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Remember Me? Loving and Caring for a Dog with Canine Cognitive Dysfunction
Remember Me? is a guidebook for owners of dogs who are losing their mental faculties as they age, and the story of a dog and owner who retained their bond through this most difficult situation. Remember Me? will give owners of dogs who have canine cognitive dysfunction or other dementia the information they need to weather the difficult condition and give their dogs the most fulfilling life possible.
In Remember Me, you will learn about:
The symptoms of canine cognitive dysfunction;
Medications and other interventions that are showing promise in treating the condition;
How to adapt your home and habits to keep your dog safe;
The many products available to solve the problems of senior dogs;
How to make things easier on yourself, physically and emotionally; and
The complex question of euthanasia and how to make your own decision about it.
The book includes more than 30 photos of dementia symptoms, tips and tricks, and hazards to avoid when caring for a senior dog.
The story of Anderson’s small terrier Cricket, who developed dementia, is threaded through the book. As Cricket's dementia worsened she paced, she circled, she stood in corners, she forgot what she was doing, and at times she lost and found her owner repeatedly. For the last weeks of her life she even forgot how to drink water. As Cricket’s condition deteriorated and needs changed, Anderson learned about the disease and developed methods to care for her dog.
She shares these methods in Remember Me? and her calm, conversational tone is soothing to dog owners who are suffering—sometimes more than their dogs.
In Remember Me, you will learn about:
The symptoms of canine cognitive dysfunction;
Medications and other interventions that are showing promise in treating the condition;
How to adapt your home and habits to keep your dog safe;
The many products available to solve the problems of senior dogs;
How to make things easier on yourself, physically and emotionally; and
The complex question of euthanasia and how to make your own decision about it.
The book includes more than 30 photos of dementia symptoms, tips and tricks, and hazards to avoid when caring for a senior dog.
The story of Anderson’s small terrier Cricket, who developed dementia, is threaded through the book. As Cricket's dementia worsened she paced, she circled, she stood in corners, she forgot what she was doing, and at times she lost and found her owner repeatedly. For the last weeks of her life she even forgot how to drink water. As Cricket’s condition deteriorated and needs changed, Anderson learned about the disease and developed methods to care for her dog.
She shares these methods in Remember Me? and her calm, conversational tone is soothing to dog owners who are suffering—sometimes more than their dogs.
- GenresNonfictionDogs
146 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 15, 2015
134 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
April 10, 2016
Amazingly helpful
My Boston, Wally, has been experiencing many of the symptoms related to CCD. We have been to the vet, tested for other health issues and found everything to be within normal ranges. I was thinking perhaps the odd behavior could be attributed to anxiety. But, it's definitely more than that and I will be using many of your techniques to help him manage the changes he is going thru. This book was very helpful and I would recommend to anyone with pets. I might have figured this out sooner, but dementia was never on my radar. To me he seems too young, 11 years approx. It is difficult to see him falter as he has always been so sure of what he wanted to do. I will do all that I can to keep him safe, healthy and comfortable.
My Boston, Wally, has been experiencing many of the symptoms related to CCD. We have been to the vet, tested for other health issues and found everything to be within normal ranges. I was thinking perhaps the odd behavior could be attributed to anxiety. But, it's definitely more than that and I will be using many of your techniques to help him manage the changes he is going thru. This book was very helpful and I would recommend to anyone with pets. I might have figured this out sooner, but dementia was never on my radar. To me he seems too young, 11 years approx. It is difficult to see him falter as he has always been so sure of what he wanted to do. I will do all that I can to keep him safe, healthy and comfortable.
December 16, 2023
I got this after my 18.5 year old dog died; she definitely had CCD. It took me several years to read this, and while I thankfully don’t need this info now, I want to be prepared if I ever need it in the future. There were some good tips, but I imagine some of the medical info is dated by now.
July 12, 2022
“Lots of people are completely unaware of dog dementia until their dog starts behaving oddly. I was.” - Eileen Anderson
Why did I get this book?
I got this book because I was unaware of dog dementia and I felt it was appropriate to learn about it before my dogs enter the age where dementia could happen. I also got it to have a resource to recommend for people struggling with dog dementia at home. Safe to say, I got what I was looking for.
What does this book do?
Remember me? is a story about Eileen’s dog cricket and how her experience with onsetting dementia impacted their lives. It follows this little dog from the earliest signs and up until the last day. Beautifully woven into the story, you will find a heap of resources and tips to help you and your dog, should you end in a similar situation. Many of these are also quite easy to apply to regular old dogs, so even if you just have a regular senior, this book can help you deal with that to get the best from your time together. The book is a small publication approx 140 pages, but you will find regular references to the website dogdementia.com which among other things features a complete link list sectioned into chapters to make it easy for you to find more information. This combined with the petite size of the book makes it a very easy read with the potential to reach many people.
This book also offers support. it is not shy about the fact that dog dementia is not something we can cure. But, it is also supportive of you when you need to say goodbye. As of finishing this book, you will feel that it is in fact okay if you have to say goodbye to your companion before you hoped. The linklist I mentioned above also contains numerous resources on this topic, including references to support communities for pet loss. Over all, this book is a work of compassion, and I will highly recommend it for anyone who shares their lives with a dog.
What does this book not do?
It won’t save your dog. Sadly, dog dementia is a one way street and while we may have found ways to delay cognitive decay, as of writing this there is no current cure available for the dogs. But, even if you’re looking for a cure, this book is still for you, because it will provide you with a realistic idea of how the rest of your dog’s life will be.
Where do I get this book?
The book is available in most online stores or can be ordered home from your favourite book pusher.
Why did I get this book?
I got this book because I was unaware of dog dementia and I felt it was appropriate to learn about it before my dogs enter the age where dementia could happen. I also got it to have a resource to recommend for people struggling with dog dementia at home. Safe to say, I got what I was looking for.
What does this book do?
Remember me? is a story about Eileen’s dog cricket and how her experience with onsetting dementia impacted their lives. It follows this little dog from the earliest signs and up until the last day. Beautifully woven into the story, you will find a heap of resources and tips to help you and your dog, should you end in a similar situation. Many of these are also quite easy to apply to regular old dogs, so even if you just have a regular senior, this book can help you deal with that to get the best from your time together. The book is a small publication approx 140 pages, but you will find regular references to the website dogdementia.com which among other things features a complete link list sectioned into chapters to make it easy for you to find more information. This combined with the petite size of the book makes it a very easy read with the potential to reach many people.
This book also offers support. it is not shy about the fact that dog dementia is not something we can cure. But, it is also supportive of you when you need to say goodbye. As of finishing this book, you will feel that it is in fact okay if you have to say goodbye to your companion before you hoped. The linklist I mentioned above also contains numerous resources on this topic, including references to support communities for pet loss. Over all, this book is a work of compassion, and I will highly recommend it for anyone who shares their lives with a dog.
What does this book not do?
It won’t save your dog. Sadly, dog dementia is a one way street and while we may have found ways to delay cognitive decay, as of writing this there is no current cure available for the dogs. But, even if you’re looking for a cure, this book is still for you, because it will provide you with a realistic idea of how the rest of your dog’s life will be.
Where do I get this book?
The book is available in most online stores or can be ordered home from your favourite book pusher.
December 11, 2023
A autora não é veterinária, mas conseguiu escrever um livro cheio de informações técnicas precisas e referenciadas. No entanto, não chega a ser maçante para o leigo. Comecei a ler depois que minha cadelinha foi diagnosticada com a disfunção cognitiva canina e esse livro me trouxe principalmente PAZ. Tenho o hábito de esquecer que sou veterinário e perder o chão quando meus cães ficam doentes, e essa doença tem sido de longe a mais difícil e desafiadora que já passei com qualquer um deles. O relato de Eileen me ajudou bastante a entender até onde podemos ir com nossa velhinha, e como chegar até lá com o máximo de qualidade de vida para ela.
March 9, 2017
I would recommend that anyone with an older dog read this book. Thanks to modern veterinary medicine our dogs are living longer, and that means that they are more susceptible to age-related disorders like arthritis and dementia. In the past 21 years, I have lived with six dogs that lived into their teens. Three of them, fifty percent, experienced varying levels of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction, or what some call “doggie dementia.” I have friends and colleagues that have had dogs that also experienced this disorder. As the owner of a boarding kennel and daycare, I can say, anecdotally, that the incidence of doggie dementia seems to be increasing. That is why I recommend that you read this book.
Author Eileen Anderson starts by sharing the story of her Rat Terrier Cricket and how dementia affected both of their lives. She discusses the symptoms of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction, the importance of getting a veterinary diagnosis, and various treatment options. Anderson also explains how to manage your dog’s environment and daily routines to minimize stress for the dog and you. I like that she emphasizes that caring for a dog with this disorder will impact your life and can be a bit of an emotional roller coaster. Anderson stresses the importance of taking good care of yourself if you want to be able to do the best for your dog.
The author’s guidelines on how to help your dog face specific challenges such as drinking, eating, elimination, hygiene, sleeping and basic movement are all very helpful. I love that she has discussed the importance of mental enrichment to help keep your dog's mind engaged. Mental stimulation is something that I recommended with a young dog, long before you need to worry about dementia, but I find often overlooked until it is too late. If you are not already providing your dog with frequent mental stimulus, talk to a reward-based trainer and ask how they can help.
Anderson discusses medications and supplements that can be helpful in managing Canine Cognitive Dysfunction. The one area where I differ with her is on the topic of nutrition. I would recommend any pet owner work with a holistic veterinarian to develop a diet made of fresh whole foods, rather than feeding highly processed food from a bag. Nutrition is the foundation of good mental, physical, and emotional health and that starts with fresh food, whether we are a person or a pet.
At the end of the book, there are recommendations on techniques you can use for objectively assessing your dog’s quality of life and on factors to consider when making that difficult decision about euthanasia.
Author Eileen Anderson starts by sharing the story of her Rat Terrier Cricket and how dementia affected both of their lives. She discusses the symptoms of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction, the importance of getting a veterinary diagnosis, and various treatment options. Anderson also explains how to manage your dog’s environment and daily routines to minimize stress for the dog and you. I like that she emphasizes that caring for a dog with this disorder will impact your life and can be a bit of an emotional roller coaster. Anderson stresses the importance of taking good care of yourself if you want to be able to do the best for your dog.
The author’s guidelines on how to help your dog face specific challenges such as drinking, eating, elimination, hygiene, sleeping and basic movement are all very helpful. I love that she has discussed the importance of mental enrichment to help keep your dog's mind engaged. Mental stimulation is something that I recommended with a young dog, long before you need to worry about dementia, but I find often overlooked until it is too late. If you are not already providing your dog with frequent mental stimulus, talk to a reward-based trainer and ask how they can help.
Anderson discusses medications and supplements that can be helpful in managing Canine Cognitive Dysfunction. The one area where I differ with her is on the topic of nutrition. I would recommend any pet owner work with a holistic veterinarian to develop a diet made of fresh whole foods, rather than feeding highly processed food from a bag. Nutrition is the foundation of good mental, physical, and emotional health and that starts with fresh food, whether we are a person or a pet.
At the end of the book, there are recommendations on techniques you can use for objectively assessing your dog’s quality of life and on factors to consider when making that difficult decision about euthanasia.
March 17, 2019
Very helpful
I am going through this with my 14 year old chihuahua. I actually thought it was her time when she stopped eating but she rebounded. She is having a lot of trouble with confusion and memory loss though. This book helped in many ways. It validated things I was seeing and feeling. It gave me ideas on how to help my Angel and keep her engaged in life. Reading about the author's experiences helped me recognize things with my on dog as well. I highly recommend this book for anyone with dogs exhibiting signs of CCD as well as any dog owner so that they can learn about these symptoms and recognize them earlier than many of us have.
I am going through this with my 14 year old chihuahua. I actually thought it was her time when she stopped eating but she rebounded. She is having a lot of trouble with confusion and memory loss though. This book helped in many ways. It validated things I was seeing and feeling. It gave me ideas on how to help my Angel and keep her engaged in life. Reading about the author's experiences helped me recognize things with my on dog as well. I highly recommend this book for anyone with dogs exhibiting signs of CCD as well as any dog owner so that they can learn about these symptoms and recognize them earlier than many of us have.
July 23, 2017
This has been very helpful for my wife and me as we adjust to our elderly pooch's needs. It was worth the read just to know there are practical steps we can take to help her be more comfortable and help her to enjoy life while she still can. It's not an uplifting book but it isn't meant to be. It will be an emotional read for anyone caring for an older dog, but the author by no means goes out of her way to make it heart wrenching. It's both pragmatic and personal, and it was just what we needed to hear.
June 22, 2020
My dog is showing signs of senility so I started doing some research on the topic, which is how I found this book. The author tells her story that she went through with her dog's dementia and I feel that added a very human aspect to the situation. She gives helpful tips on what to expect as well as how to cope with your changing emotions. She also gives in depth resource lists and has a companion website to the book so you can be sure to get updated information. Overall a quick read, but very informative and helpful as my husband and I adjust to Poncho's new needs.
April 16, 2019
Complete
A very complete writing with many references and other recommended readings. A guide to when enough is enough for your pet in this life and not to feel guilty about your choice to send them over the rainbow bridge.
A very complete writing with many references and other recommended readings. A guide to when enough is enough for your pet in this life and not to feel guilty about your choice to send them over the rainbow bridge.
Read
February 13, 2016this was so sad and so true this is the very worst disease.
February 18, 2020
A comforting and fact filled book.
June 4, 2019
Having the suspicion for months that my 15 year old toy poodle is suffering from doggy dementia and not yet taken her to the vet for assessment, I have been researching symptoms and signs and what to do in case. This book answered a lot of my questions, posed a few, made some suggestions and clarified my own thinking of my dog's future and how I shall deal with the existing changes and any future ones. I have already made significant adjustments to accommodate her failing senses and abilities. Many of the suggestions in the book to improve cognition do not apply to this particular dog and even supplements, herbals, medications are not viable for a dog with a dodgy GI. I have my own personal criteria for quality of life balanced with my need for her to stay with me. I am pleased I bought the book and might find myself rereading it closer to the end. What it did do was convince me that it is time to see the vet.
April 28, 2018
Beautiful, thoughtful, loving book. My most recent pup with CCD, Wilma, passed away of aspiration pneumonia while I was still reading this. It took a few days to be able to pick the book back up again, but I’m glad I did. Wilma was my third CCD dog and I still learned from the book - thank you. Cricket was a very blessed little lady to have Eileen.
February 28, 2021
I found this book to be extremely valuable and, like nearly every other reviewer here, I really wish I’d read it when my dogs were younger. It contains a good mixture of personal stories and practical advice, and reading it felt like talking to a good friend or mentor. I’ll be passing the book along to my partner now, so we can work together to help our little guy as best we can.
October 21, 2023
Excellent....well written....sad
My elderly Collie has early stage CCD...this book and Eileen’s understanding and empathy when explaining was heartwarming and heartbreaking in equal measure.
I read it on my Kindle but will be ordering it to have to refer back to...couldn’t take it all in, I was crying so much.
My elderly Collie has early stage CCD...this book and Eileen’s understanding and empathy when explaining was heartwarming and heartbreaking in equal measure.
I read it on my Kindle but will be ordering it to have to refer back to...couldn’t take it all in, I was crying so much.
January 14, 2019
Offers some good advice on how to care for a dog with dementia (canine cognitive dysfunction) with care and compassion. Some of the things Anderson suggested were not for me and seem impractical for my dog at this stage, but I am glad for this reassuring and comprehensive book on “doggy dementia.”
September 27, 2019
Important information for ccd!
I like that this books was written from the heart and it is a comfort to know there is someone out there that has put this heart break of a period in words and has put all her learnings out there for everyone
I like that this books was written from the heart and it is a comfort to know there is someone out there that has put this heart break of a period in words and has put all her learnings out there for everyone
December 6, 2024
This book was very helpful to me while caring for my beagle with dementia. He lived to be 16. Some days he was very needy and other days he wanted to be left alone, but it helped me understand what he was going thru and how to help him and be more patient.
August 21, 2018
Good checklists and sites to help evaluate, care for, accommodate, and love your dog with dementia. Very helpful.
July 17, 2021
Good narrative, and a helpful set or resources.
January 22, 2023
A thoughtful book containing lots of helpful information about Canine Cognitive Dysfunction. I would highly recommend!
July 1, 2025
this was good, helped me understand my dementia dog better and the things he is going through. lots of links and 5 stars for the American reader, however I am Aussie, so 4 stars from me.
July 23, 2025
Excellent Resource!
Packed full of helpful information. Highly recommend especially for those going through the process with canine cognitive dysfunction. Thank you!
Packed full of helpful information. Highly recommend especially for those going through the process with canine cognitive dysfunction. Thank you!
December 8, 2022
This book was just what I needed right now. I was very close to euthanized my 16 yr old dachshund , but after reading this book I realized that there is still quality of life left in him and I want to enjoy having him for a bit longer, how long remains to be seen. Thank you for a beautifully written book, it helped me, I hope it helps others.
November 21, 2015
A useful and compassionate look at dementia in aging dogs, and how to help them. My dog is not old (yet), but the information is still timely and useful, and has given me ideas on how to start preparations now for when my dog IS elderly and possibly suffering reduced cognitive ability. The book is copiously supported with reference material and links to the current science on cognition in dogs, but written in an approachable, personal way. Five stars!
January 21, 2016
My beautiful Abby suffered from CCD and reading this was helpful for those canine caregivers facing the disease. Thank you Eileen.
April 17, 2017
This is an important book, not just for owners of an old dog with or without dementia but for every dog owner.
All too often certain behaviors are explained with the dog being "stubborn" or wanting to be "mean" to the owner which is just wrong. Dogs aren't like that. It is especially important to know that when the dog behaves a certain way because it is ill and its physical and - in the case of dementia - mental abilities worsen.
Read this book and learn what to look out for in your aging dog and how to help him during this time. You can still have many wonderful years together. If you have a young dog, read it and learn how to prepare your furry friend and yourself for the future.
All too often certain behaviors are explained with the dog being "stubborn" or wanting to be "mean" to the owner which is just wrong. Dogs aren't like that. It is especially important to know that when the dog behaves a certain way because it is ill and its physical and - in the case of dementia - mental abilities worsen.
Read this book and learn what to look out for in your aging dog and how to help him during this time. You can still have many wonderful years together. If you have a young dog, read it and learn how to prepare your furry friend and yourself for the future.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews