Well, unfortunately I recieved a phone call from my sons doctor...re his ostiochondritis on the hip and was told he needs to be taken in for surgery. Being only 5 it was something that we tried to avoid...He's had it from the age of 2. At this point I have until February to settle McQueen and perhaps train him to at least deal with George in a specific way limiting HIS movement as he won't be able to for a long healing process. This is where I'm hoping you can come up with some ideas as to how I might be able to benefit George with McQueen in terms of this and what he will need to be taught pre-surgery. I'm not in the best frame of minds at the moment...any advice from you would be appreciated...Labrina
Re: Pup to be used as recovery tool for child... Sorry to hear that about George. Osteochondritis more commonly affects knees and is pretty rare in hips. Does it have another name?.....not Perthes disease possibly? Do you know what kind of surgery he is to get? Kids are pretty adaptable. And bear in mind that exercise before and after operations is often to be encouraged to strengthen the supporting muscles of a joint (albeit non-weight-bearing type such as swimming) I hope personal health insurance is less of a problem for you than the doggy variety Jac x
Re: Pup to be used as recovery tool for child... Oh no, poor George, so sorry... What a worry for you. I think you will need to think carefully about what interaction George and McQueen will be able to have. Nice gentle cuddles? Will George be able to throw a ball or similar and have McQueen fetch it for him? Once you have decided what exactly it is you want, then you can take steps to train him. Let us know what you decide and I am sure we can help you with some advice.
Re: Pup to be used as recovery tool for child... I am so sorry to hear about George, how awful for you both. Keep us posted. Helen xx
Re: Pup to be used as recovery tool for child... Really sorry too, to hear about George, I do hope everything goes well for him. I think it is best to keep your expectations for McQueen fairly low. There is not a great deal of time between now and February to teach a puppy any kind of advanced skills, and he is too young to expect very much. He will also be at a very boisterous stage by that time and for some months thereafter. You may have to limit their contact a bit, depending on what George is allowed to do. McQueen will be a great companion for George when he is more mature, but do let us know if you have anything specific in mind that you would like to teach the puppy in the meantime. So sorry you have to cope with this, and wish you all the best. Pippa
Re: Pup to be used as recovery tool for child... Thank you everyone for your kind words...yes he has perthes of the hip...ostiochondritis Jac. He is one of the youngest in the world and it seems that also one of the very few things didn't naturally develope for. Anyway at this point I'm pretty much not execting much in terms of interaction from Mcqueen...He will be motionless for some months so..preferably perhaps trying to settle a bit without the constant roaming. Perhaps its not possible...At this point I really don't know bar his company being of any great importance in all this. I am aware hes too young to actually get too technical with ...I guess a mother can only hope to aleviate the situation in these instances...
Re: Pup to be used as recovery tool for child... Sorry to hear that. Try not to worry too much ( : ). Your specialist will be able to give you good advice. It might be a long haul, but as I said, kids are pretty adaptable. Can't really help much with the doggy aspects, think other here are hugely more experienced than me. Having been born with a hip problem myself though, several ops and eventually a hip replacement age 36, I feel for you guys. Keep your spirits up. Jac xxx
Re: Pup to be used as recovery tool for child... Just to say that I am so sorry to hear about George , what a worry for you x
Re: Pup to be used as recovery tool for child... Hey - just read this. Poor old George and what a worry for you too. Hope all goes well with his op.
Re: Pup to be used as recovery tool for child... Oh well we'l have to just to take things a step at a time. I used today to get out and about for fresh air. As you can see from the below they were both enjoying themselves. Priceless....
Re: Pup to be used as recovery tool for child... Adorable pictures McQueen looks like "butter would not melt........" So sweet! Jac
Re: Pup to be used as recovery tool for child... Photos like these make me impatient for lizzie to be able to play with Riley I hope that Georges op goes well. He and McQueen clearly have lots more adventures to go on together! And I hope that you all go from strength to strength
Re: Pup to be used as recovery tool for child... LOL Jac they got into the biggest brawl during that digging. George was getting annoyed with McQueen for spraying him with sand and Mcqueen was sensing it so he snapped at his chin...He has the scratch mark to prove it. After I settled George down a little from literally moaning along the lines of "he did it, I did nothing to him!" etc .(feels like I have two kids at the moment mind you...they were back at it once again. Mc's snapping is getting a little out of control when it comes to George I'm afraid. George's hands are full of scratches. Funny thing is as soon as some minutes go by the first thing that George does is look for Mc to play with. Personally I think George demands a little too much of the pup...but thats just my thinking...
