As dogs age, their gait becomes less agile, they sleep longer, and their fur loses its luster, only then do owners realize the importance of spending more time with them. Not only owners, but dogs also want to stay with their owners a little longer in their final moments; they are reluctant to leave their owners and this world. Shiba Inu Adou is 17 years old this year, and not only is his health declining, but he has also been suffering from dementia.
The owner met a stray Shiba Inu named Adou ten years ago. The dog was covered in wounds and was very thin. Unable to bear seeing the dog homeless, the owner took it home. Initially, the Shiba Inu was quite afraid and wouldn't approach the family. It took the owner a week to get the dog to lower its guard, and since then, the dog has become very affectionate. The family makes a living by growing fruit in an orchard, and after Adou came home, it would often run to the orchard to find its owners, curiously watching them work and occasionally helping with cleaning. The whole family instantly fell in love with this adorable Shiba Inu.
Two years ago, the owner took their dog to the vet because it was having difficulty moving. The vet diagnosed the dog with dementia. Now, the dog has difficulty standing, can't climb onto tables or chairs, and spends all its time sleeping in its kennel. The Shiba Inu, once a lively and adorable dog that always followed its owner, is now blind and unable to walk, causing its owner great distress. Because of its illness, the dog often lacks a sense of security. Last week, the owner saw the dog sleeping and secretly went to work in the office. A short while later, they heard the Shiba Inu crying next door.
The panicked owner rushed to the dog's side, only to find its face covered in tears. Although the dog couldn't move, it whimpered incessantly upon seeing its owner, seemingly afraid of being abandoned. The owner hadn't expected the dog to cry because it couldn't see her, which made her feel even more sorry for it. She stroked the dog and wiped away its tears until it slowly calmed down. After that, whenever she had free time, the owner would sleep with the Shiba Inu in the living room, and she would take the dog with her when she went out, hoping to spend more time with it.
At the beginning of the month, the Shiba Inu's health gradually deteriorated. Unable to bear seeing the dog suffer from its illness, the owner, after discussing it with family, decided to euthanize it. Three days before the euthanasia, the owner stayed by the dog's side constantly, talking to it and even celebrating its birthday in advance. Perhaps it was the owner's companionship that helped, as the dog suddenly improved and its appetite increased significantly. Seeing the dog's resilience, the owner immediately canceled all euthanasia plans, deciding to stay with the dog until its last breath. Perhaps the dog itself also wanted to spend more time with its owner.
Would you also choose to stay with your dog until its last breath?
