This has proven to be tough - I'm very proud of the UK's NHS, and would defend it to anyone, but it has let me down slightly over the last day or two. First of all there was the "forgetting to mention I was going to be staying in overnight". I'd wondered if I'd have to, and had teed up a friend to help with the crazy collies but it was still a little disconcerting to discover at 7am that I wasn't going to see my pups again for up to 48 hours when I didn't feel I'd made good enough arrangements for their care.
Then there was the "not mentioning that I wouldn't be able to drive for twelve weeks after surgery." But...but...we have a puppy agility camp to go on! Nope, not any more. So that's a little bit upsetting. I'm trying to stay optimistic about the whole thing, as I knew it was going to be a challenge to work them at it (though I'd just about convinced the trainer to work the pups on my behalf - bonus benefit as they get to learn from someone who knows what they are doing, and I get to find out how good they are when they haven't got an incompetent amateur waving her arms ineffectually at them) but it's still a little frustrating.
My dogs are still managing to make me smile though. For all that they have discovered entirely new ways to wreck the house in the last few days (did you know that sofa cushion filler looks a lot like snow when it's strewn through the living room?) they have figured out for themselves that I am damaged, and they are being so gentle. No jumping up. No hopping up on my knee while I'm not paying attention. No charging into my legs at speed. It's very sweet, and they are cheering me up while I'm incapacitated and grumpy.
I do need put some serious thought into novel ways of entertaining them while my ability to get them out and running around is limited though. Anyone got any words of wisdom?
Maybe some trick training? And if they play fetch you can still tire them out that way. Food/toy puzzles are good for entertainment and mental stimulation. Hope your recovery goes well!
ReplyDeleteI have *just* ordered a Nina Otteson food finding puzzle, so will have to see how that goes. Trick training is an awesome idea - especially as it'll hopefully keep them focused while we can't do obedience.
DeleteIf you can stand/walk at all, how about playing fetch with one of those ball thrower contraptions that throw really far without much swinging effort on your part? That way they could run a lot and you wouldn't really have to move at all! Take it easy on yourself, though, no matter. Even the most minor surgery is very traumatic for the body and you need to be sure to get lots of rest and take lots of vitamins, which help speed recovery! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! Recovery is so far, so good. Trying not to do too much is super frustrating. The pups love their ball thrower...retrieving the ball back to me is still a work in progress though...
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