Baby’s doing great! Now the problem is, she thinks she can do everything. She doesn’t understand when Toby gets a long walk, or a ride in the car to the dog park and she doesn’t get to go. She gets so sad! Those darn Monky Butts!, but if we don’t give Toby enough exercise he becomes a MB to the max!
What’s worked for you? I would love ideas.
Wags and Slobbers
Judy and Toby
Author: Judy
Roger and I have adopted many furbabies in our 35 years of marriage. Baby is a 6 yr. old 155lb English Mastiff who came to us when she was 1 1/2 yrs old along with her 'brother' Toby (a Landseer Newfoundland). We adopted them from Gentle Giants rescue and they are, indeed, both Gentle Giants. Baby was diagnosed with bone cancer in January 2012. She just had her surgery on January 27th, 2012 to remove her right rear leg. She is recovering beautifully we are thrilled to have her with us!
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Maybe it’s time for Baby to get mobile. Can she go on a brief walk in the dog park? Can she go in the car, even if only for a few minutes? She might be telling you she’s ready. It will be more trouble to take her along for just a short while, but she would feel like things are more fair. Just a thought.
Becky and Sparky
You’re right – she is ready! We do take her for car rides, she jumps in herself and loves it, and she going for short sprints (she walks so fast we end up running), but she can’t do the longer walks yet and she wouldn’t be happy in the car while Toby goes to the dog park.
Dogs are so present moment… the fact that she just got her own walk doesn’t make her think being left home later is any more fair. She’s already forgotten her walk and want to be a part of things.
I’m sure we’ll work it out eventually.
Why not take the MB for a short walk with Baby. Then bring Baby home and finish the walk with Toby. Does Toby go off lead at the dog park? If so you could maybe take Baby and sit and love on her while Toby gets a good run.
I hope Baby gets to 100% soon. Boomer is still on very short walks himself.
I think your Toby is a big dog, so maybe my solution won’t work for you. But, here it is anyway…
Rumbles’ MB sister (Sugar Cookie) is a Chihuahua and she could walk/run all day and all night. After Rumbles amputation, I got her a long retractable leash. So when we go on our short hoppy walks, Sugar runs forward, then back to us, then forward, then back to us.
I figure her walks are 3-4 times longer than his. 🙂
Judy, I know you are looking for a stroller now, and that might solve your problem. I don’t know if you have children (sorry, I don’t know; you might be 13 or 113 so excuse my ignorance!)–but a kid is a good solution, too. I force (at whip’s end you know) my kid to go with us all. Since he’s allergic to exercise, he and Dakota tire at about the same rate. I continue with Evelyn while Boy goes home with Dakota.
If you don’t have an available Boy, you might borrow one. If there’s an accommodating one in the neighborhood, maybe you can come up with some kind of currency to trade. Kid walks with Baby for awhile and then returns home to await you. Then you make cookies! Yay! I’ll do it for that, if they’re chocolate chip and you put pecans in them.
Shari
Hi Judy,
I got a stroller for Maggie, a bit easier when your tripawd is a 17 pound pug!
Maggie LOVED her stroller. She could walk as far as she wanted, then ride. At the time it was really important that Mag’s little sis Tani got enough exercise. I’m single so was most often walking them alone. A few months after her amp she was walking a mile on her own, (rear amp) but as she aged and the other health issues cropped up she slowed down.
Oddly enough I find myself in a similar situation- little sis Tani is now almost 12 and has arthritis in all 4 legs and her back so now she can’t get too far. Rescue pug boy Obie is 5.5 and needs lots more exercise. Now I end up leaving Tani home for long walks, then taking them both again for a mosey. I still use the stroller, but Tani HATES it and barks most of the time she is in it.
I see in the forums you are looking for a stroller- good luck!
Karen and the pugapalooza
Thanks all! I think the stoller and a boy (must be strong) are both great ideas. We’ve been blessed with Tasha’s stroller, so that search is over. Big thanks to her generous Mom.
Hugs and Wags,
Judy and Baby