My life lately!

[DIANE W]

Originally Posted by Lindsey

Diane, we do have that around here, but most people are based in the city and won't travel outside of the city. We live 20 minutes away, and sometimes roads are just too bad to drive in the winter (we normally have tons of snow by November.) And even if we took her to someone's house, nobody wants to take on the responsibility of looking after Layla because it involves having to express her bladder throughout the day. It's not a skill most people have, and it seems nobody is willing to learn!

We actually did just find someone with experience with paraplegic dogs who would i do pet sitting at our house, even though we live outside of the city, but it would end up costing us about $450 for the week we're away. It was just too expensive, because she charges a lot for driving out of the city every day.

Scott talked again to the kennel people and they said they are all going to go through training from their one vet tech on staff, so they should all be able to do it. They will try multiple times per day in case they can't get her empty each time. Scott explained how important it was and the owner said he totally understands and will do his very best (he will be doing the late night and early morning expressings). He also said he is not charging us ANYTHING extra for the extra attention because they're learning on her, and it's good for their business to be able to say they can take care of dogs like Layla as well. It made me feel a little better, but I don't think I'll ever be totally comfortable leaving her ANYWHERE!

I think she will be just fine, its us that worry so much about them isnt it?

My Harvey is such a mummys boy, i couldnt leave him with anyone, he is bad enough left with my husband or daughter, who he loves a lot............ but he only wants me, we have never had a dog like this, i think its because he is so tiny, he was treated like a baby in a way.
Yet he is not carried everywhere, no he loves his long walks, and i get tired before him, but when we get home, he wants to lie in my arms.

Layla will be fine, and its really nice they are learning about how to take good care of her, bless her.

[Lindsey]

I know Layla is much stronger than I am lol! She loves being at the vet hospital even though she is just in a cage there during the day. When we used to take her for rehabilitation a few times a week, she had her very own cage reserved for her. They said she'd "talk" to everyone so they'd all stop to pet her lol. She loved going there, and it broke my heart on the days when I'd hand her off to a tech and she wouldn't even look back at me! She'd just be excited to go down the hall and see everyone. And this kennel will be better than a small cage. She has her own little room with heated floors and we can bring her own bedding and blankets and food and water bowl. I know she'll probably be okay, but I just worry so much!

[DIANE W]

I know Lindsey i would be just the same, but reading how Layla is used to being away from you at times, then i think that would definitely make me feel better......... you know she copes fine and quite enjoys it, as i am sure she will at this new place too, i think she will get lots of fuss and attention, and lap it up.

And dont forget she knows from past experience - you are coming back for her

[Lindsey]

That's true, Diane! I'm also hoping we can take her there for doggy daycare for a few days before we leave so she knows where she's going and knows we're coming back.

[gja1000]

Lindsey, it is so great that she is so social and loves it so much when you have to leave her somewhere. She will do just fine. My boys just whine and cry every time I leave them at the groomers, and they have been going there all their lives!!! The groomer is the sweetest lady and she just loves on them, but they just look at me with pleading eyes when I leave! They are just so used to having the run of the house I think they hate the cage. I wish they were more like Layla!

[Lindsey]

Gayle, for us I think it depends who puts her in a cage lol! She HATES crates and will not travel in any sort of wire crate, plastic travel crate, or carrier. She will cry and yelp and chew at them until her teeth bleed. But apparently she does just fine anywhere else! Actually, at the groomer on Friday, she put Layla in a basket on the floor because she wouldn't "do" the crate lol. But she was happy all afternoon in the basket.

Speaking of the groomer, just as Scott picked up the dogs, another lady came in to get her pugs' nails clipped. She saw Layla in her wheelchair and told Scott they also had a paraplegic dog for 8 years. They thought they'd never go on vacation again. But she found a lady who helped them and looked after their dog every time they went away. She gave Scott her number and email so we could be in touch and she would give us the name and contact information for the girl she used. Well, Scott misplaced the paper in the confusion of paying and getting all three dogs out to the car. So he called the groomer again today, and she said she would call the lady and give her OUR info so she could get in touch with us. Well, tonight she did! We now have another option! I think we might stay with our current plans this time, but it's awesome to know there is another choice next time!

[DIANE W]

Thats really good news, like you say it is always good to have a plan B.

I think its a great idea to get Layla to visit them a few times, see how she takes to them and vice versa - that way if you feel at all uncomfortable, you still have time to look up your plan B option.

[DIANE W]

Originally Posted by gja1000

Lindsey, it is so great that she is so social and loves it so much when you have to leave her somewhere. She will do just fine. My boys just whine and cry every time I leave them at the groomers, and they have been going there all their lives!!! The groomer is the sweetest lady and she just loves on them, but they just look at me with pleading eyes when I leave! They are just so used to having the run of the house I think they hate the cage. I wish they were more like Layla!

I do too Gayle....... i wish my Harvey was like Layla, i would be afraid to leave him, i am sure he would have heart failure.

My next door neighbour once asked us if we minded if she took Harvey for a walk around sometimes, she felt it would give her a reason to excersise and she loves him.
We didnt mind at all, so off he goes with lead on..............didnt even get to the botton of the drive, refused to budge, never thought i would see that - he loves his walkies so much. I felt so sorry for her!!!!

[Lindsey]

Originally Posted by DIANE W

Thats really good news, like you say it is always good to have a plan B.

I think its a great idea to get Layla to visit them a few times, see how she takes to them and vice versa - that way if you feel at all uncomfortable, you still have time to look up your plan B option.

Well, Scott now wants me to contact the lady tonight and see if she'd take Layla in her home during that week instead (she works at another kennel as well, but I like the place Layla is currently booked at better!) I guess he wants to see what she would charge if Layla were in her home. Layla would probably be more comfortable in a home than in a kennel, even though I know she'll survive either way. We might not worry as much though.

Originally Posted by DIANE W

I do too Gayle....... i wish my Harvey was like Layla, i would be afraid to leave him, i am sure he would have heart failure.

My next door neighbour once asked us if we minded if she took Harvey for a walk around sometimes, she felt it would give her a reason to excersise and she loves him.
We didnt mind at all, so off he goes with lead on..............didnt even get to the botton of the drive, refused to budge, never thought i would see that - he loves his walkies so much. I felt so sorry for her!!!!

Awww Diane, that reminds me of the first (and only) time I went on vacation with my parents, and left Layla with my aunt and uncle for a week. We were all visiting at my grandma's house, and when they decided to leave, I put on Layla's harness and collar and handed her off. She was resisting as they tried to pull her out the door and she looked at me with her huge eyes like she was saying "Mommy, aren't you coming too?" and the whole room erupted in "AWWWW!" It broke my heart. Layla didn't eat for 5 days at their house. But eventually it was okay. This was before she was paralyzed. Now she's so used to being in different places with different people for different treatments, I think she is better at being away from me because she's been forced to do it so often! Now it's just hard on me lol.