Goin' to the Dogs!

[Marie2020]

Thank you all for the laughter you have put in some amazing posts today

 

[baymule]

@SPedigrees what about putting cleats across the ramp to give Mabel more traction?

 

[flowerbug]

or maybe the feel is just wrong on her feet? do you have any old towels?

 

[Pulsegleaner]

I love this one!

View attachment 70308

This HAS to be from somewhere in Asia, those are MUCH bigger rose apples than I have ever seen here in the states.

 

[SPedigrees]

@SPedigrees what about putting cleats across the ramp to give Mabel more traction?

Thanks for the suggestion, but it's covered in in outdoor carpeting, aka astroturf, a comfortable non-slip surface. She and other dogs before her have used this same ramp for decades.

She spent all day yesterday running in circles and barking to express her dislike of the new set-up. Finally after dark she came in, ate dinner, and slept exhausted all night long.

This morning she went back out, and refused to come back in for breakfast. It's now well after dark and she is choosing to remain outside with the wolves and coyotes. This after I taxed myself further yesterday by moving the 4th and final ramp part into place, giving her a vast expanse of ramp while leaving steps barely accessible for myself.

She did this same thing back when I got the new roof on the house, and moved the ramps for the first time, except back then when she finally accepted the new set-up as law, she chose to use the stairs. It took her weeks to stop circling around to where the ramps had been, hoping to enter by the old way.

Now I have decreed that her stair climbing days are over now, lest she become totally crippled by the shoulder issue. So now in crazy-Mabel fashion, she's choosing to go feral rather than accept the change. At this point I'm too tired and have too much to do to argue with her. You can't fix stupid, but you can wait it out.

 

[baymule]

Could Mabel have doggie dementia?

 

[ducks4you]

You might want to buy a harness like I got my dog, Pyg (2007-2023, RIP) to lift her up and down the 3 front steps. It has a handle on the top and she had slimmed down to about 40 pounds. I am concerned about the coyotes, especially if they are coywolves who lure domestic dogs out to play and then the pack attacks them viciously (no details here, but you get the picture.)

 

[SPedigrees]

I am concerned about the coyotes, especially if they are coywolves

I was kidding.

Mabel is not actually self-banished to the great outdoors but just to the confines of a large fenced in yard, with shelter freely available in a little den under the porch and above ground inside the enclosed back porch that leads to the kitchen, furnished with cushy dog beds.

While we do have coyotes (whose DNA tests positive for both Eastern timber wolves and domestic dogs) these animals are reclusive and have never in 50 years wandered near the house nor tried to breach the steel wire fence connected to the house that encircles the yard. Coyote attacks against dogs or humans are exceedingly rare in my state. Mabel weighs about 40 pounds but looks bigger so she's not a likely target.

My Chihuahuas on the other hand, needed watching over while outdoors. Hawks especially are a concern for the safety of tiny dogs.

I'm open to possibilities and do appreciate the suggestions. However Mabel may be 13 and arthritic, but tame and docile she is not. When she is on a tear, running in circles, barking like a wild woman, there is no catching her. She goes willingly DOWN the ramp; UP is the problem, but getting hold of her and managing to haul her up those steps in a sling without dislocating my back or losing my balance isn't likely.

Update: She came in again tonight, had a dinner that was intended for breakfast earlier, drank some water (not as much I'd have thought. She's certainly eating snow, but I wouldn't think that would amount to much liquid intake), and I managed to brush her again same as last night, keeping the tangle monster at bay for another day. She had her late night snack (turkey and part of a scrambled egg with a drink of milk) and now she's sleeping. At least she's spending the nights as a domestic house pet! This is two nights in a row she's come back in up the ramp of her own accord, so this is going in the right direction. I'm not worried about her at this point.

 

[SPedigrees]

Could Mabel have doggie dementia?

It crossed my mind, believe me! LOL I don't think so, not in the sense of old age dementia. I had a collie who in his last year would walk into a corner and then be unable to figure out how to get out. I'd have to help him. But this isn't like that.

I do think Mabel has mental/emotional problems but they've been present since she was a puppy. She has all sorts of phobias, is terrified of strange people (although she gets on well with other dogs) and terrified of the front porch - won't go out there because scary delivery people come there and leave scary packages. She's not doing well as an only dog since we lost little Cocoa a few months back. I'd really like to keep my life simpler, but still I find myself flirting with the idea of adding a companion for her. I know she'd be happier with a friend.

 

[baymule]

Getting a dog for your dog…… one reason is as good as another.