What a week! I’m overwhelmed by how many of you wrote to offer best wishes and helpful suggestions! I haven’t the strength to reply to so many, so please accept my hearty thank you!
Apparently my elbow and ulna bone were damaged, too. But as they kindly cracked in place the remedy’s the same as for the broken shoulder: Tincture of Time.
Starting yesterday I began doctor-prescribed exercises to be done throughout the day, which consist of my bending enough to let my arm hang free. I swing it in twenty increasingly larger circles, rest a minute, then do twenty more in the opposite direction. A little discomfort offers big agility gains down the road.
Bryn-dog and I drove to Bay City to enroll her in another doggy daycare/training facility. (She attends a fine one in Traverse City, too.) I’ll use it intermittently throughout this convalescence because she needs much more exercise than I’m currently able to provide. (Even though I do drive to dog parks here in Saginaw/Bay City, it can be a harrowing experience. I never leave the fence’s shoulder-shelter to scoop up poop. Other owners help with that chore.)
The Bay City KAYBEE K-9 Training Center requires a detailed application and vaccination certificates. I was carefully questioned about Bryn’s temperament.
The woman who owns the business came out to the car to shake hands with Bryn, and generally inspect her. She wasn’t invited in, as all the dogs would bark greetings, and Bryn would be desperate to join them. Chaos could ensue.
Besides offering daycare for those dogs who already grasp rudimentary commands, this facility offers advanced obedience school, agility training, fly-ball, competition/rally skills, and how to be effective therapy or sled dogs.
During my first visit I observed how well dozens of dogs played together in the bright, clean room. Some had ‘timeouts’ and watched the fun from a separate fenced-off area. Others were escorted, once every hour, one-at-a-time, to a special potty break room just off the play area. The rest romped. There were toys, tunnels to explore, tug-of-war ropes, and a myriad of other interesting objects to manipulate. An experienced minder made sure no one was bullied, or was practicing bullying techniques. Little growls and yips during play are allowed. Barking is not. The constant cacophony would be intolerable! One huge St. Bernard lay sprawled in the middle of the floor, inviting delighted littler dogs to climb onto and over him while they played ‘king-of-the-mountain.’
Something remarkable occurred on my second visit, when I returned the application and booked next week’s Orientation Day appointment. A bell sounded, lights flickered, and soft, soothing music blanketed the playroom, which was just off the lobby where I stood. The dogs trotted into their cages, ate a little chow and drank, then settled down for an hour’s nap.
WHAT?!
True.
Just imagine: 53 dogs, ranging from enormous to pocket-sized animals, yawned and nodded off, or, with chins-on-paws, simply gazed thoughtfully out at the now-empty, semi-dark play area.
Silence reigned.
Open-mouthed, I thought about it. Dogs spend the better part of every day asleep at home. So, halfway through a stimulating day here, mandatory Quiet Time is welcomed.
The contented silence, punctuated occasionally by snores, was a masterful demonstration of who’s in charge.
Apparently my elbow and ulna bone were damaged, too. But as they kindly cracked in place the remedy’s the same as for the broken shoulder: Tincture of Time.
Starting yesterday I began doctor-prescribed exercises to be done throughout the day, which consist of my bending enough to let my arm hang free. I swing it in twenty increasingly larger circles, rest a minute, then do twenty more in the opposite direction. A little discomfort offers big agility gains down the road.
Bryn-dog and I drove to Bay City to enroll her in another doggy daycare/training facility. (She attends a fine one in Traverse City, too.) I’ll use it intermittently throughout this convalescence because she needs much more exercise than I’m currently able to provide. (Even though I do drive to dog parks here in Saginaw/Bay City, it can be a harrowing experience. I never leave the fence’s shoulder-shelter to scoop up poop. Other owners help with that chore.)
The Bay City KAYBEE K-9 Training Center requires a detailed application and vaccination certificates. I was carefully questioned about Bryn’s temperament.
The woman who owns the business came out to the car to shake hands with Bryn, and generally inspect her. She wasn’t invited in, as all the dogs would bark greetings, and Bryn would be desperate to join them. Chaos could ensue.
Besides offering daycare for those dogs who already grasp rudimentary commands, this facility offers advanced obedience school, agility training, fly-ball, competition/rally skills, and how to be effective therapy or sled dogs.
During my first visit I observed how well dozens of dogs played together in the bright, clean room. Some had ‘timeouts’ and watched the fun from a separate fenced-off area. Others were escorted, once every hour, one-at-a-time, to a special potty break room just off the play area. The rest romped. There were toys, tunnels to explore, tug-of-war ropes, and a myriad of other interesting objects to manipulate. An experienced minder made sure no one was bullied, or was practicing bullying techniques. Little growls and yips during play are allowed. Barking is not. The constant cacophony would be intolerable! One huge St. Bernard lay sprawled in the middle of the floor, inviting delighted littler dogs to climb onto and over him while they played ‘king-of-the-mountain.’
Something remarkable occurred on my second visit, when I returned the application and booked next week’s Orientation Day appointment. A bell sounded, lights flickered, and soft, soothing music blanketed the playroom, which was just off the lobby where I stood. The dogs trotted into their cages, ate a little chow and drank, then settled down for an hour’s nap.
WHAT?!
True.
Just imagine: 53 dogs, ranging from enormous to pocket-sized animals, yawned and nodded off, or, with chins-on-paws, simply gazed thoughtfully out at the now-empty, semi-dark play area.
Silence reigned.
Open-mouthed, I thought about it. Dogs spend the better part of every day asleep at home. So, halfway through a stimulating day here, mandatory Quiet Time is welcomed.
The contented silence, punctuated occasionally by snores, was a masterful demonstration of who’s in charge.