My World is Shrinking [Archive] - Simple Living Forums

Teacher Terry

4-8-19, 11:25pm

I just realized my world is shrinking and never thought it would happen to me. So 4 years ago while power walking my big dog the sidewalk was uneven and I tripped and had a head injury. So I slowed down. Then my husband was gone and I fell outside on the ice when taking the dogs to pee which was at night and very cold. What if I had hit my head and been out there all night? Luckily I only broke my wrist and was able to get the dogs inside.

dado potato

4-9-19, 12:04am

Pobrecita! A fall and a broken wrist to mend is truly unfortunate.

Take care now.

You might like to think about Mehitabel the cat.... there's a dance in the old dame yet. toujours gai, archie. toujours gai.

Yppej

4-9-19, 5:01am

This is why I do not have a dog now.

rosarugosa

4-9-19, 5:44am

I'm sorry, Terry. Hope you mend quickly.

razz

4-9-19, 7:21am

So sorry to hear of your challenges and hope that your recovery rebuilds your confidence. It is a battle that each of us will face.

I am examining or have examined my world after my dog died. After a lot of thought, I realized that what others see as major obstacles, I can accept and agree with OR as I have done in every other part of my life, vigorously review my personal behaviour management practices.

So, I am now going to add to my household a 9 month-old beagle. He is much smaller than my previous dog, I have two crates, one in my living room and BR for keeping him safe and secure; a dog walker as needed; a friend who will dog-sit when needed; I will get my hour and half walks as per usual with him; and I get his company throughout my day as well as get to play daily with a delightful little guy.

I do not underestimate the concern about falling on ice or other similar challenges but my small yard and house are suitable for my long-term activities for the next 20 years. That is why I bought it. Life is full of surprises but I live each day without borrowing tomorrow's problems.

Lainey

4-9-19, 8:45am

I hope you heal quickly, TT.
Here's a recent article about the jump in serious injuries to seniors who are walking their leashed dogs:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2019/03/07/seniors-walking-dogs-put-themselves-risk-injury-study-suggests/3090053002/

I know pets are important but I like razz's thoughtful approach on pet ownership and management.

iris lilies

4-9-19, 9:42am

I love you all for walking your dogs!

I have a breed that is notoriously lazy, so the only dog walking I do is for some of our foster dogs. Our last foster guy who needed walking was two years ago.

Razz, that is so great that you are getting another dog! Beagles are extremely cute.

pinkytoe

4-9-19, 9:51am

iris lilies

4-9-19, 9:54am

My much older SIL (in St Louis) was telling me how this past winter they actually crawled out the front door to get the newspaper out of fear of slipping on the ice.
I am reading a book now written by an 80 something yr old which is about the shrinking of one's world - Measure of My Days.
yes, my friend fell and broke her wrist in the most recent ice storm here in St. Louis. Crawling is a good adaptation to ice.

JaneV2.0

4-9-19, 10:38am

Crawling is out for me; I'd have to call 911 to get back on my feet. Fortunately, we have little ice or snow.

Teacher Terry

4-9-19, 10:46am

Maltese will only walk in good weather. They do have potty pads but I have to take them out at bedtime and first thing in the morning or they will just pee anywhere. My house and yard are designed for aging in place. Great Razz you got a dog. It just really sucks that this is happening at65.

sweetana3

4-9-19, 10:48am

And it does not take dogs or ice or snow. A friend slipped on some steps and fell so heavily on the sidewalk that she broke both bones in her upper thigh between a replaced hip and knee. The only good thing was she did not damage either of them. However, it was a 57 staple surgery and many months of being bed ridden. She now needs a bone graft because part is not healing. If not for her husband and two grown daughters, she would have spent the time in a rehab or nursing home.

Simplemind

4-9-19, 11:02am

A friend took his second fall on his steeply sloped property this winter. He never takes his cellphone when out walking the dog, this time he did. For some reason he called several people before calling 911. He had shattered his leg and tried to crawl back to the house and couldn't make it. He is in a rural area and was going into hypothermia by the time the ambulance got there. They are now selling their house and moving back into town. My husband still suffers from a bit of vertigo post stroke and can feel like a weeble. He got a prong collar for our largest (95lb) dog who tends to pull so he could more easily keep his balance. We just started Tai Chi to work on our balance and one of the exercises is learning how to fall to lessen the chance of injury. My son who is an EMT/Firefighter is always over here looking for tripping hazards and slippery wood stairs. He lives in fear of me breaking a hip. My MIL just broke her hip a couple of days ago by missing her chair by a couple of inches.

Teacher Terry

4-9-19, 12:03pm

We tried tai chi thinking it would be good for us. At the end of the hour my husband’s knees were killing him and I had thrown my back out badly. It took a month and a bunch of chiropractic trips before I felt better.

catherine

4-9-19, 1:25pm

I love bigger dogs, like Labs, or like my Border Collie mix. But I, too, have been seriously considering what I would get if we were to get another dog (which we inevitably will, when the time is right.)

I really don't think I want another big, high energy dog, but DH does. I think I need to pull rank on this, though, since I'm the family dog-walker. I'd also like to consider a dog that doesn't shed. I'm sick of dog hair all over the place.

Terry, I hope your wrist heals quickly!! Falls are so scary.

Teacher Terry

4-9-19, 1:33pm

Thanks Catholic. Maltese, poodles, yorkies and shitzu’s don’t shed.

catherine

4-9-19, 1:54pm

For the fun of it I went onto a "What dog breed should I get" website, and they suggested Wheaten Terrier, Schnauzer, and Lagotto Romangnolo (??? what the heck is that?)

I've always loved Wheaten Terriers, so that's a possibility I guess. Here's the link in case anyone is interested. I like it because you can narrow it down to different categories before you even start the quiz.

https://www.selectadogbreed.com/

Simplemind

4-9-19, 4:33pm

We got an Irish (Setter) doodle in December. Our other big lug is 9yrs and has always been high strung. We thought the pup might mellow her out and serve as good company and she in turn could help train the little. Well...………. it wasn't love at first sight but now they are inseparable. They are a riot together and the little has put mucho spring back into the bigger's steps. The pup has been steadily gaining at least 2lbs a week. Both her parents are 75lbs so we shall see. Her feet are bigger than the older dog who is a Newfie/German Shepherd mix and is 95lbs. I prefer a bigger dog because I like walking on the trails in our area and feel a bit safer even though the Newfie would do a Scooby doo in a heartbeat if somebody pushed it. She at least looks like she could be protective. Doodle bugs is nothing more than an adorable comic sidekick. The Newfie sheds like there is no tomorrow, the doodle not at all.

razz

4-9-19, 5:06pm

Thanks for the link, Cath.

It recommends that I should get a Beaglier, a cross of a Beagle and a Cavalier King Charles spaniel. My little Benny which/who I will pick up from the breeder tomorrow is a Beagle so I am on the right track. I had looked at spaniels but having experienced the care required in our little Cocker Spaniel years ago, I prefer a short-haired dog like a Beagle with a double layer of hair so more tolerant of cold weather but easy to groom.

When TT posted above that Maltese need good weather, I had not thought that dogs were that sensitive so learned something new about dogs. I had thought that Chihuahuas were cold sensitive but was told that they can tolerate cold temps very well but nor for prolonged time.

Teacher Terry

4-9-19, 5:14pm

The Maltese wear sweaters in the house in the winter. They don’t do well in heat either. Delicate flowers:)) We had beagles growing up and they are high energy great family dogs. However, they are escape artists so check your fence really well.

iris lilies

4-9-19, 6:06pm

Teacher Terry

4-9-19, 6:15pm

My dad loved beagles and used them to hunt rabbits.

catherine

4-9-19, 6:22pm

After looking up Lagotto Romangnolo, it's adorable and really fills the bill except that if I were to get a pure bred it would be 3,000-4,000 and that is definitely counter to my principles in terms of getting shelter/rescue dogs. It's also counter to my financial goals at this stage of my life.

Maybe I can find a mix at some point.

pinkytoe

4-9-19, 6:27pm

Seems like every senior that walks at our park has either a Maltese, Lhasa Apso (sp?) or Schnauzer. It's sad but I love finally being dog-free after years of owning them. However, I am lately enamored of Shiba Inus.

Teacher Terry

4-9-19, 8:12pm

I got my first dog as a adult 15 years ago. I would never be without one. Although, I have not added as they have died. We will unfortunately be down to 2 soon as Mandy has kidney disease.

frugal-one

4-9-19, 8:20pm

This past winter was the worst!!! For the first time ever.... have reserved a spot in warmer climes this coming winter. A sign of age that a person can't tolerate the cold and flees winter!!! I am looking forward to being gone.

Teacher Terry

4-9-19, 8:25pm

In 22 years we have only had 4 real winters so usually it’s not a big deal.

dado potato

4-9-19, 8:32pm

@Teacher Terry

Dog breeds aside, is Your World shrinking, Dearie?

I still carry a hot ember from 1962, the National Library Week theme: Read and watch your world grow.

By damn, I went to the Carnegie Public Library consistently.

Be well! I hope there will be some consolation for you in literature.

rosarugosa

4-10-19, 5:50am

lmerullo

4-10-19, 6:54am

Huge schnauzer fan!

We got the first as a downsize from a Labrador. The lab passed, and I wanted something that would travel better, hypoallergenic, but still a deterrent to break ins and protective. She fit the bill!

Now we have two schnauzers, one large 25lb maltipoo and a toy poodle. Having recently added the toy,.I am catching on to the pocket pet trend. He hopefully will fly with me in two weeks. Never done that before!

razz

4-10-19, 9:20am

I knew nothing about shiba inus dogs so looked them up online. They are cute but too much dog for me according to this site:
https://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/shibainu.html

"People often find themselves drawn to the Shiba Inu because he is conveniently sized, handsome and hardy, easy to groom, and clean and quiet indoors. However.... these interested potential owners must explore this breed in more depth, else they might be making a big mistake.
The Shiba Inu, you see, is very challenging to raise and train. A bold, high-spirited "big dog in a small body," he must always be kept on-leash, for he has a high prey drive and quick reflexes and will pursue anything that moves. He can outrun and outdodge any human....and frequently does, for he has an independent spirit. Shibas are true runners..."

catherine

4-10-19, 10:15am

Haha, the Shibu Inus reminds me of a Jack Russell terrier. I wouldn't choose a high-strung, high energy dog. I had a high energy dog with my Lab/Border Collie mix, but she was far from destructive or manic. She waited until she got outside to unleash her wonderful herding instincts and agility skills.

Teacher Terry

4-10-19, 11:13am

IM, we have flown frequently with the little ones and it’s super easy. I have a side sling I wear and then your hands are free. I practice around the house and other places so by the time you fly the dog lays in it fine.

Teacher Terry

4-20-19, 1:17pm

After 3 months got my cast off and my wrist is stiff and feels weird. The hand specialist gave me exercises to do and said if not better in a month he will order PT. I still have some pain.

mschrisgo2

4-20-19, 5:41pm

When I broke my wrist 2 years ago the physical therapist was an excellent help! He got everything moving again, then I practiced the exercises he gave me. I also spent lots of time just working at getting my healing hand/wrist to mirror the good one. That really helped as well.

gimmethesimplelife

4-20-19, 10:26pm

Since I joined here in the Summer of 2005, I have had three hospitalizations and each time I felt this, that my world was shrinking. Especially with the last one - which was due to a liver infection. The recovery from that one took longer than I would have guessed and the first few days home I was in a great deal of pain and on pain killers - oxycodone, the pill that's such a big deal these days.

Getting to the point, I spent a good week at home doing very very very little, kind of staring off into space and feeling absolutely blank and weak and exhausted. One day I woke up and my pain was almost gone, there was no need for a pain killer, and I felt not cured but a little more with it. My mind was no longer blank and I was having coherent thoughts and even had the energy to make a phone call. From there things slowly got better and a few weeks later I was back in the game again.....I'm hoping you find this to be the same for you.....some time passes and then back in the game 100 percent again. Wishing you the best, TT......Rob