweet dog's comfort. It's difficult watching your pet grow old. You are helpless to provide much relief. Though this was stressful, she should appreciate being clean and free of matting.
Her owners are standing by her in her geriatric stage of life. That's wonderful 🥰. So many dog owners won't see their pets all the way to The Rainbow Bridge. She's a beautiful and well loved old lady. Bless them for loving her so much❣️
It's sad but part of being a pet parent. My 17 year fur baby's last year of life was spent doing what we could to have her feeling good and happy. We cut down on grooming frequency and would only do it at home because she had dog Alzheimer's and she no longer tolerated it well (she used to love "spa day") and going anywhere else stressed her out far too much. We stopped grooming on the table with a loop and switched to brushing and clipping nails on a blanket on the floor, just as you did for this sweet baby. Vet visits, we only did what was required by law and stopped doing other things that weren't really needed for a pup at the end of their life. When she could no longer recognize me as her mom, would just stand frozen in place looking confused and she was clearly not having good quality of life anymore, we made the call and helped her to cross the rainbow bridge. I am blessed to have the memory of holding her as she went to sleep for the last time. I was there for all the days of her life and while it was so hard to say goodbye to her, I would do it all again.
TO THE OWNER OF THIS DOG:. You have one beautiful and amazing dog! If anyone gives yiyu grief send them my way and I'll make them feel as bad as they are trying to make you feel. it is obvious this dog is extremely loved and lovable and I am sure you will always do what is nest for jer and your family. Take care!!
I appreciate how you remind people how to be kind. I had an elderly chihuahua-terrier mix who, if I filmed her, would have made for a perfect abused-neglected dog in the SPCA commercials. She was a sweetheart! I miss her all the time.
As a dog owner, I can only imagine the distress her owners feel watching her in distress yet knowing how much she needs to be clean. Such a difficult decision but ultimately it's best for her to be clean. It's obvious how much they love her and take good care of her ❤
It’s tough being an old lady! I bet aside from sore legs she feels much better. Such a sweet old girl 🥰 You did such a great job thinking outside the box and accommodating what she could handle. Thank you for your compassion and wit and for sharing your work with us! I’m so glad her owners get to enjoy some sugar cookie snuggles with their precious girl
Thank you for grooming her with such care and for reminding people to be kind in the comments. I think many do not understand the reality of being a caretaker for a large dog with health issues such as arthritis and are consequently quick to judgment. You can tell how well loved she is by the condition she’s in and her fantastic temperament. ❤
You can absolutely tell she is well loved! It's moments like these you wish more than anything you could explain to the dog you're trying to help them. The work you do is amazing!
My baby lived to 15. Had very bad arthritis and cancer. He needed help grooming himself, so we had to try to find a groomer who would take him. Once we found one, they said he was a “ total peach.” Old pups need love and care too.
Outstanding that you provide such care. Towards the end of our boy’s life we couldn’t find one groomer in our area that had the equipment for elderly dogs. You are a wonderful ambassador for our furry family members.
The point about the dogs humping after grooms was an interesting point I'd never heard. Love learning new things about dogs from your videos. Love that the owners knew this already. That's great doggy care.
Only the dogs really know what's going on with the after bath humping sessions but this human has a theory: boy dogs are ever hopeful, even the neutered boys. Most of them have no sexual experience at all, so they have no idea what the sequence is and they have no idea what to expect. They live their lives hoping that the girl dog they live with will suddenly be in the mood three minutes from now (that's not how it works at all but they don't know that). Any change in the girl's scent may be *the signal* that she's ready for romance! A boy never knows, all he can do is give it a try and since he has not the faintest idea of what he's doing, it doesn't go the way he's hoping it will but a fellow has to try.
Yes it is usually because of the new unknown smell. Remember that humping is not just sexual for dogs, it is also a sign of dominance. That’s why lady dogs do it too. When smelling an unfamiliar dog- they can show dominance or aggression- to “show the other dog who is in charge.” It could also be a sexual thing, but not as common, especially in older, fixed dogs. But you could have a dog who is sexually triggered by certain smells or being in the presence of a new unknown dog. Some dogs have stronger sex drives.
I had a yorkie mix for 23 years and her later years were not the same, she had pain and her sight and hearing started to go in the last few years. She slept a lot. I knew her and I know she was happy and when her quality of life was gone, I knew. So, she peed on the floor a bit and she needed different attention but it was a good old age and we were both entitled to it and I wouldn't change a thing.
Thank you Vanessa for grooming this precious old girl. She deserves to be clean and comfortable in the twilight of her life. You are a god send to all the dogs and cats who have been turned away by other groomers.
Thank you for reminding me (and maybe others too) that this is not the full picture. Making a harsh judgement based on that can often lead to a wrong conclusion and unnecessary pain. Thank you for bringing that up and also caring for this sweet soul :)
Honestly she's very good for not being bathed for a year. We had Berners, they get filthy so quickly. And would matt so fast. Within two weeks our boys neck didn't look white at all. We had to check his paws behind his ears, his rump, and his neck daily. It was always mind blowing after a bath (shower, we didn't put him in a bathtub) how much he changed. He loved the blowdry too.
THANK you for this groom, and the reminder that you aren't seeing her in her best light. I think the owners love her so much that they sought you out for this groom. After losing their other dog, she is so very important to them. Best wishes to all.
I just started working in a pet salon and today I dried off an old bernie. He has bad hips so it consisted of a lot of giving him breaks, using the belly band, and only gently adjusting him if he was in a spot where I was worried he would fall. He was such a little sweetie the whole time and gave lots of kisses!
This really hit home for me. I have a Great Pyrenees/Anatolian Shepherd mix that has severe arthritis due to the surgeries she needed for both elbows and knees, all before the age of 2 years (about to turn 3 in March). The amount of care she receives on a daily basis is returned with her goofy personality and happiness, and that is the only validation we need to keep her with us for as long as possible. To the owners: I can tell Cali is happy and well loved, and your efforts show it on a multitude of levels. Vanessa: Thank you for sharing this, and the great work you do for the comfort and wellbeing of our furry family members.
All before the age of 2? That's really rough. I hope your dog is doing much better these days and happy birthday for March! May she spend many many years of happiness and adventures and live a very full filling life :)
@@geekychik86 Thank you! She is a fighter and that is helping us keep going. We started Librela shots in November and it has given Iris a new start with life. Feels like we have finally found a winning combo. 😁
What a sweet old girl! It is so difficult when owning a senior dog with people being so judgy! I have a 16yr old pom/chihuahua and everytime I get his nails done I feel like like have to explain that he is very much loved and his quality of life is good even though he limps and is a little tinier. Callie looks great and I hope that she enjoys the rest of her days!
Callie is such a sweetheart. It’s clear her family takes such great care of her and easy to see how much they love her. Thanks for your tenderness with this beautiful girl!
As someone who’s had a senior with bad allergies that needed almost daily baths I totally get it. Our poor girl had constant skin infections and the emotional toll on the daily baths was a lot! I wasn’t expecting that. She was miserable but I knew she felt better after. It’s a big job we take on to care for senior pups but we do it ❤ She’s clearly well loved and cared for ❤
Vanessa, if I were Cali's mom, I would be very grateful for the care you gave her. I have never watched you do a grooming without knowing you do your best. That is why I am fan!
What a beautiful older dog. It seems she has not lost her vocal ability in her golden years :) What a sweetie - it is so hard watching them get older. Arthritis is so common in older dogs and cats.. Thanks for taking good care of her, Vanessa.
I watched a lot of groomers and you are by far the best one!!Not just for grooming but for your kindness and communication with animals! It shows that you're not doing it just for views but for the genuine care! Thank you 💜
She looks great for a 13 year old dog. Her teeth tell you all you need to know and that smile. She's a good girl living a long and happy life. So happy that she has a loving home to have her golden years in until the day she goes to the big farm in the sky. Such a sweetie too.
Such a beautiful girl... I think once she realized you weren't hurting her with the dryer, she actually enjoyed it. It probably felt good to her. I've had senior dogs my entire life; these owners have done a wonderful job. It's very clear that she's very, very loved by her owners.
Vanessa you never cease to amaze me!! I was so touched by your gentle caring and concern for this beautiful senior lady. She was so lucky to have you to finally give her the good washing she needed. Her owners made the right decision taking her to you!!!!! It is obvious they truly love their fur baby dearly and are giving her the best life possible. Thank you for sharing this special type of grooming with us!
Missy Pup is lovely! I have had old dogs. It is difficult to see their bodies fail them. Fortunately, we have a trusted visiting hospice vet who helps send them painlessly on their way to the rainbow bridge. We always cry -- it is difficult to let them go, but the time does come. Blessings to Missy Pup's owners and thank you Vanessa for the sensitive grooming session you performed. 🐶❤🔥
Thank you so much for taking care of this lovely, sweet, senior lady. As the mother of a 15 year old white shepherd/yellow lab mix with severe mobility issues, I understand how difficult a groom it is on this dog. I watched this with tears in my eyes for her (and for my sweet boy that I lost shortly after his 15th birthday). The kindness and understanding that you take with these very senior dogs is so very much appreciated, not only the owners, but those of us who have been (or are in) this final stage of our beloved’s life.💕💕💕
I teared up watching this video for a bit. I lost my dog this summer at 13 (cancer/old age) and I remember the lengths I went to to keep him comfortable.
Thank you for reminding folks about our geriatric dogs. My little Andee, last April, was diagnosed with congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, and a heart murmur and placed on six medications. Many well meaning people advised me to put her down. I would smile and try not to say “When you get old, arthritic, with diseases, I’ll suggest YOU be put down, because your quality of life sucks.” I had eight more months with my girl and she passed in my arms. She never left my side and I wasn’t leaving hers! Each owner has to be free to make hard, hard choices concerning their beloved friend. It’s difficult to say goodbye. Thirteen years flew by too quickly. Vanessa, you’re the best!!! 🙌🏻
At a vet I worked at, the in-house groomer had a miniature Poodle client that was 21 years old. The dog came in once a month and barely moved the whole time. The groomer would always lay him in the sunshine after his groom. His owner was as ancient, tiny in her wheelchair, and the only time the dog moved was when he was placed in her lap. He would lift his head and wag his tail as she leaned over him and whispered to him. No one ever suggested he be put down. We were all rooting for him ❤
That’s beautiful. It’s sad how people can’t afford kindnesses to everyone like that. It costs nothing to have empathy.
wonderful. They made each other happy
That dog might just be reason owner holds on to life.
@@finngamesknudson1457the two could be holding on for each other
I have a 15 year old mini poodle and I totally understand this bond. Poodles are so incredibly loyal. Thank you so much for sharing this story 🥲
Life expectancies of Berners is only 7-10 yrs & this beautiful dame is 13. She’s been so lovingly cared for. Thank you, Vanessa, for the care you showed her
One of my former bosses I worked with Breed Bernese Mountain Dogs and they had one live exactly until 13 years of age. They did a raw meat diet keeping away from the kibble.
She's a mix so that's what's keeping her alive honestly
Your attitude towards animals is full of delicacy and profession. And your talking to them like partners, not just objects to be groomed is fascinating. I love animals the same way as you do and just am enchanted! 😮
The average life expectancy has a lot to do with a high COI, bad lifestyle and diet choices.
@@MarkLacThere’s a big anti-kibble group in the news right now. I saw one lady’s post that kibble k*lled her 13 year old Bernese, and that she should have done raw. I thought to myself - at 5 years above the life expectancy, you’d think she’d be singing the kibble’s praises!
The fact that she’s in so much pain, and didn’t show any aggression, is a testament to how well she’s loved ❤
you’re half right
she more nervous than in pain because our girl is having her lie down.
Do you really think aggression is related to how much love a dog is getting? If so, it's sad...
@@mgrr6744what do you correlate a dog’s attitude to then?
Animals can react to pain with aggressive behavior. They're not necessarily trying to be mean, they just hurt and that's the only way the know how to express it.
She's clearly loved and well cared for. Her teeth are in great shape too! Thanks for demonstrating a "care groom", for explaining the situation and for reminding commenters that there's more to these pups' stories than what you see in a grooming video!
Dogs inspires me.. My parents said if i get 70K followers They'd buy me a professional camera for recording..begging u guys , literally
Begging..
@@namantherockstarill follow you
And, youre close to your goal! Hope you get that camera!!
Having a slightly pragmatic view on the topic (farm...), I still think a short video of this dog in a stressful situation can't possibly give me grounds to have any opinion. The owner and the vet knows what's right, everyone on the internet HAS to blindly trust them.
@@namantherockstar Get out of here you melvin. Stop leeching off other people's channels and earn subscribers yourself. Embarrassing.
She has a lovely temperament, despite her pain...no snapping or hostile behavior at all...what a sweet old gal. Her people are obviously doing well by her...
She's definitely a drama queen, but this beautiful, gentle animal gracing the world with her presence for well past the generally-expected lifespan of her breed can do what she likes! Bernies are so pretty and pleasant to be around: I once went into a small shop and one was minding the counter while his humom was out, just big enough to peer over the counter and smile at me while at his post. She shortly came back withTWO MORE in tow! Three absolute lumps of dog taking up almost half the shop, and they were all very friendly.
@@MrEvan312 In pain more than being dramatic
I suffer from arthritis in my hands wrists and shoulders - I feel for this puppy and hope no-one suggests either one of us be put down - the pain sucks but l still have life in me and so does this beautiful beloved pet
Tell that to Canada's MAID...look it up...despicable.
Yeah, I have severe rheumatoid arthritis in my whole body and this is not a good quality of life. The pain is so awful and I mourn my life before it. Its clear the dog is really loved and cared for!
@brittneylewis3526 same, really puts things into perspective.
@@katie7748tell me you don’t live in Canada or know the actual rules about maid why don’t ya.
M.A.I.D.: Medical assistance in death; is for people who would rather not live anymore. It’s the persons choice and it’s not taken lightly. It’s a months long process to even apply. And you have to be terminal (on your deathbed and are dying) to apply. you don’t have to like it. You do however have to respect someone else’s wishes.
Anyways, I had an old arthritic dog too, 13 when he passed. Ninja was the sweetest Bernese I’ve ever met. Got a lil grumpy in his final year or two. But we still loved him till he needed to be put down because of a G.I. bleed. I helped him up everyday, took him outside and let him get his sun, then eventually herd him back inside when his coat got too hot. He was my brother. I was with him when he passed. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I hope you have someone who loves you that much too, everyone deserves it.
@@katie7748from how i understand it, canada’s MAID system tends to “target” those with mental health issues. if you’re suicidal, you now have a legal means to end your life. they wouldn’t put you down for having arthritis, but if you were depressed and wanted to die, you could apply to the MAID program and say, “my arthritis makes my life unbearable, i want to commit medically assisted suicide.” it doesn’t matter whether or not the arthritis is actually the sole element that’s making you depressed
The fact that Callie is 13 years old shows the love and care of her parents! Vanessa you did a great job in a difficult groom.
Agreed, 13 years on a large breed like that is fantastic. It's a sad reality that their lifespans are much shorter, 8-10 years isn't out of the ordinary at all.
My dog is 14-15yo
To the owners... if you're reading this, know that you are appreciated for the love you have for your beautiful dog, and you chose the perfect groomer to make her clean and happy. Wishing you as much time as possible with your sweet baby. xoxo from Oregon USA
She was such a good girl
She was a lovely girl! So beautiful and so sweet. ❤
Well said was my thoughts too❤
I agree too! 😊
I know what it is like to have a furr baby hurting.. Only you can really make the call what is best for your girl...A bit of advice with a older dog. I found having a hand held shower head and putting my furr baby's in the tub then keeping them in the middle of my legs with me in the tub helps when I wash them... I also like to give my dogs a bath outside with hand held shower that I had a plumber mod to attach to the water faucet.... Keep loving your baby girl.. From Jon in Texas USA
18:30 ~ She really seemed to like the sugar cookie scent. Sweet thing. She and her owners must surely feel a fair amount of relief.
You can clearly see how healthy (apart from arthritis) and cared for she is. Obviously a well loved dog. And she was so well behaved, despite being in pain from her joints. Vanessa did such a good job.
She is clearly adored by her owners if her coat, her teeth, and her temperament are anything to go by, but also she's 13! BMD's average life span is 8 years. She's a gorgeous older lady. I hope her pain is bearable and she continues to be doted on for the foreseeable future. Thank you for taking such gentle care of her
I noticed those teeth too! They look fantastic, esp for her age!
The average life span of Berners is a little deceptive. Berners have a massive problem with cancer, probably because many of them are born with one or more of the 14 known onco-control genes turned off. If they make it to age 7, they are highly likely to make it to 12 to 14 years old because those are the ones that did not die young of cancer.
It's like the lifespan estimates for humans in prehistoric times. Yes, the "average" life span was only 30 to 35 years (depending on which study you look at), which makes it sounds like no one ever knew anyone who made it to 60 or 70 years old. But if you look at the average lifespan of people who survived to age 20, then the average lifespan is 70 years old--plenty of people knew 70+ year old people because it was pretty normal to live to be 70. Taking out the effects of infant and childhood mortality shifts the average lifespan dramatically.
@@GrainneDhub-ll6vw Cancer isn't the only problem, hip dysplasia is what usually gets my dogs (beyond repair) and arthritis.
@@shadownightguard Add in Addison's disease as well. Hip and elbow dysplasia can often successfully be managed well into the geriatric stage of life (I started out in German Shepherds, another breed with a high incidence of dysplasia) but cancer tends to kill dogs pretty rapidly. Addison's can be managed with medication but it's a constant balancing act and makes the dog more vulnerable to things like diseases and infections.
Oh, and let's not forget bloat (gastric torsion) and progressive retinal atrophy.
Berners are adorable--I have a friend who is really into them--but owning them in a calculated risk.
I would say cancer has been the least of my berners problems. It has always been consistently hip dysplasia and arthritis. These are often without repair. When I had a newfoundland, her hip dysplasia was so bad ( 100%, 70%) that she died at 10 months. My animals have never had any of the other diseases, just these two, it's a nightmare in my household.
So often you hear a dog complain and think "What a drama queen." but here I think she is genuinely hurting due to her issues (and not anything you did).
huskies are the biggest drama queens and almost every time they're just throwing a fit
I love how you handled telling people to be kind. I have gone through a very tough time when my beloved beagle "Scout" could no longer stand due arthritis in his hips. It was a very difficult decision to have him put down. I was very fortunate to have found a vet who would come to my home and let him go in my arms. Your kindness in grooming shows a lot about you as a person.
Wow--what a kind vet to show you and your dog kindness in his final moments: at home, in the arms of his favorite person. Sending you lots of love and healing
@@v_is_geekingDog not cat, a beagle is a dog 🤦♀️
They probably read it as bengal or similar @@lmaree200886 … nothing to face palm anyone about on a channel that should be fostering kindness to others. Not everyone is a native speaker or familiar with dog breeds on here.
I'm so sorry for your loss but I'm sure Scout was glad that you were there in the end. I'm sure he's with you in spirit.
Let my beagle go in July. I'm sorry for your loss, they really are the best.
As someone who has elderly dogs. I completely sympathize with the owners. Last year, we lost one of our dogs who was about 14. We tried our best to keep her groomed and bathed. And a lot of her grooming was just comfort care at that point.
One of my dogs, at the end of her life, would barely eat. I tried everything I could think of to keep her going. I'm pretty sure she had dementia.
She was thin and her coat looked awful. I'm sure people thought I was neglecting her, but I did the best I could.
@@20thcenturyrelic My dog (who left us this summer at 13) had severe allergies. His coat would be patchy from hot spots and skin infections, he might've stunk a little etc and I'm sure some of my neighbours thought we were neglecting him too-- when the damn dog ate better than I did. You can't really judge how a pet is being treated until you know the situation.
I understand that, my red tabby, was like that, skin & bones for about a yr, was eating pretty well, just not putting on weight, till finally stopped, & abt week later passed, but had good life , of 18yrs . @@20thcenturyrelic
@20thcenturyrelic I think it's hard for some people to understand taking care of a dog till the end of their life, there's a reason why a lot of older dogs are just dropped at shelters or dropped in the middle of nowhere. I am sure your dog was very grateful for the comfort. You were able to provide her. She was surrounded by family who loves her in surroundings that were as familiar as they were going to be if she had dementia. We have about 2 elderly dogs who are proaching probably their last couple of years, but we're going to stay by them and give them the best life we can. Taking care of elderly dogs looks drastically different from the care of puppies and adult dogs. And sometimes it's not pretty, but we do it because we love our animals..
She is a beautiful dog. Sweet face but her eyes look so distressed.
"I know this is sad but we all get old..." Spot on! I think both of you did great 🥰
Love this senior lady, bless her heart. Thank you for grooming this grand girl. She turned out beautiful, great groom.
It takes 2 people and a sheet or large towel to help her up. We were through the same thing with our 18 year old golden retriever.
Poor dawg.
It looked like she got treated well by her family, and she presumably had a happy and healthy life, what a blessing.
Dogs inspires me.. My parents said if i get 70K followers They'd buy me a professional camera for recording..begging u guys , literally
Begging..
I love how compassionate you are about making sure that 1. People are not jerks, and 2. That you take on every single dog and do what you know is best for the dogs.
None of that is true. She can do nothing to make sure people are not jerks. She can even turn the comments off, the people who are going to be jerks are just going to be jerks elsewhere. At the same time, YOU no longer get to comment. So many more people are being kind here; to turn off the jerks, is to turn off the kindness. And she doesn't take all dogs. And she doesn't always know what is best. She is great, for doing what she does, and the way she does it. But she is just doing what everyone else is doing, or most of us anyway; she is doing her best.
@@danielduncan6806
And doing our best has to suffice for others. No point chastising someone for not doing "better than their best"... that's both disrespectful and a gross case of wishful thinking.
@danielduncan6806 Why do I no longer get to comment? When I made my comment, I was referecing the comments she made about how owners see these comments whether they are negative or positive and requesting that her audience be kind.
I have seen all of her videos and the shift in her content to take on more difficult grooms. I think that is incredibly compassionate. She may be doing the same grooming job that everyone in her chosen field but she takes on a lot of animals that have been turned away over and over again. I have also heard her say I am just trying to do what is best for this dog or cat.
So I'm not quite sure why you are calling me out.
@@Pinkorchid251985 Well, to turn off the the bad people, you have to turn off the good people too.
That is her only means to truly getting rid of the bad people; to turn off the comments altogether.
They could be moderated, but moderation cannot catch them all.
So in the end you're left with total shutdown.
So you either find a way to get along with the bad people, or everyone gets wrecked.
His comment to you was very confusing to me. Your original comment was lovely! I'll never understand this "need" some people have to be ugly to strangers on the internet. ***hugs***@Pinkorchid251985
TO THE OWNERS OF THIS DOG: she is absolutely beautiful!!!! What a great job raising and caring for her! Thanks for sharing her with us; I thoroughly enjoyed her singing the song of her people!!! 😂🥰🥰🥰
Palliative care for a dog nearing the end of their journey, has to be the sweetest gesture I've seen you do. You've done many sweet and kind things but I think this one deserves 1st place. ❤
Palliative groom care for dogs are a rarity with a lot of the grooming facilities. Many just won't deal with it.
@@HensOnlyprobably even if they would want to do it they still have to consider the liability and the fact that they need to get dogs in and out as quickly as possible
Amen to that.
@@HensOnlyit's unfortunate. In the nursing field palliative care is just as important as every other type of care.
Hey, it's actually a niche market!
Someone could focus on old, infirm animals. I would think there would be a market for that?
The Canadian way of telling people to shut up: "if you have those opinions it would be best to just kept them to yourselves.". Thank you, Vanessa for that reminder. 👏👏👏👏👏 Cali is a sweetheart. Sending ❤ to her and her owners.
Here in The South we say "if you ain't got nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all"😅
She's beautiful. She has to feel better for the groom.
As a Canadian myself, we are passive-aggressive to a fault.
@@antisocialangel_182So if the TRUTH could be hard to hear, you encourage folks to lie tobe kind??? I'd rather people be honest. Guess I better stay in the north 🤔🤔
@@ronallen6578
You can tell an ugly truth nicely, but not saying anything at all isn't lying, either. Yes, PLEASE STAY in the north if that's the way you're going to think. We prefer to be kind, unless they've given us a reason to not be. 💗
We got pretty misty-eyed watching this. Everyone - animal and human - deserves this care and compassion as they near the end of their life. Thank you for taking good care of her.
Poor baby. She’s in pain. I understand completely! Arthritis is just ratty!!! But she’s not aggressive, just in such pain. You’re so careful with her. She’s so beautiful! Bless you!!!
Yep, I have rheumatoid arthritis and arthritis in my back and hips. It's incredibly painful.
Understand! Praying for you.
I'm pretty sure that I am more snippy with my arthritis pain. I think she deserves more treats 😁
I think she is very very loved by her family. And clearly Vanessa is the best person to groomer her. So wonderful that they found each other. She seems to have a lot of love to give. May God bless her and give her many more happy healthy years
People need to remember too that she is likely a pampered princess at home who has lots of cozy resting places and very low stress. I’ll bet she’s a quiet, comfortable and happy girl in the comfort of her own home. ❤❤❤
What a lovely little lady, I’m glad she’s clean and smelling nice now!
Her whining sounds like a human.
This is so healing to watch. I've been feeling really guilty because I can't groom our large older dog like I used to. It's good to know that putting his comfort above the groom is the right thing.
I definitely understand that feeling. My 14 yr old long-haired GSD hasn't been bathed in 2 years because she fights and falls and ends up in more pain. Waterless shampoo does wonders at least 😂
This makes me sad remembering my lab's final bath.
I miss that dog with everything I have. He was my partner, always by my side, and now that he's gone I find myself not wanting to do the things I used to love because he's not here.
My heart goes out to her owners, and I'm going to go cry into my pillow now.
😢
I'm sorry for the loss of your lab😢
I am terribly sorry for the loss of your Labrador. Losing any dog that was a part of your life and family is the worst feeling and a lot of us on here understand.
So sorry for your loss.
I had a lab female. She went to paradise in 2017. I still think about how she enjoyed car rides and playing with a ball. Labs are so awesome. I am blessed to have been loved by her.
Who’s with me when I say who can resist Callie’s adorable face! I am sure that her human family love her. Thanks Vanessa for always putting the dog’s or cat’s well-being first in the way you groom them.
She is a beautiful dog! Her coat is really gorgeous.
I had a Chocolate lab named Klowe, she made it to an amazing 13 years old with minimal issues. She was fully mobile up until a week before she passed. What i dont think some people realize is your body can go before youre ready too. Its heartbreaking to see a family member fully aware of everything happening but unable to move or control anything but their head.
We had to have her euthanized, she refused to quit. If a dog loves their family and their home they will gladly deal with pain for that. Its just on us to make accomidations for them until it gets to the point we have to take action. Id say this beautiful girl is full of life and still happy, heres to many more years for her
As someone that suffers from rhumatoid arthritis as well as osteoarthritis i can certainly feel her pain. I hope her family is doing something to manage her pain. Thank you Vanessa for beinf so kind and gentle with her ❤️
Me too I am in a flair at the moment, bless her I hope her pain is managed, I am so sad for her.😢
My fur baby is 14, she has arthritis very bad as do I. She is on Cosiquin. I so understand the complexities of this groom and the snide comments that happen especially those saying put her down..etc. You can tell she is loved and cared for ❤ don't judge the owners that take excellent care of the senior dogs please and Vanessa is excellent and so caring and loving with her 😊
I am sure she has caring owners who will be doing all they can for their precious pet xxx
Such a sweet baby. I am sure she is loved very much.
Dogs inspires me.. My parents said if i get 70K followers They'd buy me a professional camera for recording..begging u guys , literally
Begging..
Clean, comfy and minimal tail tangles, just the ticket for this sweet old lady. I bet she slept well after that bless her. If her owners do read this: please ignore the haters, we know you love her and are doing whats right for her! we only see the few minutes of footage here, so we're ignorant of a lot of info. Most of us here respect and understand that fact, so please don't listen to the numpties of the world!
The poor girl just crying and trembling but trying her best....❤❤❤
At the end my poor old girl could barely stand. She lived in my bedroom upstairs because she could not get down the stairs. She was also incontinent so my whole bedroom was covered with pee pads. It was a ton of work. But she was still very happy and I just couldn’t put her down. When the time came I had to get help to get her downstairs and to the car. We care for them as long as possible because we love them but your dog lets you know when they are done. We just have to listen.
Very true. We had to put our beloved Shih Tzu down in November. He got some mysterious illness that no vet could determine with confidence, he yo-yoed between being healthy and near death over the course of a month. We think now it was a heart disease. On his final day, he was done with being at the vet. He barked and howled all day, whereas he's usually complacent. The vet urged that perhaps his time was up, as he was oxygen dependant and wasn't showing signs of improvement, but we weren't sure because of the yo-yoing and we were hoping he just needed more time to recover. We decided to let him decide and see for ourselves if he was done. It took less than a minute for us all to see that he wanted to go. It was the hardest thing we've ever done, yet one of the easiest decisions to make for his sake once we chose to listen to what he was telling us. I still miss him to pieces!
We really do our best for them
So true I remember the last year worried the first time I had to take her to the vet due to not being able to walk but she pulled through and a friend told me when it’s time she will let me know and she did. The last time she again couldn’t move at all. She looked tired and had lost that sparkle in her eye and gave me a helpless look. We had to carry her out in a blanket between us in the car to take her to the vet. I told my kids to come kiss her and hug her as we knew this was it. Crazy thing right before the injection as we were holding her she got that old sparkle back briefly and was almost puppy like in her affections and kisses. Like she knew we were honoring her wish to let her go. She was my first kid lol and I still 3 years later miss her terribly. Maxine was the gold standard for us for sure.
Thank you all for sharing your stories ❤. Your pups were well loved, they jad to know that. The aged pup Vanessa groomed in the video looks like she has quite a few good days in her still, and her owners take great care of her by the look of things.
I had to put down my beloved Miles 2 years ago, he did some of the same things you all were talking about, lost mobility, lost continence, couldn't lay down without rolling onto his front shoulder super awkwardly, battled mid to late stage kidney disease, had a weird growth near his tail, and just generally lost that sparkle in his eye. He howled and yelled terribly the night before we took him to the vet that last time, I think because he was so upset about not being able to walk and in a lot of pain, but we were able to get him to quieten down for a little while was to rest on top of me with his head on my heart and eventually sleep a little.
He was a 16 year old tawny Eurasier. He was so loving, and I still miss him, but he let us know when it was time to go. He also got to see his old owners, my in-laws, before we took him to his kind vet for what turned out to be his last day with us. Miss you Miles. Miss you a lot buddie ❤.
My dog resembles this. I’m not getting a lot of sleep but she’s worth it. I hate that she’s in discomfort but she still loves pets and cuddles, treats and very gentle ambles around the yard. I just hope that I’ll know when the time is right to let her go.
@@Susanonwow You will. 💜
Who would have thought I’d cry watching a dog be groomed! This was such a touching display of kindness.
I know!!! Me too, I was wishing I could be there and pet her to comfort her as she's getting clean. ❤❤❤❤❤ To help Vanessa do any little thing she'd ask just so I could spend some time with this wonderful and caring old girl.
Your not alone, got to me too.
No matter, it’s always about the love. Thank you, Vanessa,and thank you Callie’s
family.❤❤❤❤❤❤
I also want to hug Callie and the owners... so sad!!! very good job Vanessa
Same.
Damn she's got some husky genes in there! But an adorable senior girl, all the same! ❤
As an owner of a 13 year old dog I can attest that this beautiful old lady is well taken care of and the owners should be proud of how well she is given her age and condition. The love between the owners and the dog is undeniable, and to the girl with the dogs you really are a solution for many of these dogs and it makes me so happy to see someone who adapts and cares for these dogs that may be a little more challenging due to their health conditions. Proud of you and keep up the good work because I am sure many owners and pups are very grateful!
Thank you for taking care of these challenging cases and being so compassionate. You really are the best. My 94 year old father just moved in with us and I now have him watching your videos with me on tv and he is loving it. I get my love of animals from him.
*father? ^^
@@ArDeeMee edited. Thanks.
@@ArDeeMee A father is the male parent of a child.
@@selw0nk I lost it when I read this. Wonder what rd2680 thought father meant :)
@@cherylhurst7093 Please notice that the comment was edited. What do you think happened here, now that you know😊?
A vet once told my family about our oldest dog that their quality of life was based on their 8 favorite things. And as long as they could still do the majority of their favorite things then you didn’t need to worry about a horrible decision like having to put them down. This dog is clearly very well loved, and while some things might be hard for her now, she probably still has plenty of her favorite things available to her. Ultimately I wish them as happy and long as life that she has left with them.
As the caretaker of five senior dogs, I appreciate the kindness, care, and compassion you display in all your grooms, but especially ones like this. Thanks for explaining a comfort groom also. I love watching your videos. ❤
Thank you for explaining the details of a senior groom. I totally understand why other groomers had to refuse her. The risk of injury is enormous. Great job as always. I'm sure, despite her fussing, she really appreciates being nice and clean. ❤
Yes, she even looked happier at the end.
@@Lorrainecats She certainly did ♥️
She really seemed to relax once she got over the shock of the loud sound of the dryer. By the time you were done, she looked quite pleased with herself & her day at the "Salon". 💝🐾🐾😸✌️
Thankyou so much Vanessa for being so kind with Cali. We love her,she spends most of her time since losing her dog brother with my family and I.
I had an excellent groomer for both my dogs who would actually bring her grooming stuff outdoors to accommodate them as neither could do stairs Thanks so much to Jackie. However it reall became to much for her. 19:29 19:29
Helen we can see Cali is really loved and cared for by your family. She is a beautiful old lady and I want to Thank You for allowing Vanessa to share your baby and her groom with us. Sending hugs to Cali and you from UK xoxo
Cali is gorgeous!! It is obvious how much she is loved. ❤.
I am sorry for the loss of your other dog. Cali is a beautiful and happy dog who is clearly loved and well cared for 🐾🥰❤
Sorry for the loss of her brother. She's a beautiful and great tempered girl. Hoping you have a long and happy future together.
@HelenWhite-xq2fu You all are doing a fantastic job with Calli, she is 13 when the average age for her breed and size is about 8! That is a total WOW! You are a great dog mom!
Our elder dog passed away during a groom. We knew his time was coming (he was 16) and a groom would be difficult, but he needed it and we weren't able to provide it ourselves. We had a mobile groomer who was great come and take him in a van but unfortunately he didn't make it. We in no way blame the groomer but we do still feel guilty for how he passed- we just couldn't take the smell anymore and he had diarrhea and indoor accidents that just made him stink. It's hard when they get old.
Final moments are overrated, it's the whole life that counts. The most important thing is that he was loved, 16 years old, that's really impressive.
@@WtF347 we actually were very fortunate to be able to hold him in our front lawn as he passed away. The groomer had stopped the groom after washing and mid dry and notified us that something was wrong. So we were thankful for that!
@@peckc16 even tho going in the middle of a groom isnt ideal, that groomer was the MVP. and your pup was surrounded by those who loved him. i bet he wouldnt have preferred it any other way
@@peckc16what an adept and knowledgeable groomer. May your babies memory be for a blessing 🩷
@@WtF347 Maybe for humans, but the final moments are not overrated. As long as the dog wasn't passing alone and was being loved and cared for that is what is more important for the dog. Can you imagine being left alone to die without any love and care from your human?
Bless you for taking care of this elderly girl with her best interests at heart. She's clearly loved and has such a good nature, I hope she lives as comfortably as possible.
I'm sure the owners will appreciate the time and care you took to groom their baby. She looked so much better after you were done. Hope her final days are as comfortable as possible.
Vanessa, I loved that you reminded viewers that their comments can hurt and that they do not know Cali's quality of life at home.
Personally speaking, we had a cat with cancer and we kept him with us far longer than some might because he was still living his cat life, hunting, eating, drinking, keeping the other animals in line. He was just getting thin, and for visitors, THEY felt bad, but my cat did not. They only saw a very small part of his daily life and imposed their own emotions on the situation to boot.
I had a rabbit who developed a brain parasite as a baby and about five months my vet recommended he be put to sleep. From what she saw at the vet office it was totally valid, but when I had him at home he was running around the room happy as anything despite the fact that his head was tilted almost to a ninety degree angle - it was extremely dramatic. In the end he lived another two years after that, I'm firmly convinced that he was quite brain damaged because he was by far the stupidest rabbit I have ever met but he was incredibly loving and sweet and I don't think he had any idea there was something wrong with him. Vets are experts but even they don't see the full picture, let alone people watching an edited UA-cam video of an animal being groomed.
Been there with too many dogs and cats. All the best.
Had a similar situation with one of my kitties. At 18, the vet said her kidney function was starting to go into worrisome territory. An x-ray showed she had a bullet lodged either in or near one of her kidneys. We adopted her when she was 2, so the only conclusion we could think of was that someone shot her at some point before we adopted her. Well, her vet said we should put her down, just for worrying kidney levels and a slug! She ate, drank, pooped, hunted, played, begged for treats, and policed the other cats in the house. From our perspective at home, she was totally fine! At 21, she developed severe arthritis in her hips and lower back. And at 23, we were no longer able to keep her pain under control and she couldn't lift her back half. The final decline happened in less than 2 weeks, and we made the decision to release her and had her put to sleep. That's 5 beautiful years she spent making our lives better. Vets don't see what we see at home.
This PSA is on almost all of her videos and there's always at least one know-it-all with zero compassion or empathy that comes in and has to make rude comments about the owners. Sometimes they'll even go after Vanessa too. Depends on the day and the animal I guess.
I've had 2 cats with cancer & one with a heart condition. One of the cats with cancer had been active & eating & socializing & seemed to be pain free right up until she died in her sleep. With the other two, I tried to go by what I would want if I were in their situation. With each of them, there came a day when they looked at me a certain way & I knew they were ready. Callie's parents will know when it's time & they will love her & continue giving her the best life she can have until then. Big hugs to Callie & her family.
As someone who also has joint issues, I feel you miss ma'am! I hope the warm water felt good at least, poor babygirl... Thank you for your kind care, Vanessa. ❤
You can see when she was being dried and her hips were bothered her having the dryer but was looooving the front area dried and the warmth probably felt so nice 🩷 I bet her arthritis is really bad in her hips. I wonder if a lower velocity in the lower back would be better for her! She did such a good job otherwise 🥹 and seemed to like the warmth.
"It's a beautiful song, thank you" 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
What a beautiful old lady. As you said, her parents obviously take care of her very well, and asking you to groom her is a part of that good care. Thank you for taking care of these dogs!
13 years old is remarkable for a Berner. I lost my first at six and blessed that my boy now is 9 and doing well.
I had an old Maltese that was near the end of her life. She was frail and matted as we were unable to get her groomed because of her frailty. The vet recommended a particular groomer who specialized in such dogs. I was so grateful. She was only with us a few more months but she at least was comfortable with all the mats gone. I am brought to tears when I see how wonderful you are with dogs in this condition. It was so many years ago that was had the dog i mentioned and I wish I remembered the name of that groomer. I’m so thankful for her.
She's a sweet old girl. As a fellow arthritis sufferer, I know her pain and limitations. Thank you, Vanessa, for helping out an old lady who needs a bit of an extra hand with her care. She's still so well-behaved, well-loved, and a pretty girl.
Kudos to the owners who have cared for two large breed dogs into their super senior years. Kudos to Vanessa as well for caring so much about this sweet dog's comfort. It's difficult watching your pet grow old. You are helpless to provide much relief. Though this was stressful, she should appreciate being clean and free of matting.
Her owners are standing by her in her geriatric stage of life. That's wonderful 🥰. So many dog owners won't see their pets all the way to The Rainbow Bridge. She's a beautiful and well loved old lady. Bless them for loving her so much❣️
to the owners: you're doing a wonderful job of caring for your little lady, she's a gorgeous girl and we can see how loved she is
This is a beautiful dog and she seems so sweet. Well done on a challenging groom for a sweet old lady. I hope her parents enjoy their time with her
It's sad but part of being a pet parent. My 17 year fur baby's last year of life was spent doing what we could to have her feeling good and happy. We cut down on grooming frequency and would only do it at home because she had dog Alzheimer's and she no longer tolerated it well (she used to love "spa day") and going anywhere else stressed her out far too much. We stopped grooming on the table with a loop and switched to brushing and clipping nails on a blanket on the floor, just as you did for this sweet baby. Vet visits, we only did what was required by law and stopped doing other things that weren't really needed for a pup at the end of their life. When she could no longer recognize me as her mom, would just stand frozen in place looking confused and she was clearly not having good quality of life anymore, we made the call and helped her to cross the rainbow bridge. I am blessed to have the memory of holding her as she went to sleep for the last time. I was there for all the days of her life and while it was so hard to say goodbye to her, I would do it all again.
This is shout out to all owners who bring their fur babies to these appointments and are featured on That Girl with the Dogs. You are awesome
What a beautiful dog! She seems to be settling into the groom ok (at the 10:02 mark). She's clearly well loved, happy, and getting a nice groom.
To get to 13yrs old is testament to the owners and how much they care for their beloved pet. Great groom considering the dog’s arthritis ❤️
TO THE OWNER OF THIS DOG:. You have one beautiful and amazing dog! If anyone gives yiyu grief send them my way and I'll make them feel as bad as they are trying to make you feel. it is obvious this dog is extremely loved and lovable and I am sure you will always do what is nest for jer and your family. Take care!!
I appreciate how you remind people how to be kind. I had an elderly chihuahua-terrier mix who, if I filmed her, would have made for a perfect abused-neglected dog in the SPCA commercials. She was a sweetheart! I miss her all the time.
As a dog owner, I can only imagine the distress her owners feel watching her in distress yet knowing how much she needs to be clean. Such a difficult decision but ultimately it's best for her to be clean. It's obvious how much they love her and take good care of her ❤
It’s tough being an old lady! I bet aside from sore legs she feels much better. Such a sweet old girl 🥰 You did such a great job thinking outside the box and accommodating what she could handle. Thank you for your compassion and wit and for sharing your work with us! I’m so glad her owners get to enjoy some sugar cookie snuggles with their precious girl
Thank you for grooming her with such care and for reminding people to be kind in the comments. I think many do not understand the reality of being a caretaker for a large dog with health issues such as arthritis and are consequently quick to judgment. You can tell how well loved she is by the condition she’s in and her fantastic temperament. ❤
You can absolutely tell she is well loved! It's moments like these you wish more than anything you could explain to the dog you're trying to help them. The work you do is amazing!
What a sweet girl ❤ You can see the puppy demeanor in her senior eyes
My baby lived to 15. Had very bad arthritis and cancer. He needed help grooming himself, so we had to try to find a groomer who would take him. Once we found one, they said he was a “ total peach.” Old pups need love and care too.
Outstanding that you provide such care. Towards the end of our boy’s life we couldn’t find one groomer in our area that had the equipment for elderly dogs. You are a wonderful ambassador for our furry family members.
The point about the dogs humping after grooms was an interesting point I'd never heard. Love learning new things about dogs from your videos. Love that the owners knew this already. That's great doggy care.
I've never heard of this either, does anyone know why this happens? Is it the smell? It's quite interesting.
@@Dustin_BinsWhy would you be interested in dogs humping??😮😮😮
@@Dustin_BinsI'm curious too, never heard of it before.
Only the dogs really know what's going on with the after bath humping sessions but this human has a theory: boy dogs are ever hopeful, even the neutered boys. Most of them have no sexual experience at all, so they have no idea what the sequence is and they have no idea what to expect. They live their lives hoping that the girl dog they live with will suddenly be in the mood three minutes from now (that's not how it works at all but they don't know that). Any change in the girl's scent may be *the signal* that she's ready for romance! A boy never knows, all he can do is give it a try and since he has not the faintest idea of what he's doing, it doesn't go the way he's hoping it will but a fellow has to try.
Yes it is usually because of the new unknown smell. Remember that humping is not just sexual for dogs, it is also a sign of dominance. That’s why lady dogs do it too. When smelling an unfamiliar dog- they can show dominance or aggression- to “show the other dog who is in charge.”
It could also be a sexual thing, but not as common, especially in older, fixed dogs. But you could have a dog who is sexually triggered by certain smells or being in the presence of a new unknown dog. Some dogs have stronger sex drives.
I had a yorkie mix for 23 years and her later years were not the same, she had pain and her sight and hearing started to go in the last few years. She slept a lot. I knew her and I know she was happy and when her quality of life was gone, I knew. So, she peed on the floor a bit and she needed different attention but it was a good old age and we were both entitled to it and I wouldn't change a thing.
You did an awesome job for the senior dog. Thank you for explaining everything as you went, as you usually do 🙂
Thank you Vanessa for grooming this precious old girl. She deserves to be clean and comfortable in the twilight of her life. You are a god send to all the dogs and cats who have been turned away by other groomers.
such a well-loved and well-trained girl. i can tell she’s seen some days of cuddling and playing-despite her pain, she seems so content and happy.
The poor honey. You were so kind. May this sweet pup have many comfy days ahead.
Wonderful groom for a sweet girl who, I’m sure, is indeed a pampered princess at home. Big hugs to this super senior!
She is a beautiful old girl and very clearly loved.
Thank you for reminding me (and maybe others too) that this is not the full picture. Making a harsh judgement based on that can often lead to a wrong conclusion and unnecessary pain. Thank you for bringing that up and also caring for this sweet soul :)
Poor girl! Thank you for being so considerate of her condition, Vanessa. You're the best!
Honestly she's very good for not being bathed for a year. We had Berners, they get filthy so quickly. And would matt so fast. Within two weeks our boys neck didn't look white at all. We had to check his paws behind his ears, his rump, and his neck daily. It was always mind blowing after a bath (shower, we didn't put him in a bathtub) how much he changed. He loved the blowdry too.
THANK you for this groom, and the reminder that you aren't seeing her in her best light. I think the owners love her so much that they sought you out for this groom. After losing their other dog, she is so very important to them. Best wishes to all.
Bless you for taking on the older, more infirm dogs. You are truly an angel.
I just started working in a pet salon and today I dried off an old bernie. He has bad hips so it consisted of a lot of giving him breaks, using the belly band, and only gently adjusting him if he was in a spot where I was worried he would fall. He was such a little sweetie the whole time and gave lots of kisses!
This really hit home for me. I have a Great Pyrenees/Anatolian Shepherd mix that has severe arthritis due to the surgeries she needed for both elbows and knees, all before the age of 2 years (about to turn 3 in March). The amount of care she receives on a daily basis is returned with her goofy personality and happiness, and that is the only validation we need to keep her with us for as long as possible.
To the owners: I can tell Cali is happy and well loved, and your efforts show it on a multitude of levels.
Vanessa: Thank you for sharing this, and the great work you do for the comfort and wellbeing of our furry family members.
All before the age of 2? That's really rough. I hope your dog is doing much better these days and happy birthday for March! May she spend many many years of happiness and adventures and live a very full filling life :)
@@geekychik86 Thank you! She is a fighter and that is helping us keep going. We started Librela shots in November and it has given Iris a new start with life. Feels like we have finally found a winning combo. 😁
I hope her remaining days are filled with joy and comfort. You certainly helped with her comfort.
I'm two seconds into this video and cannot get over how sweet this poor old girl is ❤️
What a sweet old girl! It is so difficult when owning a senior dog with people being so judgy! I have a 16yr old pom/chihuahua and everytime I get his nails done I feel like like have to explain that he is very much loved and his quality of life is good even though he limps and is a little tinier. Callie looks great and I hope that she enjoys the rest of her days!
Callie is such a sweetheart. It’s clear her family takes such great care of her and easy to see how much they love her. Thanks for your tenderness with this beautiful girl!
As someone who’s had a senior with bad allergies that needed almost daily baths I totally get it.
Our poor girl had constant skin infections and the emotional toll on the daily baths was a lot! I wasn’t expecting that. She was miserable but I knew she felt better after.
It’s a big job we take on to care for senior pups but we do it ❤
She’s clearly well loved and cared for ❤
Vanessa, if I were Cali's mom, I would be very grateful for the care you gave her. I have never watched you do a grooming without knowing you do your best. That is why I am fan!
What a beautiful older dog. It seems she has not lost her vocal ability in her golden years :) What a sweetie - it is so hard watching them get older. Arthritis is so common in older dogs and cats.. Thanks for taking good care of her, Vanessa.
As an old arthritic human, I completely resonate with this old lady dog. Thank you for being so careful with her pain. 🥰
I watched a lot of groomers and you are by far the best one!!Not just for grooming but for your kindness and communication with animals! It shows that you're not doing it just for views but for the genuine care! Thank you 💜
I don't watch ANY other groomers because they don't even come close to Vanessa.
She looks great for a 13 year old dog. Her teeth tell you all you need to know and that smile. She's a good girl living a long and happy life. So happy that she has a loving home to have her golden years in until the day she goes to the big farm in the sky. Such a sweetie too.
Such a beautiful girl... I think once she realized you weren't hurting her with the dryer, she actually enjoyed it. It probably felt good to her. I've had senior dogs my entire life; these owners have done a wonderful job. It's very clear that she's very, very loved by her owners.
Vanessa you never cease to amaze me!! I was so touched by your gentle caring and concern for this beautiful senior lady. She was so lucky to have you to finally give her the good washing she needed. Her owners made the right decision taking her to you!!!!! It is obvious they truly love their fur baby dearly and are giving her the best life possible. Thank you for sharing this special type of grooming with us!
What a sweet girl. You're wonderful for taking such good care of this little lady.
What a gentle face and fluffiness.And she looks amazing after the groom.
Missy Pup is lovely! I have had old dogs. It is difficult to see their bodies fail them. Fortunately, we have a trusted visiting hospice vet who helps send them painlessly on their way to the rainbow bridge. We always cry -- it is difficult to let them go, but the time does come. Blessings to Missy Pup's owners and thank you Vanessa for the sensitive grooming session you performed. 🐶❤🔥
Thank you so much for taking care of this lovely, sweet, senior lady. As the mother of a 15 year old white shepherd/yellow lab mix with severe mobility issues, I understand how difficult a groom it is on this dog. I watched this with tears in my eyes for her (and for my sweet boy that I lost shortly after his 15th birthday). The kindness and understanding that you take with these very senior dogs is so very much appreciated, not only the owners, but those of us who have been (or are in) this final stage of our beloved’s life.💕💕💕
I teared up watching this video for a bit. I lost my dog this summer at 13 (cancer/old age) and I remember the lengths I went to to keep him comfortable.
Thank you for reminding folks about our geriatric dogs. My little Andee, last April, was diagnosed with congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, and a heart murmur and placed on six medications. Many well meaning people advised me to put her down. I would smile and try not to say “When you get old, arthritic, with diseases, I’ll suggest YOU be put down, because your quality of life sucks.” I had eight more months with my girl and she passed in my arms. She never left my side and I wasn’t leaving hers! Each owner has to be free to make hard, hard choices concerning their beloved friend. It’s difficult to say goodbye. Thirteen years flew by too quickly. Vanessa, you’re the best!!! 🙌🏻
I agree. Our society tends to value youth way too much. We all get old.
She really was a good girl during her groom. You treated her with patience, love and respect. Bravo!🐾🐾🥰