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spelcheq · 08-10-2007, 07:54 PM

I originally got my Yorkie Sascha because I was going to be living alone and since my health isn't the greatest and the urge to take it easy is overwhelming, I needed not only companionship but a sense of responsibility. I moved to Northern AZ where it snows in winter and I wondered how I was ever going to get up in the a.m. and walk her....but I would be awakened with a tapping paw anywhere from 6 to 7 a.m. and I'd haul out and walk her....the walks later in the day were harder. We are also together 24/7 but I started back to church for a variety of reasons and I left her alone (6 months old) starting one hour and worked my way up to 3-4. She never had an accident while I was gone and she was free to run the living room and kitchen areas.

In two areas of my place (by the front door and in the hall to the bedrooms) I started putting down Jump Start pee pads and trained her inside also...used rewards every time she made it to the pad and ignored her when she didn't....to make my life easier I also purchased a Bissell "SpotBot" rug cleaner....just sit it on the wet spot and push a button and voila....it's shampooed in 3 minutes......so my frustration with accidents was less.

Sascha can sometimes be demanding and when she's pissed because it's been awhile since she's had my direct attention she climbs on a chair and barks at me........I watch the Dog Whisperer on TV, so I tried a quiet firm and abrupt hiss at her and she stopped in her tracks. Several times of that and the barking became less frequent.

I also finally found a food that kept her stool firm so if she had an indoor accident it was easy to pick up......a morning and late afternoon tray of Cesar and 1/2 cup of Beneful Weight Management formula.

She has a bed with toys in the living room, a small mattress with toys in the office where I paint and write on the computer and a couple toys up on the bed......I'd have to say she was 9-10 months old when I finally stuck to a routine with her (my self-discipline and consistency is what it took) and she became more compliant and less hyper......and I was glad I never screamed at her or smacked her......there were times I was so frustrated and felt like losing it and also needed time out so I sure know what you mean and how you feel. I hope maybe one thing I've shared might help you a little.....

My neighbors tell me they never hear her when I'm out, so that's a blessing. Before having Sascha I raised a Silky Terrier named "Spelcheq" and the real trick with his potty training was a doggy door. But I can't have one here.

I know I write alot but that's the journalist in me.....I've been an investigative reporter and freelance writer for 38 years. So I'm going to close with a brief but touching story.....sadly my husband and I separated last fall, amicably, and he was so attached to Spelcheq that I didn't have the heart to take him with me and I told my husband that. I was heartbroken and finally understood how people can get crazy enough to fight over custody of a pet. In preparing for my move, he surprised me by getting Sascha for me, so Sascha and Spelcheq had 3 delightful weeks together before I moved. More sadly, about 3 months after we separated, my husband went into the hospital with what the doctor thought was pneumonia and was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer.......I made frequent visits to take him for chemo and each time Sascha and Spelcheq went crazy seeing each other again.....what a pair! It made us both laugh and eased the tension of what he was going through. Two months ago his 3 adult children came to take him back to where they and his grandchildren live so he could spend what time he had left surrounded by family. We talk every day. He told me he didn't know what he'd do without Spelcheq to keep him company and then last week he finally told me his greatest worry was what would happen to Spelcheq when he died and I assured him I'd reunite Spelcheq and Sascha and he didn't need to worry...he broke down in tears and said "There is a perfect example of why I married you in the first place"......these two wonderful furfriends have made such a difference in our lives .....they have blessed our lives, strenghthened our friendship, probably improved our health and given us a reason to start each day. Whatever it takes, I'll keep my word to him about Spelcheq....and for anyone who wonders, the stories about Alzheimers destroying relationships is true. Now that he's with his kids he finally gave in to taking medication for it....they say his behavior has improved, but I still make sure I call him in the early hours of each day because he experiencing what is referred to as "sundowning" later in the day and has difficulty managing a conversation. But no matter what he always asks about Sascha and tells me what Spelcheq has been up to......I'll be visitng him again soon and won't be surprised if I come home with Spelcheq........hope I haven't bored you......good luck with your baby!

So you see, if I thought 24/7 was alot........sometime in the future it's going to feel like 48/14......and then I'll REALLY know how you feel! Hang in there!

08-10-2007, 07:54 PM	#14
spelcheq Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Flagstaff AZ Posts: 14	JeanieK I originally got my Yorkie Sascha because I was going to be living alone and since my health isn't the greatest and the urge to take it easy is overwhelming, I needed not only companionship but a sense of responsibility. I moved to Northern AZ where it snows in winter and I wondered how I was ever going to get up in the a.m. and walk her....but I would be awakened with a tapping paw anywhere from 6 to 7 a.m. and I'd haul out and walk her....the walks later in the day were harder. We are also together 24/7 but I started back to church for a variety of reasons and I left her alone (6 months old) starting one hour and worked my way up to 3-4. She never had an accident while I was gone and she was free to run the living room and kitchen areas. In two areas of my place (by the front door and in the hall to the bedrooms) I started putting down Jump Start pee pads and trained her inside also...used rewards every time she made it to the pad and ignored her when she didn't....to make my life easier I also purchased a Bissell "SpotBot" rug cleaner....just sit it on the wet spot and push a button and voila....it's shampooed in 3 minutes......so my frustration with accidents was less. Sascha can sometimes be demanding and when she's pissed because it's been awhile since she's had my direct attention she climbs on a chair and barks at me........I watch the Dog Whisperer on TV, so I tried a quiet firm and abrupt hiss at her and she stopped in her tracks. Several times of that and the barking became less frequent. I also finally found a food that kept her stool firm so if she had an indoor accident it was easy to pick up......a morning and late afternoon tray of Cesar and 1/2 cup of Beneful Weight Management formula. She has a bed with toys in the living room, a small mattress with toys in the office where I paint and write on the computer and a couple toys up on the bed......I'd have to say she was 9-10 months old when I finally stuck to a routine with her (my self-discipline and consistency is what it took) and she became more compliant and less hyper......and I was glad I never screamed at her or smacked her......there were times I was so frustrated and felt like losing it and also needed time out so I sure know what you mean and how you feel. I hope maybe one thing I've shared might help you a little..... My neighbors tell me they never hear her when I'm out, so that's a blessing. Before having Sascha I raised a Silky Terrier named "Spelcheq" and the real trick with his potty training was a doggy door. But I can't have one here. I know I write alot but that's the journalist in me.....I've been an investigative reporter and freelance writer for 38 years. So I'm going to close with a brief but touching story.....sadly my husband and I separated last fall, amicably, and he was so attached to Spelcheq that I didn't have the heart to take him with me and I told my husband that. I was heartbroken and finally understood how people can get crazy enough to fight over custody of a pet. In preparing for my move, he surprised me by getting Sascha for me, so Sascha and Spelcheq had 3 delightful weeks together before I moved. More sadly, about 3 months after we separated, my husband went into the hospital with what the doctor thought was pneumonia and was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer.......I made frequent visits to take him for chemo and each time Sascha and Spelcheq went crazy seeing each other again.....what a pair! It made us both laugh and eased the tension of what he was going through. Two months ago his 3 adult children came to take him back to where they and his grandchildren live so he could spend what time he had left surrounded by family. We talk every day. He told me he didn't know what he'd do without Spelcheq to keep him company and then last week he finally told me his greatest worry was what would happen to Spelcheq when he died and I assured him I'd reunite Spelcheq and Sascha and he didn't need to worry...he broke down in tears and said "There is a perfect example of why I married you in the first place"......these two wonderful furfriends have made such a difference in our lives .....they have blessed our lives, strenghthened our friendship, probably improved our health and given us a reason to start each day. Whatever it takes, I'll keep my word to him about Spelcheq....and for anyone who wonders, the stories about Alzheimers destroying relationships is true. Now that he's with his kids he finally gave in to taking medication for it....they say his behavior has improved, but I still make sure I call him in the early hours of each day because he experiencing what is referred to as "sundowning" later in the day and has difficulty managing a conversation. But no matter what he always asks about Sascha and tells me what Spelcheq has been up to......I'll be visitng him again soon and won't be surprised if I come home with Spelcheq........hope I haven't bored you......good luck with your baby! So you see, if I thought 24/7 was alot........sometime in the future it's going to feel like 48/14......and then I'll REALLY know how you feel! Hang in there!