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Post by Reuben & Luna on Jul 30, 2018 10:34:32 GMT -7
When I came home today after leaving for the weekend - she did run to me and yell/roar, a LITTLE less than she used to but much better response/reaction than last week.
She was overstimulated when I came home; she started to run back and forth, making fast U turns in the house. I quickly put her body harness on and took her outside for a 15 minute walk (she made it to 0.5 miles or so). When we came back, I gave her the big kong wobbler toy that dispenses treats. As expected, she was afraid but still curious as I bumped it to show food would come out.
For the next hour or so she wanted to play or sit/lay next to me. So that is a much better reaction compared to the last week. You can look into your dog's eyes and see if everything is OK, I think.
At this point, I think the initial guess was true - she's just very bored and doesn't have any stimulation.
A new interactive puzzle toy will be coming tomorrow, let's see how she fairs with that.
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Post by Reuben & Luna on Aug 1, 2018 7:49:56 GMT -7
I haven't given her the puzzle toy yet, but she's been using the slow feeder. Near the end, she starts to bite the dish, so I take it away. Mom isn't happy with how low to the ground it is though, but it's definitely helping Luna eat slower. Is Luna having fun with it? Probably, it's frustrating which sometimes is fun for a dog - lol. I still have hesitation that mom will actually use this bowl for Luna though, mom doesn't like any change at all even after describing the benefits. We also have the other treat toys that dispense a few pebbles of dry food that keep her mind slightly entertained (or at least tell us that she's hungry). She's eating a little more than usual (almost 2 cups of food) as she starts to get some real exercise again, she used to eat only 1.5 cups but she was supplemented with peanut butter/etc. that have been replaced with carrots. Another 0.5 mile (15 minute) walk this morning, moving briskly. Sleeping afterwards. 5 weeks after surgery and her strength seems to be coming back. Although it's only 1-2 walk a day right now, last night's walk she didn't want to go anywhere (3-4 houses and came back). I also noticed at night what seemed like maybe muscle spasms when she was laying to sleep, she kicked her back leg up 3 or 4 times in a row and her front leg (same side) 3 or 4 times up and down when I was touching her shoulder as she was laying on her side trying to sleep. That seemed a little more odd and not related to trying to getting comfortable, and not related to her dreaming movements/motions. It didn't last long but was weird enough for me to think it was probably some muscle reaction to where I was touching her shoulder.Doc said some dogs start to feel better in "only 2-3 days" post-op. I think Luna has taken longer than that lol, or we've been slower in ramping up her movements/walks (for example when doctor wanted 5 minute walks 3-4x a day we were doing 2 walks of 10 and 5 minutes). I would say the last couple of days she has shown a more typical personality/reaction to things going on (other than sleeping). I sense all of the writing/documentation of when she pees/poops/eats/walks is coming to an end. It's a carry over from the crate time/medicine times. Slowly getting back to some type of normalcy/acceptance. All in all, I would say things are going well/as expected for 5 weeks out.
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Post by Reuben & Luna on Aug 2, 2018 5:08:08 GMT -7
I read that aqua therapy can work wonders, although our surgeon didn't think we'd need it.
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Post by Merriem & Spike on Aug 2, 2018 7:39:50 GMT -7
We found the water treadmill to be helpful, however Spike seemed to lose interest after many trips to Tucson and many $$$$$$$. We have currently discontinued it.
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Post by Reuben & Luna on Aug 2, 2018 8:58:50 GMT -7
Here's Luna's first try at the interactive puzzle, just scared, lol. At least she's having fun with it. She did eat a kibble out of each puzzle (after I opened them) after 5 minutes or so, so that was the end of the first session.
Luna has also been barking f or her slow feeder bowl when we're filling it with food. She hasn't screamed or danced for food since she was a puppy!
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Aug 2, 2018 13:17:04 GMT -7
Some dogs may feel better 2-3 days post-op but many do not. Luna is definitely healing but she is doing it at her own pace. I am glad that you feel things are getting back to normal.
The picture of her with the puzzle toy is too cute. She looks interested but also a bit wary.
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Post by Reuben & Luna on Aug 3, 2018 6:07:09 GMT -7
I did wonder what the price is [underwater treadmill] . Our vet offers it, in packages of "10 visits", so in my mind I thought it might be $100 a visit, lol. Luna hates the water, in the daycare they probably scolded them with water guns, I don't know, but there's no way she'd get into a treadmill pool even if it was filled with rawhides. She is very wary of it, she hates when things close on her (she has an abnormal fear of boxes). We got her at 6 weeks so I'm not sure what events transpired before then to be afraid of boxes, lol, she was flown in a plane to our city at that age though, so maybe that's it. Luna did 0.62 miles in 15 minutes this morning, new world record (WR) post surgery (PS). I think Luna was feeling better maybe a week after surgery but she was so contained she was just depressed, I gave her no chance to show happiness, but that seemed instructed, lol. Whenever she'd leave her cage and try to walk fast, I'd tell her slowly and keep the leash tight - she wasn't allowed to walk at a normal speed anywhere. When she had her staples removed she was super happy at the Doctor's office, it was the first time she was allowed to roam around outside her crate without a leash attached - she acted like normal Luna (sniffing things, wagging her tail, getting down to play, walking around the room investigating it quickly). Her house is "boring", but she's getting used to it and now has some interesting treat bowls. She now barks for her food which she hasn't done since she was 1 year old or less, she really likes the slow feeder, seems like a toy to her. Luna comes from show beagle parents, her walk is a hippity-hop prance from the side worthy of a show walk if she was ever trained (lol). She's getting back to that. My yard is taking care of itself well, thank the one above for drip irrigation, lol. thumb.ibb.co/dvvNbK/20180803_133437.jpg thumb.ibb.co/jaHeOz/20180803_133735.jpg
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Post by Julie & Perry on Aug 3, 2018 11:17:05 GMT -7
I'm so happy Luna is getting her spunk back!!!
It just takes time.
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Post by Reuben & Luna on Aug 6, 2018 6:44:19 GMT -7
I'm frustrated. I left for the weekend and let mom know this is about how far you should walk Luna and get a van pickup while I'm gone.
Instead, she walked Luna that far and doubled back (instead of calling my Dad to pick her up). I have no idea why she isn't asking Dad for van pickup, and mom's excuse is "she should be able to handle these, it's been so long since surgery, and she wants to walk" - instead of following doctor's orders.
Hence why I basically give up my whole life to defend for Luna because my parents seem to have no idea or not even half the care I have, although it's "their" dog as the rest of the family says.
Going to drive 2.5 hours soon after I fix this critical problem at work just to defend for my dog's life because the "owners" can't seem to follow simple orders even though we're so close to being "done" with PT. This is really frustrating!
What are the signs we are supposed to see if Luna is having an IVDD event instead of muscle pain? Is it just the pain symptoms listed before? Wouldn't muscle pain also exhibit similar signs?
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,603
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Post by PaulaM on Aug 6, 2018 12:13:32 GMT -7
Both muscle soreness and a very mild disc issue can be pain only making it confusing which is which. Here is a review of signs of disc episode in graphic form to help you and your parents observe: Hope to hear, just some muscle soreness. Let us know
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Post by Reuben & Luna on Aug 6, 2018 22:10:32 GMT -7
Hi,
Thanks for that image, that helps a lot!
Luna seems to be her normal playful self (slightly subdued but definitely better than the last couple of weeks).
I do see her stretch a few times a day and hold her head high (after getting up from a nap). She didn't used to do that, I attribute that to her surgery and maybe is just a thing for her now (similar to how I sprained my ankle and it's never been the same, lol). She doesn't randomly do that while walking around or permanently hold it there.
My family is kind of agitating me over all this. My little sister in particular says I care too much about dogs. I'm not sure who would ever say such a thing especially when it's the family's pet and she's injured/special needs now. I actually am feeling insane with the amount of crazy comments both my sisters give over this situation, saying it's "just a dog". "Why do you care so much, it's not your dog".
I get it if you're not an animal lover, it's weird to be chastised by your own family. "I feel like you were abnormally depressed when our last dog died". Gee, so there's a rule for how long someone is allowed to be sad when something, or someone, passes away? It lasted a month for me. For a 15 year old dog you grew up with, I don't think that's out of the ordinary - but I would never chastise anyone for feeling bad about losing their pet, losing a family member (which a pet is!), losing their job, losing their girlfriend/boyfriend, or anything. I don't think I fit in with my family, lol.
Both sisters have not been involved whatsoever in Luna's IVDD event/surgery/post-care and yet they suggest I need to see a therapist because of how much I love my dog - lol. Are you serious! I guess I can see their point, as I do find it odd when someone DOESN'T care about their pet, or animals in general (since they don't have a voice). It's OK, they don't have to be a pet owner then, because they have no idea what it means to be one. It's easy to not feel the pressure of a situation the farther proximity you are away from it (and mileage, one is 150 miles, the other one is 1000 miles).
As the saying goes, easy to say and difficult to do. Easy to say whatever you want when you aren't doing anything to help, lol.
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Post by Julie & Perry on Aug 7, 2018 4:25:45 GMT -7
Yep, I understand Reuben. Not everyone understands being bonded with a dog. I've gone into debt and missed a long planned Florida vacation for my IVDD dog kids!!
Luna is lucky to have you.
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Post by Reuben & Luna on Aug 7, 2018 7:03:09 GMT -7
Thanks Julie! With our last beagle, the family went to Hawaii without me. Yes, I do want to see the volcanoes and clear water - but the time before that we left him in a kennel, he came back with no voice. So, I'd rather go to my death bed knowing I didn't put him through that again. I can see Hawaii by myself some other day. I'm glad I'm not as crazy as they make me out to be, there are others who share the same feelings for their dog. I asked my older sister (who is 40 with 2 kids) to stop asking "why I care so much" about "a dog", as I don't see how that's related or a fair question to ask someone about anything. You could ask that to anyone, about anything! I sometimes wonder why my brother in law married her, lol! (Yes I love my sister, but still). I do have a problem with caring "too much" though, that trait it has gotten me far in my career. I think though, in this world and life, it's better to care too much vs. too little about people/animals/plants/environment.
The surgeon told me when other owners found out their dog had this disease, they sold their house and moved into a ranch (single floor). I'm thinking of doing that just so Luna can visit easier, until then I want to get things ramped cheaply.
The same conversations are happening again now "Oh, we can't go on family vacations together!" - they look at it from that angle, and I look at it from "I'm not complaining to have to take care of Luna during that time".
Luna did 0.74 miles in 20 minutes this morning. She's in her "20 minutes" week.
Do you guys think it's OK to do multiple walks of these lengths in the same day during this post-op PT phase? I'm at a point I think the vet and surgeon will take a week to respond because they can sense Luna is feeling healthier, lol.
25-30 minute walks is around the time I think Luna can start doing more wandering walks, she used to do 45 minutes with me - but she'd basically go as far away as possible from home and when she started to feel tired (I THINK) she'd turn around and walk straight home without stopping.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,603
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Post by PaulaM on Aug 7, 2018 9:46:01 GMT -7
Reuben, gradual increase of walks is to give you an opportunity to see how she does. Maybe start the 2nd 20 minute walk of the day with only a 10 min and work up to by end of week IF she is doing well you'd be at 20 mins for that 2nd walk of the day.
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Post by Reuben & Luna on Aug 7, 2018 9:57:33 GMT -7
Thanks!
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Post by Michelle & Keira on Aug 7, 2018 20:34:02 GMT -7
Oh Reuben, I love how much you love Luna. Your passion and dedication to her recovery is admirable. To some people dogs are just dogs, but for us who are blessed to see they are so much more, we are truly lucky to see how special they are. I love my dogs like I love my children. I often say that dogs make much better companions than people! Luna and your family are lucky to have you on board. Take care, Michelle
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Post by Reuben & Luna on Aug 8, 2018 7:54:34 GMT -7
Michelle,
Yes, I am so hesitant to say "but she's like my child!" because I KNOW that's what my 40 year old sister is waiting to hear (who has a 2 and 4 year old), so she can chastise me in her response.
But yes, sorry, Luna is like an endless child. They don't mature past a 1 year old really.
My older sister's father in law passed away recently, so she brings up how "Reuben" is going to react when one of our parents go through a debilitating period. Will it be worse, or better than what's happening now with Luna? I said it will be the same. My little sister also thinks I "overreacted" when our last dog died. Gee I would love to care so little about what's important to me, and then die myself someday, that would be leading a wonderful fulfilling life (?). I also don't think it's a fair question at all to ask someone how they will react when someone or something is going through tough times, everyone is different, we're not robots - secondly I'm the one HELPING. They're living their own lives hundreds/thousands of miles away. Is that how I should react to? When my parents/dog need help (even though my parents are annoyed by this, lol) - just let them deal with it themselves and let our dog suffer (so weird to me).
But in general, yes, I am one of those people who usually loves animals more than people, lol. I think we can all relate here!
Luna did 0.77 miles in 20 minutes this morning. Mom was angry when picking us up saying it's "too far", she "can't handle it", etc. But Luna did 0.75 miles yesterday in 20 minutes. The problem is mom doesn't use a GPS or math, she just "guesses". Since Luna goes on "new" routes with me, Mom has no idea how far Luna went or didn't go. Th eonly rebuttal I had for her was Luna routinely did walk around the block with Mom, which Mom calls her "Long" walk of the day - and that's 1.05 miles.
I have been trying hard to tell mom Luna needs to exercise more frequently or at least as much as she did before, not less. Leaving her lay on the carpet more often than not with IVDD is not going to prolong her life. I think that's my biggest worry in the long run is that my mom is the excuse master for not doing something lol.
Reuben
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Post by Reuben & Luna on Aug 13, 2018 5:14:46 GMT -7
Small update while I've been gone for the last few days, mom has been taking her on 0.75 mile walks with Dad picking her up (that's good).
When I come back on Tuesday, we'll start 25 minute walks.
The last few days Luna has been rejecting van pickup a bit, she goes in the cage and immediately exits it. If the van drives away, she'll go into the cage. If/when we get her in the cage/pick her up into the van, she hangs her head for like 30 seconds before lying down.
I keep talking her and asking if she's OK but she doesn't turn her head to look at me; she doesn't look like she's shaking or in pain. When she exits the van a few minutes later she seems fine.
I THINK Luna is thinking "why can't I keep going on my walk? What am I doing wrong? I am depressed." At first I was scared she was in pain or something but I think it's more "I'm sad, I don't want to go home and go back to sleep". I hope?
Anyway I think once we hit 35 minute walks, I'm going to go home and only come on weekends or as needed. 35 minutes should be a 1 mile walk (her longer walk) and mom can walk her without van pickups then. I'm guessing 25 minutes will take her 0.85+, 30 minutes will be close (I mean if she's walking briskly she should definitely get a mile in 30 minutes, cripes, what a slow marathon race).
I don't time her unless she's moving, but half the time she likes to smell things and enjoy being outside, the other half she's a girl on a mission (to walk). And when she walks briskly you better be speed walking to keep up with her.
The GPS says she's usually doing 2.5 miles per hour+ during those brisk walks. So since she doesn't always move at that speed, I think she can hit 1 mile in 30-35 minutes.
She used to jog with me on walks too, especially going home, she'd go for a "run" for about 30 seconds. I guess that won't ever happen again!
We haven't really been giving more than 1 walk a day right now. We're 7 weeks post surgery. I've noticed when we give a 2nd walk in the evening she is a little tired, she'll sit somewhere about 5 minutes away. My goal for mom after Luna can do 35 minute walks, is to see if she'll start doing a couple shorter walks (20 minutes each) per day to start building up her multiple walks per day strength.
I have begun the process to IVDD proof my own house now, I bought that superyard gate to be placed around my firepit (since she likes to jump on top of the unilock walls). I have a contractor coming Wednesday to talk to me about a deck, I'll ask him to quote me a ramp for the front door too (there are 2 steps).
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Aug 13, 2018 5:37:14 GMT -7
My Jeremy, who is an older dog, can no longer walk as far as he used to and last night, he kept looking at me with a pleading face indicating that he wanted to go farther. I knew his legs were giving out and that if we went any farther, he wouldn't be able to walk back to the car so I made him come back. He was hanging his head, too. Their spirits are so willing though their bodies may not be up to it. All we can is what we feel is best for them.
You're doing a great job with Luna, Reuben. There's every reason to believe that in time Luna will get back to where she was before the surgery. Keep up the good work!
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Post by Reuben & Luna on Aug 14, 2018 11:06:32 GMT -7
Today, I needed help with the van pickup because Mom went to get a nuclear echocardiogram test.
I rang both of my parents neighbors, nobody opened, so I stuffed the van's key in my pocket and took Luna out.
It was 80+ degrees so a little hot, I stopped Luna at about 0.6 miles and looked to see if I could find a stranger to help. The first lady I found gladly obliged in helping a stranger by taking the van keys from me, driving her car to my parents house, picking up my parents van and driving back to where Luna was.
That is kind of amazing that a stranger would trust someone in such a strange request, but she has dogs herself and has also had C2/C3 spinal fusion on herself, so I think she felt like she could relate? Lol! I sent her flowers from Luna, don't know who she is but know her address.
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Aug 14, 2018 13:01:13 GMT -7
What a great story. I think most people are kind, especially dog people. When my Frankie was still paralyzed and walking with a sling, at times he was a bit heavy for me to hoist up. Often people stopped and offered help. One women walked me half a block to the door of my building to make sure we were okay. I was so touched by this kindness, especially since Frankie is a pit bull and prior to his disk issue people would sometimes cross the street to avoid him.
How nice of you to send flowers!
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Post by Reuben & Luna on Aug 16, 2018 4:52:56 GMT -7
A few years ago, walking Luna in this neighborhood, a guy across the street was walking his dog. Luna likes to sit and watch when other dogs pass on the other side. By like I mean, she turns into a concrete statue. His dog sat also, so neither of us were moving. He stared for a hard minute at me. So much that I turned my back to him lol. There's no budging Luna when she does this. She actually lays down on the grass to watch. I could sense by that person's stare they probably weren't happy, lol. When I looked up once, the first thing he did/said was yell "if you don't move your dog, my dog is going to kill her. I can't control him." I didn't know hoo to take that or react, I immediately said that's not a very neighborly thing to say! I informed him she won't move, this is what she does, sorry. It escalated from there and my parents weren't happy with me after I talked to them about it, but it was just a lot of verbal jabs. I felt threatened by someone saying that out of the blue about Luna, strange! Especially because the dog was across the street, not on the same sidewalk. I'm sure it was all just because he was having a bad day and it's annoying if your dog is sitting there waiting for 5 minutes because neither dog will budge (hasn't really happened before or after that, lol) - 2 dogs who won't budge. I would say most dog owners are caring but I've met some that aren't and I feel bad for their dogs. The saying goes I strive to be the angel that my dogs think I am. In my own neighborhood recently a guy crossed the street with his dog about 0.25 miles ahead of my car, he didn't care to look to see if cars were coming. He walked so slowly (he is not an old person though lol) that I slowed down to a complete stop and waited for him to finish walking through the middle of a street (non intersection). He gave me a look and then yelled at me to slow down. I asked him what he meant, I was going under the speed limit and came to a complete stop to let him cross, I think it's customary to look both ways when crossing the street - especially with a dog (why, because I have one too). I'm kind of tired of people blaming "me" for their problems, lol. Adult: Look both ways and judge if a car is coming before crossing the road. What do you guys think of Luna's soft toys that she digs on for a few seconds, carries in her mouth but doesn't swing and gently bites on the floor? She is so bored, she's 7 weeks post op, she was happy to see one of her favorite toys this AM. Maybe supervised play?
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Aug 16, 2018 5:07:51 GMT -7
Sure, Luna can chew on some soft toys. It's only when they try to "kill" the toys, shaking them with their heads, that caution should be taken. Here's a list of things that you should try to prevent Luna from doing from now on: Never again activities: No more stairs or steps. Use ramps indoors with furniture and on outdoor steps to help decrease impact on the spine. How to build your own ramps No more jumping up or down, those activities increase impact on the spine. Teach your dog to use a ramp: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/ramptrain.htm No tug-o-war, pulling games. No killing the prey, via shaking toys. No zig zag running. No rambunctious playing with other dogs. Teach your dog to not pull on the leash No sitting up or standing on back legs. Teach your dog to sit down rather than jump AND keep all four feet on the ground Yes, that was definitely a strange encounter that you and Luna had! I have run into owners that just don't get my requests that their dog not jump all over my Jeremy, even when I explain his spinal issues. They just keep saying "He's friendly, he won't hurt him". And that's at a park where the dogs are supposed to be leashed anyway.
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Post by Reuben & Luna on Aug 16, 2018 5:13:18 GMT -7
Oh yeah, that line just came at me yesterday. "He's friendly!" and an unleashed dog is walking down the driveway.
I've tried "She has a broken neck", that didn't work. I think it has to be as short as possible. This time I said "she's recovering from surgery" and the person of course didn't get there fast enough to stop them from meeting and Luna getting agitated. I mean we would have to keep saying this phrase until Luna dies, so we can keep saying "recovering from surgery", but the owners don't expect that (lol), and they definitely aren't in a position to get "there" fast enough.
I wish we had a "red bandana" for certain dogs that meant if possible please leave us alone, lol! Maybe Luna should turn into a pit bull....
I do not like people who have unleashed dogs, it happens a lot in my neighborhood. It's a selfish thing to do, like "Look, I have my dog trained, heheheheeheh!!" - except, it may never cross their mind that there is another dog that is not as well trained even on a leash. And that a dog is still a dog way way way way down in that brain, it may run when something triggers it - example, a fire alarm, a tornado alarm, etc.
Based on that list, she's still getting on her hind legs maybe once a day while hanging on the sliding glass door to indicate she wants to go outside. It's been tough training her out of it, I put a bell (meant for dogs to indicate) on the door and she's super scared of it (too ringing, probably).
She sometimes still tries to jog around the house when she's happy, I try my best to stop her. This toy she was pretty happy, just grabbed it and jogged around, bite it, and dig on it a bit to make it squeak, it's at least 5 years old and I've never seen her swing this one around. She has a ton of toys, has to be over 100, an they've all been piled away because we're scared. She just sits on one of her beds in the AM and barks, it's a "I'm bored, play with me or something!" sort of angry bark lol. SO this toy jogged her brain back a little to the old times where she would play for a couple minutes in the morning.
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Post by Julie & Perry on Aug 16, 2018 5:34:20 GMT -7
I've heard of a program where dogs who don't like to be petted wear something yellow like a bandana or leash.
I've had similar experiences with loose dogs and I've started carrying pepper spray.
Also I wish people would train their children to ask not just reach and grab.
My dogs are little and cute but one really doesn't like strangers to touch her and both have IVDD.
Seems like many people don't know or care about good dog etiquette.
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Post by Reuben & Luna on Aug 16, 2018 7:51:33 GMT -7
A child earlier asked if he could pet Luna. I said maybe not today, she sometimes bites (can't tell when) and she's a litlte bit hurt. He said "but I was just going to touch the top of her head", so I said maybe next time I see you we can try that (lol).
When Luna was a puppy, taking her fo ra walk, a child came over to pet her. I said please stay away. He didn't. Then I said please put your toy car in your pocket. He didn't. She bit it, and didn't give it back. She snapped my hand when I got it out of her mouth. I incorrectly got stern with the child (who isn't mine lol) and said "I told you to please keep the toy car away." Oh well, maybe a lesson for the child and myself lol.
There have been instances where dogs are running towards us freely into the middle of the street, with the owner sitting in a chair on their driveway yelling "bad dog, come back!" - in my head I'm saying "Bad owner." Because at the end, when I used to pick Luna up off the street with the other dog right at my feet, I love dogs but if you don't do something about this, I might need to kick. I mean seriously - that guy had this exact situation happen twice with Luna and I, he should have learned the first time maybe it wasn't courteous. Of course I never kicked but it just doubled down that some people shouldn't be dog owners, yikes.
Luna has done back to back days with a 25 minute walk, 0.85 miles. Only 1 walk a day still, but she's doing OK. 7 weeks post surgery.
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Aug 16, 2018 10:44:28 GMT -7
Wouldn't matter if she was a pit bull. Same thing happens to Frankie sometimes. One thing I do when people or their dogs try to approach Frankie when I have asked them not to is to say "He has pink eye, very contagious." This works surprisingly well.
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Post by Reuben & Luna on Aug 16, 2018 12:41:25 GMT -7
Lol!!! We have to lie, it's funny the things we're thinking up to try and get people to shoo as quickly as possible.
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Mary & Mila
Helpful Member
FEMALE— DACHSHUND
Posts: 218
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Post by Mary & Mila on Aug 17, 2018 2:37:50 GMT -7
That's right Julie, I saw that online before and found this photo online. The dog can wear a yellow bandana, or a yellow ribbon tied in a bow on the leash. It's used to alert people that the dog may have recently had surgery, could have arthritis, may have a nervous temperament or perhaps just needs a bit of space. It's a great idea. Mary
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Post by Reuben & Luna on Aug 19, 2018 16:30:33 GMT -7
Mom gave Luna a 1 mile walk. Mom said she sat at one point (because she wanted to take a turn that mom didn't want her to). That is roughly a 30 minute walk (if we're just counting when Luna is moving).
I noticed in any 2nd walks of the day, Luna can go about 10 minutes and then is tired (sits) - that could be from the weather (it's still kind of hot in Ohio, heat index hits 85+ on her 2nd walks even though they're late in the evening). I think she's also just not ready to work that much. She seems to be moving pretty well on her early morning walks when the weather is better, 25-30 minutes is a long way from where we were.
She's still a kind of lazy/depressed girl in the house though, I think we're getting used to that - just eating, playing for a couple minutes a day, sleeping most of it. No yelping since surgery (2 months ago). When I re-introduce an old toy that I never saw her try to play kill, she does get some enjoyment, digging on it, biting it, having fun.
My last day there (last Friday) I noticed she would sometimes sit on one of her beds and just bark once kind of randomly. She did that twice that day (after her longish walk). It wasn't a yelp, but it sounded more like "I'm bored" or "come pet me". I've seen her do that years ago when she'd jump on beds and I'd leave the room, she'd just bark, I'd come in and massage her. I wonder if she's feeling some pain during those situations though.
I'm at my house for a couple more days this week (I'm slowly returning to Cleveland more often, usually just the weekend the last couple of weeks, this week I'm also here Monday and Tuesday). I had to cancel on the deck guy a couple times last week, I'm hoping he can come out and give me a quote (with ramp(s)). Right now I have too many steps with my paver patios where it's basically impossible for Luna to do anything in the backyard.
I do have many areas that are inclined with soil/mulch (instead of steps) - I'm guessing we're OK with inclines, but why do we treat them differently than actual steps (when we say no steps)? Same goes for ramps, why are we OK with ramps but not steps? I know there's compression of the spine in steps, I think it's still a workout to use ramps and some spinal work is occurring but maybe not nearly as much? The ramp at my parent's house, Luna usually goes down kind of slowly, she can be caught running up it sometimes if she wants to get inside quickly (like after a walk). I'm pretty sure from a doctor's comment that going down a step is worse than up (but all steps should be avoided), so maybe going down a ramp is a little tougher than climbing it.
At my house I'm going to make the ramp as little of an incline as possible, I don't care what it finally looks like.
I've seen some pictures of concrete done in the front yard as a ramp, it seems more natural and concealing than a wooden ramp in the front since the current walkway and driveway is concrete. Not sure yet.
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