Well... I'm in a right quandary as to what to do for the best, some advice is definitely needed. I've made friends through FB with one of the owners of Mabel's litter (really lovely family) they came to visit on Sunday afternoon, to cut a long story short we had a fabulous day. Suddenly in puppy play Mabel's sister jumps at Mabel who crumples to the floor crying, elbows hit the concrete and she can't put any weight on the right leg. I'm absolutely numb with pain. On the plus side hydrotherapy was good yesterday, had a good talk to hydrotherapist which made me feel much better and I'm managing really well with Mabel's ED. Things were going so well but now the light at the end of the tunnel is a distant flicker. Trouble is we are off to a family wedding in Yorkshire over the new year and can't take Mabel. She was due to stay with her sister and family for 4 nights. The dilemma is do I let her stay or should I find alternative care and if so what's best kennels or private doggy boarding. Thank you Claire
I'm so sorry to hear this, it must be a big blow to you. It sounds like what is happening here is that you are going through a process and discovering what is ok for Mabel's "normal". Maybe she can bumble along off lead with other adult dogs, sniffing and being buddies, but she can't really play with a litter mate (play between litter mates tends to be a bit "full on"). Once you have adjusted to ruling out the high risk situations, then you will settle into a routine, and life will seem stable again. In terms of the new year, well, in my view just based on what you've said, I'd say Mabel doesn't get to stay with her sister. You have now found out that Mabel can get injured in puppy play with a litter mate, so that's not something you can expose her to for 4 days. This isn't a disaster, far from it. You could take her, but she doesn't get to play (she can walk, sniff, hang out, but not play) - this isn't a terrible thing, you know. Dogs don't have to be allowed to play with every dog they are with. There are lots of dogs that Charlie is not allowed to play with. Or you can find a place for her to stay with someone who will stick to your rules about what she is allowed to do.
Oh such a shame.....2 days on how does Mabel seem?Having had this happen,I tend to agree with Julie and not expose Mabel to the situation.New Year is a busy time....the littermate's family might give you all the assurances they can that Mabel would be safe but then become tied up with something anthere becomes an opportunity for Mabel to be hurt.... On the upside,if you can't convince your hosts to allow a lovely young lab to visit ,you have time to look into more suitable options.....a quiet boarding solution ,house sitter? Hope Mabel is ok,x
Poor Mabel, do hope she is ok Good news is you have plenty of time to find somewhere for her to stay (as I agree, staying with her litter mate is really not an option). I'd start looking at boarding kennels / private boarding right now, as good places can get booked up quickly over busy times. Once you've decided where to use, then I would advise taking her there for a short visit (maybe an afternoon or overnight), so she knows where she is by the time New Year comes around.
Sorry to hear about Mabel. Hope she is soon feeling better. I agree with the others, find somewhere else for her to stay. Have you not got a very good doggie friend who would have her while you are away?
Thank you for you superb advice. You have all been a life line. Mabel's not too bad at all today, luckily it's pouring with rain so there's very few people about. We have only seen two dogs today, hurrah. I've just registered with Holidays4Dogs. They have a very in depth registration system and I've been matched with two people. Okay they are 30 miles away but that's the least of my worries I can drive. I've also sent a request to the owner of the dog training school we attend as she has a list of fully insured dog carers. I can see more clearly now what needs to be done. Chin up as they say. JulieT how right you are, this isn't a disaster. I think the disaster would have been if it had happened while I was at my son's wedding.
So sorry to hear of Mabel's setback playing with her litter mate at the weekend. It is so hard to know what to do for the best sometimes when it comes to managing our girls with ED while still allowing them to have fun. It's so hard to find somewhere for our dogs to stay particularly when a major concern is their understanding of ED and ensuring that they follow your requests to safeguard them. I know for me, when we had to come to the UK at short notice in June, my only choice was our dog trainer even though it meant Juno being with Jen on a 24/7 basis and all the play and running around that would entail; on the other hand I had complete confidence in the understanding and care she would receive. Fingers crossed you find somewhere that gives you the confidence to leave her for a few nights and that she is recovering from Saturday's rough play.
I would advice that you get Mabel's New Year care in place promptly, kennels etc fill up,over the Christmas and New Year period as many folks go away. Is it possible to find somewhere e in Yorkshire for her. Then you could visit and possibly take her for walks during your stay.
MaccieD that's the thing, finding someone who understands ED. We are going to visit a lady who will possibly look after Mabel. She is retired and has two older labs, she sounded lovely on the phone it sounds very promising. I've also had a very detailed message from my friends explaining how they plan to care for Mabel in order to put my mind at rest. I hope Juno is okay, Mabel sends massive licks. Xx
Sorry to hear this, but glad you are looking positively and considering your options. They are more worry than kids, that's for sure! Hope you manage to work out a good solution x
Pilatelover The retired lady with 2 older labs sounds promising. Are you taking Mabel to meet her and the dogs to see how they get on? What are your friends suggesting for looking after Mabel. I'm sure that they were pretty devastated that Mabel hurt herself playing. Would it perhaps help if they saw each other more regularly as their play could quieter down, particularly as they get older. How is Mabel now? Hoping that she is better and showing no after effects. Juno is curled up asleep. We had a walk this afternoon with our trainer and her dogs together with a French lady who has been on several walks with us. Her dog, Jasper, is in love with Juno and spends the entire walk chasing after her. We also had a little 4 month old spaniel with us who hadn't been out for a walk before - she was such a cutie. We went to the forest, having checked that it is a non hunting day, so the dogs had a brilliant time charging around, chasing through the leaves, up and down the slopes. Juno did some great recalls as well, as I always like to give her a recall when she's having so much fun and not really focusing on me at all. Yes, I know I'm a meany but she does get a piece of Herta sausage for the recall , as do all the dogs as they all recall to a call . If she had the energy she would send massive licks back to Mabel
MaccieD sounds like you and Juno had a really lovely day. Yes we are taking Mabel a week on Saturday, I'd like to have gone sooner but we are off on holiday on Friday so it will have to wait. Her Labradors are 3 and 10 years old which is a good age for Mabel to play with. She also knew about ED. Unfortunately Mabel can't play with her sister very often as they don't live locally, both work and have a small child. The funny thing is each time they have seen each other they have got crazier. I wonder if it is because they don't do any formal training and their idea of a walk is all about throwing the ball as far as possible any getting their dogs to retrieve brake neck speed, race back and throw the ball again. Topped with Mabel just on week two of unrestricted off lead exercise it suddenly became a recipe for disaster. They have a large house so it will be easier to keep them separated plus their will be 3 adults in the house over new year and they will walk her with their 9 year old lab. They are absolutely devastated about how the weekend ended and genuinely want to help.
Pilatelover It's so hard to know what to do for the best when it comes to our girls. I know with Juno and Jen, although not litter mates but a month between them, we have a crazy 5 - 10 minutes when they meet but then they calm and run and play and sleep together. Mabel and her sister may be better if they have a good run and romp first to let off the excess. At least you don't have to make an immediate decision, so enjoy your holiday, meet with other lady and her dogs and then, if you're like me, go with what makes you feel most comfortable. I know when I left Juno with Rosanne and Jen it was with some trepidation knowing how they charge around together but I didn't trust anyone else to look after Juno as much as Rosanne. I knew that Juno would be happy and relaxed which for me outweighed any potential aggravation of her ED as I know we will have and have had set backs.
With much trepidation we went to visit Mabel's possible home from home while we are in Yorkshire over new year. It really couldn't have gone much better. The host family have two gorgeous labs, 3 year old Ruby and 10 year old Archie. They live in the country with absolutely loads of safe garden to run and play in. They also have a disabled access so Mabel doesn't need to use the steps. Mabel loved it so much she went and hid in the undergrowth and wouldn't get in the car to come home. I'm delighted, I've paid my deposit to secure the dates and feel happy that she will be kept safe. I still feel Mabel is made of glass and very delicate, she is certainly getting better not worse and we have had a lovely week in the Wye Valley. We possibly did a little too much exploring down by the river but its back home and back to normal now.
So pleased for you that the meeting went so well. Mabel has obviously decided where she would like to stay . Pleased to hear that you had a lovely time in the Wye Valley, and I'm sure that Mabel had a wonderful time with all the new sights and smells. I think the hardest part sometimes is trying to stop treating our girls as if they are wrapped in cotton wool, and trying to relax when we see them playing and running around; seeing Juno running around never ceases to bring a smile to my face and I try to balance an energetic day with a quieter day to follow. I live by one day at a time with Juno, and every day with out and limping is a bonus
Thank you it does feel like a weight has been lifted off my mind. MaccieD we have had a busy day today, poor Mabel was only running about a slipped on wet grass she gave a little cry but recovered at once. My daughter in law has likened it to when she had a new hip at the ripe old age of 30, sometimes in the early days you do something to make it twinge. Then you have a quiet day . Mabel's now snoozing on the sofa after training class, which I'd like to say was marvellous. Unfortunately it wasn't as it's all new and exciting again. oh well onwards and upwards.
Don't let the less than perfect training session get you down. I had the worst walk ever with Juno on Thursday with her doggy friends but she has been absolutely brilliant since
. A funny little thing happened this morning. My son and daughter in law are staying so we walked through the park to the bistro for breakfast. It was Labrador heaven. A guy with a four year old chocolate lab said "my girls brilliant now, recall is excellent". As she disappears in the opposite direction. She was rescued by my son as she was heading towards the road. No amount of calling by this guy would bring her back. And guess where Mabel was.... Right by my side. I'd like to add it's one of the few times she's obeyed a cue today hehe.
Don't you just love them when they make you proud . Our trainer was really surprised about Juno on Thursday and said she thought that Juno has just become over excited. She has been absolutely brilliant the last couple of days as OH was in the UK for work and my knee has been giving me excruciating pain (I've hardly been able to walk her) so it's been short walks and playing fetch in the garden nut she'snot fussed and just settled beside me.
