Thank you so much for what you wrote. We constantly were learning things as we went along with Ashley. Ashley's bowls were small, and she always loved sticking her face in the water bowl. I wouldn't have realized the dangers of a larger bowl, and you must have been terrified. I'm sorry you experienced that.

When I was at the doctor with Ashley, I helped someone with a Yorkie get a urine sample with her little boy. As soon as it looked like he had to urinate, she slipped a disposable pee pad under him, and then we just transferred the urine to a sterilized cup.

I appreciate your kind words. Thank you. I agree with what Bonny said. It was probably something different for him, and as they age, I think they feel more comforted to follow more similar routines. The fact that he seemed fine when he returned is good. Ashley wasn't exploring like she had, and although I could tell she enjoyed walking and being outside, it was almost her just walking because she was just doing it repetitively. Once the Anipryl started to work, there was a huge difference in how she stopped to smell things and explore her surroundings.

I hope the Anipryl starts kicking in soon. Alexander walked off the bed again (he's fine thank God), but I have got to figure something out. He got up on the bed by himself while I was in the closet changing - I didn't even know he was up there until I heard him land. :( Once I went to bed, I put his leash/harness back on so at least he's safe while we're sleeping. I've thought about taking out the bedframe and putting the mattress and box springs on the floor, but that has two really big drawbacks: 1) The boys will want to hike on it and, 2) I have a back problem that makes it hard for me to get up and down from those lower spots. I was really, really hoping to find a long bedrail but I can't find a longer one that fits a king size mattress. :confused:

The doctor suggested I get Alexander some sweaters. He said as dogs get older they can get cold easier, and this would aggravate Alex's little arthritic joints. So I found 2 super-cute things in the $2.50 bin at Target yesterday (thanks Ladyjane for posting about these!!). I tried them on Alexander last night to be sure they fit. Alex has always hated wearing clothes so I haven't put anything on him in years. Well last night, he didn't know what I was trying to do with him and I think it scared him. :( When I was finished, I set him down and he walked around the living room in a big circle for at least 10 minutes straight. Then he paced from room to room. I felt sooooo bad for my little man.

Anyway, thanks for listening. I just needed to unload a little. Even though Alex is better from the Rimadyl he still has a long way to go. I keep praying the Anipryl will work for him.

Bonny

Bonny, I am so sorry you and Alex are going through this. I have been in your position with the bed thing as I told you the other day. My boys...and even my girls mark so I totally understand about the mattress on the floor. For now, I would move the ramp whenever you are not in bed or perhaps put something soft all around the bed. Of course, that is going to make for a lot of extra laundry but at least they won't be ruining a mattress. I have seen people put pillows around furniture that dogs jump off, but that's a lot of pillows. Perhaps if you have a few comforters around, you could fold them up and put them around it? Of course, you want to discourage him, but at least if he does get up there when you are not around it might be safer for him if he walks off?
Just a thought.

Comforters!!! I think you may have found a solution for me, Linda. :D I have several old comforters that would be perfect for this. I didn't want to put pillows down (several reasons) but I never thought of using those comforters.

Ok, so here's what I'm going to try. I found a bedrail I like on Target.com that's about the same length as the other rail - 3-1/3 feet. I'll order it, attach it at the end of the mattress and then put a couple of comforters on the floor next to the rest of the mattress to pad any landings.

Alexander normally does not get on the bed unless I'm on it, which is why I was so surprised he was up there alone the other night. My big concern is when I'm sleeping, and I think you've just given me a solution I can work with. It's certainly worth a try anyway. :)

Thank you!!!

Check out this site, i do alot of ordering from this company for my business: SAMMON PRESTON

I'm not sure if this exact thing will work, but they do offer MANY options for bed safety.

Sammons Preston

Zipp is around 15 so I have to keep a close eye on his every day life for signs of dementia and old age. He still "zipps" around and hops up on the love seat, plumbing all works (too well at times), eats like a little Hoover Vac and enjoys his treats. Like everyone else I am not looking forward to the day when he finally slows down.
Bob

I'm looking at the site you linked right now. They DO have a lot of stuff. I wonder why they didn't come up in all my googling? Some of those rail pads look perfect for my needs.....going back to look some more now. Thanks!! :)

We always used chicken or turkey baby food (Gerbers stage 2) to pill dogs at the animal hospital. There were only a few that didn't take to it well this way.
It can also be fed as a meal or treat to stimulate the appetite... after they consume some, their appetite may be triggered enough to eat their regular food. I always have some in the house... works for kitties too.

I've even used cat food as a stimulant... they're always stealing it anyway! (just a half teaspoon or so, it's stinky enough you don't need alot!)
I never had luck with the pill pockets.... they always try to chew them with the pill yuck! With the baby food, I give them a glob or two then hide the pill... right down it goes!

Aw Thanks!

He says 'Thank you very very much.... he loves extra huggins!'

Oh Thank you! I feel so relieved... I did try walking him after dark thinking he couldn't see the road enough to be bothered by it... he's too smart for those tricks! and must still be able to see pretty well! He did well considering it was out of the norm for us to do it that late. And he is the consummate explorer still.... and we passed his friend Lucy's (at Rainbow Bridge) house... he still stopped to look for her.:( (but happy he remembers!):D

Oh and maybe use two small bed rails if one large isn't big enough?

To give pills, I used the cheese trick. Since they don't chew cheese anyway, I would wrap a piece of cheese tightly around a pill, then give a couple of pieces of just cheese first. Then I would give her the cheese with the pill inside. Most of the time it would go straight down, but they are smart little darlings and do catch on quickly!:D

Other times, if it didn't hurt to crush the pill, I would do that and mix it in a tiny bit of broth and give it in a dropper. This always worked great. I just always asked the vet if I could crush certain pills that were prescribed.

Bonny, are you seeing any change with the Anipryl yet?

I wonder how a bed net (minus the permethrin) would work or maybe he would feel too closed in.

Just a note: As Walgreens states they can do pet scripts, be sure to remind whomever you talk to that it is a pet med, as they are in a different book than the people meds.

Also inquire if they don't have stock to see if they can put an order in for it, for you.

The quote didn't copy, but for Steve who can not see in the dark... wecan't either and always leave dimmed lights on throughout the house so I and DH can avoid stepping on the pups!

Hope Alexander is feeling better...

And when you said about not being able to talk to family.... totally get that... and they don't have to say anything mean, just the fact that they are family and refuse to even validate your fears and concerns is so hurtful in itself.

If they would say they don't understand, but accept the fact that you will do what you feel you need to do to care properly for an aging pet, and that it is okay with them, would be so much more helpful... or even to say nothing....