Bearlington

Hello, There is a herbal medicine called Devils Claw which has amazing anti inflamatory properties, its a liquid that you add to their food but you need to be just as vigilent as with pharma anti inflamatories as it can damage the stomach if used incorrectly. My GS Cross had arthritis in her spine and adding extra oil to her diet seemed to help a bit too. What made the most difference was taking her swimming twice a week but I get that is not practical for everyone. If you are interested in the Devil's Claw then you are most likely to find it at equestrian supplement sites. Cuddles for your poorly hound

Thanks Saf, I have had a look at the toys and I am going to get some to look at, although it may be a while before she can use them, as they may be just a bit too exciting at the moment but once she is a bit calmer they will be great. The clicker training thing is genius, I had thought about it but had my head struck in formal training mode rather than fun mode and I wasn't sure what to try, so you have done me a real favour there we started working on smile as soon as I saw your post yesterday because thats really easy on her back but when that is established I plan to move on to 'hide' , and perhaps see if she could do something with her lovely ears such as 'surprise'. The food thing I really feel quite stupid about, you are right I was giving her kongs in addition to her meals, its just the thing that dinner goes in a dinner bowl, anyway, she has had a tiny breakfast in her bowl for some of her medicine but after todays little swim we are going to have a very gentle game of find the lunch, indoors but will work towards daily 'food hunt' in the garden once she is a little more settled. Can't thank you enough - sometimes you are just too close to the wood to see the trees. Tilly sent you an ear wash (she thinks its just great, hope you don't mind)

Hello, Wonder if any of you might be able to help, my little collie girl Tilly has a herniated disc in her back, and she needs to rest (if only I could find a way to explain it to her) - she hasn't been out for a walk for 6 weeks, we did try one short walk but she got so excited that she jumped about on her lead and we are now back to square one. I have asked the vet about meds to calm her but it would be for a long time and neither of us are that keen. She is already on Tramadol which is supposed to have a sedative effect anyway but she is used to 2 hour long walks a day all off lead and she swam for 40 minutes twice a week against the jets, so she was a busy and fit little girl, even though she is 11. She has had a very difficult year, she lost her best friend just before Christmas, but I can't bring another dog into the house until she is fixed. She is stressed, unhappy and unable to entertain herself so she chewing holes in her feet, climbing the walls etc etc. I have managed to get the vet to agree to gentle swimming twice a week but even that is frustrating for her as she used to go for fun and fitness so she expects to tear up and down at 100 miles an hour and now she has to wear a life jacket and swim slowly, which she thinks is just rubbish. The injury to her back is a pain but I am more worried about her depression, so was looking for any very gentle games that anyone might know which would keep her mentally stimulated and reduce her stress. She suffers from Inflamatory bowel disease so bones etc are out but I have tried Kongs and Treatballs which worked for a while but she has now got them figured out and so is no longer that interested. If you have any ideas, however silly they might sound, please just go ahead and post them up and I will give them a try, desperate to get her better and get another oldie into both our lives. Thanks,

Ok little collie has a disc injury in her spine so is on bed rest for a minimum of 6 weeks & then hopefully a very slow rehab. This at least might explain why her mixes with other dogs have not gone great, poor little thing was in lots of pain. Obviously not a great time to think about bringing a new dog in to the family (however much I might want one) so I will get her fixed and then start looking here again - just didn't want anyone to think I was time wasting.

Tilly our collie is in the vets tomorrow to try and work out why she is so lame, think we would like to have a bit more of a chat about lassie to see if you think she might fit in with our girl. Can you let me know how this might work best (email, chat on the phone etc). Thanks

I have looked at both of them, my little collie can be a bit grumpy but we think it's because she misses her big sister! We go to hydrotherapy every week so the little girl with the ligament problem might benefit but we have cats - don't really mind who comes here it's just too empty with only 1doggy. Will have a chat and come back - really appreciate your comments, it makes it easier :-)

Have checked with the other site and she has already got a reserve on her, but can't be unhappy because at least it means that she will have a happy home and someone else can come here instead - we just need to find them

Oh that's such a lovely idea, I should like to light one for Bear who died suddenly the week before Christmas and left the biggest hole in our lives, we miss her so much x

Yes thank you Zico's mum, thats the girl that I am looking for. There is a gap in our home that I think she is just the right size to fill (assuming she likes us)

Hello We would like to meet Dolly and take her home if possible. The lady we spoke to on the phone said she might have a home and to check on the forum. We have never been here before does anyone know where we need to go please? Thanks in advance