I need some dog advice

none | 8/7/15 | tasmanianred

[TASMANIANRED]

Thanks Kathy,
They were part of the canteen pack too.

[TASMANIANRED]

We have been wandering on the farm.
I can’t let her go too far, her hips gripe.
She will spend the next several days gimping around.
Shorter walks but more of them.

[Salamander]

It may be the best idea, ever.

After all, it *is* going to be “her dog”.

/been there, done that. :D

[Salamander]

Please ignore that bit of advice.

Yes, dogs grieve.

*Deeply*.

Even to the point of being detrimental to their health...or worse.

They also live in the moment so give her a brand new “moment” as soon as you can.

Her grief needs to be redirected and her mind occupied by a new buddy.

It’s what I would do.

:)

[Salamander]

Most of the time, the “sudden change” in Chows is due to pain.

Their horrid hocks and knees [or lack thereof, technically] predisposes them to debilitating pain, eventually.

Being extremely stoic dogs, they may not show overt signs of that pain until something really provokes it and they lash out.

My idiot sister thought it would be a great idea to get a “fuzzy little Chow puppy” and then she dumped it on my dog-clueless parents.

He was a SOB to everyone but me because I knew where he hurt when they didn’t even *know* he was hurting.

Then they let a vet give him Rimadyl and it killed him.

[freekitty]

Good question. Puppies do change their mind set as they grow into adulthood. Is you dog completely beta and has she ever been around a male? Sometimes dogs do change roles from being alpha and beta and dogs do grieve. If you know any experts; I would consult one.

[Yosemitest]

A friend of mine, many years ago, had a 3 year old red haired Chow, very beautiful, and about 50 pounds, one day for no reason attack his 17 year old son on the living room floor, while they were playing.
The Chow had shown no signs of aggression before, at all.
He nearly ripped half of the teenager's face off.
Over 150 stitches and 3 weeks in the hospital before his son was able to come home, and all of this just before the boy was suppose to take his finals and graduate from high school.
Needless to say, they had to do away with the Chow, because they were living in Base Housing, and the Base Commander demanded it.

Chows are a dangerous breed, mores than others, so just be careful.
At that dog's age, she'd be better off just to work with the dog until the pain of the dog's old age requires it best to put the dog to sleep.
After that, then they should give some serious thought to what king of dog they would want for the next several years.
They should also consider the changes that their own aging will do to them, reference how active of a pet they might want.

[Yosemitest]

You might try adding a little extra virgin Olive Oil to her food, to help her joints.
Or ask the vet for some liquid pills to give her to help her soft cartilage in her joints.

[TASMANIANRED]

I agree with you.
She does need some input.

[TASMANIANRED]

Jackie is a senior now.
She has always been a beta.
She makes friends with people pretty easily if she is intoduced.

[TASMANIANRED]

She is chow tempered with Lab.
She hasn’t shown any sign of a bad disposition in her 11 yrs.

[Yosemitest]

Just check with the vet for some pills to help her keep and repair the soft cartilage in her joints.
Inholtra use to have some Glucose-Condrition tablets for humans, that an orthopedic surgeon who was an AF Major, who did surgery on my shoulder, told me about.
He said he cut into a lot of people and that there was a lot of different kinds of pills out there,
but the liquid pills from Inholtra worked, if taken according to their instructions.
That was back in 1997.

[freekitty]

I would ask an expert.

[CelesteChristi]

Like with a child. Your dog understands the language you speak. They also understand intent. Every word doesn’t have to be a known word to be understood. Keep having this conversation with the survivor until you feel the sadness lift.

I don’t remember your baby’s name so I’ll use Ruby (my dear passed Shepherd).

“I know you miss Ruby. We all do. She didn’t leave because she wanted to. She died. We grow and we live and we die. Everyone does. It’s sad, but it’s okay. It’s a natural thing, and it’s normal to miss her. I miss her too. You may can see her. I can’t, but dogs are special like that, so if you do see her you’ll see she’s feeling good. Her aches and pains are gone, and even if you don’t see her know that she’s here, just not physically like we are. It’s okay to be sad, we can be sad together, it will pass. What will remain is the joy she brought to us, and we see her again. One day we will pass too and she’ll be waiting for us.”

That general message, however you word it, will sink in. Have that conversation as often as it takes. Some get it right away, some over several days. I’ve been working with dogs, (not professionally, I just have a affinity for them), for over 40 years, and have explained death many times. They always understand.

I apologize for not getting back to you sooner. I’ve been offline a lot in the last few days and simply didn’t think to check up on you.

God bless.