This Time I'm Really Going To Do It

AlexLK

Hope something gets resolved for Mr. Watty's father as it doesn't sound like it can go on as it is currently. Fortunately, my father's health isn't so bad he needs any particular assistance for the moment. Physically he's a lot better this year than he was last. However, when he was really ill and came out of hospital, things weren't good for him and there was talk of making some adaptations to the house. Mother wouldn't have any of it, not a chance he could have chosen to be too lazy to walk though at hospital they were so gentle he had begun to be lazy. I can understand that you were cross, I think I would be too though I think after too long it becomes too difficult for them to begin to use muscles again.

Have you thought about him getting a live in carer? That way all his care and shopping is dealt with.

Watty1

smallholdingsister wrote: »

What breed is puppy, Watty?

A german shepherd And a large one at that!

smallholdingsister

Aww. Love those. My last dog was GS cross collie.
I see why he is running you ragged. Do you need a new home for him?

Watty1

smallholdingsister wrote: »

Aww. Love those. My last dog was GS cross collie.
I see why he is running you ragged. Do you need a new home for him?

I have seriously thought about this. But Mr Watty wants him, and it isn't Mr Watty's fault that he is never here - although - I have questioned his day spent volunteering each week and suggested he reduce whilst dad takes up so much time.
Puppy will grow up and then will not run me ragged. Puppy will learn what is required of him. I do wish I had put my foot down about the choice of puppy from the litter as I knew this one would be a high energy dog but Mr Watty really wanted this one and I did not so I think I should make the best of it.
Puppy has been enrolled in puppy school from the middle of January and Mr Watty is going to make sure he has the days off to take him. I've also found doggy day care and as puppy gets older I will look at putting him in day care a couple of times a week.
So I think puppy day care, puppy getting some training and it will probably all work out ok.

Watty1

AlexLK wrote: »

Hope something gets resolved for Mr. Watty's father as it doesn't sound like it can go on as it is currently. Fortunately, my father's health isn't so bad he needs any particular assistance for the moment. Physically he's a lot better this year than he was last. However, when he was really ill and came out of hospital, things weren't good for him and there was talk of making some adaptations to the house. Mother wouldn't have any of it, not a chance he could have chosen to be too lazy to walk.

Could I borrow your mother? She sounds ideal for the job in hand :rotfl:

AlexLK wrote: »

though at hospital they were so gentle he had begun to be lazy. I can understand that you were cross, I think I would be too though I think after too long it becomes too difficult for them to begin to use muscles again..

This is the problem. He had the best part of last year in hospital and a care home. The care home were supposed to be doing the rehab to get him home but they were too gentle and just let him use a wheelchair, and now he cannot walk. We got him physio but she wasn't able to deal with the mental health aspect and it didn't work and she refused to deal with him. He is now back with his mental health trained physio but after so long it will be a long haul to get fit and he just isn't going to I fear.

AlexLK wrote: »

have you thought about him getting a live in carer? That way all his care and shopping is dealt with.

This would be the perfect solution but for the fact he has had a serious mental health illness for the last 40 years, been unable to work, has no money and is pretty much unique. The only thing that has ever kept him going is his house, which is a tiny cottage in a very rural location. We have been told that most people with his illness usually end up homeless and dead by now, but, he has had the tenacity to manage to keep the house and himself well. However there is no money in the pot and the house isn't worth enough to release equity for a carer. And the health and social care system really isn't set up to deal with someone with his issues. We initially couldn't find a care agency to provide any care because of the health issues, only Mr Watty's sharp thinking found a solution (we got the care agency to agree to meet him to see he is just a nice old boy and not a danger to anyone).
I don't really see any end in sight to this, his father and mother lived into their 90s, his aunt only died last year aged 98, his other aunt is still alive, living at home and again about 97. Family history indicates we could have another 20 to 30 years of this.

smallholdingsister

Good, Watty.
They are brilliantly clever and loyal dogs.

EatingTheElephant

Our last dog was a GSD, though he was 2 when hubby and I met, so I didn't do the puppy years, he was such a great family dog.

I hope things get a bit easier for you soon
Xx

apple_muncher

You do have a heck of a lot on your plate Watty! Hugs from apple world.

AlexLK

German shepherds and especially a dog is going to be really hard work. They are lovely dogs when a little older though.

Really does sound very difficult with Mr. Watty's Dad. Unfortunately, I am not surprised that the health and social care system has not been particularly helpful. Is he motivated to get back onto his feet? I agree it's going to be difficult and if he lacks motivation even more so.

Regarding general matters if he is struggling to cook and prepare meals for himself, perhaps some kind of occupational therapy could be put into place to help him become more independent?

Watty1

AlexLK wrote: »

German shepherds and especially a dog is going to be really hard work. They are lovely dogs when a little older though.

Really does sound very difficult with Mr. Watty's Dad. Unfortunately, I am not surprised that the health and social care system has not been particularly helpful. Is he motivated to get back onto his feet? I agree it's going to be difficult and if he lacks motivation even more so.

Regarding general matters if he is struggling to cook and prepare meals for himself, perhaps some kind of occupational therapy could be put into place to help him become more independent?

Sadly he has no desire to be more independent. Or get back on his feet. However he does have carers that go in 4 times a day and is quite happy to let us continue to meet his needs. Which is why I am short tempered and frustrated with him now! However he does seem frailer this week so I am being kind.
Thanks so much for your input Alex. I think had you not made the insightful comment, I would have continued to blame puppy for the way I felt and not admitted it was really dad-in-law. Star turn there! And as a result puppy now has day care planned, doggy classes set up and even a once a month doggy social walk as I realised puppy needs to have plenty to do.
Expect puppy would send you thank you too if he understood!