Lesson #29 Learned by this Pet Sitter
I have an old dog. Sam is 14. He has developed arthritis in his back legs. He rarely lifts his leg to pee anymore. Instead he squats more like a female dog. I think the older a male dog gets, the harder it is for them to lift their leg and pee. I can tell if Sam is having a good day by how high he tries to lift his leg when he pees! I think keeping an eye on that as male dogs get older is probably a good indication of arthritis.
doggie playdate
Ginger (and Steve!!!) - Ginger is doing just great. She is eating well (I am mixing in some wet food with her dry and she gobbles it up!) She has plenty of food until you get home but she will need more soon (both wet and dry.) I contacted R yesterday to see if I could set up a playdate for Ginger and Steve so Ginger got an extra visit when I ran over around 6:30pm and took her to Steve's house. They ran all around and had a great time. I enjoyed hanging out with R and N too :) 80 degree weather.... all of us were loving it. People and dogs!!
dog walking on Wed 3/14
Gus- Gus is doing just great. He loves his walks (and he's a very regular pooper LOL!). He's eating well too and I've been giving him his pill every midday visit. Yesterday afternoon was beautiful. After our walk he laid down in the sunshine on the deck.
Ginger - I'm hoping to see Steve at some point but we haven't yet this week. We've been doing a lot of walking and she been peeing on everything :) and pooping pretty regularly too. I've started giving her wet food in with her dry food for the evening visit. I stayed late Monday night and we watched some tv together. She's been getting her daily belly rubs too!
Lesson #28
ahhhh springtime. Most of our winter has felt almost springlike and now I'm seeing what I think are perhaps the results of a mild winter: ants. Lots of ant hills everywhere!! I'm having to be really careful to keep the dogs from walking through them. Watch out for them when you are out walking your dogs too!
dog walking on Monday 3/12
Ginger - She is doing just fine. I did add a little bit of wet food to her dry food this morning. She was gobbling it up when I left. Gus - He is quite the walker! A jogger went by us this morning with a dog and Gus wanted to run and keep up with them (we didn't though.) :) We took a walk yesterday afternoon and again this morning. Last night, I just let him out in the yard. He's been eating well too.
dog walking on Sunday 3/11
Ginger - she is just great. Wesley saw her last night and I did this morning. Here is Wesley's note from yesterday: I saw her twice on Saturday. She is very sweet and loves to walk. She also knows where she likes to walk to. On the second visit, I had to call for Ginger, she must've been snoozing! She still had not eaten her dinner. We went for a walk, not a dog or owner in sight. I sat on the couch and rubbed her belly when we got back. I gave her a treat and left for the night.
Simba - here is Wesley’s note: Simba has barked when I come in and it is so cute and the sound he makes is unexpected! I filled his bowl before I left so when I return he goes right to the food bowl. When he comes out of his area, he runs out to greet you but, runs back in to get his toy. He likes to rub his face on the rug. Simba is ready for a trip outside after all this. He has done his business every time I have taken him. I sit on the floor and play with him when I come back. I gave him a treat and made sure the toy was back on his pillow before I left.
Maisy and Gracie - here is Wesley’s note: Last night while we were outside Maisy and Gracie started playing on the deck. Maisy is so cute when she bounces around she reminds me of Tigger from Winnie the Pooh. She looks like a puppy when she plays!
This mornings visit I got to pet Maisy without a treat and harness her without the aid of a treat. They spent most of the time outside. Refreshed water and both ate their food while I was there. I have really enjoyed getting to know these two dogs and it is sad our time is coming to an end.