Advice need~Please

[Doc's Mom]

Hi all:

I have read many threads on how to keep your newf busy after they have had surgery or just need to take it easy; but what about if it is me and in my case Doc is fine? I have to have surgery next Monday on my foot to remove a bone spur and to fuse my joints together because there is no cartilage left and when I walk it is rubbing bone to bone. I will be on crutches for 5 weeks and in 2 different casts. I am so worried about my dogs and how to keep them occupied since I won't be able to walk them. My son will be able to walk them, but there is a period of 10 days that he will not be home and it is only 5 days after my surgery. :uhoh2: My daughter will be home with me then to make sure they go out to potty and feed them, etc., but she can't walk them by herself.

I plan on using a lot of Kongs, and letting them run in the back dog pen, but I still feel bad. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Jeannie]

What about a game of fetch? Sometimes I have found if you keep their minds busy they tend to tire. So how about some sits, downs, watch, stay and so on.

 

[NessaM]

Christy, I hide toys around the house if I want to tire the boys out - I put the boys out in the yard, and then I take a bunch of treats or toys and hide them all over the house. Then I let the boys in and tell them to "go find a toy/go find the treat!" and let them go nuts exploring the house.

 

[suse]

I do what Nessa does and think fetch is a good idea, also. Do you have a friend that could help you out with the walking? Someone who loves to exercise, perhaps? If I lived closer, I'd help out! Hope you are back to normal soon.

 

[ina/puusty]

When one wakes up to news reports that a flooding event..is Immenant..one moves in all areas of protection..to remove things deemed to be in danger..to higher ground, establish communication with all other family/friendship members etc.and plan for the expected 'duration'..of..the event. You are facing a surgery, then..the rehab. You may heal well..and that will be that..so..the 'immenent danger'..is that YOU will be removed from the canine scene..while you are being made more healthy. In this weeks time..my guess is that you need to find a way to remove the fur kids to a secondary 'home' or care center..so that you can concentrate upon a peaceful, healthy healing. It is unnatural to expect a good healing for you..with so many ..whatifs..and immperitive..that YOUR surgery..go well in the hosp. and flow with great attention to medical 'best scenarios'..when return home. Hard choices must be made..and that may mean paying a full time care giver..for the pups..living 'in house'..for weeks..several months. Family and friendship groups can make this happen. It may mean a rehome for 2 months. Again..imagine a flooding event..and everyone really does find they can do all manner of things they had never thought possible. Creative thinking..and pulling together..so that you heal, and properly heal..is what must happen. An injury..say a month or two down the line..may mean no walking ever..and then you would have to rehome. Call your extended circle of support..and make such detailed plans that you feel like you are carrying on grad. school schedules..plus a full job load..because your goal..is Long Term! You must..regain your mobility health!! Good luck..get crackin' on the scheduling..and keep us posted. ina n HB n Kesa

 

[zennewf]

I second what Ina says.

When I was on strict bedrest for my first pregnancy and, on day one, left staring at the faces of two restless newfs ... I ended up removing myself all the way to a relative's apartment 100 miles away. I just knew that in order to keep the baby inside me actually inside me (I was at risk of premature labor) ... I had to be absolutely still. And I knew that my newfers would not let me do that. So I left for two months until the baby was about four weeks from delivery.

My husband stayed behind and cared for the newfs at night. During the day I had neighbors and friends care for them. They did fine.

I really think you need to put a priority on healing. Likewise, when my mother came here to my house to recover from her hip replacement, I sent Winston to a dog spa (and I mean spa ... where he hiked twice a day and slept with the owner in her queen sized bed). I sent him there for six weeks. I got a lot flak from some people at Newf Net about it. I was told by one person I should give up Winston. But the priority was my mother's health. Winston's feelings would recover. If my mother, at aged 78, was knocked down by an exuberant adolescent newf when her balence was off post - surgery ... would she recover? And, as it turned out, Winston loved his time at the dog spa. So it was a win-win.

Please take care of yourself. You need your body for the long haul, right?

Liz

 

[pabusinesswoman]

Good luck with your surgery!

I have been down with my back several days and we had a similar issue. An SI injection and epidural later.. brought some, but little relief. It is off for an MRI friday.

I brought the toys over by the couch (we have a container of toys) which became my resting spot. Retrieve worked wonders. When we were done.. she would lay right beside the couch to keep an eye on me. She knew something was not quite right.

I could still get up to do the basics.. a sandwich, potty, and put the dogs out. However, after that I was down again.. and ice.

We have a fenced in portion of the yard. When I let them out in the morning to potty.. before it gets too hot....they have run time to get some of the crazies out. Hubby also puts them out in the eve. when it cools down and I am at work. Though it is not controlled walking it does help wear them out some. We have balls.. and sticks in the fenced portion for them to "entertain" with. They enjoy that excercise since being out in the fenced portion is the only time they get to play with those toys. Normally Sadie comes in from her play time with her toungue hanging.. gets a drink.. and goes to plop on the floor for a rest.

 

[SunnyD]

Have you looked into a pet sitting service who could come walk them for you? Or perhaps a friend?

 

[Doc's Mom]

Thanks everyone so much for all of the good advice! I knew I could count on fellow NNers to help me out and give me great ideas! Most people who don't have dogs really don't understand, only here do I feel like I can ask these questions, again thanks so much!

Ina and zennewf, I really hadn't thought about moving them out for a little while, now I am looking into all options for my furbabies! I have a full basement that will be cleaned so that they can go down there and play if I need them to. Also, it would be a good time to try out new games to keep them busy, I know I will be bored out of my mind being off of work for 6-8 weeks (I will be working from home). I am hoping that I heal quickly.

pabusinesswoman: I hope you heal quickly, back problems are rough! I hope your MRI goes well on Friday.

 

[Doc's Mom]

I do what Nessa does and think fetch is a good idea, also. Do you have a friend that could help you out with the walking? Someone who loves to exercise, perhaps? If I lived closer, I'd help out! Hope you are back to normal soon.

Thank you for your offer to help if you lived closer!

 

[pabusinesswoman]

Thanks Christy

 

[moonsailnewf]

I second all the excellent advice you've received. In addition, what about doggy daycare? Will you be able to drive at all to get them there? If not, do you have a friend or family member that could take them daily?

Wishing you a speedy recovery!

 

[Lori]

Speaking for myself now, I wouldn't be able to have my dogs somewhere else. The stress about worrying about them wouldn't be a good thing either. Could you look into dog walkers/pet sitters? Someone who has big dog experience and who knows how to handle them, that way it eliminates some of the worrying while they are out. I know I see alot of vet techs advertising that they will help care for your dogs.

Good luck with your surgery and recovery!