I'm devastated

Maybe time for a second opinion.  There most certainly are medications, as you will see in this article, written by vets!!!!   Granted, they aren't going to cure your dog, but they may help him be more comfy and live a longer, happier life: http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_tracheal_collapse.html

I'm so soryr to hear about the poor fellow.  I know very little about this but just wanted to let you know I'll keep him in my thoughts and prayers.

I wonder if TCVM might help some.

You are right. I tried calling all four vet clinics we have here to see what they're thoughts were. I only managed to get a hold of one, it just happens to be the only other good vet clinic here. The other two vets I wouldn't touch with a 10ft pole. Anyway she spoke to the vet and he said yes there are medications,but it depends on the severity. I told her how bad Rickards is and she said really surgery would be the only real option. But they would have to refer him to a specialist in Calgary and it would be very expensive. So thats unfortunately is not an option. I still don't know why my vet said there was no medications or surgery though when there clearly is. Even though I can't afford the surgery I find it odd. Anyway her suggestions were the same, keep Rickards calm, limit activity. All the things we are doing already. I'm a little frustrated.

Did you see the recent thread under the diseases and conditions section? 

http://community.dog.com/forums/t/106201.aspx

Not sure if you saw it or not or if it is of use to you. 

Thank you, I never saw it. I was sort of frantic when I wrote this and never checked around. I'll go read it now.

What part of Alberta are you in?  Are you at all close to Edmonton??

TCVM link -- look under Canada (that color is a link) -- TCVM can be super helpful -- it's not hugely expensive (the first visit may be more expensive but no testing at all) and often they can get things to heal when nothing else will.

Also -- I have one word for you:

WAGON !!!!!!!

Get him a wagon -- or even one of those little dog strollers (which would enclose him) -- but it would alllow him to be "with" and not get tired. 

A kids wagon can be heaven sent -- teach him to stay "in" it -- but with any sort of wagon or stroller (and you can often find strollers on garage sales, etc -- and a human one would work too) -- you can stroll at a normal pace while he is "with" you -- you can talk to him and even put him down to sniff at things. 

They tend to appreciate it -- because they understand you are making it POSSIBLE for them to go.

And don't even waste time feeling "bad" because he can't run and play.  He's ALIVE.  That's the blessing.  I'm in my mid-50s and I've had arthritis my entire adult life ... I NEVER have been able to run and be active.

SO WHAT.  I can do all I want to do and because my focus is different I can enjoy things often more than those who merely can do physical stuff.   I'm not being unkind here -- you have to shift your own focus.  Not onto what he *can't* do -- but what he CAN.

So ... if he can't go for walks.  Take him -- IN HIS STROLLER to a nursing home.  Let him be petted.  In a stroller he's up high enough so they can reach him and he doesn't have to be manhandled.  Heck -- they'll think it's great -- he's got his own "walker". 

You may also want to invest in a baby sling -- you can wear him in a sling just like a woman carries a small baby -- again -- he's WITH you.  That's all he'll care.

i've had handicapped dogs.  You maximize their life.  You let them experience all the best you can ... and you cope. 

We also need to talk about Hylands Calms -- to help calm him thru episodes. 

Thanks Callie for the great reply. I live about 4.5-5hrs away from Edmonton. Its a great idea. I might actually be stopping in Edmonton sometime in July if I have time with my kids and in-laws. I'll call they're office to find out costs. I'm a bit of a skeptic though when it comes to Acupuncture and such. I don't really understand how it would help in his situation, but I will at the very least call them.

I might not have included it in my post, I appologize if I never, but I can't get him a stroller, because I already push one with my daughter in it. I did look at one though at Petsmart, its not bad priced, about $80. There is a lady here that owns a food/ dog item store and shes getting me a list of all the different types of backpacks he could be carried in, I should hear from her sometime next week. The one I looked at in the store was a front carrier one and I didn't like the design. She knows Rickards situation so shes been trying to help me find a backpack that would work. My issue is Rickards loves to run and move, he barely likes being held (has to be on his terms and its never for long). I am going to try it, but I can't help but think he'll hate it.

I honestly cannot help feeling bad, well not so much as bad, as incredibly sad. I know Rickards, I know what he was able to do before and how much he loved it. He is not the same now, not by a long shot. He cries and cries the second he sees the leash, but he can't come and I know that. I truly understand what you are saying though, I'm just having a very hard time looking past it all  to think of what he can do- I'm actually drawing a blank on what he can do now, because hes so limited. I'm not coping well, its the most difficult thing I've ever seen with an animal. I can't even count how many times I've cried because hes standing there coughing and wheezing trying to breath and theres nothing I can do. Its the worst experience ever. I'm not strong when it comes to seeing an animal suffer. I just can't handle it. Ever since Missi my first Pom left I've never been able to bond well with a dog, not even Skyline. But Rickards stole my heart, he took away all the pain I had from Missi leaving. While my family thinks he should be PTS I'm not even close to saying goodbye to him. I just do not want to see him suffer like this anymore, I want to help him. He literally has my heart.

I also have to think about all my other concerns too. How do I do this. How can I keep him calm and inactive with Skyline and my kids- I'm failing miserably at the moment and its not helping Rickards. I desperately need to figure this out hes such an active dog, hes only 2yrs old, practically still a pup. And Skyline is his best bud and like I said shes like a JRT and never leaves him alone. I'm also very worried about weight gain due to limited activity, I know that will make it worse. How do I help him with that? I hope my tone isn't coming off wrong, I'm just incredibly sad right now and tired. This happening to Rickards could not have happened at a worse time emotionally. My Grandma-in-law just died of bone cancer two weeks ago and I have surgery next month. With everything else going on I just never saw this coming. He was fine on walks and hikes and then it just hit him so fast. I swear I've never walked Rickards using a collar, always a harness and I watched his diet and have always supervised my kids with the dogs. I don't know what I did wrong to make it worse. I need to know how to handle the above situations, because its what I face everyday. 

I would love to know what Hylands Calms are? I'll google it I suppose. I also read the thread linked and it mentioned lemon/ honey syrup, was that you that said that? I have those things on hand now if that would help him.

 Anyway, I'm off to take Skyline for a walk, I look forward to your reply. Thank you again for helping me. I really do love Rickards, I do just want to help him, but I also can't help but think about him suffering and if I'm being selfish by not stopping it. Its so horrible Callie. Before it was pretty mild, his fits and wheezing, now its horrible.

Kindredspirits

I'm a bit of a skeptic though when it comes to Acupuncture and such. I don't really understand how it would help in his situation, but I will at the very least call them.

Acupuncture is based on the fact that just like the blood circulates the body in the "circulatory system" the energy in the body (think electricity -- like neuronss and neural pathways) -- which the Orientals call Qi or "chee" -- circulates thru the body in predictable pathways as well.  There are literally "maps" of these pathways -- called "meridians".

An acupuncutre needle is metal -- literally so slender that it doesn't hurt.  They are *so* slender, in fact, that they use little tiny tubes-like straws- to keep them from bending when they go thru the skin.  (I get acupuncture on ME and I've had like six dogs ow who have had acupuncture ... no ... seven) -- there is actually a video in my videos on here that shows Billy getting needled.

Those needles literally stimulate the electrical current -- or qi - as it flows thru the body.  They put those needles in particular places on those meridians to help healing take place or to help unblock places where the qi is hindered because of an injury or illness.

Now ... it's NOT what you'd think.  they are not going to stick needles in his trachea.  Sometimes the needles look like they are in the most unlikely places of all -- I can elaborate more on that for you in email if you want.

1.  It can help calm him down

2.  It can help alleviate pain

3.  it can help healing take place in that area IF it can heal at all (and if it CAN heal, then acupuncture is exactly the thing to help promote that).  In particular it's incredibly helpful in places of stress and soreness.

Look at that list and see if there are any that are closer to you.  I have a friend in Edmonton so I recognized that as Alberta.  It was one of the vets up at the University of Florida at Gainesville -- about 10 years ago -- who first suggested **TO ME** (not for the dog but for ME) that I might want to try acupuncture for my own arthritis.  Lo and behold HE has arthritis -- and he's a neurosurgeon at the Univ. vet school. 

What??? a NEURO guy?? suggesting acupuncture??  Yep. 

In fact, at this point they TEACH acupuncture at the vet school -- both acupuncture and Chinese herbology. 

It's pretty darned mainstream now -- it's not weirdo stuff.  It's measureable - and it's really obvious once you've seen it in action that it does work very well.

++++++++++++++

I have a whole article I can send you on homeopathy -- it's not a small subject.  It's not something "natural" (often the term is misused in exchange for "holistic" -- which is wrong.)

A homeopathic - in as short a description as I can make it -- is a "thing" that is diluted literally to the point where you almost can't chemically recognize what it is.  But when introduced into the body (either via a sugar or alcohol -- *usually* under the tongue) it goes zooming into the bloodstream.  There it simply *nudges* the body to do something.

Where a sedative (like valium or some drug to make you sleep) will MAKE you go to sleep.  But it's that same medicated effect that can make you feel drugged and drowsy.

But a homeopathic, like Hylands Calms (which is formulated for babies by the way -- and yes, I mean HUMAN babies) is super gentle.  No drugged feeling.  It simply calms.  It also nudges towards sleep.

There are others -- Heels "Calming" formula and an individual called "Chamomillia" among others.  I'd have to teach you a bit more about homeopathy -- for something so dilute it is VERY strong medicinally.  (think of a vaccine -- you know there are only a tiny number of 'disease' cells in a vaccine?  But they promote a HUGE change in the body???  That's not unlike the medical theory behind homeopathy).

You should be able to find Hylands Calms in ANY health store (any place that sells herbals, vitamins, etc.).  It's very easy to find and as I mentioned, it IS formulated for children.  But it's the same dose for a dog as it is a baby or ... a Japanese Sumo Wrestler.  2 tablets.  It truly accomplishes the same thing.

BUT Calms is unusual in one respect.  Unlike most homeopathics it is actually absorbed in the stomach -- so it can be put in food (mine chew them up - they think they're a treat).  But it takes about 45 minutes to an hour for them to work.  The others i just mentioned work faster.  Liteally within just a couple of minutes.

Normal homeopathics are usually either drops or tablets or tiny beads.  For a dog you can drop them under or on their tongue.  The tablets or beads you can crush in a folded piece of paper or you can let them chew them up (they're sweet -- they honestly taste like candy) - you do NOT give them in or with food.  You want them to absorb straight into the mucus membranes of the mouth and tongue.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

As for dealing with his energy --

1.  My first suggestion is to change his food.  I would put him on an ULTRA -LOW protein.  Why?  Because protein for a dog is like rocket fuel.  If you give him high protein food he's going to HAVE energy and want to burn it off. I'd suggest adding cooked veggies to his food (cooked and mashed -- no bumps or chunks).  I can walk you thru this if you want.  I've cooked for my dogs for years.

2.  You may actually have to give him some calmatives routinely -- he's at an in-between age and he's frustrated.  In my own personal opinion, when a dog has physical restrictions it's better to give them something to calm them on an ongoing basis if it keeps the health problem in check than to let them be completely frustrated all the time.

3.  Some of this is training.   Taking a few minutes to do some obedience with him -- slow, sedate, nothing super active -- will give him some focus.  But if you simply insist he sit or lie beside you ... he will get used to that.

Remember -- I *myself* am handicapped.  I have a pug who can literally bounce off walls.  BUT she's learned she can't here.  Because Mom can't handle it.  She can have some brief periods of insanity but she sleeps and just stays with me FAR more than anyone would guess.  And she's COMPLETELY happy -- because she is *with*.

Don't look at your upcoming surgery as a bad thing -- rather it's an opportunity to teach Rickards how much you enjoy just having him near you, sleeping.  Let the other have an interactive toy in a crate -- don't encourage competition but rather just treat them separate.  Different but equal. 

+++++++++++++++++

Quick remedies:

1.  The honey and lemon is awesome -- to a degree something like that can become a panacea -- something to GIVE that simply tells Rickards "you don't have to panic -- Mom's here, she'll help you breathe and THIS will help."

It helps mostlie because it's you giving it.  It's the "mom touch" -- the caring, the loving -- YOU being patient and serene. 

But if you allow yourself to be emotionally over-wrought then HE will be and that will worsen the trachea and his whole response will be out of fear.

The next time he has an episode -- WHILE he is coughing, you pet him and think very calming thoughts "It's ok -- just breathe .. in ... out ... in .... out ... don't fight it ... just relax"  If YOU get stressed he will.  Dogs are like paper towel -- they are going to absorb every loose thought or stress we have.

And the fact that you've bonded to him so strongly ramps everything up.

2.  Stroller -- i would think you could do something side by side --

We use a big wagon CONSTANTLY with the dogs -- we do pet therapy and between the fact that we often have aged dogs AND we try to ensure that the dogs are up high enough for kids in wheelchairs to pet them, we use wagons ALL the time.

This was Ms Kee in the Adventurer One  -- she was about 14 pounds (peke) -- but you can see the false bottom I built -- that's a Radio Flyer wagon -- it's made with SEATS in it so it's deep so two kids can set in it.  But I put the bigger version here so you CAN see -- each wagon is different -- your job is to find the one that will work for YOU guys.

 You might be able to rig either Rickards a crate inside a wagon and still have room for your other child -- in fact most of the dog strollers actually are a crate on a frame with wheels.  But I would think if you can even think about a stroller for twins (you'd be amazed at what you can pick up on e-bay)

I would think you should be able to tie a dog stroller and a baby stroller together with bungee cords. 

Now -- this is another advantage of the stroller or wagon for Rickards -- you LET im walk as much as is comfy.  But when he begins to cough -- "Oops, that's nuff for now Buddy boy!! You get to sit fur a while!! Good boy!!"

You take water and a collapsable bowl -- why?  It's another **excuse** to stop for a while.  To let him rest OUT of the wagon. 

 3.  Feeding -- you've elevated his bowl I'd assume?  How about water?  He might do VERY well with a water *bottle* like for a rabbit -- put it up high enough so he has to LIFT his head to drink not lower it. 

The trick is to prime the tip of it with a bit of butter -- every time you go by.  And HE will soon figure out it's a good think to check that out -- cos sometimes there are yummies on it!!  Put a folded towel under it -- they can leak. 

4.  Plainly speaking -- It is VERY hard when the rest of the world tells you to give up.  But you know he's got spirit and he's got joy in his life.  Your challenge is simply to give hima little more sedentary life than he's used to.

If you are used to being active -- and you've never had to deal with health issues -- in honesty (and I do *not* mean this to be mean -- remember, *I* am handicapped) this is GOOD for you. 

A handicap simply means you work around things.  You don't automatically say "I can't do this because" -- you look for OTHER ways to do it. 

I can't walk more than a hundred feet without it being agonizing.  Does that mean I don't GO?  Heck no!! (In fact I have a husband who wants to "go" and "do" and "experience" ALL the time!!!)

But that does mean that I suck up my pride and use a wheelchair when David and I want to go somewhere.  It's easier for him to push the chair and for us to go and do the things he enjoys and I enjoy than for im to stand and wait eternally for me when I have to rest every few feet. I **hate** the darned wheelchair.  It's embarassing, and it feels ... weak.  BUT it works.

And in places where the ground is too uneven?  Either *I* push the wheelchair (if I have something to lean on I can walk pretty well) OR we take a plain old folding chair.  And I walk a ways and then sit. 

Again it stings my pride -- but pride is worth nothing if I'm not happy!

Sometimes it takes being creative -- figuring out how to DO a thing an keep it "do-able". 

When I said a sling  -- I mean one of these:

When we had Polly (a pup we took who had been abused -- her abuser broke her back with a broom and she couldn't walk) -- I MADE a carrier very like this -- I just took a long piece of plain old unbleached muslin  -- long enough to go from my shoulder, to my hip and back up my back to my shoulder -- and I added about a yard for hemming. 

Then I took just a plastic pair of rings about 2" in diameter.  I gathered one end of the muslin (accordion pleated) and tacked it down and folded that around the two rings and sewed it completely securely.  The other end of the swath of material I again accordion pleated so the whole width was folded so it was no more than 2" wide (thick but only wide enough to go thru the rings.  I again sewed that as flat and firm as I could 

Then you just put the end thru the rings (this is like a big belt that you sling over your shoulder) and you load baby or dog in it so they rest on your chest. 

I carried Polly all over the place in that (yep me, who doesn't walk well?  You shoulda seen me -- but I could be "hands-free" with this so I could get myself down the 4 steps to the ground and Polly and I both were in one piece when I got there.  She figgered out right quick that wriggling wasn't a good idea!!  And you're carrying them next to your heart so speaking in low tones sorta crooning to them does a LOT to calm them.

I made mine for under $10.  completely washable and by golly it worked GOOD.

But this is what I mean about being creative.  And it will actually help YOU to see that there is no disability that you can't cope with if you just make some work-arounds. 

Ditch the guilt girl - you did NOTHING to cause this.  Stuff happens.

Polly didn't deserve to have her back broken.  She only lived with us THREE months.  She was 4 1/2 months old when we got her.  Her injuries were too great -- and sadly (and I can't TELL you how sad I was -- she was MY baby) -- she had a stroke and died in our arms one night.

BUT -- don't you DARE feel sorry for her.  She had THREE MONTHS.  Three months of love.  Three months of "WOW" moments -- she got to GO places, she got to experience a day in the park, strawberry ice cream .(that was another "WOW" moment for her -- and for a dog she sure could say "WOW" without moving her lips!!!). 

She got to feel the breeze in her ears, and she knew love. 

It was only 3 months.  But it was QUALITY time. 

People can be idiots -- one day some guy laughed at me.  We had her in the wagon and he said "What a SPOILED )(#$#)(*% dog!!  She doesn't even have to WALK!!"

I looked at him and froze him in place with a look.  I said in deadly calm "She would prefer to walk -- but unfortunately some idiot broke her back with a broom and she CAN'T walk.  But she's happy -- what's YOUR excuse?"

She went everywhere in the wagon ...it took some training (she didn't walk but man she wanted to wriggle out of where ever she was at the moment!!).  I have pics but can't lay my fingers on them.

You're after quality of life.  So you have to reduce the frustration for both of you

And part of that will come when you begin to readjust your own vision -- not focusing on what he CAN'T do ... but rather on what he can and keeping it peaceful and happy for all  But you move *your* focus from oh dear he WANTS ... to "hmmm, he can do *this* fine IF ...." and you adjust as need be.

If you have to give him calmatives for a while -- then he will get USED to being calm, and he'll realize that the calmer he stays the EASIER life is.  they aren't stupid -- really and truly -- they DO adapt.

I saw this post earlier today, & called a friend, who has a Shih Tzu with a collapsing trachea, to see how she managed it with Woody.  Woody had surgery to correct his trachea, but it did not work.  Actually, it did work & the defective part of the trachea is now normal, but the trachea on both sides of the mesh implant now collapses.  In her words, "All that I did with the surgery was fixed the one collapse, & caused two more." 

She uses theophylline twice a day to help with his breathing.  She said that she always has Hycodan cough syrup on hand so that if she needs it, she has it available.  She also said that she has used prednisone to help when he got really bad.  She uses a carrier that looks like a backpack to carry Woody around in, so that he doesn't over exert himself.

Wow thank you so much for the informative posts! I have a ton of questions for you about the Chi, homeopathy but its late and I'm somewhat unfocused at the moment so I will write more tomorrow. But I had to talk about a few things before I went to bed.

First, my husband and I read your post together. Hes much better at understanding things then explaining them to me. He completely agrees with everything you said, minus the acupuncture. He just doesn't think it will help because its cartilage thats the issue, from the way he explained it to me, I sort of agree with him. Out of the list of places Edmonton was the closest, I live in Grande Prairie. All the good stuff is in Edmonton hehe. The other thing I wanted to say was, I know how Rickards feels in a way. I have had health issues my whole life. Two years ago I had surgery for High grade Stage 3 precancerous cells and for the last year I have been battling Endometriosis, hence my surgery next month. Its extremely painful and at times I can't get out of bed it hurts so bad.I just can't stand the thought of someone else hurting like that. I know you understand because of what you go through and I am sorry that you hurt alot too. I think you are a very strong person. I'm going to have to go over your post numerous times to understand everything you said, and I am printing it off. Everything you wrote was exactly what I needed to hear. I DO need to change my perspective on things. As for the food, I never thought about that, but that makes alot of sense. I'm not sure about the hamster water bottle though, sounds a little weird and I'm not sure where I'd put it. I actually haven't bought raised dishes, I never really thought about it to be perfectly honest. But if you think it will help I will go get some.

Amanda thank you for replying and getting some information from your friend for me. Thats so sad that the surgery never worked for her dog and by the sounds of it made it worse. The very little information I read on it mentioned quite a few risks. It was a bit overwhelming.  I think that regardless of finances involved that puts surgery out the window.  I think I'd like to try Callies approach regarding treatment before I try to get meds fromt he vet, I'm assuming I'd have to for the meds your friend uses for her dog. I'm looking into the backpacks still too, your friend is the second person I've heard of using one. I've heard there are lots of styles and they really aren't alot of money and if all else I'll try what Callie said and make a sling. I just want to check all options

Last thing I wanted to say before bed was I had a horrible experience on my walk today. My husband and I decided to take both kids and both dogs for the walk. So he was pushing my son in one stroller and walking Skyline and I was pushing my daughter in the other stroller walking Rickards. I actually made Rickards a harness myself, because I couldn't buy one I liked. Its knitted with soft wool, strong stuff too, and loops under both arms and has a key loop above his back to attach the leash. So there is no pressure on his throat or chest at all. Anyway, I packed up water and a bowl for the dogs in the stroller, drinks for the kiddos and we headed out. I stopped and picked Rickards up every few minutes when it seemed like too much for him and carried him in my left arm and pushed the stroller with my right arm. Putting him down when he seemed comfortable enough to walk again. We were on a walking path that goes around a little lake, lots of people jog and take there dogs there. Well I had just picked Rickards up and was holding him in my left arm because his wheezing was getting bad again and we came around a corner and two women in their 30's were laughing at me and one snottily said " Isn't it the point for the dog to walk". I didn't really know what to say so I just said he was disabled, she gave me a look laughed with her friend and walked off. I was and still am a little upset by it. For her to just say that was so rude. I mean Skyline was walking on her leash right beside meso obviously I know small dogs can walk. And it hurt because I would rather him be walking too without issue and so would Rickards, it just struck a nerve. I know the comments won't stop especially once I get him the backpack or if we try the stroller. My husband actually suggested we get patches made to put on the backpack that says he has a severe collapsed trachea so people leave us alone. I know I'm probably being over sensative about it, but it hurt having someone say that.

Anyway thanks again and thanks for listening to me vent. I'll write more tomorrow, I've got tons of questions.

Kindredspirits

Well I had just picked Rickards up and was holding him in my left arm because his wheezing was getting bad again and we came around a corner and two women in their 30's were laughing at me and one snottily said " Isn't it the point for the dog to walk". I didn't really know what to say so I just said he was disabled, she gave me a look laughed with her friend and walked off. I was and still am a little upset by it. For her to just say that was so rude. I mean Skyline was walking on her leash right beside meso obviously I know small dogs can walk. And it hurt because I would rather him be walking too without issue and so would Rickards, it just struck a nerve.

Don't let these people get to you ((hugs)). Tiki rides all the time, I'll post a pic at the end :) and Pirate walks next to me. I get flak all the time, comments like, 'well, isn't she the spoiled one!' Just, let it go. Those stupid ladies probably were just not 'dog people' and would not do half of what you are doing for Rickards.

Now, presenting, Tiki's wheels!! She was hesitant when we first got it, but she attempts to jump in on her own, now.

Kindredspirits

He completely agrees with everything you said, minus the acupuncture. He just doesn't think it will help because its cartilage thats the issue, from the way he explained it to me, I sort of agree with him.

You are both thinking of acupuncture as westerners -- it DOES help cartilage -- because it is ACE at reducing inflammation first off, AND it reallyis incredible at healing.  I have problems in my knees and shoulders both and I can tell you for a fact that it helps cartilage as well. 

However -- even more, there are really specific trigger points that will help the coughing.  There is one I should be able to describe right here:

Get Rickards up so you can "see" under his chin.  Draw your finger down until you find the *top* of his sternum (breast bone -- the very top center of the ribcage) -- in humans it is higher (at the bottom of your neck -- there's a natural "hole" there).  On a dog it looks more like it's at the top of their chest than anything -- on Luna it's almost between her front legs and on Tink it's a bit higher (thank you girls for your cooperation!)

When you find the top of the sternum it feels like a little bony projection.  Just gently push in so your fingertip actually follows the top of that bone until you can feel the *inside* of that bone a bit -- this does NOT hurt at all.

The next time Rickards has a coughing fit DO THAT.  TCVM refers to it as "pushing the qi down" -- there is an acupuncture point right there -- and you are simply massaging that point.  It will ease the coughing immediately.  You may have to do it a couple of times to soothe it -- but you can do that as many times a day as is necessary to help the coughing.

We had a boxer/pit that had a grossly enlarged heart and her trachea was bent as a result of that (which is honestly worse -- because then you're dealing with all the heart issues as well).  But Socks would come TO ME on her own to ask me to "make it stop" because she knew SO well how much it helped.

You literally just poke your finger in and follow that bone to massage the BACK of it -- you'll find that sweet spot trust me. 

Kindredspirits

I just can't stand the thought of someone else hurting like that. I know you understand because of what you go through and I am sorry that you hurt alot too. I think you are a very strong person

You *get* strong -- and it when it comes to my babies you better KNOW I'm strong.  For me it's ALL about relieving pain and discomfort.  You don't know me well yet -- but go to MY photos and take a gander at the hideous horror mask pictures you'll see on the first page.  THAT is Tinkerbell.   That's how she looked when we took her on.

See that's what David and I do.  We deliberately take on dogs who are sick or have health issues.  And we help them cope and heal ... and then I take what I've learned and help other people/dogs.  We *took* Socks because she was so sick -- they told us when we got her she had less than a month to live so could she just have a place on my kitchen floor til she died?

H$LL NO~~~~  if you think I'm just gonna let her DIE? you've got another "think" coming!!  She was 10 1/2 when she dragged in with us ... she lived SIX and A HALF YEARS.  (she even played ball and chased a frisbee upon occasion I will let you know *grin*).  We treated the heartworm that caused the problem  the "slow" way -- and we dealt with the heart issues (this was another place I found how awesome TCVM  is on other types of tissue -- it ROCKED in helping her heart, and dealing with the collapsed trachea!).  She had holes in her lungs the size of a man's thumb bent at the knuckle -- those would fill with fluid and wetness and further make a wet bronchial cough.  So I used a lot of Chinese herbs with her to help dry that chest.  She had an AWESOME life with us -- and at the age of 16 she got her CGC and got fully certified as a therapy dog. 

*grin* her whole life was a coping mechanism -- but dang she had a GOOD ride -- she was SO proud of her self that she became a therapy dog.  Her favorite place in the world was the alzheimer's home -- she wore bitches britches with continence pads in them (trust me -- heart meds do a real number on continence -- it's why all the little old people are all wearing Depends!!).  She wore a t-shirt to help keep her chest warm (it helps with the cough -- you may want to try that with Rickards as well).  But the old folks all got SUCH a kick out of the fact that she wore "diapers" just like they did.

And btw -- Socks would head-butt me from beyond Rainbow Bridge if I didn't tell you this -- she did NOT die from her heart, her lungs NOR the collapsed trachea.  She had cancer in her urethra -- and she lived with it for THREE years.  But I knew the old girl well enough to know she was SO proud that she could "do" things she wanted to -- she couldn't do them a LOT but she COULD do them some.  This is where I have become sooooo adamant that you can cope with most anything ... you simply find the "work-around" that will make THIS happen.

Kindredspirits

As for the food, I never thought about that, but that makes alot of sense. I'm not sure about the hamster water bottle though, sounds a little weird and I'm not sure where I'd put it.

You'll probably want a rabbit bottle (bigger than a hamster bottle) -- but generlaly they come with a sort of "harness" that holds the bottle -- and you should be able to mount just a couple of screw-in O-rings on the side of a cupboard or doorway.  I use wire crates for while I'm gone from the house and it's made to hook on a crate.  But your husband should be able to mount one pretty easy -- just remember you want Rickards to LOOK *UP* to drink, not down.

Kindredspirits

I actually haven't bought raised dishes, I never really thought about it to be perfectly honest. But if you think it will help I will go get some.

Experiment first with what works -- you may not find something *exactly* the right height for him -- what makes the cough *usually* is bending the neck down.  So you want him to be able to stand fully on all 4's PLUS you don't want him to have to tip his head way down to get INTO the bowl.  Let me think here ---.

For Socks I took a box almost as high as her whithers (about 1 1/2" lower if I recall).  It was a pretty strong box -- and I completely taped it shut on all 4 sides. 

Then I used her bowl, turned it over on the top of the box and drew a circle.  The lip on the bowl was about 3/8"  so the hole I actually cut was about 3/8 to 1/2 inch inside the outer circle I drew (you want the bowl to seat down flush with the top of the box)  Cut a smaller hole and then adjust it (yes, I wound up having to make a second box *sigh* -- don't make all my mistakes ok??? *LOL*)

Cover the box with contact paper (cos you'll want to be able to wipe it off).  THEN put a ziplock bag full of sand or something in the bottom to hold it still.  You can also just glue a circle of that sticky shelf stuff (the stuff you put on the inside of your cupboards to "pad" it so you don't chip your dishes??? Rubbermaid makes it I think).  You can just hot glue that on the bottom.

Now -- for Rickards -- cos he's such a wee one -- you may want to experiment a bit -- you don't want a normal deep stainless steel dog bowl -- that will till make him tilt his head too much.  Find a dish that's more shallow -- You may wind up just having a sealed box with that sticky shelf padding on the top so the bowl doesn't skid off. 

The point is to make it not frustrating (you don't want him to have to chase the bowl all over) nor do you want him to have to work hard to eat.  You can do a water bowl the same way *except* watch that he doesn't choke when he drinks.  That's the beauty of the rabbit bottle -- he can look UP to drink and he won't choke. 

You have to train them to the bottle -- but that tiny dab of butter on the tip -- man they will check it every time they walk by and you'll find the other will use it too.

Kindredspirits

your friend is the second person I've heard of using one. I've heard there are lots of styles and they really aren't alot of money and if all else I'll try what Callie said and make a sling. I just want to check all options

Again this is where you'll have to experiment - look on BabiesRUS.com's website -- under "baby carriers" -- they've got one that looks like one shoulder of a t-shirt -- you just take an old t-shirt and cut the neck and one shoulder off and turn the edges under (and probably make that a casing and run some light elastic thru that to keep it snug).  Then if it were me I'd turn the bottom of the shirt under and again make it a wide casing and then put a ribbon or somehting thru it so you can tie it tight UNDER him  once you get inside. 

Heck -- you may make 2-3 of them before you get done just to see what works best before you make a prettier one. *grin* (can you tell I love a challenge??) -- you can fuss with stuff like this when you're recovering from your surgery!!

Kindredspirits

Last thing I wanted to say before bed was I had a horrible experience on my walk today.

So I'm GLAD I told you above about the idiot who thot Polly was "spoiled".

People are ignorant and stupid.  And the first thing that runs is their mouth. 

David and I go to Give Kids the World **every** month with the dogs.  We've done this with well dogs (like Luna who is Ms. Healthy) and we've done it with dogs who were cancer survivors, a deaf dog (Muffin the Intrepid had no ears -- they'd been surgically removed - and his cancer treatments left him with severe arthritis -- he NEEDED the wagon because he couldn't walk far), Pollyanna, the dog who couldn't walk went, Ms. Socks went, Foxy the Mostlie Sheltie went (he had sciatica in both rear legs -- he LOVED his wagon!!), Ms. Kee Shu and Tinkerbell are both ... ahema .... "height-impaired" (like both of your dogs are *laughing*) --

"height impaired" just means they're too short for kids in wheelchairs to reach them.

For various reasons ALL those dogs used the wagon. 

But let me finish -- GKTW is a place for critically and terminally ill children to stay while they are here in Florida.  We are close to DisneyWorld and Sea World  & Universal.  The kids we are there for are all either dying ... or deathly ill.  It's the kids and their families. 

One would THINK that ***THESE*** people would 'get it'??  You would think they'd be SO tired of unkind comments from the rest of the world that they'd never say an unkind thing about a handicapped dog??

*sigh*.  People ARE people.  Many times they just don't think before they speak.  Many times they're so wrapped up in their own pettiness that they just don't think. SOMETIMES they are just plain stupid.

When someone asks why my dog is in the wagon when we're at GKTW I always tell them the honest answer.  For Socks and Luna and Tink -- it's JUST to get the dog up high enough so YOUR CHILD can pet them. (always said kindly but boy that roasts me when we're trying to help THEIR kid??? grrrr)

But ... for Muffin and Foxy and Pollyanna?  I would tell people flatly -- "He has arthritis as a result of the chemo he took to treat his cancer" .... "He has sciatica in both rear legs and he gets really tired walking this far" or "Her back is broken and she can't stand".

In your case -- I would just plain look them straight in the eye and say "Rickards has some health issues -- he walks a bit and then has to ride for a while -- but he tries HARD to be normal.  But he enjoys fresh air as MUCH AS YOU DO!" (leave off the "you MORON" that I really want to say at the end.  *sigh*)

For someone like the person YOU encountered I would likely say first "Do you want the REAL reason or do you just want to snigger at my dog???"

Cut them in pieces, dearheart.  They're stupid.  Don't let THEM diminish *your* joy.  If they had HALF a brain -- or even a few functioning brain cells -- they would SEE that you have TWO strollers already, one dog walking and one being carried? 

These are the same idiots who laugh behind their hand at a handicapped person.  Most of them have darned few functioning mental abilities and even fewer social ones. 

You ARE being sensitive because you care.  But given that you have children -- there is a toughness we **Must** develop to protect those we love.  If you had a child who had cancer, or a child who had rheumatoid arthritis or cystic fibrosis or any one of a thousand problems that kept that child from playing and doing ALL that a "normal" child could do -- you would probably tear some idiot limb from limb if they had the brass to *laugh* at your child???

Sorry to be crass, but you'd probably go off like a bottle rocket?? At least I would HOPE so.  (well, maybe you'd have a little more class than *I* would exhibit but you get my meaning??)

Learning to deal with idiots just goes with the territory hon ... really it does.  YES IT HURTS.  But it's better to get a little huffy and put them in their place than let them hurt YOU (which is then going to bother Rickards).

It will also show your children a LOT.  It will teach them patience with diabled folks. It will teach them  NEVER to give up.

Just take a look at Give Kids the World's website -- it will help make what I'm telling you in all these many paragraphs make SENSE.  It's the perfect place for those with disabilities -- there are no steps, no narrow doorways -- heck even the swimming pool has a ramp wide enough for a BED so that if a child comes there with a "wish" to be able to swim, even though they are bedridden -- they CAN do it. 

It's a marvelous lesson for those of us who can do things in how to "work around" and figure out something so you can accomplish what you want to.

And when you do finally have to set Rickards free (and I hope it's MANY years from now) you will know that he experienced all the good life could be.

Give Kids the World Village -- at the very least seeing GKTW (and we met a child from Alberta last time we were there!!) will help you understand a little bit better what makes ME go to the lengths we go to for dogs with health challenges -- look at Tink.  She went from looking like a horror film picture -- she was literally near death in those pics) - to a happy little healthy pug who  LOVES "Going to See the KIDS".

Kindredspirits

two women in their 30's were laughing at me and one snottily said " Isn't it the point for the dog to walk". I didn't really know what to say so I just said he was disabled, she gave me a look laughed with her friend and walked off.

"Whoever is in charge of these important things" is wise and this is why YOU have been entrusted to care for Rickards. You get his needs and you want to do the very, very best for him so he can continue to be a happy dog with your family. Unfortunately, there are those who don't get it. My students with disabilities encounter people like that on a regular basis, too.

Stroller--see if you can find one for twins at a yard sale (or craigs list or a second hand store). There is one on the Edmonton craigslist-just checked. It's expensive. I'd negotiate and explain the situation. There will be two spaces-one for your pup and one for one of the kids! You can find them as side-by-side models or seats that are in front of each other. The prices for the new ones are over the top, but I bet you can find one that's pretty inexpensive. Or, as Callie suggested-a wagon--wiith a kid seat and a pup seat.

How feasible is it to get to Saskatoon? (I imagine it's a major hike--I don't have a map of Canada in front of me--I'll look it up tonight.) There is a vet school hospital there--if it's do-able, that might be a good place to look at treatment options, too.

Ack! I just lost everything I just wrote!  *Sigh* I'll try this again..

sl2crmeg

Don't let these people get to you ((hugs)). Tiki rides all the time, I'll post a pic at the end :) and Pirate walks next to me. I get flak all the time, comments like, 'well, isn't she the spoiled one!' Just, let it go. Those stupid ladies probably were just not 'dog people' and would not do half of what you are doing for Rickards.

Now, presenting, Tiki's wheels!! She was hesitant when we first got it, but she attempts to jump in on her own, now.

Tiki looks so comfy in her walker! It looks like a good set-up. I wish rude people could just keep their mouths shut, obviously they never learned "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all". I do need to learn to let it go for sure. That lady just had impeccable timing. It was a hard day dealing with everything and it felt like she had kicked me when I was already down. I think I'll be able to handle it emotionally a bit better next time.

calliecritturs

You are both thinking of acupuncture as westerners -- it DOES help cartilage -- because it is ACE at reducing inflammation first off, AND it reallyis incredible at healing.  I have problems in my knees and shoulders both and I can tell you for a fact that it helps cartilage as well. 

However -- even more, there are really specific trigger points that will help the coughing.  There is one I should be able to describe right here:

Get Rickards up so you can "see" under his chin.  Draw your finger down until you find the *top* of his sternum (breast bone -- the very top center of the ribcage) -- in humans it is higher (at the bottom of your neck -- there's a natural "hole" there).  On a dog it looks more like it's at the top of their chest than anything -- on Luna it's almost between her front legs and on Tink it's a bit higher (thank you girls for your cooperation!)

When you find the top of the sternum it feels like a little bony projection.  Just gently push in so your fingertip actually follows the top of that bone until you can feel the *inside* of that bone a bit -- this does NOT hurt at all.

The next time Rickards has a coughing fit DO THAT.  TCVM refers to it as "pushing the qi down" -- there is an acupuncture point right there -- and you are simply massaging that point.  It will ease the coughing immediately.  You may have to do it a couple of times to soothe it -- but you can do that as many times a day as is necessary to help the coughing.

We had a boxer/pit that had a grossly enlarged heart and her trachea was bent as a result of that (which is honestly worse -- because then you're dealing with all the heart issues as well).  But Socks would come TO ME on her own to ask me to "make it stop" because she knew SO well how much it helped.

You literally just poke your finger in and follow that bone to massage the BACK of it -- you'll find that sweet spot trust me. 

I see, I guess what you said makes sense about it reducing inflammation. I still need to go and read more about it to truly understand it. I found the spot you were talking about. Its between his front legs down a little. It felt a little weird, but Rickards didn't seem to mind me doing it. He wasn't having a fit or anything, I just wanted to see where exactly it was. I'll try it later today when he has a fit and see what happens.

calliecritturs

You *get* strong -- and it when it comes to my babies you better KNOW I'm strong.  For me it's ALL about relieving pain and discomfort.  You don't know me well yet -- but go to MY photos and take a gander at the hideous horror mask pictures you'll see on the first page.  THAT is Tinkerbell.   That's how she looked when we took her on.

See that's what David and I do.  We deliberately take on dogs who are sick or have health issues.  And we help them cope and heal ... and then I take what I've learned and help other people/dogs.

I hear what you are saying Callie. I really am trying and going to continue to try very hard to handle things with Rickards. I'll get there and I know it will be easier once I'm healthy.

What you and David do is amazing. I admire all that you guys do for these sick dogs. And I'm also incredibly grateful that you take the time to help people like me so we can help our dogs. I actually remember a little bit when you got Tinkerbelle, I remember thinking how much pain she looked like she was in and I honestly didn't think she would make it. She just looked so bad. Then I come back to the forum not long ago and see her new pictures, its nothing short of amazing to me. She looks so healthy, you guys really did a great job getting her back to good health.

calliecritturs

And btw -- Socks would head-butt me from beyond Rainbow Bridge if I didn't tell you this -- she did NOT die from her heart, her lungs NOR the collapsed trachea.  She had cancer in her urethra -- and she lived with it for THREE years.  But I knew the old girl well enough to know she was SO proud that she could "do" things she wanted to -- she couldn't do them a LOT but she COULD do them some.  This is where I have become sooooo adamant that you can cope with most anything ... you simply find the "work-around" that will make THIS happen.

Thats incredible! Socks must have really shocked the people that said she only had a month left to live! And the fact that she never passed away from her other illnesses gives me hope in a way. Socks over-came the odds and lived a good 6yrs as you say. That makes me feel alot better about Rickards. I'm really hoping and praying that if I follow what you say Rickards will be more comfortable and live a long life with me.

calliecritturs

You'll probably want a rabbit bottle (bigger than a hamster bottle) -- but generlaly they come with a sort of "harness" that holds the bottle -- and you should be able to mount just a couple of screw-in O-rings on the side of a cupboard or doorway.  I use wire crates for while I'm gone from the house and it's made to hook on a crate.  But your husband should be able to mount one pretty easy -- just remember you want Rickards to LOOK *UP* to drink, not down.

Kindredspirits

I actually haven't bought raised dishes, I never really thought about it to be perfectly honest. But if you think it will help I will go get some.

Experiment first with what works -- you may not find something *exactly* the right height for him -- what makes the cough *usually* is bending the neck down.  So you want him to be able to stand fully on all 4's PLUS you don't want him to have to tip his head way down to get INTO the bowl.  Let me think here ---.

For Socks I took a box almost as high as her whithers (about 1 1/2" lower if I recall).  It was a pretty strong box -- and I completely taped it shut on all 4 sides. 

Then I used her bowl, turned it over on the top of the box and drew a circle.  The lip on the bowl was about 3/8"  so the hole I actually cut was about 3/8 to 1/2 inch inside the outer circle I drew (you want the bowl to seat down flush with the top of the box)  Cut a smaller hole and then adjust it (yes, I wound up having to make a second box *sigh* -- don't make all my mistakes ok??? *LOL*)

Cover the box with contact paper (cos you'll want to be able to wipe it off).  THEN put a ziplock bag full of sand or something in the bottom to hold it still.  You can also just glue a circle of that sticky shelf stuff (the stuff you put on the inside of your cupboards to "pad" it so you don't chip your dishes??? Rubbermaid makes it I think).  You can just hot glue that on the bottom.

Now -- for Rickards -- cos he's such a wee one -- you may want to experiment a bit -- you don't want a normal deep stainless steel dog bowl -- that will till make him tilt his head too much.  Find a dish that's more shallow -- You may wind up just having a sealed box with that sticky shelf padding on the top so the bowl doesn't skid off. 

The point is to make it not frustrating (you don't want him to have to chase the bowl all over) nor do you want him to have to work hard to eat.  You can do a water bowl the same way *except* watch that he doesn't choke when he drinks.  That's the beauty of the rabbit bottle -- he can look UP to drink and he won't choke. 

You have to train them to the bottle -- but that tiny dab of butter on the tip -- man they will check it every time they walk by and you'll find the other will use it too.

I'm still a little weirded out by the idea of him using a bottle. So what my husband and I have decided to try first is building the raised feeder. He said he is going to be building out of wood then stain it so its water-proof, he said he'll draw it out once we find the proper bowls. That way we can get the exact height that he needs to eat and drink comfortabley. And if that doesn't work then we can put the water bottle in his kennel on the door (its always open). I can't screw it into any walls or cupboards unfortunately because we're selling the house next summer. But it would work on the crate too.

calliecritturs

Again this is where you'll have to experiment - look on BabiesRUS.com's website -- under "baby carriers" -- they've got one that looks like one shoulder of a t-shirt -- you just take an old t-shirt and cut the neck and one shoulder off and turn the edges under (and probably make that a casing and run some light elastic thru that to keep it snug).  Then if it were me I'd turn the bottom of the shirt under and again make it a wide casing and then put a ribbon or somehting thru it so you can tie it tight UNDER him  once you get inside. 

Heck -- you may make 2-3 of them before you get done just to see what works best before you make a prettier one. *grin* (can you tell I love a challenge??) -- you can fuss with stuff like this when you're recovering from your surgery!!

I'm sort of having a hard time visualizing it, but do you mean something similar to this?  http://www.toysrus.ca/product/index.jsp?productId=3822472&cp=2582921.2582921&parentPage=family 

calliecritturs

Kindredspirits

Last thing I wanted to say before bed was I had a horrible experience on my walk today.

 

So I'm GLAD I told you above about the idiot who thot Polly was "spoiled".

People are ignorant and stupid.  And the first thing that runs is their mouth. 

David and I go to Give Kids the World **every** month with the dogs.  We've done this with well dogs (like Luna who is Ms. Healthy) and we've done it with dogs who were cancer survivors, a deaf dog (Muffin the Intrepid had no ears -- they'd been surgically removed - and his cancer treatments left him with severe arthritis -- he NEEDED the wagon because he couldn't walk far), Pollyanna, the dog who couldn't walk went, Ms. Socks went, Foxy the Mostlie Sheltie went (he had sciatica in both rear legs -- he LOVED his wagon!!), Ms. Kee Shu and Tinkerbell are both ... ahema .... "height-impaired" (like both of your dogs are *laughing*) --

"height impaired" just means they're too short for kids in wheelchairs to reach them.

For various reasons ALL those dogs used the wagon. 

But let me finish -- GKTW is a place for critically and terminally ill children to stay while they are here in Florida.  We are close to DisneyWorld and Sea World  & Universal.  The kids we are there for are all either dying ... or deathly ill.  It's the kids and their families. 

One would THINK that ***THESE*** people would 'get it'??  You would think they'd be SO tired of unkind comments from the rest of the world that they'd never say an unkind thing about a handicapped dog??

*sigh*.  People ARE people.  Many times they just don't think before they speak.  Many times they're so wrapped up in their own pettiness that they just don't think. SOMETIMES they are just plain stupid.

When someone asks why my dog is in the wagon when we're at GKTW I always tell them the honest answer.  For Socks and Luna and Tink -- it's JUST to get the dog up high enough so YOUR CHILD can pet them. (always said kindly but boy that roasts me when we're trying to help THEIR kid??? grrrr)

But ... for Muffin and Foxy and Pollyanna?  I would tell people flatly -- "He has arthritis as a result of the chemo he took to treat his cancer" .... "He has sciatica in both rear legs and he gets really tired walking this far" or "Her back is broken and she can't stand".

In your case -- I would just plain look them straight in the eye and say "Rickards has some health issues -- he walks a bit and then has to ride for a while -- but he tries HARD to be normal.  But he enjoys fresh air as MUCH AS YOU DO!" (leave off the "you MORON" that I really want to say at the end.  *sigh*)

For someone like the person YOU encountered I would likely say first "Do you want the REAL reason or do you just want to snigger at my dog???"

I can't believe people would have the nerve to make rude comments about your dogs in wagons when you and the dogs are there to make they're kids feel better. That just blows my mind. I really wish I could have said more to that lady. I like your idea about what to say and with the woman I dealt with I love your second comment. That would have worked perfectly. I wish I would have thought up something like that then lol. I'm prepared for next time though, I know there will be a next time.

calliecritturs

Cut them in pieces, dearheart.  They're stupid.  Don't let THEM diminish *your* joy.  If they had HALF a brain -- or even a few functioning brain cells -- they would SEE that you have TWO strollers already, one dog walking and one being carried? 

 That was my exact thoughts. I just don;t understand that woman at all. I'm not the type of person who thinks small healthy dogs can't walk. I barely pick up Skyline, because she prefers walking. I treated Rickards the same way until things got bad too. I just wish people would realize that sometimes dogs have to be carried due to health reasons, whether it be in our arms, a sling, backpack or stroller.

calliecritturs

These are the same idiots who laugh behind their hand at a handicapped person.  Most of them have darned few functioning mental abilities and even fewer social ones.

I agree. I do not want this to come across as I'm making fun of this woman. But the women laughing at Rickards and I were very over-weight. I don't doubt that they too have been name called and dealt with rude people. So you'd think they would treat people better. At least that was my thinking anyway.

calliecritturs

You ARE being sensitive because you care.  But given that you have children -- there is a toughness we **Must** develop to protect those we love.  If you had a child who had cancer, or a child who had rheumatoid arthritis or cystic fibrosis or any one of a thousand problems that kept that child from playing and doing ALL that a "normal" child could do -- you would probably tear some idiot limb from limb if they had the brass to *laugh* at your child???

Sorry to be crass, but you'd probably go off like a bottle rocket?? At least I would HOPE so.  (well, maybe you'd have a little more class than *I* would exhibit but you get my meaning??)

 I don't know why I'm not this way with my dogs, but with my kids I am a vrybig momma bear. I'm alot more aggressive when it comes to them. But with the dogs, things people say and do hurt so much more. I have no idea why that is. I mean sure it hurts when someone says something about my kids, but its easier for me to shrug it off, because I think I'm doing a great job with them so it doesn't bug me as much. But I'm always unsure if I'm doing things right with the dogs. Especially with Rickards. I don't want him being so uncomfortable anymore, and this whole thing is so new. I don't think I can afford to make any mistakes with him.

calliecritturs

 Learning to deal with idiots just goes with the territory hon ... really it does.  YES IT HURTS.  But it's better to get a little huffy and put them in their place than let them hurt YOU (which is then going to bother Rickards).

Too true.

calliecritturs

It will also show your children a LOT.  It will teach them patience with diabled folks. It will teach them  NEVER to give up.

Just take a look at Give Kids the World's website -- it will help make what I'm telling you in all these many paragraphs make SENSE.  It's the perfect place for those with disabilities -- there are no steps, no narrow doorways -- heck even the swimming pool has a ramp wide enough for a BED so that if a child comes there with a "wish" to be able to swim, even though they are bedridden -- they CAN do it. 

It's a marvelous lesson for those of us who can do things in how to "work around" and figure out something so you can accomplish what you want to.

And when you do finally have to set Rickards free (and I hope it's MANY years from now) you will know that he experienced all the good life could be.

Give Kids the World Village -- at the very least seeing GKTW (and we met a child from Alberta last time we were there!!) will help you understand a little bit better what makes ME go to the lengths we go to for dogs with health challenges -- look at Tink.  She went from looking like a horror film picture -- she was literally near death in those pics) - to a happy little healthy pug who  LOVES "Going to See the KIDS".

I did go to that website. Its very touching and sweet. The initial story that started it all was pretty sad, but it sounds like things have come along way to help all critically ill children. I'm in awe at how many people help, yourself included. What you guys do for these kids is amazing. I cannot imagine as a parent what it might be like to have a critically ill child and I pray I never do. But its great that for the days they are there they get to feel true joy and happiness in they're chaotic worlds.

FrisbyPI

Kindredspirits

two women in their 30's were laughing at me and one snottily said " Isn't it the point for the dog to walk". I didn't really know what to say so I just said he was disabled, she gave me a look laughed with her friend and walked off.

"Whoever is in charge of these important things" is wise and this is why YOU have been entrusted to care for Rickards. You get his needs and you want to do the very, very best for him so he can continue to be a happy dog with your family. Unfortunately, there are those who don't get it. My students with disabilities encounter people like that on a regular basis, too.

Stroller--see if you can find one for twins at a yard sale (or craigs list or a second hand store). There is one on the Edmonton craigslist-just checked. It's expensive. I'd negotiate and explain the situation. There will be two spaces-one for your pup and one for one of the kids! You can find them as side-by-side models or seats that are in front of each other. The prices for the new ones are over the top, but I bet you can find one that's pretty inexpensive. Or, as Callie suggested-a wagon--wiith a kid seat and a pup seat.

How feasible is it to get to Saskatoon? (I imagine it's a major hike--I don't have a map of Canada in front of me--I'll look it up tonight.) There is a vet school hospital there--if it's do-able, that might be a good place to look at treatment options, too.

Thank you. I really do feel like I was meant to get Rickards. I remember when I first saw him and thought that I didn't like the parti-coloring, but wanted to give him a chance. Then I saw him in person and he was in such bad shape, but his personality stole my heart. And I felt that if I left him there he would have died. So I took him, my husband didn't even argue with me and he knew Rickards was unhealthy too. I didn't entirely know what I was taking on at the time, but I don't regret it. I love him dearly.

I will look more into the double stroller, but to be honest , I'm leaning more towards the sling or backpack. Its a pain with some of the trails we take already pushing one stroller each, a double on most the trails would be too big. I think in my situation the sling or backpack would work better. But I really do appreciate the suggestion. Saskatoon would be way too big of a drive for us, its a whole province over from me.

On Thursady when my husband has a day off we are going to go find the Hylands Calms, the new bowls, see if the backpack style list is in and get the new food. And see if we can build that raised feeder. Thank you so much everyone for helping us. I feel a million times better about everything and I feel hopeful that these things will help him. I'll let you all know how things go. Thanks again. Oh and sorry if I missed responding to something or if something doesn't make sense that I wrote, I'm hopped up on meds in bed with the flu *sigh*