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Our first dog Ziggy had a very nervous temperament - the 4th of July was hell, and when she hit 10, she started fainting every time she got in the car, because usually the only place we ever drove her to was the vet.
When she was 13 (pretty old for a big dog, she was a Sheperd/collie mix), we got a puppy, by accident - Lucky ran in front of my brother's car on the way to our sister's wedding rehearsal. Everyone thought that with Ziggy's skittish temperament, that there was no way she would ever tolerate a puppy, especially one as active and dominant as Lucky turned out to be. But Ziggy really perked up once Lucky came into our lives, and she lived for 3 more years. When we had to put her down (arthritis, she couldn't walk any more), the vet said that living to 16 for a dog that size was the equivalent of a person living to be 130 years old. Maybe if your dog had a puppy to bond with, or "mother," she might not feel so anxious.
I lost Lucky this past April, so I feel for your loss, and I can also feel your anxiety over your dog's health. Lucky had arthritis but was otherwise healthy as a horse. Eventually, her back legs gave out the way Ziggy's had. Watching her deteriorate and knowing what was coming was hell.
Why do we bond? How can you not? After Lucky, I was positive that I never wanted to go through that again, but I'm starting to miss having a dog in my life. I hope everything turns out well for your dog.
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