Cassie is in trouble

[gemy]

My heart truly goes out to you and Cassie. And for Muffin too.

In terms of bed time; could you put her in a crate and then put the crate on your bed so she could be with you?

In terms of Muffin and Cassie being together, try walking them out on leads together. Also a swimming pool is wonderful exercise, first one by one, and then together. Swimming will cushion all the joints, and even cushion a dog bumping into the other.

Just one other thing, do not ever second guess your decision on non surgery; you did make the best decision for your dog, and your life.

Hugs to you

[broodizt]

Originally Posted by gemy

My heart truly goes out to you and Cassie. And for Muffin too.

In terms of bed time; could you put her in a crate and then put the crate on your bed so she could be with you?

In terms of Muffin and Cassie being together, try walking them out on leads together. Also a swimming pool is wonderful exercise, first one by one, and then together. Swimming will cushion all the joints, and even cushion a dog bumping into the other.

Just one other thing, do not ever second guess your decision on non surgery; you did make the best decision for your dog, and your life.

Hugs to you

Hi there, and hugs back to you

Actually, she has never been crate trained and she HATES the crate (LOL) (I've tried it before) She doesn't even like the playpen I got her. I think she just does not like to feel penned in or to have walls around her. I think she feels like she is in jail and keeps scratching and trying to get out of the crate and this is a tiny tiny crate I have, just her size, so I think she is claustrophobic and she is not a happy girl being in a crate.

Cassie also hates water-she panics around water-I can't tell you how much she hates it and struggles to get out of it. Bath times are truly traumatic for her and I do try to minimize those events. My worry is even bringing her in to have her groomed. I mean, she REALLY needs it, she smells like pee, her hair is all tangled, etc. My father is very against having her groomed. He thinks they will hurt her, but I can't go forever without having her groomed, it just isn't healthy!!! I want to get her hair cut short like a puppy cut like Muffin (see Picture further back in thread). But I do worry about having her groomed and trusting a groomer to be EXTREMELY gentle and careful with her.

I might try to walk them together on leads around the house, but Muffin tends to want to pull ahead and Cassie has difficulty walking any great distance without stopping for a break. She also hop walks, and Muffin walks normally. Cassie gets exhausted walking with only a few steps, so walking them together has always been very difficult because Cassie always wants to stop and take a break and Muffin is always ready to go. They are challenging little munchkins. But they are my heart and soul.

Thanks, Shellie

[kjc]

Originally Posted by broodizt

Hi there, and hugs back to you

Actually, she has never been crate trained and she HATES the crate (LOL) (I've tried it before) She doesn't even like the playpen I got her. I think she just does not like to feel penned in or to have walls around her. I think she feels like she is in jail and keeps scratching and trying to get out of the crate and this is a tiny tiny crate I have, just her size, so I think she is claustrophobic and she is not a happy girl being in a crate.

Cassie also hates water-she panics around water-I can't tell you how much she hates it and struggles to get out of it. Bath times are truly traumatic for her and I do try to minimize those events. My worry is even bringing her in to have her groomed. I mean, she REALLY needs it, she smells like pee, her hair is all tangled, etc. My father is very against having her groomed. He thinks they will hurt her, but I can't go forever without having her groomed, it just isn't healthy!!! I want to get her hair cut short like a puppy cut like Muffin (see Picture further back in thread). But I do worry about having her groomed and trusting a groomer to be EXTREMELY gentle and careful with her.

I might try to walk them together on leads around the house, but Muffin tends to want to pull ahead and Cassie has difficulty walking any great distance without stopping for a break. She also hop walks, and Muffin walks normally. Cassie gets exhausted walking with only a few steps, so walking them together has always been very difficult because Cassie always wants to stop and take a break and Muffin is always ready to go. They are challenging little munchkins. But they are my heart and soul.

Thanks, Shellie

I would ask the vet about a groomer referral, or even if a vet tech would/could do it.

Maybe use a peepad on the bed?

[broodizt]

Originally Posted by kjc

I would ask the vet about a groomer referral, or even if a vet tech would/could do it.

Maybe use a peepad on the bed?

GREAT IDEA,
i will definitely talk to the vet.

I have a KING SIZE BED-I would need a LOT of pee pads LOL!!!!

[ladyjane]

I never leave my pups alone with a groomer. I am very fortunate in that I have an awesome groomer....I stay with my pups when she grooms them.

She knows my foster, Sammy, and is very careful with him.

Maybe your vet will know someone..BUT....if I were you I would be looking for a groomer who will allow you to stay...and one who will groom without putting a collar and restraint on her.

[ladyjane]

As for your bed. My pups sleep with me...and sometimes there are accidents. Someone gets sick and vomits...older pup loses bladder control. My one foster who is incontinent sleeps with a diaper on...and she is also on top of a piddle pad.
My mattress, though, is always protected. I have 2 waterproof pads on it. I learned to do that years ago...learned the hard (and expensive) way. I have a Tempurpedic and do not want to replace it any time soon.

[kjc]

I have a SpotBot by Bissell that has a hose extension which allows me to clean furniture and mattresses. Then I put Borax on the spot to absorb any moisture, then vacuum that up. Most times mine hit the bottom edge of the bed though, not so much in the middle. Washable pee pads would be comfy for her to lay on...

Oh and I picked up a kitty diner that will elevate a small cat bowl about a half inch or so... might be better than using a towel...

Amazon.com: Hagen Catit Stainless Steel Double...
or

Walmart.com: Hartz Living Stainless Steel Pet Feeding Dish: Cats

[kjc]

This is where I get bed pads... they have great prices and a large selection:

Reusable Bed Pad - Incontinence Bed Pads - Washable Bed Pad?

[DBlain]

Shelly I am so sorry to read what you are going through, how are you doing today? I am not 100% sure what I would do if I was in your shoes. But the more I think about this I think it speaks volumes when a doctor or vet that makes money from performing surgery says if it was their dog they would probably not operate. Even before knowing the outcome of the MRI the doctors were talking about how she had be living with this condition for 5 years and that surgery might not be the best option. I know you dad is very elderly so I don't know if you have many people to talk this over with, but if you need someone to listen or discuss this with I am available and I am sure some of the other gals would talk with you also.

[DBlain]

OK don't think I am crazy, some how I thought I had come to the end of the thread and posted, now I see I missed a page or so, sorry I must look pretty dumb, but I think a darn customer called in the midst of me ready, work it's a pain it get in the way of YT I was going to delete the post, but dang that 5 min rule got in the way

[DBlain]

Ok now that I have read the rest of the thread I am up to speed, it looks like there will most likely be no surgery, which I also think sounds like the best option. For sleeping arrangements perhaps you could try a few things that have worked for me. Lola sleeps on our bed, but in her own small flat bed, you might try that which would give her more protection and possibly keep her in one place. I would try a comfy bed with low sides and a separate pillow that you can put a pillow case on. I find a larger pillow case gives the dog something to scrunch up when they are trying to build their little nest. She could also wear doggie diapers at night. For grooming you could see if there are any mobile groomers in your area, they bring a van to your home, I am sure you could sit in there while they groom her. If that does not work out for you search for an idependent owner operated grooming salon. Go in person first and explain your situation to the owner, if they don't have to bathe her they most likely will let you bring her in at the end of their day for a haircut. If you do want them to bathe her you might need to wait around longer. Like Lady Jane I also stay at the groomers with Lola but I bathe her at home first so we go just for the cut. Getting a short puppy cut for her sounds like a good idea, this way you will not need to groom as often.
A pet stroller might also help, this way you could head out for walks together and when she is tired you could put her in that. A pet stroller would also be handy to have around the house, I put Lola in it sometimes when we are on the deck eating and she wants up, this way she is more at our level but not trying to get on the table. If she likes being outside gettting her used to the stroller might not be hard, just give her some treats and a toy and if you start out walking with her in it and she can look around she might grow to love it. Lola does not like being penned up, but does not seem to mind the stroller since it is higher up, comfortable and easy to see out of. It also comes in handy if other dogs are around and she has had enough of playing with them. It will be trial and error and probably hard not to spoil her even more than I sense she is, which LOL for us Yorkie moms is usually very spoiled. The offer still stands if you just want to vent or have someone to talk to that understands this bond with have with our pups I am just a phone call away.

[broodizt]

Thank you one and all for all your wisdom and suggestions. I appreciate each and every one of you and your links are awesome.

Let me clarify about the bed thing. I have made a makeshift waterproof kind of pad, well not a pad, it's made out of two very large plastic table cloths laid over my comforter and bedding and on top of that I put a large kingsize comforter that they already christened with everything and anything (LOL). Although it is a bit uncomfortable sleeping like this, I HAVE done it. Your solutions sound so much better with the waterproof sheet pads though, that I am going to buy them right away. But this is not the real issue, I mean the pee factor. It IS somewhat of a factor (I too have an unbelievably expensive bed)- but, the real reason, main reason is that they both, but mostly Cassie, insists upon wanting to sleep on or near the veeeeery edge of the bed, and any opportunity she has she will wiggle out and run to the bed edge. Even if I place her right next to me, at any time she is capable of getting up suddenly and hopping at an unbelievable fast pace to the very very edge of the bed. Now this bed is a gigantic king size mattress on a king size adjustable frame, inside a wooden platform. It is high!!!! And IF she fell, it wouldn't be on the soft carpeting on the floor but on the hard wooden platform surrounding the bed. You have no idea how many times I have had my heart in my mouth and I almost had a stroke from fear of her falling off the bed. It is very dangerous for her, and I am really really hesitant to keep her up on that bed at all, but especially for sleeping when I might be in a deep sleep and not realize she moved to the edge. unless that bed is completely surrounded on all three sides by a barrier that would prevent her or Muffin from falling off, I do not feel at all that this is a safe option for them, and especially now, with this AAI diagnosis for Cassie. I do occasionally try to put them on my bed, or had previously, for play time and just hanging out together and that is when I would use the plastic table cloths and their old peed on blanket to cover my bedding. But to tell you the truth, I still feel unsafe because they are both so very fast, and I am not sure I could get to the edge of the bed in time if either of them miscalculated and were to fall. So this is why I am opting to either hold Cassie in my arms, or she stays on the floor. That said, I have to go immediately and order the raised dishes and the rubber sheet pads for just in case times, or just to have them available. Hope I explained this okay. Thanks again for all your wisdom. Love, Shellie

[broodizt]

Originally Posted by DBlain

Ok now that I have read the rest of the thread I am up to speed, it looks like there will most likely be no surgery, which I also think sounds like the best option. For sleeping arrangements perhaps you could try a few things that have worked for me. Lola sleeps on our bed, but in her own small flat bed, you might try that which would give her more protection and possibly keep her in one place. I would try a comfy bed with low sides and a separate pillow that you can put a pillow case on. I find a larger pillow case gives the dog something to scrunch up when they are trying to build their little nest. She could also wear doggie diapers at night. For grooming you could see if there are any mobile groomers in your area, they bring a van to your home, I am sure you could sit in there while they groom her. If that does not work out for you search for an idependent owner operated grooming salon. Go in person first and explain your situation to the owner, if they don't have to bathe her they most likely will let you bring her in at the end of their day for a haircut. If you do want them to bathe her you might need to wait around longer. Like Lady Jane I also stay at the groomers with Lola but I bathe her at home first so we go just for the cut. Getting a short puppy cut for her sounds like a good idea, this way you will not need to groom as often.
A pet stroller might also help, this way you could head out for walks together and when she is tired you could put her in that. A pet stroller would also be handy to have around the house, I put Lola in it sometimes when we are on the deck eating and she wants up, this way she is more at our level but not trying to get on the table. If she likes being outside gettting her used to the stroller might not be hard, just give her some treats and a toy and if you start out walking with her in it and she can look around she might grow to love it. Lola does not like being penned up, but does not seem to mind the stroller since it is higher up, comfortable and easy to see out of. It also comes in handy if other dogs are around and she has had enough of playing with them. It will be trial and error and probably hard not to spoil her even more than I sense she is, which LOL for us Yorkie moms is usually very spoiled. The offer still stands if you just want to vent or have someone to talk to that understands this bond with have with our pups I am just a phone call away.

Thanks so much Donna for that lovely offer. I might just have to take you up on that one of these days. I do need to talk.

Cassie does love to be on my bed, yes, but she manages to crawl over pillows or even her own little beds to sleep near the very edge of the bed. What's up with this???? It's like it's some kind of fetish or obsession. And they BOTH do it, but Cassie does it to the extreme. She is so single minded it would be funny-I could even see it in a Woody Allen movie, if it weren't so dangerous.

I am definitely going to seek out a groomer who will let me be present and help. There is no question about this. I go tomorrow or next week to find one.

As for the doggie diapers, given that sleeping in my bed is too dangerous for her, I'm not sure she'll be needing it, although it would save my carpeting from further pee and poo stains (but my carpeting is so far gone, I have to have it ripped up and I'm putting laminate flooring down with rugs that can be picked up and washed, much more sanitary.) Also, Cassie is so tiny, I don't know if I could find a doggy diaper to actually fit her. Merlin, my first Yorkie may he RIP, was 3lb, and everything swam on him. I could find no diaper to fit him when he got very old and incontinent. Cassie is only 2 lbs, so I think my chances are even less for this LOL.

Cassie loves her doggy stroller. I mean she just LOVES it, when it is moving, that is. She does not walk well, she hops- and tires easily, so she really loves the stroller and we've had it for years. She does not mind it at all. But it is best when the Stroller keeps moving. Then she lies down and looks out the zippered netting and watches all the people, dogs, and scenery go by. So you are very right about that. Muffin on the other hand keeps jumping up and scratching at the netting wanting to get out and walk. She even used to jump on top of Cassie sometimes, in her excitement to get out of the stroller, up and down I mean, even though I tried and tried to get her to stop--- but now, it is no longer an option and I will not put the two of them together in there ever again. It is just not safe. Muffin loves to walk anyway, so it's probably not going to be a problem.

Anyway, I thank you for all your kind words and your offer and all your suggestions and wisdom. Thank you for being there for us.

Much love,
Shellie Cassie and Muffin

[broodizt]

Originally Posted by gemy

My heart truly goes out to you and Cassie. And for Muffin too.

In terms of bed time; could you put her in a crate and then put the crate on your bed so she could be with you?

In terms of Muffin and Cassie being together, try walking them out on leads together. Also a swimming pool is wonderful exercise, first one by one, and then together. Swimming will cushion all the joints, and even cushion a dog bumping into the other.

Just one other thing, do not ever second guess your decision on non surgery; you did make the best decision for your dog, and your life.

Hugs to you

Gemy,

Thank you so very much for your kind words. They really hit home and I meant to write you sooner. Because, you are right, you are right, you are so very right, you have no idea. I have been second guessing my decision on non surgery every single day. I am hoping I am making the right decision for her. I really am because I am worried sick on a constant basis now, and actually, I don't know how to stop worrying. And I don't know how to stop second guessing what would be best. Maybe I could give her years and years more life by having this surgery. This is what is going through my mind. She has managed so far to get through so very much, and she is such a tiny dog, and she was poisoned by xylitol, had pneumonia twice, had teeth extractions twice, spayed once. I mean the list goes on and on. She is a tough little munchkin. Maybe she would come through in flying colors and live a much more doggy dog life, much less protected and sheltered, and maybe even much longer. I just don't know how to be at peace with this. I am too frightened to do the surgery, but I am second guessing myself every day. Your comment was right on. Thank you for your words.

Love, Shellie

[DBlain]

oh shelly my heart goes out to you because I can see you have tried so many things, call if you want to talk 248 623 8422 prayers are being sent your way.