Help! I 'm sick as a dog and my dog still expects her walk!

[Iris]

She is accustomed to at least 1 mile in the mornings, and she is looking at me quite pitifully right now! I expect her to start wimpering any time now.

[bamademo]

1. She'll just have to suck it up

Mine did when I was sick. Play keep away or something with her and maybe that will distract her.

[WillParkinson]

2. Go for a walk...

It might help you to feel better to get some air and sunshine (assuming it's sunny).

[ClintonTyree]

3. I share your pain..................

I have a dog that is as demanding as your's. I have chronic back pain and some mornings it's all I can do to just get out of bed. Take her for a short walk, let her do her "duty", praise the heck out of her, give her a treat and a good scratch behind the ears. She'll be happy.

[Iris]

5. that might work.

I could also sit outside with her for a little while when we get back.

[FlaGranny]

9. My back often hurts when I've been on my feet too

long, but I understand that walking is one of the best things you can do for your back. It strengthens the muscles which support your low back.

Since I've moved to my present house, I have to take the dog for a walk, and, now that I think about it, my back is better than it was when I didn't go for those twice daily walks.

[BigMcLargehuge]

4. bad dog! lay down... heel!

hope that helps :) and hope you feel better.

:hi:

[dofus]

6. It's too bad

dogs can't be trained to use a litter box, like cats. At least for times like this.

Can you simply sit outside -- do you have a backyard -- and simply keep your dog company while she does her business?

I've always been more of a cat person myself, but a while back I was doing volunteer work at a local animal shelter. I worked in the reception area, where all the dog walkers had to pass through with the dogs, and I became quite impressed by the way every single dog wanted to check out every single human on the way in and out of the shelter. It made me appreciate dogs tremendously, and understand when a dog is just being a dog, and doing its job, such as when it barks and barks when someone new first comes to visit. They're only doing their job.

[Iris]

7. She is so loyal to me.

My husband claims she has a bizzare attachment to me. We live in an apartment building and she recognizes the sound of my car's engine. When I get home, she runs to whererver my husband is to let him know I'm coming in! She also does the wimpering and sighing thing when I'm out later than usual.

That's why I'll probably end up doing the usual walk today. I've been doing it all week and coming home feeling clam-y and tired, but it probably doesn't hurt for me to have a little exercise. I'm not dying or anything!

We do have a fence around our building, so sitting outside with her is also an option.

[DemExpat]

8. Sit outside with her and let her fetch a ball......

this is how I get my Jack Russel's energy out when I can't take a long walk with him.....he's 14 and STILL wants his exercise and play!

Be well....
DemEx

[Cappurr]

10. As one who has gone shopping for cat food with serious flu

(And actually passed out in the check-out line) I sympathise. BUT you have an animal that owns you. You MUST do what the animal wants. That is just the rules. If you really can't walk her, see if you can get a neighbor or even one of those pet-sitting agencies to walk her for you.

However, she doesn't need to go a damn mile. She'll just have to make due with a litlle less today.

[Iris]

13. well, I agree with you about the "damn mile"!

The last time I was sick like this (about 6 yrs. ago), I started wondering if AIDS outreach and eldercare groups provide any kind of pet walking or other pet assistance for the people they serve. It might be something I'd like to do now that I know how hard it is to take care of a pet when you're sick.

[Cappurr]

17. If you qualify for help from those groups

I'd call your local organizations immediately. The Eldercare thing might really be a good one. I don't know if you have Medicaid or Medicare or both, but I know in my community they send people out to fix plumbing and small house repairs for seniors. And pets are extremely important to people who are older and/or sick. Believe me, I know. I'm not quite old enough for eldercare yet, but I have been sick and depressed. Animals are an absolute necessity to people like us.

[ProfessorGAC]

11. Were You Sick On Your Birthday, Iris?

I hope not. Since we share a b-day, i'm sympatico with you and hope you at least got to do something fun on Tuesday.

Get well. Be patient with the doggie. They tend to develop empathy after a bit when you're sick. I know my doggie figures out in a few days when my MS is acting up and is less needy.
The Professor

[Iris]

12. actually, I was sick on my birthday, but

my sister moved to the same city I live in and she came over and hung out with me and my husband. We sat around and ate Chinese food and watched my new Sex and the City dvds, so it was ok!

[ProfessorGAC]

14. We Did Mexican Food

But we went out. I've been hobbling around with the MS for over 10 days, so i refused to baby it. We just got in the convertible and drove to the next town south.

Glad the "sicks" didn't ruin your b-day.
The Professor

[Iris]

15. Hope your current battle with MS is over soon.

I have a friend with MS and I know how it comes and goes - and usually is around at the least convenient times!

[LynneSin]

16. Maybe there's a neighbor who can walk her for you

:shrug:

[Chilly_Willy]

18. Imagine the other way around

Your dog gets sick and all of a sudden you are locked in your apt and theres a lock on your toilet...what do you do?

[Iris]

19. good point.

Although, she does have a "back up plan". Sometimes she refuses to go out in the rain or she needs to go when we're not home, so she pees on the rug in our bathroom. We can pick it up and throw it in the washer, so it's a reasonable compromise!

[Chilly_Willy]

20. compromise

Good idea. I hope you do feel better!

[RebelOne]

21. Yep, I know the feeling

My dog expects her walk every night after I come home from work. I have to walk down a hill to take her to the field to do her business. And climbing back up the hill is a bitch. Especially in the summer months. I'm dripping with sweat and huffing and puffing by the time I get into the house. Doesn't seem to bother her, though.