Thinking about it, I've been dealing with the raw tripe for some time. That stuff is just nasty.

Maybe if I bought a few cans of the Tripett, so much easier to deal with and not even half the smell, I bet that would be a good test. Not sure about the calories in the processed stuff though.

CJ,

I sent you a PM. Mary

Did you ever. Wow Mary, what a wealth of information.

From great low cal food ideas to percentages to cut back to maintain ideal weigh based on decreased exercise. Toys, games and homemade puzzle ideas.

And a great insight on being open to medications that are out there specifically to help with those more trying times.

So very much appreciated Mary. I plan on putting your information to good use. Thank you.

 Quote: CJ Barrett

homemade puzzle ideas.

damn...i thought that said homemade PIZZA ideas...lol

Cj are you still keeping a journal of his progress?
I still think that's a good way to actually see improvements when you think there are none.

lol, That's funny Wendy. And hey, I'm a big supporter of letting fate run its course. Homemade Pizza recipes anyone?

Just kidding. But if you've got a good one, I certainly won't mind if you toss it in here. We'll have to go easy on the cheese for Vince though. Maybe something like tripe and liver on an oval bed of egg bound rice, smothered in anchovy paste.

As far as the journal and his progress goes. I have nothing to report because I can’t observe anything because HE’S NOT ALLOWED TO DO ANYTHING.

I don't know whose feeling more restricted, him or me. Bob takes the other two out on a fun adventure and Vince and I walk up and down the road. Then we go up and down the road again, and then woo hoo, it's back up and down the road.

He's walking very nicely. Thank you very much for asking.

In all honesty though, it's still quite noticeable. I don't know whether the lack of real exercise isn't kicking in those endorphins but he hasn't come back quite like he did the first time and we're on day 9 of this perscription.

He’s doing pretty good with the down time though. Loved his frozen tripe kong once he got over the fact I wasn't going to toss it. And it's not that messy guys. No smell that I found noticeably offensive. And he cleaned it ALL up, no worries there.

Just out of curiosity, what's the verdict on him walking up an incline? Too much stress on the effected area or ? If not, then perhaps a nice walk up a long hill, or an easy hiking trail with an incline? Would be a little more of a "workout". Just a thought.

Personally, I think he could do a slight incline quite nicely. The problem is he would only get 5 minutes up and 5 back down again. She said 5 - 10 minute walks only and stuff like minimal exposure to stairs. We have stairs going out of our house, so he does get a few, which he does fine on but that's where I notice it the most.

And it's not that he really struggles but it's a bit of bunny hop going down. You can tell it's about the most uncomfortable thing for him. That and standing from a down.

We pushed the envelope this morning and were out for about half hour, but that entailed a 10 minute chat with a neighbor. He was in a nice position and on a good note, quite relaxed sitting by my side. So about 10 minutes out and 10 back again.

I'm probably being a bit of a rebel with that and Bob wondered what took me so long but it's such a beautiful morning.

He doesn't seem any worse for wear and is relaxing nicely now.

ooohhh...what about swimming?
i know you're in BC, and im not sure of the weather out there right now and how cold it is, but could that be a low impact option for him????

on a side note....Are you using the Tripe in a can??? I keep wanting to add it to Tuckers diet but have a hard time finding it other than the canned version. I guess I should add it gradually though. I would think too much at one of something that rich would be hard on any dogs stomach.

The reason I asked about the journal is because you could even just write down that he moved around for 10 minutes today, compared to 5 yesterday. Or that he had an easier time going outside, he squatted instead of lifting his leg, or lifted his leg instead of squatting. Got up easier from a down position...things like that. It might seem futile, but it may be that he's improving very gradually but it can't be seen each day because you can't compare it to anything???

Yeah, I haven't got quite that detailed in writing but it's certainly stuff I notice every day and it's kind of up and down at this point. As for peeing, he kind of just stands there. Not a lot of enthusiasm. He really just wants to run and play.

As far as the tripe, they get raw tripe with their meals but I stuffed his kong with Tripett, the canned stuff. When I first found out about the Tripett, they all got a third of the can. It just kind of worked out that way. I wouldn't have had any hesitations feeding a bit more. Half a can for sure, but my boys are used to quite a wide variety of foods.

And yeah, I don't think swimming is on the menu just yet. Pretty cool here still and the therapy tank is too far away for just an exercise session.

Just wanted to say keep up the excellent work and my prayers for a full recovery.

You said the stairs are the most uncomfortable for him.
I don't know how many you have buy you could block off a portion on the side with plywood some grip tape or turf and make it a ramp. It would be easier for him so he won't have to bunny hop and aggravate it more, just a thought.