ARISTIAN FREE ZONE - Page 2

Missbeeb - can you take him swimming?  There are some good hydro pools around.  You might find that a hydro bath that some grooming parlours have may help him too.

My boy doesnt have the foam beds, he has a choice of a sofa with a duvet on top or one of those hammock type that are ideal as they allow some airflow through and dont put pressure on joints.

Yeah, I did toy with the swimming thing but Buddy's not so keen... he's happy to paddle up to his elbows but only swims when one of us does (in the sea) then he spends his time trying to "rescue" us which is quite hysterical, he gets so annoyed.

Poor Buddy.  I've acquired some nasty scratches over the years swimming with GSDs in deep water - they want to get close but manage to score you in the process!

How about trying some massage, maybe TTouch programme?  Ours loves the fire and the warmth definately benefits him.

Beepy, he loves being massaged.  What's the TTouch programme?  Buddy has the thickest coat (he's neutered) you'll never find him near a radiator or a fire... but he'll take all the massage he can get!

Beepy you are right in what you say,but when it comes down to it i found it very difficult to "let go". Many years ago i had a litter with two deformed puppies,one had a cleft pallet,his jaws were out of line amongst other things.The second puppy had one ear that was just a little bud,but i just had to try with this puppy. I had to hold this puppy to the teat as he just could not find his own way,to cut a long story short,in the end he was put to sleep at 8 days old. Should i have even tried? no,Would i do the same again? no. But i was young, i no longer breed so i will never have to go through that decision again,i found it awful. Now when my oldies are ready to go i will let them,it will kill me but i am not important. As for acupuncture i have never tried this on any dogs,but i do know people who have had remarkable results,my husband being one. liz

Liz, our every instinct is to save every puppy... I don't think there's too much wrong with that but these "saved" pups should never be bred from IMO and sometimes they are... what harm does this do?  Perhaps someone somewhere should be researching this?

Here is a link http://www.ttouchtteam.co.uk/  its usually used to treat stress and behavioural problems.  I have however heard of people using it in conjunction with age problems - treating something else and getting extra positive effects.  Another thought is make sure you keep his nails really short as when they have difficulty walking any extra nail just hinders them.

Liz.  Sorry to hear you have had to face the tough times, I just saw the side effects early of keeping those alive who nature would have let go so I guess its something that has always been with me.  Its funny only today we have been discussing when is the appropriate time to say goodbye.  We dont see it coming for a while, but we try and set a level of quality of life and when things slip to find the strength to do the right things.  The last two oldies have taken a turn for the worse very quickly and there wasnt time to feel bad which was good for us, and still left us grieving, and having lost one in March I still get teary remembering her last day.

I agree with your husband on the accupuncture, although for me its more a case of pain control rather than correcting a problem.

missbeeb, i think you are right, it does make you think exactly what harm this could be causing!!!! liz

That's a great link Beepy, there's one in Ringwood which isn't too far away.  I'll try out the Chiro' first and see how he gets on but I'll call this lady next week and see what she says.

Liz, Mother Nature knows best.  (Oh! aside from you know who).

Are you a new forest girl then?