Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Tazzie seemed to be suffering from a Regression Week making me wonder about it all (amp, chemo), kind of like Hori's lapse but not so bad. He is afterall half her size and 5-6 weeks ahead in this amputation business. We'd go to a park, invariably empty of dogs and therefore humans. He would hop about 20 yards, do his business and then just stand there with no interest in going anywhere else, reminding me of the days when he did those great imitations of a block of cement. Of course these were not official dog parks, which meant there were no dogs or people to see or visit. Nonetheless, it does not take much to worry his mum.
Today we drove miles and miles and miles to a bone-ified dog park. (Winnipeg is not nearly as dog-friendly as Calgary where almost all parks have green doggy signs.) Tazzie was happy to see all the pups and people. Even though it was far too manicured with some paved trails for Susan's liking, we hopped across the grass a respectable distance (maybe 1/2 mile, maybe a bit less) to a pond where he swam. Hmm, should I wonder about the water quality when he is Always the ONLY dog swimming? After that he was still interested in looking ahead, but we hopped back toward the car. There were lots of dogs to meet and people to lean against (which is especially appealing when you are soaked from swimming in scummy water) along the way.
The highlight was near the end when he met a border collie cross that was obsessed with chasing her ball. Tazzie was equally obsessed with her which meant that he chased her whenever she chased the ball. Phew, that was good exercise! I guess he should have gotten the phone number of that cute little collie (i.e., exercise machine).
When you don't live in a house with 10 kids or 6 dogs and 3 cats (I love the photos of Millie's pack!), you might have to dig deep to find enough motivation to get some of these tripawds hopping.
I just wonder how sore he is going to be tonight . . .
Susan
Ooooo! Tazzie's got a girlfriend!!! You'd better keep your eye on him, mom 😉
It is funny what it takes to motivate them sometime. We acquired Duke in May, 6 months post op for Trouble. Up until then she was a happy, well adjusted couch potato. Now she is up an moving each time Duke barks or jumps. He has definitely brought exercise into her life. A very good thing at her age.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Yes! So that is the way to move them... well, I'll have to get another dog! (Hori kills me if she reads this).
Motivation is really an issue for us, as Hori is not easily motivated, never was. She is happiest cuddling with me and never was a tail wagger, so I keep an eye on her eyebrows (they are really impressing in their movements!). But I would love her to have some motivation to go hopping or even to stand up on her own. Maybe I'll load her in the car and go to the city tomorrow and see if it is not too much for her.
Tazzie, I'll tell Hori you are being unfaithful, she is serious about relationships! On the other hand... if having a fling helps your motivation, I'll keep quiet about it!!!
Go Tazzie go, hope you are not too sore tomorrow!
Spirit Horacia, Castaño, Olympia + human family Cecilia, Georg and Julia - - - Hori first diagnosed 8/6/09, ampu 8/12/09, run over the bridge 9/10/09 – We miss you every day dear girl!
I bet Hori would LOVE a trip to the city. And maybe she will meet a nice young lad.
Dearest Hori,
It is true that we do have a love match, but I am worried about the kids. You have OSA and I have OSA, so maybe we should meet some smaller mates who are less likely to pass that on to the kids. As far as I can tell, the only trait I might pass on with my border collie cross friend (she looks as though she is crossed with a corgi) are genes for obsessive ball chasing.
. . . it won't be the same without you.
xoxoxo Tazzie
Hi Tazzie, with all this new developments in science, we only have to wait a couple of years to have kids, then we will be able to correct our babies genetically so that they are free from OSA. As you see, I won't give up my hopes on you!!! You have so much I lack: long hair, a nice grin (impossible with my "full" lips), ball chasing instincts!!!!
But then again I'm quite sexy when draped on the sofa (you can't even tell a leg is missing, you just assume it's hidden under a pillow!).
love
Hori
Spirit Horacia, Castaño, Olympia + human family Cecilia, Georg and Julia - - - Hori first diagnosed 8/6/09, ampu 8/12/09, run over the bridge 9/10/09 – We miss you every day dear girl!
My Mum just reminded me that she made sure I could never have kids when I was just a young lad, darn her. I guess I'm back in then - what are kids when there is true love.
Then again, you are a bit tall.
Tazzie
just to clarify I did not inherit my mom's ball-chasing instincts, just my dad's cat, muskrat and sheep herding instincts (note to Yoda - I herd and protect, I do not kill)
Well, all of this discussion is very interesting. I cannot count the number of times that we have mentioned to remember to treat the spirit as well as the body. Find something that your companion loves and exploit that love to provide a purpose to their life. Perhaps I was very lucky in that I found it with Cherry very early. She was not doing well the first weekend after surgery and I went to our local vet to discuss my options. She said to bring Cherry in and the rest is history. To this day, we take our nearly daily rides in the truck. I try to vary the route and purpose to keep it interesting but she is always willing and eager. I know the ten or more mile hikes are gone, but she still enjoys being with me and going out. Her best appetite and attitude was during our month long trip to Yellowstone. Everyone who met her in the Grizzly RV Park in West Yellowstone mentioned how great she looked. On one day, I took her into the Upper Geyser Basin where we radio back to the Old Faithful Visitor's Center a number of the geyser eruptions and sat in a swing on the veranda at the Lower Hamilton General Store.
As I said, all this discussion is very interesting. They still need purpose in their lives and we need to help them find it.
Bob & Cherry
Cherry said:
... remember to treat the spirit as well as the body.
Amen.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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