I have a male beagle who's nine in November.a month ago someone asked me how old he was when I told them they said he could go anytime now.since then I can't stop crying, my dog is my soul and I'm scared he's going to die he's had a couple of medical problems a cruciate ligament operation and I'm always scared of how I relate to him, whether I talk to him enough I know I look after him well very well in fact,any tips on how I should look after him,I love him so much and want him to be happy.im always anxious over his welfare and been told it's not normal so that starts me worrying again

if your dog is fit and healthy (which I am sure he is) then there is no need to worry about a stupid passing comment like that

bottom line - YOU know your dog - he is 9 years old and I presume you have had him since he was a puppy - you will know if there is something wrong and you will know when he is happy

stop worrying about things that you dont need to be worrying about and go out and enjoying your life with your dog

If you are making sure he's cared for and happy then don't worry about the other stuff. The fact you've made sure he's gone to the Vet for that crucial ligament operation just proves you are doing more then 70% of other dog owners.

Besides 9 isn't that old. You've got many years ahead. My dog was 17.

Take no notice of someone's stupid insensitive remark. Dogs generally outlive the so called average lifespan, not least because of the advances in treatments. Dogs pick up on their owners distress and anxiety, so just relax and enjoy your days together.

I always worry about him as I suffer from ocd,anxiety and depression,how much should I talk to him I sometimes feel like I talk just for the reason I think I should be.i have lost all my confidence since I started the menopause

9 isn't old. Worrying about his age will just stop you enjoying the time you have left together. I just googled it and they can live to 15 - that's ages away!

As for talking to him just do what come naturally, I witter on all day to my 3 about all sorts of rubbish, not sure they always appreciate it when they're wanting a nap!

You sound like a very good caring owner, please try not to worry and just enjoy being with him

BTW mine are almost 11, 10 and 8 but I'm not worrying too much about them yet x

What kind of dogs have you got,love three times over

dogs don't understand conversation but rather pick up on tone and mood etc. i wouldn't worry about feeling the need to constantly talk to your dog, he wont have a clue and you might just confuse him. neither would i worry about comments regarding his age and death expectations, anyone of our pets, or indeed ourselves, could kick the bucket at any time....i'd relax and enjoy the here and now, anything else is just needless worry.

How long did you expect your dog to live for when you got it?

You shouldn't lose out in time by worrying. Dogs live to all different ages and you don't want to miss a moment because you have been worrying! My dog died at 10.5 which was much earlier than expected but that was 10.5 excellent years.

i guess I didn't think about it but I love him so much I can't bear to part with him

Well it's something all dog owners should be aware of.

This will give you some idea on how long you should expect your dog to live for.

http://www.petmd.com/sites/default/f...ancy-breed.JPG

I was the same with my first two. I would cry thinking about it. Cookie my first lived until 16 years old. Try not to dwell on it.

How did you worry about your dogs Marie, I think it's because he's so cute and I don't think I'm good enough to have him

I have severe depression so I tend to obsess over things like that. These were my first two (both passed now) They wer chihuahuas. I would be sat in work even thinking about them dying and how I would cope. I would sit with them at home and talk to them and cry my heart out worrying about it. That was mainly halfway through their lives.

Now I have been through losing them. One who was very sick and I had to let go and the other old age at 16. It's soooo hard but you realise you did your best for them and gave them all the love in the world. That's what I hold onto. They have to go at some point and it's horrendous but I know my boys had the best life ever.

I really did think I would never ever get over it tbh. Now I have two more beautiful chi's and love them just as much.

Beagles are generally healthy dogs. I had one who lived to the grand old age of 17 and a half, despite having mammary tumours removed when she was 8, so I'm sure you will have many more years with your dog 😊

OP whoever told you that was misinformed as well as insensitive because beagles can go on for years. But even people who know what they are talking about can get it wrong. My dog was given two months to live due to a chronic health condition and that was 3 years ago!
Just enjoy your dog and, as said, try not to be worried around him because dogs really do pick up on emotions.
My 16 year old border collie doesn't know she is living with a death sentence - she still thinks she is a puppy.

Thank you for all your replies,I worry so much if I'm a good enough owner whether I am talking to him enough or too much, I love him I don't feel too confident due to my mental health problems.i always wonder if I'm behaving like a proper owner.i would hate to think that I'm doing wrong by him ever.hes the dog I've waited for since I was four and I'm now 55.

You shouldn't be worrying about not being a good owner, because you are. Have you talked to your GP about your problems? He or she will be very sympathetic, and will have come across many people just like you. Some people just say "stop worrying", but you and I (and your GP) know it's not as simple as that. Have you heard of "talking therapies"? You just sit and talk to a professional who can help you.

Thank you for your reply Jeff and for trying to be understanding.ive always been a worrying person I know I care too much.i just don't like having anyone suffer because of my mental health problems.im a really good person despite this.i love all animals I guess I'm just a soft touch.i hope you have a nice day and thank you for helping me

Whoever told you that doesn't know what their talking about, 9 is only old for giant breeds like great danes and newfoundlands. Smaller breeds like beagles have a longer lifespan of around 15 years like most dogs do. Death is a part of life and you can't escape it, if something is alive one day it's not going to be and so far, nobody has managed to avoid that. From the second you bring your puppy home you know one day it's going to leave you, there's no getting away from it so there's no point dwelling on it as it will just ruin the time with your dog. Your dog himself won't think about it because dogs live for the here and now, they don't think or worry about tomorrow like we do. There are no certainties in life, there is no point in worrying about it as there's nothing you can do about it. Enjoy the time with your dog, make every second count, so that when he is no longer around, you are looking back at the fun you had not regretting spending what time you did have worrying.

Noreen, Collie talks such perfect sense. I know from her previous posts that she understands and knows dogs.

If you're sad your dog will be too. Love him and be happy in his company and he'll reflect you. He just wants to be with you.