[Guest]

The last three or four weeks, I first have been struggling with my Crohn's disease flare up.  I was sick on the couch nearly 24/7, and just could not handle my pups.  They were locked up a lot and didn't get a lot of attention.  I tried to take them to my mom's every couple of days, so they could run and play and romp with her dogs.  I can't keep them out of the crate because then they jump up on my belly.  they know something is wrong, I'm sure of it, but they don't understand that I'm in constant pain.  Now, the Crohn's is getting better and I pulled my groin muscle.  I've been couch/bed bound for 2 weeks.  It hurts all the time, and I'm starting to feel very depressed.  I don't really have anyone to talk to...Mike isn't good with emotions...and I don't have any really close friends.  Again, my pups are crated a lot of the day...I feel so guilty...I feel like I am failing them.  I love them so much but I feel like I'm being a neglectful horrible mommy to them.  they get their food, they go outside..I try to let them play for 30-40 minutes at least twice a day in the house...but I just can't handle much more than that right now.  What should i do?  They still get to go to my mom's house once or twice a week...but it just doesn't seem like enough attention for them.  What makes me feel worse is that no matter what, all they care about is wiggling at me and loving me when they are out of the crate, they aren't holding a grudge.  I just don't know what I can do differently with them to give them more love and attention without causing myself more pain.

Ps.  sorry for letting it all out here, I just needed to get it out...I'm really at the end of my rope here...I'm not used to the depressed feeling and I am not doing very good with the pain.

 

[Britneysdad]

Sorry you are going through a rough period right now. But as far as the dogs the best remedy would be if your mom or your husband could take them for walks. This would help reduce their anxiety and pent up energy and they may be able to be left outside of the crate.  Even if we let dogs run around in the yard doesn't mean they are exercising as they would on a walk. If I leave Britney in the yard and she runs around and does her boxer burns she may be tired but it always seems different type of tired (physical) then if we went on our daily 2 walks a day.  Walks seem to increase her physical and mental tiredness and this tends to put them in the calmer states of being. Just an idea!

As far as feeling guilty with yourself I think this is useless at this point because it doesn't help you to get better.. And that is the key right now - feel better so then you can make it up to them. Life is like an ocean - ebb and flow.

 

[Guest]

The problem with the walking is that my mom is handicapped and my husband sleeps during the day- it's dark when he gets up and it's a bad neighborhood.  Our dogs don't get walked...ever...really...way too cold right now...but they do romp in the park when I am able and run in the backyard- jetta likes to play keep away from bo with his fave toy---they'll circle the yard for 30 minutes if we let them.

 

[Britneysdad]

Actually, you can put a collar and leash on in the backyard. The key is training and walking at the same time can bring the same  effect.  If husband works at night he should take a few min. out of his day to walk them before and after he come from work. It will help him sleep or wind down as well.

and if you can't do that their is always the KONG! Freeze some and give them throughout the day!

 

[Guest]

and that leads to the other problem....other than letting them out so i don't have to get up and playing with them inside- he is useless in caring for the animals---even HIS cat...I feed it, I brush it, and I bathe it...I buy it treats, I buy it toys..and I don't even like the cat!  So I really don't see hubby doing something like that.  I hate to argue with you, I know it sounds like I'm simply making excuses...but I know my husband...he's a loving man, loves the dogs and cat...but...not so great with caring for them...

 

[g00dgirl]

Do you have a dog park nearby?  If you are able to drive try to get them out there, bring a chair and watch them wear themselves out! Its great.  
Good luck with everything!

 

[Guest]

Nope, Kalamazoo sucks and is not very dog friendly...the closest thing we have to a dog park is next door to the house...and that is only partially fenced in...so I don't like going alone because neither dog listens to me as well as to Mike...and I sure can't walk and hunt them down if they take off across the park, lol..they would never run away...they just like to visit people

 

[maplesfolks]

can you maybe hire a dogwalker? or maybe your have teenage relatives that you can trust that will do that for a few bucks after school? another thing maybe you can get one of those basic wheel chairs from the hospital so you can move around without disturbing the hurt groin muscle.... i have no clue what to suggest really, your situation really sucks, but try not to be so harsh on yourself, but i know what you mean, when you are left alone with your feelings for days on end it's hard to fight them.  good luck hope you recover fast

 

[Guest]

thanks, maple....it's really hard during the day...hubby is sleeping and I have no one to talk to...the last few days I've gone to my mom's house just to be around people (my sis and mom)...but today my leg is so sore I'm afraid to try to drive...I almost couldn't get home last night...it hurt so bad.   I love letting the dogs out of the crate, they are so loving...especially when they are calm...but the delemma is...it takes a good hour or two for them to get calm...and in that time...they ALWAYS jump on my groin at least once, causing me to scream out in pain....but the fact that they have so much love is sooo nice...they are my babies...I am so thankful for them