Watty's Awakening

KajiKita

Awwww … lovely news. Big bouncy strokes and scritches for WattyDog 😊❤️

KK

Watty1

WattyDog alerted the neighbourhood that a van has once again pulled up outside next door before 7.00 am.  I pointed out it was the same van as yesterday and I'm sure they are ok with this, but, no, WattyDog shouted very firmly it was his patch and they were there without his permission.    I begged him to let it go in case he caused a problem with his neck and back, but no, he could only be quietened down with the best quality brie, and then, having snaffled his treat returned to very firm opinions on the clearly unwelcome visitor.

In financial news I've cashed out £96.64 on total cash back, rounded it to £100 and sent to ISA.

Today I have 3 things from the list to deal with alongside regular work.  Todays post it note on computer so I actually do it. 

greenbee

I'm glad WattyDog is back to keeping the neighbourhood in order! If you move, you'll have to make sure there are no neighbours close enough to annoy him.

Stinky rarely barks - in fact other than when he's asleep it mostly seems to be when he hears his cats in trouble, or occasionally when he hears muntjac (one set off all the dogs in the village barking last night - it was odd, it didn't sound quite like they normally do, and the dogs clearly noticed). 

Watty1

greenbee said:

I'm glad WattyDog is back to keeping the neighbourhood in order! If you move, you'll have to make sure there are no neighbours close enough to annoy him.

Stinky rarely barks - in fact other than when he's asleep it mostly seems to be when he hears his cats in trouble, or occasionally when he hears muntjac (one set off all the dogs in the village barking last night - it was odd, it didn't sound quite like they normally do, and the dogs clearly noticed). 

Bless Stinky. A quiet dog.  Cute!    Love having WattyDog barking away again.  It used to drive me insane, now I'm just delighted he is well enough to bark.

Reality check, I doubt WattyDog will be here when I move.  The steroids are helping but his leg is still very poor and he falls over on corners.  All the time he is happy, then wonderful but I have already explained to him that I will not let him live in pain, unable to move or unable to guard HIS neighbourhood or unable to go to a local cafe for breakfast.  His swimming and running days might be done, but if he can still enjoy his life then great and each day is a blessing and we will see where that takes us.

greenbee

WattyDog is lucky to have you. Stinky has been offering all his toys to my colleagues during meetings ... it makes it hard to concentrate sometimes, but they seem to like him joining in. Mostly he sleeps in the hall now if the meetings are boring, just getting up to remind me that it might be time for a meal sometime in the next hour or so... 

We've met a lovely puppy two days in a row (I must get up and walk earlier, there are so many other dogs out at 7am that poor Stinky is on his lead too much and it takes ages). Small ginger lab !!!!!! - I've explained to Stinky that this is what I was looking for, and suggested we might swap (he's a ginormous black boy)

daisy_1571

Thats exactly the right attitude, people wouldn't expect an 80 year old person to still do the physical things and walk as far as they did when they were 20, old pets are the same, as long as they are eating and toileting and appear to have any pain under control then we can still enjoy their company in an albeit different way to when they were younger.   Its a very bittersweet time.  In some ways its easier, you don't have to worry about for example a particular drug that might help them but could do longer term damage, you don't have to police their diet or weight quite so strictly, but its heartbreaking knowing why you no longer have to consider the next 5 years


Dxxx

badmemory

Do not leave it too long to do what is necessary.  We did by 2 days & I will never forget the look on her face when she was lying there in her own mess.  An adorable rescued lunatic. 

Slinky

Watty1 said:

In financial news I have opened a new cash ISA for this year at 4.98% and now need to start transferring money in from last years ISA (not a lot as last year I only put "free money" in, i.e. money I came by as a result of sales, surveys and a bonus payment for a job I did for someone so £601.11 from last year and £300 from this year).

I might start need a better strategy for saving but, I am actually saving something as well as still doing stuff on the house so this is working well. 

If last year's ISA rate is better than this year's just leave it where it is unless it is particularly irksome to have two accounts, or the other account has a rate which will reduce below the 4.98% within the next financial year.

beanielou

WAtty Dog is so lucky to have you.

Watty1

@badmemory sending love for that awful memory.  We do the best we can, I too once left a cat by too many days and he was unable to clamber out of his litter tray which was heart breaking. I think we have all been there at some point.

@beanielou and @greenbee I might not have said this when PPH left WattyDog behind, but it is the other way around.   I am lucky to have him.  He is adorable, handsome and very nice natured.  I'm not sure what would have happened if I had refused to keep him but I am so glad I did.  He has taught me a lot about love this few months.

Wise words @daisy_1571 

The steroids seem to be helping WattyDog.   His back legs are still skewed and he does not corner well and I wish he would stay out of the kitchen as it is the only place without a rug and of course the one place he falls over regularly.  As always however he will not take advice and ignores commands to stay on the rugs.  

So, if there is little improvement in legs why do I think meds are helping?   Because mentally he is so much better.  Yesterday evening he was back to his irrepressible self wanting "to do" something.    This is a challenge as he has never played with toys other than sticks, stones or  balls.     VNM suggested getting him something "to chew" but he has always despatched chew toys and pigs ears etc very quickly.    Anything like a kong that has food in was quickly emptied and then offered as a throw toy over and over.   Because he chews sticks (large ones) and stones his teeth are in excellent shape apparently so chews are not really a good option.

In the end I resorted to taking him for a "doddle" just for a few mins peace.   We walked just down the road a little way and back with me reminding him this was against "vet recommendations/advice" but I recognised mentally he just needed to do something.    In the last few days he has mentally been more active so I suspect the pain level has dropped significantly and he is getting used to the nerve impingement.