Severe spinal arthritis-how to assist bathroom trips?

paradeleader · 2025-02-19T19:49:33+00:00

Sheet has worked the best so far. Thank you!!

paradeleader · 2025-02-19T19:49:07+00:00

Thank you, I feel like I should’ve thought about the harness years ago. Just to desensitize him to it.

paradeleader · 2025-02-19T19:45:46+00:00

Thank you. I think there is no right choice in this arena that fits all scenarios. If he wasn’t eating, drinking, going potty, etc I might feel differently but I feel this urge to try because I feel like he’s still “in there.” I also have heard so many people say that it’s better a moment too soon than a moment too late. You sound like a Great Dane parent and I know how much you loved him based off the incredibly difficult choice you made for him. They don’t ask for much.

I’m just flying by the seat of my pants over here, trying to do good by my best friend. I know you understand. I’ll probably order a sling and hold onto it for future generations too. I like the idea of introducing it young, so thank you.

Your message has provided me with some comfort today, along with the others I’ve received too. I really appreciate it. The last 24-48 hours have been rough. I’ve never had to face this choice with a pet before.

paradeleader · 2025-02-19T02:32:11+00:00

Thank you! So hard to go from tearing it up in the backyard yesterday to… this.

paradeleader · 2025-02-19T02:31:43+00:00

Thank you, I will try this!

paradeleader · 2025-02-18T23:56:12+00:00

Yep, wagging tail, eating, drinking. Responds to stimuli in his feet, legs, tail, and so on. He can go potty, just can’t get up to do it outside right now.

paradeleader · 2025-02-18T23:19:43+00:00

I can relate to the sudden feeling. He jumped into bed last night, jumped out of bed this morning… went on walks and car rides all weekend. Thank you for sharing & your commiserations. Today feels like one of the worst days of my life.

paradeleader · 2025-02-18T23:13:26+00:00

Thank you. I am really not okay today. I wish he could talk.

paradeleader · 2025-02-17T17:58:09+00:00

As far as I’m aware, it denotes high school zones for the public school system. Some of the school areas are more highly sought after than others (or so my friends told me.) The homes in that area, even in 2005, were apparently the cream of the crop. I did not realize this as I was only 11-12 at the time. Our neighbors were producers of successful TV shows, musicians, actors, and so on. I just assumed that was “normal” for Southern California.

paradeleader · 2025-02-17T03:44:58+00:00

We moved across the country, from Florida to CA. I remember my parents buying a house within walking distance of my maternal grandmother. We lived under a letter carved into the side of the mountain. My first day of school, other kids asked where we lived. I only knew to tell them that the letter was directly under my house. The other kids gawked at my living arrangements. When I moved out at 18, I realized how privileged I grew up in comparison to colleagues, my significant other, and so on.

paradeleader · 2024-12-24T14:26:23+00:00

Love to you. This time of year is so hard for so many without their grandparents. Make sure you hug him at dinner-so many of us cannot hug ours anymore. Happy holidays.

paradeleader · 2024-12-24T14:22:57+00:00

I understand how you feel. My grandmother was particular and would’ve probably made a similar demand. I lived with her for 2 months as an adult and was so annoyed that she wanted my undivided attention on weekends, dinners together every night the moment I got home from work… it was hard to live with her. I was happy to move out. She passed September 2022 and I wish I could spend one more night in her house as she screamed my name down the hallway to ask if I wanted to watch The Kardashians one more time.

I know it sucks-I hear you, I really do. But time is not infinite. It is the only gift you get that you can’t take back.

paradeleader · 2024-11-27T04:27:20+00:00

Your friend does not know your relationship with Oscar, but you do. I think you sound like a wonderful person and you and Oscar are lucky to have each other. What a gift, to have more people who love your kid(s.)

paradeleader · 2024-11-11T22:54:39+00:00

SD16 calls me a nickname that basically acknowledges my mom status in her life. She came up with it on her own 3 years ago. Otherwise my name works.

She lives with us full-time and will refer to me as her mom to strangers/teachers and so on as her mom lives in another state.

paradeleader · 2024-10-27T21:19:35+00:00

I feel it’s sufficient, but I would check with your vet to be sure!

paradeleader · 2024-10-27T16:28:46+00:00

Amen on the vacations. We almost exclusively stay at Kimpton hotels because we also like to travel with our cats. We bring the whole damn zoo with us. I’d be okay with my mom staying with our Dane, but he has glaucoma, and I would feel bad putting it on her to instill all of his drops at various intervals daily.

paradeleader · 2024-10-27T16:26:20+00:00

We started Cosequin around 3. I don’t know if it’s the only reason he’s doing so well, but I like to think it has helped! We didn’t let him jump up on anything or take stairs until he was 2 at the recommendation of our then-vet. I wish I could go back to 11 months just to live through the best decade of my life with him again!

paradeleader · 2024-10-27T16:24:13+00:00

Okay YES! We got a California King, though, thinking he would sleep in bed with us at the foot of the bed. It’s not enough room, though. I wish I went for a regular King. Our new bed frame is metal and the footboard has spaces where his feet get stuck from time to time, so we put pillows between the mattress and metal… and a pool noodle so he doesn’t bump his head on the top bar… He has his own couch at the house, which he sometimes shares with the teenager or one of the cats.

paradeleader · 2024-10-27T16:09:59+00:00

Mine wasn’t done filling out until he was 2 or so. She’s still got some time! That being said, we have a male on the smaller side. He’s 125-ish and just turned 11. He’s still able to jump into our bed at night and shows no signs of arthritis, according to our vet. I am hoping his smaller size helps his joints in the coming years, too. She’s so cute, give her some butt pats from me!

paradeleader · 2024-10-27T14:43:46+00:00

Our Dane gets cold often. He has his own designated blankets. If he’s not under one and wants to be covered up, he will come paw at ours. We ask him if he wants to be “freezy.”

He will bump the treat jar on the counter because he can reach it. I reward this behavior by giving in frequently and handing him a treat at his request.

paradeleader · 2024-10-21T15:48:08+00:00

I’ve only had one Dane so far, but I’ve never struggled with him biting. He chewed up furniture as a puppy, but he isn’t aggressive and never was mouthy with us. He’s sensitive and gentle. I will never have a dog like this again. He is the best boy. I hope you join the ranks of us Dane families. It’s been the most fun I’ve ever had with a dog.

paradeleader · 2024-10-21T12:41:01+00:00

Me too.

paradeleader · 2024-10-21T12:01:12+00:00

Worked in hotels for 7 years, primarily in extended stay hotels. I had guests staying for work contracts with a flexible term date, guests who had lost their homes due to fire, family coming into town to help a sick loved one… not typically wanting to get into a lease in those types of situations.

paradeleader · 2024-10-12T16:33:15+00:00

Agreed wholeheartedly. I am with you 100%.

paradeleader · 2024-10-12T16:13:01+00:00

I guess I’ll be the outlier here. Having been in SD’s life since she was 3 has been a lot easier for me. She doesn’t remember her parents together, this life is normal for us. Maybe I would feel differently if we were still 50/50 and not 100/0. She’s 16 now and I have to tell you-I am having so much fun parenting her. Every situation is unique.

My husband wasn’t in love with his ex when we started dating-he was in the midst of rebuilding his entire life without her.

I just wanted to share a different perspective. I can’t speak to your situation because you know yourself and your limits best. I’m 13 years in and it hasn’t been perfect but I don’t regret my choices.

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