What to do with the four-legged babies.

I want to thank all these lovely princesses and princesses-to-be for sharing their experiences and concerns. As a "newby," I have had lots of questions and worries. We all share the same worries, don't we.

I wondered if anyone out there has tips for me for caring for my two babies - Jack Russell Terriers. I feel sure my hubby will have to take them on their daily "power walks" alone for a while. They are active and love to be with mommy. Any tips? Thanks again for the support.

I too, had the same problem. We have 3, 4 legged babies. My husband would take them out, before he went to work, and then my son would let them out when he got home from school. Luckily, they didnt need to go out inbetween. All 3 weigh about 50 lbs each, so there was no way I could let them out.

I am now 6weeks post op, but it seems like after about 2.5 to 3 weeks I started taking them out myself.

If your fur babies are used to being on the bed with you, be careful.............we have 2 beagles, at the time of my surgery, one was really a puppy. I kept a travel pillow on my stomach when I was lying on the bed during the day (once she settled down for the night it wasn't a problem) because during the day she'd jump on and off the bed.......which is ok with me and my dh -- but it was not okay if she landed on my tummy right after my surgery! She learned the the blue pillow was "NO" and only accidentally stepped on me once..........I yelled so loud, that's probably why she didn't do it again!

Our dogs are trained to go in and out of a dog door to a fenced in yard so that was no problem for me. But dh and I took them for a walk around the neighborhood after dinner each night, he's in a wheelchair, so they didn't get that walk for a couple of weeks. They survived.........they really acted like they knew I was "hurt" and understood. At 2 weeks post op my doc told me to start walking so we started taking them again. Luckily they were both trained enough that we could take them without leashes because I could not have stood the tugging at first!

Good luck to you!

Ann
TAH/BSO 1/5/01

Thank y'all. As you know, Jacks are very "busy" (we don't say hyper in our home so I was concerned about the jumping on the swelly belly thing. If y'all can handle beagles and 50 pounders, I'm sure I'll be fine. My mom is coming from Texas to help take care of me, as well as my mother in law who lives here. I very goal oriented, so I'm trying to prepare for every detail when I think of it or a "sister" brings it to my attention. You know the "sickness" - everything has a proper place and so on. Thanks.

I bet your babies will take very good care of you. My dachshund is with me for 25 hours a day ever since my 9/8 surgery. After the first week, I managed to take him to the end of the driveway. He weighs 23 lbs and the hardest part is not being able to pick him up - still. And I
certainly don't want to tear stiches inside or outside.
Rest assured that your furbabies will make the best nurses.

ALWAYS have your pillow on your incision area. When you least expect it they come jumping on you from out of nowhere.

2Magnolia Trees -

Thanks for the advice. I'm laughing right now - I'm thinking of that Canadian Gentlemen I love so much "Red Green" - think I'll ducktape that pillow to my swelly belly. Jack Russells love to jump. Guess I'll have to keep my pillow there all the time