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:)

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!!!!

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.

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. :)

Continued, lol.
 

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

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

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

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.

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:D I was going to delete the post, but dang that 5 min rule got in the way

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.

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:)

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:)

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

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.

I took Cassie to a Groomer
 

Hi everyone,

I found a groomer that would allow me to be in with Cassie and help with the grooming. She got excellent ratings in YELP and was described as being very gentle and using organic products. We cut off all Cassie's long beautiful blond hair, but I am sure she is much cooler now. Whew! Am I glad that that is over. It was extremely stressful for me and for Cassie. The groomer was trying to be very gentle, but still had to move her head somewhat to cut the hair around the neck and face. I was a wreck, and I think I drove the groomer crazy. I found myself not knowing what was too much manipulation of the head and neck, and what was absolutely necessary in order to wash her and get her hair cut reasonably well so she doesn't look like a clown. The blow drying was also stressful because the blow dryer air was coming out so strong, and it upset Cassie, and it was very cool, and I didn't want Cassie to get pneumonia again. Cutting and washing were also very stressful, oh HECK, the whole thing was stressful. Ladyjane, How do you have your foster groomed without having a nervous breakdown??? I don't know, it's not that she wasn't gentle, but it was not knowing what was acceptable in handling Cassie and what was not. I'm exhausted! :eek:

I think in time you will settle a bit....I know at first when I knew all of the things Sammy had, I was a lot like you. I carried him everywhere and worried myself sick. I am much more relaxed now. As long as this little guy has survived like this and knowing that he probably did a lot worse things before I got him has helped me to deal. I just do my best to keep him safe....and leave the rest to God. There comes a point where you just have to have faith.
You have done all you can do for her....you really have to trust your judgement and try to have some faith. A wise old friend of mine used to tell me to pray for faith to replace my fears....it really works. When I find myself overwhelmed with worry, I do that now. Maybe it will help you.
You are a good mom and Cassie is lucky to have you!

Thank you for what you posted LadyJane, my exact thoughts.

Keeping Cassie and you Shelly in my prayers.
Our Prairie Bea is also very tiny, I know your feelings Shelly.

I was drawn to your thread here, we too had a Cassie and it was because of her that we found YT. You are a wonderful Mom Shelly, so bleessed Cassie is in your care.
Wishing everyone a nice day, life's changes don't allow me to get on line much anymore, and I truly miss many here.
Hugs, Patti and Jack

Decisions about the spine and neurology can be really difficult. :( Go with your heart. And if you aren't sure what your heart is saying (although it sounds like you are...), talk to the neurologist again. I wouldn't want to have to decide. Personally, I would not do it. That doesn't mean I'm saying not to. But when a neuro says they probably wouldn't if it were their dog...that would be enough for me to not do it.

My girl has IVDD. We can't be sure that is the only thing wrong because I elected not to do the MRI. I had decided that any type of spinal surgery was wrong for her. And when talking to a vet about this, it was pretty clear that she isn't a good surgical candidate anyway, esp. if pain meds are working and there being more than one problem area, her age/number of things wrong with her, etc. So we have decided to let her stay as is. Our situation is different though in that she almost certainly does not have AAI. There is a chance of paralysis at this point though (theoretically). She is double your girl's age and has many other health issues. There is just no way I'd put her through back surgery unless it was our last hope... And even after recovery from spinal surgery, they are not cured. It's just a repair and is not like new.

I asked her vet "what would you do if this was your dog?". The answer was no surgery. She is just a bad candidate.. We could have sedated her and retaken xrays. This way the neuro would have been more able to tell us if hydrotherapy would be safe for her. Decided against that too because if there is any risk, I don't want to do the hydro with her.

So we do no hydro, no chiro, no acu-anything. We limit jumping as much as possible. We don't throw toys for her to run after. She is not allowed to climb flights of stairs. Her brother and her can be together, but when they start to wrestle, it is broken up. Baths irritate her lower spine for some reason. I don't give them unless needed. We used to brush teeth nearly everyday. She wiggles away though. I've cut way down and think it probably does more harm than good now. She is kenneled a lot and seems okay with it for the most part. It is hard to not have her running around though. We do take some risks by letting her jump sometimes, etc. We try our best to stop her, but aren't going to totally restrict her.

Honestly, I have found it very difficult. It is so draining to rotate dogs, make sure they both get enough attention, but most of all keep her safe. It is hard to try and keep her safe 24/7. If she was younger, I couldn't even imagine...

You have to find the right balance for your family.
I do think wrestling with other dogs would be a big problem.

The neuro should probably make the call on when/how dentals are done. I've thought about that for Ellie. She isn't as fragile as an AAI pup, but with all the flipping and such...makes me nervous. I think my girl would be fine with cleanings, extractions though...not so sure. As for anesthesia, I have a healthy respect for it being used in any case and only will only agree to it if it is clearly indicated.

I'm not sure why no vet caught the head bobbing. That would bother me. It would also bother me that the vet had such a big concern about whether the neuro would be willing to try holistic things. And they pretty much insisted you saw somebody in particular... Sounds like it may be new vet time.

Thank you for your encouragement and loving support. I really hope you are right.

Today is the first day I am keeping Cassie and Muffin together in the family room. Muffin is excited and is barking and barking at Cassie to play with her. This is not new behavior, she sometimes does this, but Cassie usually ignores her. I kept telling her "uh uh" when she got in Cassie's face and started to bark. I hope this will work. So far I haven't see her jump on top of Cassie, so I'm hanging in there.

At this time Cassie has a runny nose. I think she got this at the groomers because the woman insisted that warm air was no good for them and cool air was best. I'm calling my Vet in the morning to see what she suggests. I think she will tell me to give her colloidal silver and pusitilla, but we will see.

On an up note, Cassie has a great appetite so far and is eating more than she did before, and she is walking on a laminate floor which she never does, and travels down a long hallway to get to me in my room. This takes a great deal of determination, courage and will on her part because it's tricky for her on the laminate floor where she doesn't feel she has a good footing. Muffin has no problem with the floor, but Cassie was always skittish about it, so I see her trying new things and venturing out beyond her ken, so I think she is feeling good and doing okay so far. Here's hoping!:)

Thank you so much for your kind words.
Blessings to you and yours
Shellie Cassie and Muffin:love:

Thank you Ellie May, your words are always welcome and full of wisdom. They always give me something to think about. Yes, it is so difficult rotating the girls and keeping them apart. I am hoping they can be together without too much risk to Cassie. I don't see Muffin jumping on top of Cassie, but she does get in her face and sometimes pushes or shoves her, that's the part that worries me. And I am not always in the same room as they are, it's difficult to monitor them 24 hours a day, and therein lies my greatest challenge. I am hoping for Cassie's sake I can negotiate this situation-it feels like it is filled with land mines. Here's to hoping for brighter days to come.

Love
Shellie:)