After spending the last 5 weeks on an air mattress in the family room sleeping with Blue (my officially 14 year old Aussie), we have figured out how to get him up and down the stairs. Since his last bout with Geriatic Vestibular Syndrom (GVS = dizzyness) he refuses to go up or down them which I have read is a side effect from the whole thing. My son and I wrapped him in a blanket like a burrito, we each took one end and carried him up the stairs in tandem. I figured we could do this twice a day, once up and once down.
Another part of GVS is that separation anxiety becomes a huge issue and he would bark and howl all night unless I was with him. I started taking him for short walks again yesterday which are helping with the anxiety. Everyone in the house is much happier now that we have a solution for caring for this important family member. I think it works out well for everyone.
I would have loved to see a photo of your cute dog.
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Ann, I added a photo....
ReplyDeleteWhat a cutie... I have a Boxer (1 1/2 years old) and our family just adores her. She doesn't bark and loves everyone. So, not much of a guard dog. We spoil her rotten.
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I've done that with dogs that have trouble with stairs for medical reasons. Now that I have my huge dog I have been swearing that my next house is gonna be a ranch style!
ReplyDeleteYou are such a great "owner". :) Take care!
I'm glad you are able to get him up and down now. I went through a period of time when one of my dogs had hurt her back and was dealing with severe separation anxiety at the same time. I know how tiring it can be.Hang in there!
ReplyDeleteHow clever of you-poor dog-how is your son doing?
ReplyDeletePoor Blue. We're just about at that stage with out 13 year old English bull terrier Frodo-can't get up the stairs for arthritis. Silly brute insists on going down the stairs to watch tv with my husband but we can't get him back up. Me and my husband are both disabled. Glad you found something that works.
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