Another follow-up on Molly. 

We're fininshing up the medication (an antibiotic) that cleared up the UTI within about 3 days of her starting the medication.  She was running & playing some before this, and has perked up some since.  With the nice spring weather we've been having, she's really enjoying it. 

I notice now though that her hearing seems a little bit less (still selective though), and she doesn't see very well any more - she doesn't like to be trapped or enclosed in anywhere. 

My guess is that her pawing at us was to try & tell us something wasn't right with her. 
Communicating with us the only way she knows how to and works.

She just turned 13, and I've been blessed to have had her in such remarkable health (she gets bragged on at the vet when she goes for being so healthy), with little arthritis and little to no mobility problems.  It sometimes gets lost in the shuffle of day to day, but regardless of whether you're talking your pets or people, each day is a gift, and ought to be treated as such. 

Mollys Dad

Awwww, Heck.  Losing hearing and getting cataracts occurs in all aging dogs and usually begins around 12-13, been my experience with 7 dachshunds. Remember, if in good health, these little dogs often live 18 or 19 years.  Don't be too quick to write off that senior girl.  I had a dachshund that eventually went virtually blind with cataracts that began around 12-13, too.    Had to feed all ltreats open handed or he'd "miss" and nip you by accident.  Had to watch him like a hawk around the swimming pool we had then.  Poor thing would "get lost" behind open doors and in corners of rooms and just stand there until we would notice and help him "out" of being trapped there.    It was sad to see this, but by never moving furniture around on him, he could pretty much get around in the house without difficulties.  He continued to love and be loved for quite a few more years.  He lost all hearing even before sight.  He would howl if we turned our head up and pretended to be howling without making a sound.  That's when we KNEW for sure he was totally deaf.  But he lived to be 18½, even with several other major health conditions. 

Hopefully your girl will improve with her meds.  I'm sure that UTI would get her up hourly if a bad one (been there).  Only natural she would beg her #1 human to take her out please and make it stop hurting. 

Just learn to be patient with her quirky geriatric needs (which will most assuredly get worse over time) and return the love ten fold she has given you for so many years.  Take good care of her and she'll be around for many more!