The Winston Wagon » Dog Advice http://thewinstonwagon.com The daily life of a special dog with special needs Thu, 08 Oct 2009 20:22:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 en hourly 1 Trips to the groomer http://thewinstonwagon.com/2009/06/29/trips-to-the-groomer/ http://thewinstonwagon.com/2009/06/29/trips-to-the-groomer/#comments Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:34:12 +0000 admin http://thewinstonwagon.com/?p=80 For a special needs dog or even an older dog, a good groomer is worth its weight in dog biscuits.  We need extra attention and time to get things right!  Check with your groomer from time to time with older dogs to see if they notice any new behavior quirks.  For example, we might not want to get our nails done anymore or we throw a tantrum when the groomer tries to pick us up.  There might be a reason for it.   Arthritis is a big issue for us.  We get to be delicate little flowers in our old age. Please don’t fault us for that.  Also, we might have vision or hearing loss when we get older too.  That might also be a problem.   If we can’t  see or hear, it tends to make us a little jumpy with new smells and touches.   Here are some words of wisdom for all of you humans out there that love a special needs dog:

  • Listen to your groomer.  If they feel if your dog can no longer can safely get their nails done or tolerate any or all of the grooming process, then they are probably right.  A good groomer will want to do what is best for your dog.  This is why they got into that job! They love us too!  Sometimes a vet will have a groomer on site for such a special dog.  Do your research.  Some groomers have more experience with this type of dog while others won’t allow a dog to get groomed at all if there is even a hint of a medical issue.
  • DON’T GET UPSET.  Where there is a will, there is a way.  Nails can get trimmed. Baths can be done.  Haircuts if necessary can get done also.  You may need to seek intervention and it may cost you.  Ask your vet for help.  If you don’t get an answer that meets your needs, then get a second opinion!
  • Try to do as much as you can at home.  A groomer can only do so much.  They are not miracle workers.  They might see Fluffy every eight weeks if they are lucky.   YOU are responsible for grooming  for the time in between.  If you need advice on this, please ask a groomer.  I am sure that they are more than willing to throw good advice your way if it makes their job easier.

That is all for now.  I think I have had this on my mind because I am starting to smell a little ripe.  My mom is  giving me a bath this week as well as getting my nails trimmed and my ears cleaned.  I don’t mind getting cleaned, but it’s the getting dry part that is awful.  The groomer turns on this big, scary loud thing. (Shiver)

Ok.  I’m done for the day. Take care of yourselves.

Love, Winston

]]> http://thewinstonwagon.com/2009/06/29/trips-to-the-groomer/feed/ 0 My name is Winston, and I have a bladder control problem. http://thewinstonwagon.com/2009/06/17/my-name-is-winston-and-i-have-a-bladder-control-problem/ http://thewinstonwagon.com/2009/06/17/my-name-is-winston-and-i-have-a-bladder-control-problem/#comments Wed, 17 Jun 2009 13:23:40 +0000 admin http://thewinstonwagon.com/?p=49 There.  I said it.  It’s out there.   It feels really good to admit that.   This sometimes happens when you have back issues.  You just can’t make it to the lawn in time.  I know it can be very frustrating for both owner and dog.   Believe me when I tell you this, but we dogs love to go outside. Well, I take that back The  exceptions would be  when it’s raining, snowing, or generally nasty out.  This is when I use to try to hold it for as long as I could.  Try as I might now, there is no holding it.  I remind myself of a really irritating cocker spaniel puppy when it happens.  Grrr.  My mom and I came up with a tolerable solution though.  I am now the proud owner of a ‘man-wrap’.  This is my mom’s word for a doggie diaper.   ‘Man-wrap’ sounds so much cooler.  It goes around my waist and mom lines it with 3 sanitary napkins to soak up whatever decides to spill out.   This way, we both win. I stay cleaner and so does my mom and dad’s house.  Phew!   There is one thing though that one has to remember about those.  The ‘man-wraps’ need to be changed or at least checked fairly regularly.  Mom is  militant about doing it every 4-5 hours or so.  If she doesn’t, I can get chafed.  Yow!  That’s not fun folks.   Not at all.

Winston, waiting to get walked in his wheelchair

Well, take care of yourselves today.  I am off to get walked.  My mom wants to tape it and show you guys.  Don’t tell her I said this, but she isn’t the brightest crayon in the box when it comes to techie stuff.

Bye for now,

Winston

]]> http://thewinstonwagon.com/2009/06/17/my-name-is-winston-and-i-have-a-bladder-control-problem/feed/ 2 A walk with my pals http://thewinstonwagon.com/2009/06/10/a-walk-with-my-pals/ http://thewinstonwagon.com/2009/06/10/a-walk-with-my-pals/#comments Thu, 11 Jun 2009 02:49:18 +0000 admin http://thewinstonwagon.com/?p=27 I am completely exhausted from my walk with my mom and my buddy Ben tonight.   We just got back about an hour ago.    Walking in nice weather really and truly makes me happy.  I am relaxed and I don’t have a care in the world when  I get the right amount of exercise.   During the summer though, it is important for me to exercise at the right time.   My fellow dogs and I don’t operate at 100% when it is too hot out.  As much as I love walking, I prefer to stay inside with the cool A/C.   Going out early in the morning or late in the evening is the best time.  My mom and I both get to enjoy it that way.  My mom is fair-skinned and doesn’t like to be in the sun too long.  She burns like crazy and I feel like I am overheated.   No one wins.

Nighty night

Nighty night

So remember this advice from your old pal Winston.   We may act like you are taking us to Disneyland when you grab that leash, but you are doing no one a favor when it is hotter than blue blazes outside.  We’ll start out on the walk with both guns blazin’, but you might have to peel us off the sidewalk about halfway.  Oh, did I mention sidewalks?  They don’t exactly tickle our toes when it is hot out.  It gets a little  uncomfy after a while.

Ok,  I must take leave now.  My bed is calling my name.  I can almost hear myself snoring already.  Take care of yourselves.

Your old pal,

Winston

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