Lymphedema and our pets

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited March 2013

    Spookiesmom, I noticed your name there too, and I sat there trying to figure out WHERE I had seen the name "Spookiesmom" before (cute avatar, BTW!) Then I came here, did a head-slap, and said, "Oh, of course!" I think the context completely confused me.

    I would love for others with diabetes to know about alert dogs. I get some push-back from the local Minimed pump-trainer, who would prefer people to buy a Continuous Glucose Monitor from them.Laughing The trouble with a CGM (besides the fact that an alert dog is about 15 minutes faster and equally accurate) is that it's just not as furry and loyal as a pup.Wink

    I also noticed that a couple of people there have diabetes alert cats. Gotta love it!
    Hugs,
    Binney

  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited March 2013

    Yep, that's Spookie. I knew it was you, lost your last service dog, new one name Penny, corgis mix.



    I've had 2 Dex's. never again, I think they are a waste of a lot of money.



    If I start hypo unawareness, I'd have to see about a 3rd dog. I've hit the mid 30s but knew it.



    My other dog is a white mpoodle, KrisKringle .

  • hugz4u
    hugz4u Member Posts: 2,781
    edited March 2013

    Binney, How is your girl enjoying Pennykins (Penny) Are they bonding as good as her doodle was.

  • rosebyanyothername
    rosebyanyothername Member Posts: 7
    edited May 2013

    Hey all ,   oh my training a new puppy, oh dear.  hope it works out for you.   my girl is an aussie  she is so great.  no she doesnt bite  however she does jump on me sometimes . I have taken to wearing a shooter sleeve(like basketball players wear)  over my compression sleeve.i ended up with a hole in the first one.   When i started my chemo  i was staying at my mothers house where she is not allowed in the house let alone the bed.   my mother was out of town  for the first week so i just put a sheet on the bed and let her sleep with me.  when my mom came home she had to sleep in the garage, something she was NOT  used to.  my mom opened the back door to go out and the dog came looking for me down the hall and jumped on the bed  my mom couldnt get her down or out of the house,   i would have laughed if i had not been feeling so bad  ( besides  i really wanted her there).

  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited May 2013

    Ohhhh an Aussie!!! Mine had me wrapped around his paw for 14 1/2 years. Great dogs.



    I really have to watch Spookie now, she thinks thumbs are great chewies. But not on my gauntlet!

  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited May 2013

    Rose, I love it!Laughing Our dogs are unstoppable in their devotion, that's for sure. Good for her for finding you and staying put!

    Puppy-training update! Our little Penny is now a "teen-ager" and seems to have gone deaf where her cues are concerned. Come, you say? What's that? Sit? No thanks, I prefer to stand here and stare defiantly at you. Fortunately she's also open to bribes so I upped the quality of the treats, from her kibble to dried liver bits, and she seems to have regained her hearing.

    She's doing really well with learning her alert cues--a "circle and down" as an initial alert ("hey! there's something wrong with the blood sugar!"), then "bop" either my left or right hand which, when she's finished her scent training, will serve to notify us of whether DD's blood sugar is too high (left) or too low (right). I get so boggled that dogs can sense these life-or-death matters and we have no clue. I keep sniffing, thinking surely I'll be able to figure out what they're sensing, but of course it never works. Where did the human nose go so wrong?!!

    She's also learning to behave nicely in public, has accompanied us to several restaurants to lie quietly under the table while we eat, and she's doing really well with that. (Of course, her big "brother" goldendoodle has been a helpful example for her to follow--and she often settles under the table with her head on his neck. Very cute!) Today at a restaurant another customer came over to our table, pointed at her, and said, "Is that a care dog?"

    A care dog? Hmmm. So all afternoon DD has been jokingly calling her Care Dog. Which I suppose is something like a CareBear, only without any cutesy pictures embroidered on her tummy. At least life with wee Penny is never boring!

    Be well!
    Binney

  • Marple
    Marple Member Posts: 19,143
    edited May 2013

    It's really remarkable how dogs can be trained not only to detect a problem but to go even further as in too high or too low blood sugar.  It's also remarkable when someone can enable them to learn such things.  I never cease to be amazed.

  • carol57
    carol57 Member Posts: 3,567
    edited May 2013

    Binney, thank you for posting the Penny update!  I was hoping you would!  It's very gratifying to learn what a service dog can do, and it's awe-inspiring to read about your training routines.  Brava, Binney. Not so many people would undertake training a service dog.  (Oh, and I think 'care' dog is an apt name, actually!)

  • hugz4u
    hugz4u Member Posts: 2,781
    edited May 2013

    I am closer to getting a pup. Decided I need to go small instead of the Goldendoodle which I adore. What do you do so the pup doesn't chew on your sleeve and scratch you with those sharp nails and teeth? I was thinking of putting a sock over my sleeve while I am training to protect my sleeve. Any other ideaz on avoiding scratches and puppy bites?

  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited May 2013

    Redirect. Give a toy, chewie. Or yelp like another pup and walk away

  • hugz4u
    hugz4u Member Posts: 2,781
    edited May 2013

    shoot, lost my post.

    spookie, those are great ideas.thx

  • NatsFan
    NatsFan Member Posts: 3,745
    edited May 2013

    Or get an adult dog from a shelter or breed rescue.  Adult dogs are easy to train and integrate into your lifestyle, and already past that mouthy phase.  Cool  Plus, having been "thrown away" once, they tend to be immensely grateful and happy to be loved in a forever home.

  • hugz4u
    hugz4u Member Posts: 2,781
    edited May 2013

    Ok, got sucked in to cute eyes and a spunky personality. yes I am the proud owner of a 3 lb baby havanese, black and white, mix. She is 11 weeks old now.

    Finding it a bit hard to train with a burnt index finger but oh she is a small pack of fun. She can sit now and fetches pretty good. Am teaching her to ring a bell when she wants out. I can't train her with treats yet because her stomach is off and she is on chicken and rice mix.

    I am a little worried about her stomach as she gets hiccups after most meals, Is that normal? Opps she just woke up.. Got to go ring the bell for her and go out to "get busy"

    I feel like I'm raising kids all over again, DH gets up at 3 and me at 6am. Tired is an understatement!
  • purple32
    purple32 Member Posts: 3,188
    edited May 2013

    Oh, how sweet!

    You must post a  pic, hugz!

    My dogs were traimned to ring the bell when they need to ' go' as well.  I love that method.

    I have a quiry border collie and a Golden Retriever therapy dog.  They are both 7 1/2 yrs old and make good buddies.

    I took them both to training classes for about 3 yrs off and on . (The BC had ' issues' from the first owner and I was going for the therapy training with the Golden)  Dogs are great  - and training is a wonderful distraction, and lots of work.  I don't miss the work part :>)

    Actually, my Golden would LOVE to do more training.  Even in the house, I used to do lots of practice with him, and he would get so tail wagging hapy.  I don't bother as much these days which is sad. Guess everything seems like a chore lately.

    Dogs are amazing creatures though.  When the Golden was a ' teen" , I went out power walking in the park w/him.  He was a 'puller' back then.  He yanked me right over a giant tree root and up I went and came down somehow and caught myself. Phew !  Two seconds later, it was another HUGE root.  Wasnt to lucky that time.  Fell and broke the left knee.  From that day forward, I walked the dog on the right.  I even got a special dispensation  from the AKC t to walk on the right in anything he might particpate in.  Funny thing is, as compliant as the dog was , nobody could ever get him to walk the left anymore once my knee was better.  My trainer swore she would be able to , but that dog woyld cross over and trip her up every time.  I swore he never wanted me hurt like that again, and always associated it.....odd.

    Ok, enough of the musings of someone who has not yet had coffee.

    Please get those pics  - and enjoy that puppy!

  • Marple
    Marple Member Posts: 19,143
    edited May 2013

    Hugz, would smaller (more frequent) meals help with her hiccups?  If she gulps her food that could cause hiccups.  Sometimes these things can settle as she gets older and a little bigger.  Is she 'small' for her age?

  • carol57
    carol57 Member Posts: 3,567
    edited May 2013

    We tried and tried and tried to teach our standard poodle to ring the bell when he needs to go out.  He never got the message (we think he got the good looks but not much more, from the poodle gene pool).  He does, however, ring the bell to celebrate when he comes back in.  We love him anyway and have come to recognize 'the look' as his way of letting us know telepathically when he has to go!

  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited May 2013

    Hugz, heartiest congratulations!Cool There's no shame to getting sucked in when it's a Havanese pup--who could resist?!! Enjoy, enjoy!

    Carol, I just love that your poodle rings the bell in celebration of his return. He's back--lucky you! That is just too dear.

    Our dogs don't ring bells either. Being service dogs they can't use a bell when they're out working, so we've had to learn to take our cues from "the look" too, as well as teaching them to do their business on demand so we can take care of it before going into a store or restaurant. The image of a three-pound Havanese ringing a bell for service is so adorable I can hardly stand it. Pictures, Hugz!!!

    Binney

  • hugz4u
    hugz4u Member Posts: 2,781
    edited May 2013

    Loving the pet stories!  

    Marple, Today pup had less hiccups. I did feed her smaller meals so maybe that was the answer, thanks. She is 3 lbs and underweight due to parasites and then diahreaha issues that are improving somewhat. She is on a home cooked diet and it is helping. 

    Poor pup, I can't train her with treats as it will throw off her stomach but she is such a dear she is learning with just praise.

    I will have to learn how to post a pic. I am so uncomputer savvy. 

    Well pup has been sleeping for a half hour and if I don't get to bed then I will lose my sleep. Gotta sleep when the babies sleep, I have learned.  Getting up for the 3 and 6 am pee. DH out of town. Where is he when you need him! :)

    Check out the exercise kick butt thread for my exercise update!

  • Marple
    Marple Member Posts: 19,143
    edited May 2013

    Hugz, sometimes undersized puppies can have undersized digestive systems so a whole lot of food at a meal can be overwhelming and difficult to pass through.  I'm not sure if it's the opening into the stomach or out of the stomach into the intestinal tract that can be the problem.  As she grows everything gets bigger and with any luck at all the problem will resolve. 

  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited May 2013

    Marple has a point with the amount of food given. Spookie is 7# and gets 1/4 c x 2 a day



    Did your vet warn you about hypoglycemia in such a little one? Nutracal is good to keep on hand, get it from vet.

  • hugz4u
    hugz4u Member Posts: 2,781
    edited May 2013

    Marple, I was thinking the same thing because the other littermate is bigger and eating a storm up and not having issues. 

    Spookie, Love that pet name by the way. I will ask vet about hypo and get some nutracal. Going to check dr google about the condition. thx

  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited May 2013

    Tee hee, a Maltese in full coat, whose b-day is Halloween! HAD to name her Spookie

  • Dejaboo
    Dejaboo Member Posts: 2,916
    edited June 2013

    Since I was uploading a Sleeve picture...I also uploaded a Picture of Trixie...She makes me Smile everyday.  And work my arms when I comb out her long fur everyday (its 12" long in some areas) Smile

  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited June 2013

    What a sweetie! What is her breed?

  • Dejaboo
    Dejaboo Member Posts: 2,916
    edited June 2013

    She is a Goldendoodle Spookie

  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited June 2013

    Pretty girl. I'm on my phone, pics distort pretty bad, was hard to tell

  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited June 2013

    Oh my goodness! How darling Trixie is! How old is she? Just looking at that smiley face is enough to cheer any day. What a gift!

    Thanks for posting the pic,
    Binney

  • Marple
    Marple Member Posts: 19,143
    edited June 2013

    Hahaha, too cute.  I love the clip to hold her bangs up. 

  • hugz4u
    hugz4u Member Posts: 2,781
    edited June 2013

    Oh what a beautiful dog trixie is and what a good mom to comb out that long hair. I almost fell for the goldendoodle breed but decided that a havanese/bichon would be easier to groom.  My Pup is going for her first cut Sunday. If my pup gets use to me brushing then I want her hair like Trixie's.  I know that is almost a full time job.  Well next to LE care!

    How is scent training coming Binney?

    Taking mine to puppy sch tomorrow. Got to get her to come when I call, the little brat knows how but is stubborn. I need to stop being so soft and knuckle down and get alpha like. We are going to try the long lead and draw her towards me. Hope it works.

    Pets are so satisfying and loads of entertainment.

  • Dejaboo
    Dejaboo Member Posts: 2,916
    edited June 2013

    Thanks, She will be 2.5 in July Binney.  She was my 3 year cancerversary gift to Me

    Here face is wonderful to wake up too!  I smile 1st thing.

    Thanks Marple-She always needs a clip in her hair.

    Hugz Id love to see a picture of Your Pup, How is her tummy doing?  Trix had stomach issues when she was about 3 months old...Turns out she had Salmonella from a Pigs ear I bought- Made in the USA : (

    I started brushing Trixie the 2nd day I got her-just for like 2-3 minutes a day...She is very good when I brush her- Just lays there & relaxes- Which is wonderful!

    I taught Trixie to ring the bell to go out & she used it for a short while.  I am home all day so she gets to go out pretty often.  But on the occasion that she has to go- She goes & touches the bell with her nose- Not ring it- Just touch it.  (as I have watched her do this- she touched it while she looked at me- LOL) She is the quietest dog I have ever had.

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