In Memory of Pets

Hi All,

It's been a rough month or so with the girl, among other things..

Please, please forgive me, in advance, those in mourning-but I need to figure out what to do with my frustration with Nori. (I know how each of you would give anything for another day with your baby and I'm about to sound like a whining, selfish jerk). Believe me, I ADORE my dog but she's driving me insane!

I should be grateful for this time regardless of the consequences we are dealing with but I'm finding it harder and harder to deal with some of her "issues".

Random incontinence I can almost deal with. It's the endless pacing, the lack of purposeful interaction and the snappishness that is driving me nuts.

We've decided we need caution lights and back up alarms on our butt -like trucks have- because if we stop short, she's, you know, right up our (insert expletive).

I'd like to believe that she 's really interested in where we are going and what we are doing but it no longer seems to be purposeful; you can tell, you know?

The problem is actually "clicky nails on hardwood floors", it's never ending with no apparent destination.

Does anyone have any experience with anti anxiety meds that are not so toxic for older dogs?

Help!
Love, Z

(* I just went to show her her bed after a half hour of pacing. I helped her lay down,- also gave her a big smooch and apologized for being a terrible mom).

Hi sweetie,

No - you are not selfish at all... we all need help to cope at times as old or sick ones can get us down....

If her senses are not too good, you may find that she is tryng to re-orient herself... keeping up with this can lead to anxiety and the pacing you have seen

But what is the underlying issue?

Have you ever seen Cesar Milan's work? The dog whisperer?

He is brilliant - perhaps on his site there can be some expertise?

As I do not know what else is going on, I don't know what else to suggest at this time...

Thinking of you - and understand the frustration!

Hugs

Kerry

Hi Friend!

Thanks for the understanding, as always. I love Cesar - if I wasn't happily married, I'd be after him. and not just b/c he's cute - more b/c of his sensitivity and caring for those "hopeless cases". I'm going to head for the website and see what he has to say on antique pups.

I absolutely agree that she is orienting herself- she is essentially deaf, her vision is okay, not great, so communication between us is altered, different than it was. I used to rely on voice commands, which she responded to cheerfully. Now I tend to wave her in like an airplane and rely essentially on hand gestures.

She does want to be with me, it's true. Some of the pacing is due to that but she also will pace at random. I think waht we're looking at is some pain and some anxiety.

I try to do for my animals the best that I would do for my daughter, for myself. Frankly, I think if I were her I wouldn't mind a little "mothers little helper". (I'm so nervous about the meds out there though).

I'll keep you posted. How are your babies? I'm going to try to come and read here a little this weekend.

Take Care, Z

Hi Z!!!!!!!!!!!

I totally agree with Kerry about Nori, she seems to have a sense problem and if her eyesight is going too, she is more then likely a little scared as she cant hear you and seeing is tough. I too love Cesar and hope he was of some help for the ole girl.
Take care, glad to see you back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sheri

Hi!

When my Sammy became deaf he started to get anxious too.... pacing and anxious calling..... and of course - when his hearing was good, my hubby or I would call out and he would trill back and run into see us...... basically he was alsing... "are you here anywhere?" and when we called he could find us.....

I had to get out of bed, or off the couch or out of the office to find him, let him see me - then the trill would come and he would follow me to whever I was - that is unless I picked him up and took him with me - whcih was probably what he prefered!

at nights, he would get really upset and the calling out became more of a mournful "have I been abandoned?" call..... and when I found him, he would want some comfort...

My hubby worked out that his eyesight was not too good and at night - he was not able to see very much at all.... so we started to leave lights on..... it seemed to help a great deal...... being "Green" and all, we decided to get some night lights and place them on every room, they were low energy consumption and iliminated enough to see, but not to wake you up too much if you did get up in the night.... (we also stubbed out toes a lot less on nightly excersions too!)

After we out the night lights everywhere.... the anxiety level for Sammy dropped and he was a great deal more content...

Also, we never moved furniture about too much... and we noticed he left "Scent markings" from his cheek rubbings everywhere... I think this helped him to stay oriented too...

I hope this helps...

My guys are doing OK, we have had a few behavioural problems with Casey... but I am starting to dose him up on some Bach Flower herbal rememdies to eliminate agression and jealousy... wish me luck..... - it isn;t too bad... but I do not want him to spiral out of control... he is a very dominant male... and very active... so..

Little Flash is becoming more sweet and loving and wanting to spend more time with us.... her heart is still very poor and her breathing sometimes scares me.... if her nose goes bluish I watch her like a hawk... but she is still cheerful and frankly - I don't think she knows she is a sick little girl... I will just love her -keep the heart medications up - and take care of her (She is SO beautiful -completely white and pink - adn so very delicate!)

Anyway! Take care..

Kerry

Hi Sheri and Kerry,

Thanks for your kind words and suggestions. We went to the vet this morning and decided to try her on a low dose of Rimadyl. Otherwise, he's pleased with how she is doing and how she looks. That's good. The theory is that it is probably pain she's reacting to. She's such a stoic dog. I hope it helps.

We don't want to sedate her b/c at her age it could also repress other functions. So hopefully,we all get some relief, particularly her.

I wonder too, my father has been hospitalized since late November and I wonder if she isn't stressed because of a change in me. She is certainly connected and I'm sure she senses my fear and unease. (She's such a sensitive girl).

Kerry, I love how you work with those kitties...I know what you mean about the aggression thing. The little guy Steven found last Christmas will mix it up with the dogs! He's got the younger one running from his own bed when he comes to lie down, the stinker. Maybe flower remedies are in order for him!

Take Care, Talk soon,
Z