Typist: Brychwyn I have had a front limp on and off since I was 12 weeks old. There have been times where there was a reason I limped, like that I slipped or tripped. Other times, I've just limped without a known cause. The limp never lasts more than 24 hours. Three different vets have felt my legs and shoulders. They all have said that I don't have nearly as much front paw turn out or knuckling over as they have seen in my breed. I have no issues that require surgery. Nothing has prompted them to want x-rays or ultrasounds. Like any long-backed breed, I was very careful about the level of exercise done when I was younger. No jumping. No 5K runs. It's a mystery why I limp sometimes. Maybe I'm just fragile.
First, I get my intense exercise in short bursts. I don't go for very long runs. I cannot do an hour long agility class. My playtime with other dogs is best limited to a half an hour. I really like interval walk/runs with Bethany. We walk several miles very briskly and run for a block or a block and a half every few blocks. I do intense exercise at least 2 times and often 4 times a day but only in very short bursts of 15-20 minutes and no more than 30 minutes. Second, I get a lot of warm-up and cool down time. We do a lot of range of motion exercise before a work-out. I do spins to the right and left, warming up my spine. I stand still and just follow a treat with my head up and down, left and right, warming up my neck. I do "push-ups" ("sit" to "down" to "stand" to "down" to "sit" and repeat!) I do core and balance work, that is also great for my joints, on balance discs. I get stretched and massaged before and after exercise too. Bethany and Jason focus a lot on massaging on my neck and shoulders. I also have a SAMP come see me twice a month.
Finally, I get a lot of my intense herding dog energy out by using my brain instead of my brawn. Because I don't enjoy agility like the collie and the dachshund, I get to do more obedience work (which I love) as well as learn more tricks for sports like Rally Freestyle Elements, Treibball and Freestyle. I also very much enjoy scent games (Nosework) and treat puzzles. I'm not sure if you have ever known any cardigan corgis, but we are not really ones to show or admit to weaknesses. I really hope that my opening up to you about my chronic limp and how I still manage to stay active, lean, fit and, most importantly, happy is inspirational. No matter what a dogs age or issues, there is always a way for them to be a fit dog. Always consult a veterinarian about the nature of your dogs specific injuries and physical limitations. Check with your veterinarian before beginning or changing your dogs exercise routine. Cascadian Nomads was not asked to or paid to promote any businesses or organizations mentioned and linked in this post. We're just sharing information or stuff we like! Today, April 17th, is Bethany's Birthday. As a gift, we let her put silly stuff on us & take pictures. We are very good dogs who deserve way more treats for doing this wonderful thing.
Now, I love my family and they love me. Most of them are dog people. I have fond memories of summer picnics as I child where there were more dogs running around in the yard than there were kids. But that has changed. My grandparents, aunts and uncles travel a lot and don't have pets. Most of my cousins are too busy having babies for pets. They're still dog people there just aren't as many dogs around. And even if I did have an aunt or uncle or cousin with a dog or two, could I ask to stay with them and add three more? It is a huge imposition.
Yesterday, I called my aunt about camping at her place when I first arrive in New York because she lives closer to my cousins evening wedding reception. After all the driving the dogs and I will be doing to get to New York, I thought it would be good for me and especially for the dogs to do less once we arrive. She spent a bit of the conversation trying to figure out where I could sleep. It was so kind of her to try to accommodate us. But I was asking to pitch a tent. She mentioned the little house or the loft in the barn. I told her I would be so happy to have a shower I didn't have to put quarters into and flat, dry land. I reassured her there was nothing for her to worry about because I will have two tents with me and I am camping my way across the country to get there. "I really don't mind staying in my tent!" I think we were settled on me and the dogs camping while at her place leading up to my cousins reception but then I told her I was going to camp at Chautauqua Lake for the rest of my stay. The comedy of my trying not impose all this fur and chaos on my family and them sweetly trying to accommodate us continued. I appreciated the update my aunt gave me on how the remodel of the house at Chautauqua Lake is going. My mom had already told me the bathroom was done which was really all I needed to know. My aunt told me the floors were almost done and that the bedroom was done. "But I am fine with just pitching my tent." She told me the bedroom is good and that she and my uncle had stayed there in October. It finally came down to me telling her I didn't want my dogs to mess anything up at the house. I don't think they would. But I really do want to stay in my tent. I believe I made it sound like I am not only imposing on my family with three dogs but three crazy dogs. Maybe I will bring their obedience ribbons. No matter what, this sure is going to be a fun adventure. And, best of all, we get to stay in the tent! |
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