A dog owner has shared a heartbreaking video documenting a day in the life of her senior canine with dementia, as she told Newsweek she hopes to raise awareness about the realities of the condition.
We have all seen various versions of ‘day in the life’ videos on social media, but dog owner Tammie Tuttle, 57, decided to offer a new take on this trend. She posted a video on TikTok (@tammieandthedogs) highlighting the daily routine of her 14-year-old Labrador mix, Bailey, who has dementia and arthritis.
While Bailey is still her loving dog in so many ways, Tuttle, of Kentucky, told Newsweek that getting older “has changed her.” She was never the most-energetic pup; even when she was younger, she was quite docile. Nonetheless, Bailey loved chasing toys and digging holes outside in her younger years.
Sadly, those days are long gone as Bailey lives a much-slower lifestyle now, Tuttle said.
“We live out in the country, and she used to be able to run and roam our property with my husband or I just watching,” Tuttle said. “That’s no longer the case, and no more chasing sticks or digging holes.
“We have to stay by her side and guide her in the direction she needs to go. If we put a stick in front of her, she will brighten up a little and grab it. Bedtime has also become a routine in that we have to make sure she is on her bed and asleep before we go to bed,” Tuttle added.
The video showing Bailey’s daily routine shows her having a nap in the morning before pacing aimlessly in the afternoon. This is a sign that Tuttle noticed earlier this year, and is common with dog dementia.
Experts at PetMD say that canine dementia can also lead to barking or howling at seemingly nothing, increased anxiety, house soiling, forgetting tricks or cues they previously knew, and getting lost in the house.
Sometimes, Bailey walks around in circles, Tuttle added, while, other times, she wanders into different rooms “like she’s searching for something.” Tuttle said that it typically happens for a couple of hours each afternoon.
“She may also pace in the evening, but, when I get home from work, I will sit outside, and she will come and relax. We also get out and take her for a walk to distract her from pacing, and that helps a lot too,” Tuttle said.
“She’s more sensitive to loud noises and will often make her pacing and panting worsen. Thunderstorms, the grandkids jumping around or even our other two dogs play will cause her to pace even more.”
From her mealtimes, bedtimes, and winding down, Tuttle and her husband keep a very structured routine to help Bailey. On the occasions when Bailey becomes stressed, Tuttle will get her to lie down, give her pets and massages, and sometimes even sing to her.
PetMD experts say that dogs who experience cognitive dysfunction have a buildup of protein known as beta-amyloid that forms plaques on the brain. This slows the signals sent between the brain cells, interfering with memory, learning, and spatial awareness as a result.
There is no cure for dogs with dementia, but environmental modifications can minimize the complications. If the canine wanders around, night lights can reduce their confusion in the dark, and keeping them in a small room that is difficult to get lost in may also help. Maintaining a regular schedule is recommended, and increasing their activity during the day can allow them to quiet their mind at night.
After Tuttle shared the “day in the life with dog dementia” on TikTok, it has gone viral with over 804,000 views and more than 34,200 likes at the time of writing. Alongside the video, the caption adds: “She’s our girl and it’s so hard watching her.”
The online response has been largely sympathetic, as many fellow dog owners have reached out to share their similar experiences. Tuttle will continue to post videos of Bailey in the hopes of increasing awareness and helping others.
Tuttle said: “The love and support has been overwhelming, and the senior dog community is absolutely amazing. I’ve had a huge amount of comments from people who are going through the same thing with their senior dog.”
The video of Bailey touched plenty of hearts, leading to more than 860 comments on TikTok so far.
One comment reads: “She is so lucky to have you.”
Another TikTok user wrote: “Doggy Dementia is so painful to watch your babies go through.”
A third person added: “My heart just hurts for you. I’m so sorry you have to see her go through this.”
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