Hi I've recently been diagnosed with severe RA and am waiting for a knee replacement. I am 53 and until recently was pretty active doing lots of walking, already 8 weeks down the line I am struggling and am scared how quickly things have got worse. Is there anyone in the same boat, I don't want to give my dogs up ever, but am starting to wonder how I will ever cope, especially when I have my op ...
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My dog was excellent when I came out of hospital, she seemed to know and understand, train them as much as you can now, use a stick to walk with and see what they do.
Arfa
I have 2 small pomms They are menaces fortunately they do not need much walking and my garden is a nice size .Could you not get in touch with a dog walking company , just untill you have had your operation .Sorry i have not been of much help.
Fowls
Try and find a dog walker and get them started before your op so its familiar for them or maybe someone who could take them in for the day - "doggie daycare!" Many dog walkers will board them in their own homes too, much kinder than kenneling.Dogs are really understanding , as long as they are with you, warm, fed & loved I'm sure all of you will be fine! All the best. Skinnydog
When I really struggle I tend to drive to a field, get them through the gate and then either walk slowly whilst they run or stand by the gate whilst they scoot off. It isn't as much fun as a proper dog walk but we all get what we need out of it. A ball can reduce the need for walking but then if I threw a ball for my eldest dog he wouldn't know what to do and I'd have to walk to fetch it for him.
I also sometimes make the most of other friends with dogs, I find my dogs get more exercise if they are part of a pack so I team up with somebody and go for a joint walk, that way, you don't have to go as far.
Good luck, I really hope things go OK for you.
I had a dog walker for a while, but at a cost. My husband walks the dog now & I feel awful because I only work part time & my husband works full time plus does the shopping, cooking & dog walking. I do other tasks but not as much as I want to do.
For the first time in the 6 or 7 years since I got bad I really felt 'disabled' recently when a colleague said he was meeting another colleague on the beach as they walk their dogs together & let them run. I could have cried. I love my dog so much I felt he is missing out. So am I!
I have to keep telling myself that because he is such a nervous dog it is good we took him in & give him a good home because a lot of people might have given up on him in the early stages when he wrecked things.
Oooh! It makes me so mad that I can't do it. I tell myself I can & try then the pain hits. It's easy to say 'work through the pain - that is not always possible. :oops:
A dog is proud to be with his owner when he is well cared for and shown love and kindness, please do not beat yourselvs up so much about the walks, Your dog loves you and wants to be part of you family and please you, he will adapt to changes in his routine, and in his own little way will understand that you are doing what you can.