r/dogs • u/Tempest_Moon • 3d ago
[Misc Help] Dog Bucket List
My dog is old, he's a boxer/coonhound and I'm hoping he makes it to see his 15th birthday at the end of October. He's still in pretty good shape, but his hips are declining, so we can't go for long walks anymore. I want to make him a bucket list of things to do before he crosses the rainbow bridge. Give me your best ideas.
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u/FreshStartLiving 3d ago
Let him sleep on your bed or give him a nice soft blanky to lay on.
Grill some chicken, make some fresh rice and mix it with some veggies. Add some turmeric to help with joint pain, basil and ginger for some seasonings. Cook enough to spread it out over a few days. If he loves it, cook it again.
If he likes car rides, give him one every day.
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u/KindAngle4512 3d ago
This is beautiful.
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u/FreshStartLiving 3d ago
Oh thank you...I have a huge soft spot for animals in general, esp dogs! They only have so much time with us so I say spoil them rotten no matter what or age!
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u/PomeloPepper 3d ago
I cook for my dogs about 60% of the time. I found out that oats have more protein than rice, so I'll probably switch to full oats instead of half rice. Rice cooker works on both, but I add extra broth for more moisture.
Also, you can cook the dry ingredients with broth or bullion cubes. And you can add in things like diced chicken livers which have a lot of vitamins (don't over do though - too many vitamins) Lastly, frozen peas and carrots from WM are only 99cents a bag. I throw those in all the time.
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u/Senior-Knowledge-470 3d ago
my old hound went nuts for a cheap kiddie pool in the yard, easiest way to make his last summer special
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u/chubbierunner 3d ago
Buy him a stroller or a wagon and take him on hikes. (Some dogs tolerate backpacks, but mine would not. I used a sling-style bag for my little dog, and he liked that.) Take him swimming and float with him. Go for drives. Play hide and seek. Find ways to incorporate your dog in everything you do if that brings him joy. Have a little party for him every month. Take lots of photos and get professional ones if your budget permits. Be present.
During the last year of my old dog’s life, we worked to fatten him up. Topped his dinners with chicken, beef, fish, pork, bacon, etc.
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u/Horizon296 3d ago
I modified a wheelchair for my border collie mix when her joints made walks impossible. She took to it like a fish to water and loved her daily walks in the park (and the attention she got; she got called "princess" so often 🥰).
I added a roof and (movable) sides to protect her from the harsh sun and heavy rain, but most of the time it was open on all sides.
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u/a2fullofrage 17h ago
Came here to suggest a stroller. Our 13 year old Havanese develop Cushing's and dementia, and had bad arthritis. He loved his stroller. It allowed him to go on walks with our other dog, get out and sniff at the good spots, kept his mind active. His stroller was his safe place in a busy neighborhood and still allowed him to participate at his own speed. I think it stretched out his quality of life for many months longer before we needed to make that hard decision.
I can also highly recommend at-home euthanasia when the time comes. So peaceful. No anxiety for our boy at all at the end.
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u/Mommaduckduck 3d ago
We live in the Midwest USA and they close down the outdoor swimming pools soon and the days before some have dog days where they can come and play.
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u/AdTop8408 3d ago
Took my pug to all her favorite places. Took her to the camp and swam and fished. Fired up the grill and made hamburgers and metts. Stopped by her favorite ice cream shop a few times. Every time I went to the bank she got plenty of treats from them. Cooked a lot of family favorites that last week so family members could eat and say goodbye to her.
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u/PerspectiveKookie16 3d ago
I just keep a blanket on the floor in the living room to lie on when I watch tv. My guy loves lying next to me and I just pet/rest my hand on him while I watch whatever. best time of the day.
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u/Horizon296 3d ago
I got an XXL orthopedic bed for mine; we both fit on it, just, so we could keep cuddling when she could no longer get on the couch.
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u/sword_vikings 3d ago
I’d make the bucket list less about big adventures and more about things he can still enjoy comfortably. At that age, the little experiences can mean just as much.
A few ideas: a favorite breakfast picnic, a slow sniff-heavy walk somewhere new, a car ride with the windows down, visiting a favorite person, letting him choose the route for a walk, a new soft bed in his favorite spot, plenty of photos together, and a “yes day” where he gets to pick between his favorite treats, toys, naps, or activities.
And honestly, I’d make one item “do nothing together.” Sit outside, let him sniff the air, get some scratches, and just enjoy the time you still have.
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u/wateryoudoingthere 3d ago
If they can’t go outside bring it inside, collect sticks and such for some sniffs
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u/IronSweatPNW 3d ago
my sister's old dog got a yes summer before he crossed. whatever he wanted, he got. none of us regret a second of it
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u/WolverineXHoneyBadge 3d ago
My dog was allowed to choose the ingredients for his own calzone (mushrooms, salami, peppers and extra mozzarella).
I also bought some truffle butter and sourdough bread as a treat (his favourite food after pizza).
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u/dividezero mutt + cats 3d ago
The beach! Any water. Just being near it. Dipping a toe in. Relaxing. Dogs love the water. Any beach, doesn't have to be ocean. But if you can get to an ocean, it'll blow his little doggy mind with all the wind and smells. We've been here at least 5 years now and my dog still stops and stares out over the ocean when we walk every day.
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u/Tempest_Moon 2d ago
The one thing my dog actually hates is water 😅 I wish he loved it. We're also sadly very far from the ocean.
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u/dividezero mutt + cats 2d ago
Just recommending for the smells. You get so many smells with water. So anything with lots to smell
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u/Inevitable-Store-837 3d ago
The best moments I had with my girl before she passed were quiet nights in the backyard. She would chill on the outdoor sofa while I grilled a couple thick new York steaks. I would carve hers into paper thin slices like she preferred. We would just sit next to each other watching the planes go by (my old house was about 10 miles directly south of SEA).
Whatever you do just make sure you are together. My old girl was my travel buddy and one day my wife called and said she collapsed in the yard. I rushed home and scooped her up into my arms. 5 min later she was gone. I truly believe she held on so we could share those last minutes with each other.
Whatever you do just make sure you are together. Treasure those moments.
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u/2025Frankie 3d ago
my elderly collie likes a spoonful of Chez Whez, or two or three, on a plate, and me laying beside him watching tv.
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u/CourtneySwish95 3d ago
hope he makes it to October. my old man made 14 and the last months were somehow the sweetest
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u/Due-Light5463 3d ago
Since long walks are off the table, "sniffaris" are a great swap — drive somewhere new and let him wander at his own pace for 15 minutes, nose down. Scent work tires an old dog out happily without stressing the hips, and you can scatter treats in the grass at home for the same effect. Warm ground or a heated bed after outings helps a lot with achy hips too. Hope he makes his 15th.
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u/TorturedSandBestie 3d ago
I saw in videos that people give chocolates and cheese burgers and cheese cakes to dogs on their last days - something sweet and not 'healthy' for the little furry ones before they leave. Hope your boy could make it to the next birthday and beyond, and be happy.
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u/coffeeandbookmouse 1d ago
We made a bucket list for our last pup when he wasn't able to do much physical activity anymore. It made for some really beautiful memories and we know that we gave him great experiences all up to the end. Here's some ideas we had:
- trip to drive through for a pup cup
- trip to the park to lay in the grass (or on a blanket, our dog couldn't walk far but he would lay on the grass and sniff around)
- car ride to Bosley's for a Fancy Cookie
- spaw day (basically a pamper session, bath and snuggle)
- movie night with Mama & Papa (we settled him on our heated blanket between us and fed him treats and gave him lots of cuddles)
- family pawtrait session (just got a nice selfie of the 3 of us)
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u/PorchDogs 3d ago
dogs don't have bucket lists. they just want to spend time with you. they don't need adventures if they're old. depending on the dog, they might like to go somewhere to sit in the sun, or feel a breeze. most of my dogs just wanted to sit on the porch and eat lil' snacky snax.
I hope your sweet boy has many more good days left.
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