Well here I am at work scraping dogshit off my shoes again...

[Richardo]

Our big ol' dog (Husky retriever mix, 14 years old, 110 pounds) can't raise himself up on his hind legs anymore because his hips are too weak. So, I have to hoist him up 3-4 times a day to go outside and relieve himself.

I take him for a walk around the yard before I leave for work in the morning. Since it's still dark, I often can't see where the landmines are, and since our yard is basically woods and thicket, if I do step in some it gets an immediate coating of pine needles and oak leaves so I don't leave a visible track anywhere.

I drive to work, walk up to the office, and when I sit down at my desk: *sniff sniff* "Ewwwww!". I look at the bottom of one of my shoes, and sure enough there are the "remains of the day" so to speak.

So I unbend a paperclip and scrape it into a paper towel which I take to the bathroom to dispose of.

The silver lining: If you start your work day in this manner, everything else that happens will seem OK by comparison.

Just thought I'd share. :)

[Was_Immer]

1. i like your closing like

Everything else seems OK by comparison.

One way to look at it. LOL

[Richardo]

27. I'm annoyingly optimistic at times...

Thanks Was_Immer!

[kikiek]

2. I bet he loves you for helping him. What a great daddy.

[Richardo]

6. Thanks, kikiek!

It's the least I can do for a great puppy. :hi:

[Fleshdancer]

3. I'm so sorry to hear about your dog...and your shoes

I recommend having a special pair of "walking the dog" shoes.

And your poor doggie, I hope he's not in any pain.

[Richardo]

5. He's a champ. We have him on Rimadyl twice daily...

...and get his liver checked annually to make sure it's not being damaged. So far, so good...

Thanks for your kind words. :pals:

[Kolesar]

4. Are there stairs on the front porch?

Our old retriever is getting weak and I am imagining building a ramp. Your big pooch would be more than I could lift.

[Richardo]

8. Yes. We have stairs, which is one reason I hoist instead of Mrs. R.

A ramp would work really well, I'd imagine. Best of luck to you and your pooch.

[Kolesar]

10. thanks, and best of luck to the big dog

P.S. I keep spare shoes and clothes in my office. Some mornings I come in with wet and snowy feet. Y'all in Texas probably cannot relate to snowy, but you might prefer it today!

[China_cat]

19. Ramps

are available at PetSmart for less than building one would cost you.

We have a ramp up to the back door of the house to accomodate my mobility scooter but got a portable ramp for the car to transport it. It really has helped my old Bouvier who loves to ride and was getting to the point of not going because she couldn't get in the van any more, even with Rimadyl on board.

[MsFlorida]

7. this is the reason I really like all of you

You are all truly exceptional people. : )

[redqueen]

9. Why not walk him outside the yard

and pick it up when he goes? Then you have clean shoes when you get to work... it's what I used to do. Then again, you still might step in landmines left by dogs whose people don't pick up after them.

Oh well... you seem pretty okay with it. Nice to hear you're such a good daddy to your pup. :)

[Phillycat]

11. Feed him something that glows in the dark.

Like crushed-up fireflies or something. Then you'll be able to see the landmines in the dark.

[Richardo]

12. :-)

That's just crazy enough to work!! :D

[Phillycat]

13. And you would have gotten away with it too...

if it weren't for those meddling kids!

[Richardo]

24. (From the geezer bench) "Get off my lawn, you meddling kids!"

:D

[Phillycat]

26. (from the geezer bench) In my day, you had to walk the dog

in the SNOW! Uphill! BOTH WAYS!

[Hand]

14. Have you tried veterinary acupuncture?

Seriously! We have a big pet rabbit with major mobility problems (he's old and probably has suffered neurological damage). He gets acupuncture every two weeks and it's made an enormous difference in his ability to get around. Without it he'd have been hopelessly crippled long ago.

Best wishes to you and your sweet old doggy!

:hug:

[Richardo]

23. Don't know if our Aggie vet knows acupuncture...

...and getting Maxx in and out of the car every two weeks might hurt his hips more than the treatment would help (we have small japanese cars). :(

[Bunny]

15. I have a scuzzy pair of old clogs that I use when dealing with the poo

issue. They get slipped on and off right inside the door.

One day my daughter slipped them on to take the dog out, right before leaving for school, and then forgot to take them off. She wore the poopy dog clogs to school all day!! Ha Ha! I laughed my ass off - she was not amused. :D

Good for you Richardo, with hoisting your big pup. My Golden has arthritis in her hips, and she has trouble getting her big old butt off the floor and down the steps to go outside. I don't know what I'll do when she can't negotiate the steps anymore - she weighs over 100 pounds, and bunnyj's back is not a strong as it used to be...

[Richardo]

18. "Poopy clogs" - LOL

My problem is that I dawdle so much in the morning that I'm already dressed when I take Maxx out. I could rearrange my steps, but that would make too much sense, now, wouldn't it?

I use a towel as a sling under his stomach to lift directly up. Works most of the time - just have to be sure his feet are under him. It does help to have some height and upper body strength for leverage, tho.

[WinterStorm]

16. I had the same thing happen to my Golden Sheppard mix

She got so old that she had problems standing up. I had to place a towel under my girl before she would lay down and then I would lift her up by putting one leg on one side of her and the other leg on the other side and I would lift her up with the towel. She weighed over 100 pounds and I am small so it was hard to lift her up. I pulled my back out several times a week but it was worth having her around for a few more months. She died a few years back but the effort was worth it.

You don't want to go into work smelling like dog poo. Change your shoes after you walk him and enjoy him while you have him.

[Richardo]

20. The towel technique works for me, too.

GMTA! And we do enjoy him every day.

[hlthe2b]

17. Your balance in "good karma" and "doggy love and blessings"

will surely more than make up for these little embarrassing inconviences. I'm just happy your big ol' "pup" has such a loving Daddy. Cyber hugs to you both...

[Richardo]

21. thanks hlthe2b

:D

[Jackpine Radical]

22. My thoughts arte with you.

We went through times like that with Ole, our wonderful, sadly missed golden/lab mix.

[Richardo]

25. Thanx, Jackpine Radical

'Ole': great name! :pals: