Showing posts with label Katy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Katy. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 2, 2022

Katy Could Use Some Paw Prayers



What started out as problems getting up off the floor, which we got help from a dog PT for eventually morphed into Cushing Disease. The medication for Cushing actually helped with her balance and overall strength but we've had additional complications and her kidney's are starting to shut down resulting in pancretitis. If she goes there there is no coming back. She is getting morning IV treatments at the vet and her Dog Dad is hand feeding her baby food but we could use some help with prayers from the Paw that she can react to the treatments and get eating again or we could be looking at a very sad scenario.

I had wanted to write about this journey earlier but there is so much going on with caring for Katy and lots of non-Katy stuff that is great but time consuming that I avoided doing something that was going to be hard. It is hard to write about Katy not being strong, stubborn, and feisty.

I also wanted to record this for anyone else struggling with helping an aging dog with balance and stability issues because I didn't know what to do or where to start. First if you have the option consulting with a dog PT was worth it. The exercises and information on what we could do to help and what wasn't helpful was worth the consultation. We didn't end up going back for further visits because we started the Cushing treatments and then had food issues but I do plan on using the exercises to increase Annie's strength and flexibility as you don't have to wait until they lose strength to build it.

The harness Katy is wearing is the Help 'em Up Harness. I write this in case we do need to find another one down the road.

Reviews can be great or they can confuse you more if you don't know why someone purchased a product, what they were dealing with at the time. Katy has strength in her front legs and once stabilized can stand on her back legs. However, her back legs are weak, especially if she's been laying down. I had trouble helping her up off the floor and what became really scary at times were the stairs as without restraint she would fly down or barrel roll on the stairs even with the ramp a neighbor kindly loaned us to make going down the back stairs doable. The harness gives you the human a means of picking up and stabilizing the dog without hurting either you or the dog. We chose this one based on the suggestion of her PT and if needed I'd purchase another one because it has made a huge difference in being able to give her confidence in moving around.

The critisms I've read generally refer to dogs who no longer have the ability to stand once brought to their feet with the help of the harness. The dog is a dead weight in the harness if they can't support any of their weight on their legs. I've never reached this stage with a dog but the few people I know who have generally have had to move to more stabilizing equipment to allow the dog mobility as the harness isn't the right tool.

I meant to write all of this down in other posts earlier for my own records and to share with you. It has just been too hard to face. If I didn't write it maybe I could ignore it. However, having reread my Bailey posts I want to make my future posts balanced not as health updates but records of what an amazing dog she is today. Tomorrow I hope to get to talking about what an great night Annie and Katy had hanging outside for Halloween.

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Enjoying the Shade


The weather has been crazy lately. Every time we get some wonderfully cool fall weather then the temps jump back up into the 80's or it rains. A very strange fall indeed. Mom caught this picture when I was enjoying one of the fall days hanging out in the shade. When the weather cools off I like spending more time in the backyard. Annie and I will patrol the yard for intruders and then we settle down for a nice relaxing rest.

Monday, September 3, 2018

Katy's 8th Gotcha Day!!!


We made Mom prepost mine when she posted Annie's so she wouldn't forget.

Now Katy how could I forget you my little Sheltie Princess. You were such a special delight when we picked you up all those Labor Day weekends ago. Bailey wasn't sure what to make of the situation until he knew you were leaving with us. Annie has thought the sun rose and set with you since she first met you. You are one special girl and we love you very much. We feel very blessed that you came to us from Sheltie Rescue.

Monday, June 4, 2018

Hole What Hole?



Do you see any holes here? I'm just lying in a little dirt here. I'm not sure what Mom finds so interesting. Nothing to see here move on.

Monday, April 9, 2018

When Yarn Attacks



I've warned and warned Mom, but even now she thinks I initiated this attack and the yarn just fell on me because I pulled at the yarn. That's just not true. The yarn attacked me.

Friday, April 6, 2018

Recovering from Our Holiday Celebration




We had a wonderful Easter holiday, but it was exhausting. Nothing like resting up with your Easter toys to recover.

Thursday, January 25, 2018

Tell Her Nothing



We watch all those cops shows. You have the right to remain silent. She's got nothing on you. Don't confess.

Friday, June 23, 2017

Happy 9th Birthday Katy!!!


Happy Birthday my beautiful girl. You have had such a big year. I was so worried about you when you lost Bailey. You withdrew into yourself and we kept pushing to find you a companion. Last July was truly a hard month for you. While you mourned Bailey you also couldn't adjust to living alone. I'm so glad we found Annie and the two of you have become such wonderful friends.

Last year you also experienced your first dog friendly vacation and you were so brave. I was so impressed with how you handled all the challenges of being away from home.

You have payed forward the kindness shown to you by Bailey, by helping Annie to adjust to her new home, too. While her needs were different than yours, you have found ways to meet those and I've been so proud of how you have helped her to fit in here.

Happy Birthday my sweet girl. May this be a much more peaceful and joy filled year.

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Wordless Wednesday: Playing with the Treat Ball




Lots of awesome stuff going on and we hope to share more soon. Mom decided to capture me playing with my treat ball.

Monday, July 18, 2016

Katy Update


Mom has been preposting a bunch of flower pictures but she hasn't been writing many posts lately. So, I told her it was time to get back to the work of blogging.

We've been working on getting our event all set up for the Olympics. Lots of people sent in their entries and we are so grateful that so many people wanted to enter. It really is a memorial event for Bailey as he inspired Mom to ask about offering it.

I've been exploring life as a single Sheltie and learning so much. Without Bailey's help I've had to work extra hard keeping the critters in control. A new groundhog has moved into the area and he's a bit grumpy. The bunnies have exploded. Thankfully, Dog Dad managed to remove an area they were using to hide behind and that seems to have made them less aggressive. We now have chipmunks and squirrels!!

I've also been making more friends in the neighborhood. When Bailey was alive he was the social one. When we'd meet dogs, he'd greet them and I'd shyly hold back until he was done. Now I'm doing the greeting and I have specific dogs I like to find on my walks with Dog Dad. I also have humans that look forward to seeing me when I'm out as well.

Mom and Dad are also continuing to look for another Sheltie friend for me. Mom has started contacting some New England area breeders to see if anyone has any adult dogs. She's contacted the local Sheltie rescues in the areas, but nothing is happening so she's moving forward. She's made a few contacts and those contacts keep leading to other contacts. Mom is patient, so I am hopeful she'll find a good friend for me.

Monday, November 16, 2015

Monday Mischief: Claiming the Mat



This mat will fit both of us, but lately Bailey takes up all the space and we don't share. However, the other day, I snuck it and claimed it for myself. There is no reason why we can't share. Who can resist a nice comfy mat.

Join the hop here

Monday, October 26, 2015

Monday Mischief: Recovering in Bed



After Thursday's glorious mud bath, Mom felt a need to follow it up with a not so pleasant soap bath. So I decided to dry out on her bed. Mom is grateful she stopped me before I made it upstairs in my muddy happiness. I was headed there when the evil leash clipped on me and headed me to the dreadful tub of doom. Mom mentioned something about the bath tub resembling her former students Nile projects as the water turned rather muddy. She fails to realize the soft fluffiness that she attributes to the bath is really all about the mud.


Welcome to Monday Mischief – The pet blog hop that wraps up the weekend! This Blog Hop is brought to you by Alfie’s Blog, Snoopy’s Dog Blog, and My Brown Newfies.

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Katy's Fort


What to do when there are lots of people at your house? Retreat to your own personal fort. You can see and observe all the action, but they have to work real hard to get to you.

Friday, September 2, 2011

Happy Anniversary Katy


It all started with an email. While actually it really started when the new neighbors rescued a cute black lab and Bailey realized just how lonely he was as the only dog in the house. He so badly wanted a playmate and he was not allowed to play with the new dog next door. Mom felt so bad. She knew Bailey needed a brother or sister in his own home to play with, but she had to talk Dad into the idea of bringing home another Sheltie.

Mom agreed to not pursuing a puppy, but an adult dog. Dad thought about it and agreed. Mom sent in the paper work to the New England Sheltie Rescue. They expected a considerable wait time before a dog would be available and they were OK with that.

However, an email arrived almost immediately telling them about me and they jumped to reply. They were going to have a new dog for Labor Day. I had no idea that people were coming to take me home. I was at my foster home playing with my foster brothers. They were fun. My foster Mom was nice and gave me tons of cookies. In fact, for a long time that was the only word I responded to until I moved in with Mom and Dad.

Mom was surprised when she realized this was Labor Day weekend and thus the anniversary of my arrival. She says she cannot believe it has been a year. I can tell, though. I finally claim toys as my own. I demand attention from Dad and know I will get it. When we get in the car, I no longer think I am leaving forever. I am home.

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Katy the Sentry


Mom has called me a stalker and Bailey says that is not a complimentary term. However, I am a sentry. It is my job to patrol the wall. On the other side of the wall is a friend I never get to play with, but we do meet nose to nose from time to time. We share information about the state of the neighborhood. One time I was very surprised when a beagle head popped almost completely out from under the fence. I learned the beagle was just visiting.

Mom has been using treats to train me to stay away from the fence. She does not want to create problems with the neighbors who so far have not been interested in a play date. I love my treats, but it is so hard to resist checking on my friend.

So just to clear the record I am not a stalker, no matter what Mom says.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Meet My Fuzzy Bone

Birthdays are so cool.

This is my new fuzzy bone. Mom said something about replacing the old fuzzy bone, but this is my bone. It works well as a squeeky, chew toy.


It also can be used as a pillow when chewing on a real bone.


Bone also provides some protection from bone stealing brothers. Two fuzzy bones can be distracting and give me a chance to get away with the real prize.

Monday, June 27, 2011

My New Birthday Ball


I got a new ball for my birthday. I just started playing with it when...


Bailey took my new ball!!!


After some discussions, I got it back.