How can I make my good old Yorkie happy?

[apotter9788]

Hi Everyone,

This is my first post in YorkieTalk, so hello there!

Johnny is 16 years-old and I want to make his last months/years as happy as possible. Having had him in the family his whole life (purchased from a decent petshop with a breed certificate, age 2mo), I should know just by looking, but that's not the case. Walker has a rather feline attitude, doesn't waggle his tail stump anymore, and most of the time he is not into cuddling/being picked up. He retreats if he sees your hand coming towards him. He does come on his own to my side to lay down when I'm studying, and he sleeps next to mom. He wasn't socialized (I regret to say I was ignorant of its benefits) with other dogs or kids. Might be worth mentioning that he wasn't neutered.

On the other hand, he loves car rides with mom, fetching ball & hiding under the dinner table, and food. The only issue regarding food is that he always barks when we're eating. This became worse with age: he now barks when he sees mom in the kitchen opening the fridge or prepping meals. We cook meat baits to mix with his dog food.

I don't expect to start "taming" him now - I acknowledge he was spoiled, but at least he was given plenty of love. We never neglected his health, and he doesn't even look his age. Physically, he's got heart failure and tracheal collapse, so he can't run around the house anymore, and joints aren't what they used to be, but he doesn't seem to be in pain.

My (immediate) family is a small one. It's always been just the three of us. It's very painful to imagine our lives without his little presence but he will always be in our hearts. We plan to give him a doggie funeral in the garden when the time comes. While he's still with us, though, I want him to be content.

tl;dr I can't quite read my shy/spoiled 16-y/o Yorkie, but want to make him happy.

[mrssabes]

You sounds like wonderful, thoughtful Yorkie parents. Enjoy all the time you can with your fur baby.

[yorkiemini]

Sounds like you pretty much have his “likes” figured out
So you can give him more of those. Sounds like you have take good are of him!

[nanajoy]

You sound like wonderful caretakers! As someone who has had several dogs over the years, facing the fact that they will soon leave is a bittersweet time. Although you know how much pain you will have when they are no longer with you, it is also a time to savor each and every moment you have together. I wish you time to gather more sweet memories until you must say goodbye.