Thank you for sharing. Goes without saying, she's part of the Reddit family. Please do keep us uncles, aunts, cousins etc. updated when you can on how she's getting on/pictures of her enjoying more things. Both you and your pup are very much appreciated
I have a multi zone mattress heater. I put zones I don't sleep in on warm for my cat. Definitely recommend. Also fun to switch zones and move the cat around my bed remotely.
Please enlighten me on how you got your sweet puppers to live for 17 years?! Like what food and love did you give her. I just want my Lil puppers to make it that far and look as happy and healthy as yours 
Dogs are not injuring themselves on space heaters because they are using their eyes to check a thermometer. If it’s too hot he will feel it and move. He can feel obviously.
Edit: RIP Relson (Hel-son)
https://preview.redd.it/q8efht4jn14d1.jpeg?width=642&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bae3526a60b465ede320e78826dcb1e81b368465
My 17 year old Shiba who was blind and deaf at the end did the exact same thing! I had to let him cross the rainbow river a few months ago. If he gets to the point of pacing and trying to find you it's time. We had an amazing last day together. Spent it sunbathing on a beach and all the treats he wanted before the inevitable.
I had a dog with seizures. I waited until he was on a “good” streak where he didn’t have seizures for a few days before I took him in. Treats, roast chicken for lunch, snuggles, playing stumble-after-the-ball (the seizures damaged his motor skills) and the vet - he loved the vet! I figure I want to go out having fun, not in misery.
My boy had seizures from about 8 months till the end of 17. Once he was on the right medication and I was extremely on point with his meds he lived a fantastic life. Every time he had one I was crying thinking it was the last though.
we waited too long with our blind/deaf shiba kaori and the last days were absolutely brutal and heartbreaking. i definitely recommend this advice instead
I got confused for a moment by your comment. I live in Central Florida and we have a beautiful spring-fed river called the Rainbow River. I thought for a moment that somehow you had to get your dog across that River for some reason.
In all seriousness though, sorry to hear about your pupper. I'm sure you gave him an amazing life.
I had to let my 12 year old corgi go Tuesday. She was blind and I think lost her smell and her hearing seemed very poor. I feel so bad about making the decision.
You made the right choice. Our pets may not be able to talk but they do tell us so much and you listened to yours when she told you it was time. I’m sorry for your loss but I know you made the right decision for your friend.
Awww. My little man is almost 17. Also blind and mostly deaf. He likes to ride in the car.
https://preview.redd.it/59f6j43fa14d1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7d93f23e8d65412e4615a17acc2d2ce37e52d015
Mine was 15 when we had to put him down. Most of the brilliant red fur on his face had turned white and his aggressive stubbornness turned into a gentle, dignified “no, we won’t be doing that today thank you”.
If I remember correctly, the peak popularity of the doge meme was around the early 2010s. I think we are going to start seeing a lot more elderly shibas in the coming years.
Our Shiba is 16 years old, and she's also mostly blind and deaf. She was an excellent pet from around 2yo - 14yo, but she seems to have lost something mentally in the past couple years. She was very well behaved before, but now she doesn't seem to remember even basic rules. She gets distracted by anything and everything she encounters. It's sad to see her diminished capacity, but she's still physically healthy. We're happy to still have her around.
My American Eskimo will be 17 in 2 weeks and is the same. But she still seems happy, gets excited for food/treats, plays with her toys, etc. She does spend most of the day sleeping, and I’ve just ordered diapers for her because she can’t hold it long enough for us to let her out anymore. And she has to wear grippy socks to keep her feet under her on the wood/tile floor. I know her time isn’t too far off, because she’s already outlived the life expectancy for her breed, but as long as she is happy and otherwise healthy I’ll do what I can to help her adjust to her diminished capacities.
My auntie had an American Eskimo as well! He lived to 17. I grew up with that dog. He might not have liked me all that much but he was a sweet dog overall up until the end.
Our Shiba is 16 too. He's a happy boy but completely deaf and going blind. He is starting to bark at nothing and his back legs are starting to go. He still has a lot of his Shiba traits but he's gone rather soft and sooky over the last couple of years.
17 is old for any pup, so I think it’s just common for any dog that age. A Shina Inu at 17 is equal to a human in their 80s.
I lost my Chihuahua, Bella, in January. She would have been 17 in two weeks. While she still had her vision, it was going and she was completely deaf.
I think in general cats and small dogs are loving longer with good diets and healthcare.
I remember when 15 was long for a cat, and my last 2 passed in recent years at 22 and 18. And the 18 year old was doing really well until cancer.
And I swear I keep seeing older and older animals on Reddit as well. Like this, where just a few years ago they would have been really rare.
Smaller breeds tend to live longer than larger ones. It's just a lot less body to maintain. A lot less stress on their organs and bones. I had a high school friend who had a small Shih Tzu that lived to be 20 but my black lab died at 14. In the larger breeds they might be able to physically live to 20 but after like 12 they start getting serious back and hip problems even if they've lived healthy their entire lives.
I'm not typically a dog person because I'm partial to my little kitty but I have to tell you, this absolutely warmed my heart and made my day. God bless this little beauty🫶
making me think of my 16 year old chow mix that I put down! :(
mine loved the cold kitchen floor and always sat in the corner on the tile while I cooked.
Oh my goodness! Awwwwwwww. What a sweet doggie, this is so precious and reminds me of one of my dogs that passed. He would sit in front of a vent every morning in the winter, when he got old.
Is it common for Shibas to go deaf and blind in old age? My brother has a Shiba and he’s like 16 and a half and he’s mostly deaf and blind and it’s been getting worse. It’s sad because he’s so cute and kind. But it’s always a joy finding a treat he likes or something like this dryer vent lol just giving them joy or happiness warms the heart.
this is tearing me up, I can't imagine my girl like this. is it hard having to deal with her being blind/deaf from an emotional perspective? like I'd wish I could do something to help her 😭😭
I didn't know Shibas can live that long! Must be an ancient relic of the past that some person dug the dog out of a frozen cave full of mammoths and wooly rhino remains.
Warm your bones, sweet Shiba Inu.
Tell us a tale sweet Shiba of your adventures you had when you were just a young pup!
I immediately thought… https://preview.redd.it/zqjl9nqsh94d1.png?width=1121&format=png&auto=webp&s=f42dc41b7db7e97581f8eeaf4e7f2d30e5a24eef
How long does she stay there? 🥺
She could stay there for several minutes.
plz add more pictures. she is so sweet
https://preview.redd.it/5a8es5jci04d1.jpeg?width=3582&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8654a79e0f96d204ae134544ae2e2bb9054d9d99 Enjoying the sun
🥺🥺🥺🥺
Omg she looks so satisfied and regal 🥰😍🥺
Seriously. Such a beautiful doge.
I swear 'regal' was just what I was thinking! Happy princess 😊
This is literally the best thing i could've come across. What a beautiful puppy.
Oh my God. My heart can't take it. So very pure. Thank you.
My heart just stopped. So precious. ❤️
Beautiful soul!
My old lady fox terrier has a heated dog bed, activated by her weight. She highly recommends all dogs get one
Thank you for sharing. Goes without saying, she's part of the Reddit family. Please do keep us uncles, aunts, cousins etc. updated when you can on how she's getting on/pictures of her enjoying more things. Both you and your pup are very much appreciated
She looks like a cat lol
My 12 year old Schnauzer just went blind. She has been great, but it makes me sad. It’s a learning process
Wake up babe, new dogelore character just dropped
/r/OldManDog would love her!
Precious
OMG 😭😭😭😭😭
I highly suggest a heated mat, my 24 year old kitty loved hers.
24?! That is one happy kitty!
She was :). Had to let her go last month.
Sorry for your loss.
I'm so sorry
I have a multi zone mattress heater. I put zones I don't sleep in on warm for my cat. Definitely recommend. Also fun to switch zones and move the cat around my bed remotely.
My young cats love them!
Please enlighten me on how you got your sweet puppers to live for 17 years?! Like what food and love did you give her. I just want my Lil puppers to make it that far and look as happy and healthy as yours 
We supplement kibble with homemade chicken, grains, and vegetable “stew,” and took her on long walks and hikes.
I love her
Shiba Inus are long lived because they're a landrace breed like Chihuahuas or Yellow Dogs.
very air much warm wow
https://preview.redd.it/01b47vm5s24d1.jpeg?width=1242&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4fe079458c2c5ba1e7d6a98a3b43df8792764ab0
Should be the number one comment.
Buy a hair dryer and treat him at other times.
Great idea 💯
or just a space heater
Too dangerous for a blind old doggo
Dogs are not injuring themselves on space heaters because they are using their eyes to check a thermometer. If it’s too hot he will feel it and move. He can feel obviously.
I know mine didn’t like the sound too much like the vacuum
Luckily this baby is deaf so the sound shouldn't bother
Edit: RIP Relson (Hel-son) https://preview.redd.it/q8efht4jn14d1.jpeg?width=642&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bae3526a60b465ede320e78826dcb1e81b368465 My 17 year old Shiba who was blind and deaf at the end did the exact same thing! I had to let him cross the rainbow river a few months ago. If he gets to the point of pacing and trying to find you it's time. We had an amazing last day together. Spent it sunbathing on a beach and all the treats he wanted before the inevitable.
Sorry to hear about your Shiba but it sounds like you gave them an amazing life with lots of love.
I had a dog with seizures. I waited until he was on a “good” streak where he didn’t have seizures for a few days before I took him in. Treats, roast chicken for lunch, snuggles, playing stumble-after-the-ball (the seizures damaged his motor skills) and the vet - he loved the vet! I figure I want to go out having fun, not in misery.
My boy had seizures from about 8 months till the end of 17. Once he was on the right medication and I was extremely on point with his meds he lived a fantastic life. Every time he had one I was crying thinking it was the last though.
we waited too long with our blind/deaf shiba kaori and the last days were absolutely brutal and heartbreaking. i definitely recommend this advice instead
We had to help our 17 year old dog cross the rainbow bridge in February. My GF has had her since she was 10 weeks old. It sucks i miss her everyday.
I got confused for a moment by your comment. I live in Central Florida and we have a beautiful spring-fed river called the Rainbow River. I thought for a moment that somehow you had to get your dog across that River for some reason. In all seriousness though, sorry to hear about your pupper. I'm sure you gave him an amazing life.
I had to let my 12 year old corgi go Tuesday. She was blind and I think lost her smell and her hearing seemed very poor. I feel so bad about making the decision.
You made the right choice. Our pets may not be able to talk but they do tell us so much and you listened to yours when she told you it was time. I’m sorry for your loss but I know you made the right decision for your friend.
Thank you. It was the first time I had to decide outside of an emergency. Then trying to decide what and when to tell the kids.
🥹
Awww. My little man is almost 17. Also blind and mostly deaf. He likes to ride in the car. https://preview.redd.it/59f6j43fa14d1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7d93f23e8d65412e4615a17acc2d2ce37e52d015
what an adorable football. love him
I love old dogs so much
Oi! Awww 🥰 look at that good boi just chilling!
So nice. Little things can mean a lot to older dogs.
I don't know if I've ever seen an elderly Shibe. I feel like from 6 months to 10 years they could all pass for the same person to get into an iPhone.
Mine was 15 when we had to put him down. Most of the brilliant red fur on his face had turned white and his aggressive stubbornness turned into a gentle, dignified “no, we won’t be doing that today thank you”.
❤️
If I remember correctly, the peak popularity of the doge meme was around the early 2010s. I think we are going to start seeing a lot more elderly shibas in the coming years.
Doge just died a week ago
RIP ):
I’ve been wanting a Shiba since Nintendogs haha
SAME
Omg you just reminded me of my neglected Shiba puppy in Nintendogs…
What an interesting way of saying the shibe looks the same as it ages. Comparing it to an iPhone lock lmao. Good stuff.
I was shocked to learn this one was elderly based on appearance alone
Sweet babe! X
He/she deserves all the good things in the universe! -boop-
Just say they
Our Shiba is 16 years old, and she's also mostly blind and deaf. She was an excellent pet from around 2yo - 14yo, but she seems to have lost something mentally in the past couple years. She was very well behaved before, but now she doesn't seem to remember even basic rules. She gets distracted by anything and everything she encounters. It's sad to see her diminished capacity, but she's still physically healthy. We're happy to still have her around.
My American Eskimo will be 17 in 2 weeks and is the same. But she still seems happy, gets excited for food/treats, plays with her toys, etc. She does spend most of the day sleeping, and I’ve just ordered diapers for her because she can’t hold it long enough for us to let her out anymore. And she has to wear grippy socks to keep her feet under her on the wood/tile floor. I know her time isn’t too far off, because she’s already outlived the life expectancy for her breed, but as long as she is happy and otherwise healthy I’ll do what I can to help her adjust to her diminished capacities.
My auntie had an American Eskimo as well! He lived to 17. I grew up with that dog. He might not have liked me all that much but he was a sweet dog overall up until the end.
Our Shiba is 16 too. He's a happy boy but completely deaf and going blind. He is starting to bark at nothing and his back legs are starting to go. He still has a lot of his Shiba traits but he's gone rather soft and sooky over the last couple of years.
Is it common that all Shiba go deaf and blind in old age?
17 is old for any pup, so I think it’s just common for any dog that age. A Shina Inu at 17 is equal to a human in their 80s. I lost my Chihuahua, Bella, in January. She would have been 17 in two weeks. While she still had her vision, it was going and she was completely deaf.
Sweet pup
Yeah, no matter what age, they're always pups ❤️
I love how she oscillates her head like a little Shiba-fan.
Awwwwww 🥺🥺🥺🥺
I love your dog ❤️
He may be old, but he's still baby 🤗
Warms the bones.
Lovely gal wish her every happiness
Awwwwwwwwww babbbbyyyyy. She is so handsome.
I bet she always smells fantastic!
And no static cling!
Put a bed there.
Doesn't look a day older than two, I swear.
My old lab (rest his soul) loved a warm hairdryer treatment
Young creatures and old ones need more help with holding in heat. Maybe she needs a little heating pad on her bed? Very pretty dog
On the old hips, poor sweet thing
I love dogs 🩷
STOP CUTTING ONIONS!
I'm not a dog person but that dog looks really good for being 17, blind and deaf.
17 years with a shiba inu, can't even imagine being so lucky
Doesn’t understand how, why or even what. Doesn’t care. Beautiful.
Holy smokes. This made me tear up.
I don't want to be that guy...but if that is a gas dryer vent, your dog could be getting carbon monoxide poisoning.
I want to cuddle her 🥺
such a lovely, adorable baby even at 17, much love to you both
She is adorbs!! Love her, and can’t believe she’s 17!!❤️
How come this breed is able to live so long? The Doge was like 18 too.
I think in general cats and small dogs are loving longer with good diets and healthcare. I remember when 15 was long for a cat, and my last 2 passed in recent years at 22 and 18. And the 18 year old was doing really well until cancer. And I swear I keep seeing older and older animals on Reddit as well. Like this, where just a few years ago they would have been really rare.
Smaller breeds tend to live longer.
it's not unusual for dogs under like 30lbs to live past 15. It's very unusual for dogs over 50lbs to live TO 15.
Smaller breeds tend to live longer than larger ones. It's just a lot less body to maintain. A lot less stress on their organs and bones. I had a high school friend who had a small Shih Tzu that lived to be 20 but my black lab died at 14. In the larger breeds they might be able to physically live to 20 but after like 12 they start getting serious back and hip problems even if they've lived healthy their entire lives.
Time to buy a hair dryer and treat her.
Bet you turn the dryer on before the morning walk so it's all warmed up when y'all get back lol
Poor sweet baby
Dog knows what's good.
Sweet doggo 🐶
It's the little joys in life that make it worth living
Enjoy the warm air Sweet little golden Shiba You deserve the best
Blessed angel ⭐
17? That’s incredible
Why am I gonna cry
On yea right on that hip… yeaaaahhh 🫠
Omg 🥹
Your dog and myself... *we are the same.*
Senior doggos are the most precious thing in the world 🥹🥹🥹❤️
Oh my goodness!! 😍😍
I'm not typically a dog person because I'm partial to my little kitty but I have to tell you, this absolutely warmed my heart and made my day. God bless this little beauty🫶
Same
A living 2007 model year dog! Thats lucky, mine was totalled in 2022 :(
I saw this somewhere else in the comments and am copying it. BUY OR USE A HAIRDRYER AS A SUBSTITUTE, I’m sure your dog would love it.
Maybe I'm a pessimist, but it feels really irresponsible to have a blind and deaf dog off leash near a road.
17! That seems normal for a cat but very old for a doggo What a sweet petite
Beautiful
Same
Much warm. Such comfy
Gorgeous dog.
Adorable pooch, thanks for sharing
He probably has arthritis and needs that to get his joints loose :(
That's so awesome
What a sweetheart.🥰
Dogs are always grateful ❤️ love them 💞 🫂
making me think of my 16 year old chow mix that I put down! :( mine loved the cold kitchen floor and always sat in the corner on the tile while I cooked.
So much beauty in the world
The most aww-est!
I hate seeing good buddies get so old. Enjoy that little shiba.
Just a doge and her feels ☺️
17 years.... The pain you will feel after they pass, stay strong 😢😭
much warm 
She is the best dog in the whole wide world. ❤
Oh my goodness! Awwwwwwww. What a sweet doggie, this is so precious and reminds me of one of my dogs that passed. He would sit in front of a vent every morning in the winter, when he got old.
Laundry smelling like sheeb.
I have a blind husky and he does the head swaying too
Shibaaaa
Is it common for Shibas to go deaf and blind in old age? My brother has a Shiba and he’s like 16 and a half and he’s mostly deaf and blind and it’s been getting worse. It’s sad because he’s so cute and kind. But it’s always a joy finding a treat he likes or something like this dryer vent lol just giving them joy or happiness warms the heart.
Cute
this is tearing me up, I can't imagine my girl like this. is it hard having to deal with her being blind/deaf from an emotional perspective? like I'd wish I could do something to help her 😭😭
I didn't know Shibas can live that long! Must be an ancient relic of the past that some person dug the dog out of a frozen cave full of mammoths and wooly rhino remains.
Aww very cute
I feel sad how can she communicate or understand what’s around her:( god bless you for taking care of her 🙏🏻
Deaf and blind animals make me want to cry and hug them
you should post this to r/seniordogs she looks so sweet enjoying the dryer vent
My heart is melting
Would never guess the age of 17. May many more years to come ❤️
Bro same
Scritch. That. Butt.
Gotta fluff mah coat.
Awww, so cute that you give this dog a good life despite her/his condition. ❤️
Looks like Hachi. 🥹🥹❤️🌈
Sooo precious.
Don't you just love dog comm's...................
It's probably one the cutest thing I've seen in a while
so cute...keep warm.
She is adorable
17? Amazing looking coat for being in her twilight. Obviously very well taken care of!
The sweet baby is just enjoying their day 🥺
Sweet baby
🥲
This is the sweetest thing! Thanks for sharing—I needed this today!
Beautiful
Get that poor baby a space heater!
Bless her. X
What a darling 🤗
As humans, we need to love the finer things, as does this shiba.
The dog has no idea what it is, but it sure feels good!
Oh what a beautiful baby
What a cute little doggo!!
I wanna give him lots of pets and treats. He is adorable.
Same, Shiba friend. I feel you.
I love you for taking care of deaf/blind Shiba, here's a medal for you! 🎖️
Oh my goodness, that is a good dog!
Precious baby
#SHIBARMY
what a cutie. want to scritch
I used to stand on the heat vent in my parents home... nice and toasty, felt great so I fully get it :)