General Chat

Its so lovely and very touching how much interest you kind people are showing. Just to let you know Ralph has now learnt how to get up and down steps - which is a real worry! I was hanging up some washing turned round and he was sitting there wagging his taile at me, having got down three very steep steps from the back french windows! So another alert. He was fast asleep on the sofa (yes, I know, I wasnt going to let him on there but the old man was napping with him on his lap) and Ralph was dreaming . And do you know, even in his dreams he was wagging his little tail, bless him. I wonder what he was thinking about. At the end of our 340 foot garden we have laid out a wild flower meadow (only a little one) and he loves running through that because the flowers attract so many butterflies and they all fly as he pushes through the grasses. Plus he was fascinated by a low circling giant dragon fly (the boys used to call that size a '747' when they were little. Its wonderful to see the joy in his little face.

Heather, I am so sorry you are still having problems with Ralph and his boots. Maybe if you left it for a couple of days and then tried again. June xx

Keep trying - he probably associates anyone touching his stump with pain. Ann

Hi Heather Thanks for the update - love reading about Ralph! Sorry to hear you're having problems but hope you get it sorted. Debby

Heather know what you mean about vets the gloves would be worth a try or finger stalls from the chemist if they were big enough Howardxx

Thanks Howard, Im not a person who easily gives up. I am reluctant to go to vet or rspca, as no doubt like the vet they will say, off with his leg. I dont think this is necessary as long as the stump doesnt get sore. Someone has suggested to me to buy some gardening gloves (the suede type) cut the fingers off and put one of those on the stump. Problem is actually keeping it on there.

Heather have you got an RSPCA clinic near you that you can go to for some advice Don t give up there will be a party when you suceed good luck Howardxx

Thanks everyone, I think we have tried just about every way now. Weve tried when he is asleep, when he is playing with one of us whilst laying on his back. No luck. He withdraws the leg and you end up with a gap between the stump and the foot of the boot.

Keep trying - if he wont wear a boot, then i doubt he'll wear a prosthesis.If you lay him on his back, head towards you on your lap could someone hold his , i suppose, thigh ( if a dog can be said to have a thigh) a gently press so his leg extends? it wont hurt , honest! or doesn't he have that much of a stump? jess

Good luck with the boot. He's a lucky dog to have someone like you to care for him. Hope it all goes well!

Keep at it, Heather! Hope you succeed. x

Heather, I suppose you've tried putting the boots on while he's asleep? Our dog had to wear a bandage on a paw for a while, after he stood on some broken glass hidden beneath a snowfall and cut his pad badly. He kept pulling the bandage off, despite all our efforts to keep it on, and the only way we could get it back on each time was to do it while he was asleep. CB >|<

Heather dont get too despondent over this. I am sure it is just teething troubles and he will get used to it in time. Just be patient with him and dont get too upset over it. See if your vet can come up with any ideas. Good luck Marilyn

Still no success guys. Feel bitterly disappointed at mo. He wont put his stump down, just withdraws it up so you cant actually get the boot on and tied round - not without using a lot of physical pressure which obviously you cant do.

Hey Heather.....sorry I missed you yesterday I have every faith in you sweetie...... you'll get there soon enough c x

Morning Heather, I hope Ralph gets used to his boots soon. that is the trouble with puppies they want to chew anything and everything. Germaine x

Good luck Heather. I hope you succeed. Kathy

No luck so far, hubby not home yet so I have given up. Ralph has nearly chewed my arm to bits whilst I was attempting to fit boot (The ladies in Clarks shoe shops never had this trouble). Wondering if they are going to be any good. Sister rang me to say on the internet is a number of sites for prothesis - but Ive looked and they are all in the USA. And about £500 for a paw. (Which I suppose would be reasonable between all of the family IF they made them here). Fingers crossed I get the bootee on but I cant see how at the moment.

Hi Heather, How you getting on?? How about giving him something so bloomin tasty to chew on that he won't want to know about who messing with his feet? XX Sioux

Looking forward to seeing the photos. have fun!