Sh*t creek - is now in my rear view mirror...!

atrixa

I'm glad you found a way to repurpose the ribbon! I usually put some free-from bits in the food bank box if I'm at Sainsbos.

Irenadler

Thanks all. Yes - it's basically because I really cannot eat all the food the relatives have kindly given me, everyone seems to have bought vegan and then 'normal' as well. I know I have a good appetite but I feel I am resembling the Michelin Woman!

And I really don't want to waste any of it. Just thinking that people will be feeling the pinch this time of year more than most, so, some treats will help to cheer them up, especially the little ones. A lot of it is 'free from' as well, so, hopefully no-one feels they are missing out....

P.S. A relative gifted me an exercise bike, and I am hoping it is in the spirit of health and fitness, not that they think I am gross and obese!  

savingwannabe

Exercise bike is great. What a great positive start to next year. If poss do it in front of tv or music. 

Irenadler

Happy snow day! It's snowing heavily here and very cold today.

I have to venture to the supermarket today, sadly the dog had a lot of sickness last night, but, also struggling with walking. A fast trip to the vet's with the help of a family member with car, injections and blood tests, it seems she has eaten something that disagreed badly with her but ok on that now and nothing else. However, the vet also found pain in her back - probably arthritis, so she is tottering around very stiff today. 

I am going to buy white rice, cooked chicken (ergh) and eggs for her, as per vets light meal suggestion. And he recommends using Calpol (age 6+) 4ml twice daily. for managing pain relief. She does have a grain free diet fortunately, which Google says helps inflammation reduction. So needing to watch carefully her diet (no treats!), supplements (she already has Yum*ve) and gentle exercise whilst pain killers start to work.

Poor old girl, tried to climb on the furniture as usual, but was left dangling her back legs off the chair & had to rush to help her. This is going to be hard as she literally loves bouncing off the furniture.....   Part of her aging, so really need to make sure she slims down more, to take the strain off those joints..... 

In money saving, managed to crash the £40 barrier on PA, although the bank took a hit of nearly £260 last night at the vet's. I know I am entitled to PDSA help, but, it didn't feel right doing that when I had the holiday pay. It was worth every penny to find out what was wrong, for my peace of mind, so she will definitely be spoilt even more now (not with food!).

MovingForwards

Do you have a spare duvet, pillows, cushions etc to build a platform / step from the floor to the sofa. If you've a hot bot, wrap it and put it near her stiff bits.

Well done getting a survey pot, that's a nice amount 🤗

longway2go

I hope your dog is ok 

Irenadler

MovingForwards said:

Do you have a spare duvet, pillows, cushions etc to build a platform / step from the floor to the sofa. If you've a hot bot, wrap it and put it near her stiff bits.

Well done getting a survey pot, that's a nice amount 🤗

I don't have spares Babs, I am giving myself a slight hernia lifting her up when she 'asks' to climb on the sofa, and back down again... and following her around attending to her every whim - like holding the door open in freezing weather several times whilst she decides to sniff and turn back round after 5 minutes! 

I am thinking of buying steps for her to attempt this herself but not sure I can stand the suspense because I would have to watch/hover over her.... Many years back I tried and failed to persuade her that she would prefer the floor to the furniture to sleep on, but, its probably too late to change that now although it would have been safer and less painful for her now.

I do have a hot water bottle so I will dig that out for tonight, she was so stiff this morning - like a little clockwork dog, poor thing. I have given her the painkiller and she isn't giving her almost human groans when she gets up so that seems to help.

She's scoffed down scrambled egg tonight with boiled white rice, and no sickness, so that's a relief.

Irenadler

longway2go said:

I hope your dog is ok 

Thanks LW2G, she is improving, the vet says it's just going to be pain management and quality of life for her...

MovingForwards

Maybe find a footstool or something similar, that will give her enough space for hands to go on, before the sofa, then feet can follow afterwards.

One thing to remember is it's cold now, that's why you are both noticing it more, when the warmer weather appears she will perk up again.

If she is also carrying a little extra weight, when that starts to drop down, it takes the pressure off her joints, she will be more agile and the grunts and groans will stop (that's why I put my cat on a reduced kibble diet as they're high calorie compared to meat).
You could start giving her three meals a day, instead of two and treats, that way she thinks she's getting more, but in reality the two meals are split over three instead 🤗

Irenadler

Thanks Babs - she is consistently refusing her early walk at 5am, one sniff at the door and turns around, then wants to go in the garden. Even reluctant with her coat on at 11am, just wants to go home after 5 minutes, mind you with this weather I can't blame her....

She is not hugely fat, just could do with losing 1/2kg according to the vet (that's a half, not one or two!) - I have her on senior dry food which is low fat, no grains (and some tinned wet meat the same) and now she is getting the pain killer the sad little moans have stopped. Using chicken breast, white rice, and scrambled egg for food at the minute though (picture me, wincing and using tongs and scissors to chop up the meat, ergh... I cannot touch it). I am still giving her the joint supplement too.

I think the meal splits are a better idea - although she does stare pointedly at the counter where her treats are at 'treat time'!