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Polly Update and a few questions
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Member Since:
20 January 2009
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24 February 2009 - 4:39 pm
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Hi everyone. Polly is recovering really well. She had her staples removed last night and wore her webmaster harness for the first time yesterday (i even used it to help her into the car on the way home). I have a few questions for the more experiences tripawders here:

1. doghouses? We have a "dogloo". At the moment we blocked it off so she cant get inside. She tried to go in there the day she got home, but it was hard for her to duck her head and walk at the same time to get back out. Im thinking maybe the dogloo has to go and im wondering if others have any suggestions?(the truth is we never leave her outside when we arent home anyway. She only goes outside at her own request when we are home -  so she doesnt really NEED it, but she likes it.)

2. stairs: when have others allowed their dogs to try to re-learn the stairs? She keeps trying to go up them with us, but so far we havent let her try (though vet gave us the ok to let her try yesterday)

3. car ramps? What have been your experiences? My husband and i can both lift her, but im concerned that with two kids in the mix there will come a day when we dont have enough free hands fast enough and that polly will try to jump out on her own and hurt herself (shes a front leg amp)

Thanks again to everyone for your support. We are so grateful for it and for our pup still being here with us! 🙂Cool

Edmonton
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16 February 2008
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24 February 2009 - 5:28 pm
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Just some crazy ideas from someone, me, who have no clue about carpentry …  Can the dogloo come apart in two halves, top & bottom?  Any chance that some wood work can be done to raise the top half with some columns to make the entrance high enough for Polly? She might like to get into the dogloo for some closed-in sense of secure??  If so, board (cardboards? plywood? fabric?) the dogloo around to add some privacy for her...  Or keep the bottom and replace the top half with some fabric on a vertical post to make it look like a tent?

Genie never was able to use stairs without me helping… well, I should say, both of us never tried hard enough, and I was too overly protective.  So perhaps others more agile tripawd pawrents can share their experiences with you.   ;-)

Being a front-leg amputee, Polly should be fine hopping up to the car on her own.  I wouldn't let her jump off the car though.  Tell her to wait in the car until you have free hands to lift her out. Car ramps is a good idea too, but you still need to have spare hands to set up the ramp.  So I would think… train Polly to wait is the best bet.

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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24 February 2009 - 8:45 pm
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Yeah Polly! Congratulations, so happy to hear everything is going well. Ok, hope we can offer some advice here....

Regarding the Igloo. Well, I never had one of those things, but from our experience with tripawds who were able to use doggy doors after surgery, it seems to me that tripawds will figure out how to use their bodies in this way. I would let her try it while you're around, keeping an eye on her from afar. If she seems to have too much trouble with it after a few times, I would re-think keeping it around. But I'm betting that she will surprise you with her ability to get in and out. I'm sure she loves it, as we dogs love to "den" and curl up on our own sometimes. I used to do that under my Mom and Dad's computer desks in the office, and never had a problem getting in or out of those tight spots.

I DO have a lot of experience with stairs. I had 18 of them I needed to go up and down to get out of my house. My parents found that a few weeks after my surgery, I didn't need the help going up. It was going down where things go tricky. The stairs had traction strips, but were uncarpeted linoleium. Because I tended to race down the stairs, Mom and Dad would never let me go down them alone for fear I would stumble really hard when I got overly excited. Same thing after we moved into the RV, they never let me down without helping me, thanks to the handle on my harness.

About ramps...Mom and Dad looked into one for me, but our big ol' 4x4 truck was just too high. What they found was that by helping me in and out of the truck with the handle, things worked out just fine. They never let me jump in or out without assistance. Sometimes I'd try jumping up, and Dad could tell that he was just lightly lifting me, I was doing all the work. But going out was another story. I would use caution there and warn your kids that they just can't let the dog jump out alone. Maybe make it an assignment for them to help Polly in and out?

Hope this helps! Keep us posted OK?

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
28 January 2009
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24 February 2009 - 9:09 pm
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We have wood stairs in the house and we ordered stair treads which have been great and our disabled cat finds them helpful too.  I taped them down to make them even better.  

Lily glides up the stairs beautifully (we are at 4 weeks now) but the problem is all we can do is hope there won't be an accident coming down.  When we let them out we make sure it is one at a time, but she still races down like before. We have stairs everywhere, and four dogs.  And when the doorbell rings and we're not home... She's so perfectly back to normal we don't want to confine her when we leave so we just have to hope.

 Jerry, did you really have help all the time after your recovery?  I'm getting so worried now because our black lab, Sally, fell down the stairs once and---weep, weep, weep--- that's all I'll say since I know we're all already crying about Mia and Uschi and the others who we've grown attached to here, so, I'm realizing I'm in big falling-down-the-stairs-denial.  

Guys, I also wonder, how did you all handle going down the stairs after all the healing?  Lily is a front amputee as well.  

Thanks,

Jody

Member Since:
20 January 2009
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25 February 2009 - 1:35 pm
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So Polly has been going on short walks since about day 4 after surgery (I know - Dr said only leash walks to pee - but  you could see it in her face - she wanted to go so badly!) So Daddy has been taking her a little farther every couple of days. This morning he tried to go the "shorter route" and she wanted to head for the park! So she made it out to her park today! 🙂 yeah! 🙂 No frisbees yet, but i really think we will get there!

So then this morning i woke up - in my upstairs bedroom - to Polly coming to greet me in bed! Daddy forgot to close the baby gate after their walk and went into the downstairs bathroom...meanwhile MsAgility snuck up the stairs by herself! 🙂 Apparently we need to be more careful with the gate! I helped her down and I was really glad to have the harness (webmaster - its working out great). The handle really was helpful to help her get down the stairs safely. At first i tried to help her a little too much, then i quickly figured out the best idea was just to keep my hand on it and provide support if she needed it. We have gates top & bottom, and Polly will just have to stay downstairs when we arent home. Shes pretty used to that already only becuase weve never made an effort to open the gate when we leave.

Thanks for the advice on the dogloo. I think we will give it a little more time and see how she does. The entrance is probably easier than most dog doors so i think she probably will be able to figure it out with time.

Re the car - she is already trained to "wait" - its just not foolproof is all.... guess we will just have to work on that!

Thanks again for all of your advice and encouragement! We really are starting to turn that corner where we feel like we have our puppygirl back! You can just see it in her face, in her eyes. She is becoming her happy Polly self again and its so wonderful to see! 🙂 🙂 🙂 Thank you all!

On The Road


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24 September 2009
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25 February 2009 - 4:09 pm
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nester said:

Jerry, did you really have help all the time after your recovery?  I'm getting so worried now because our black lab, Sally, fell down the stairs once and—weep, weep, weep— that's all I'll say since I know we're all already crying about Mia and Uschi and the others who we've grown attached to here, so, I'm realizing I'm in big falling-down-the-stairs-denial.  


Well, yeah, mostly all the time. Maybe a few times I ran down before Mom and Dad could catch me, and luckily I didn't wipe out.

My pawrents noticed that when I went down stairs, I would lean against the wall as I went down. I pretty much knew how to go down by myself, but they were still freaked out.

They also had a baby gate at the top of the front stairs, which were hardwood. Those stairs I was never ever ever allowed to go down by myself, they were much too steep and dangerous. The back staircase had a traction strip on each step, so it was easier for me to handle.

It was far easier for Mom and Dad to keep an eye on me because I was the only dog in the house. With four, I don't know, that will be a challenge but you know, I would play it by ear. I think the stairs are more of an issue for much older dogs, dogs with bad hips, and dogs that are progressively getting weaker from cancer. Lily doesn't fit into any of these categories, so you might want to just see how she does.

Try not to worry. We dogs are so much smarter and able than you humans think!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

On The Road


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25 February 2009 - 4:11 pm
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kty8 said:

Thanks again for all of your advice and encouragement! We really are starting to turn that corner where we feel like we have our puppygirl back! You can just see it in her face, in her eyes. She is becoming her happy Polly self again and its so wonderful to see! :) :) :) Thank you all!


Oh that's so great to hear! You'll have to post some photos of her smiling.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Livermore CA
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24 January 2009
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26 February 2009 - 12:13 pm
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About jumping out of the car--I had a friend make a little mini-deck for Cemil, which is a box a little longer than the distance from his front legs to his back legs, wide enough to be secure, and the height is about half the distance from the truck tailgate and the ground.  He can step out onto it and be level, then step down to the ground. It works great.  I'm not being specific about the dimensions because Cemil is a big dog, and Polly may not need one as big as he does (ok, it's 30" x 36" and 10" high); if she waits to get out, that gives you time to put it down on the ground for her.  I just carry it around in the back of the truck so it's always there. 

Cemil and mom Mary, Mujde and Radzi….appreciating and enjoying Today

Cemil's blog

On The Road


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24 September 2009
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26 February 2009 - 12:36 pm
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Great tip. Thanks Cemil!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

My heart lives at Rainbow Bridge
Member Since:
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26 February 2009 - 7:55 pm
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The car was a challenge for us and Trouble.  She is skittish about ramps, so we were pretty sure she wouldn't use one, and she's a little to heavy for me to lift without being nervous about dropping her.  For a while it took both of us to get her into and out of the vehicle, but soon she let us know she could get in on her own.  I stay close and have a hand on the leash to make sure I can give her a little support if she needs it, but she navigates getting in well on her own.  Getting out, I never, ever, let her try on her own.  She is a front amputee and I'm not willing to take that chance.  When possible, I back up to a sidewalk curb to let her out.  That way the distance to the ground is less.  I don't use a harness, but I do keep a firm grip on her leash and help support her weight as she jumps.

Polly is doing great!  I know you are so pleased.

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.

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20 January 2009
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27 February 2009 - 2:09 pm
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We are finding that the harness really helps on the stairs (going down) and getting out of the car. Polly is going on longer and longer walks each day and SO badly wanted to go to the park w/the kids and me for a playdate yesterday, but I had my hands full already. I told her maybe in a few months when the baby is older & Polly is more used to getting around on her own. I guess i worry about a run in with an aggressive dog - not that its likely at all to happen, but a toddler, a baby, and a tripawd in the middle of a dogfight is not a chance im willing to take!

I guess i just worry that Polly might not be able to defend herself as she might have before and i dont want to have to sit and watch her get beat up because my arms are full of children! Id rather save her park trips w/kids for when Dad is available too. Just seems a little safer.Probably for lots of reasons! :)

Member Since:
28 February 2009
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28 February 2009 - 10:33 am
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Mac is a small tripawd, only 24 pounds since the surgery.  I've found that letting him do things that he wants to do and can safely do is best for him.  Dogs aren't like people; they don't need encouragement to live life to the fullest.  I'd say if she loves the Dogloo, let it stay.  Make adjustments if she has problems, but don't limit her.

As far as stairs, Mac is small enough that he has trouble going up more than a few.  I always assist up and down, except for our outside stairs.  He's small, though, and easy to carry.  I just figure the risk of falling and being hurt is too much.  However, if your tripawd is bigger, she may have no problems at all after an adjustment period.

I love that you are taking her on walks, despite doctor's orders.  Mac took 3 days to want to walk after his surgery.  My philosophy is that the prognosis is often grim, so why waste time?  Within a week of his first chemo (2 weeks after surgery), we were walking a mile a day.  Why hold back such spunk?  Keep it up; I'm a believer that exercise will help heal all wounds.

Good luck with everything!  Laugh

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28 February 2009 - 12:42 pm
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My husband is also a firm believer that excercise will help her recover and stay strong (I agree with him but im a little more cautious and i worry a little about her overdoing it and taking longer to heal because she's expending energy elsewhere). However, we both agree that her state of mind is key to her success as well - and like you said, why hold back spunk? Though our prognosis is actually good, our dog is 12 yrs old and really, when you have someone as wonderful in your life as a great dog, and they only live ~1/6 of our lifetime ---- i say NEVER waste a moment with them EVER -- regardless of circumstances! 🙂

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