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Broken Hip, Orthopedic Surgery Tomorrow
- Thread starter John Popp
- Start date
John Popp
Site Supporter
Thanks Paige!
I do have a few toys with tails that hang though the top of the crate. With some effort he can pull them through, but that has definitely been working some. The TV is on during the day and Animal Planet provides some entertainment and we had a good run at it yesterday. Actually a talk show does as good as anything and when one of the pundits starts getting animated and talking with their hands his curiosity is piqued and totally focused.
Still, the objects of desire always seem to be outside the crate and the amount of time we can keep him calm outside continually shrinks. Then the things he really wants to do inside or out of the crate aren't conducive to his recovery, such as jumping in out of his litter box. When that gets too frenzied I need to give him a brief time out in the carrier and without any fuss he gets in and lays down. As he doesn't seem to mind being in there at all, I generally allow him be the guide as to when it's time to go back to the crate.
I wish he was more motivated by food as I'm sure there would be something I could do there. I also really appreciate the other advice and I'll try to expand on the suggestions posed.
Thanks again!
I do have a few toys with tails that hang though the top of the crate. With some effort he can pull them through, but that has definitely been working some. The TV is on during the day and Animal Planet provides some entertainment and we had a good run at it yesterday. Actually a talk show does as good as anything and when one of the pundits starts getting animated and talking with their hands his curiosity is piqued and totally focused.
Still, the objects of desire always seem to be outside the crate and the amount of time we can keep him calm outside continually shrinks. Then the things he really wants to do inside or out of the crate aren't conducive to his recovery, such as jumping in out of his litter box. When that gets too frenzied I need to give him a brief time out in the carrier and without any fuss he gets in and lays down. As he doesn't seem to mind being in there at all, I generally allow him be the guide as to when it's time to go back to the crate.
I wish he was more motivated by food as I'm sure there would be something I could do there. I also really appreciate the other advice and I'll try to expand on the suggestions posed.
Thanks again!
John Popp
Site Supporter
Another week gone by and things are pretty settled in. Both my wife and I have a collection of games we play with Chongo through the bars of the crate, and outside the crate he is a lot better about just chilling out. I can lay down with him for about an hour without him making an attempt to bolt, and it's generally my eyes getting heavy that gets him back in the crate.
He's moving around better than ever and his occasional helpless yelping pleas have subsided. Not that we ever left him wanting for attention, just that he is more content with his reality. He's grown a ton in the last month and now tips the scales at 12lbs and is probably 2 inches taller at the shoulder. Definitely a pretty big boy at just over 6 months, still being able to feel his ribs and see his svelte partially shaved tummy. Best of all, it's not going to be much longer until we can't tell where he was shaved.
Nearly half way done, and another 4 weeks to go.
He's moving around better than ever and his occasional helpless yelping pleas have subsided. Not that we ever left him wanting for attention, just that he is more content with his reality. He's grown a ton in the last month and now tips the scales at 12lbs and is probably 2 inches taller at the shoulder. Definitely a pretty big boy at just over 6 months, still being able to feel his ribs and see his svelte partially shaved tummy. Best of all, it's not going to be much longer until we can't tell where he was shaved.
Nearly half way done, and another 4 weeks to go.
Tina Kinsley
Savannah Super Cat
I can't believe you're halfway there already (although I'm sure it doesn't feel like already to you and your wife!). I'm so glad Chongo is healing so well.
John Popp
Site Supporter
Thanks Tina and Patti!
Those first few days were really long and every day we seem to figure out things that make life easier for all of us. I also must have the mojo on myself because pulling him out of the crate this evening, and all he wants to do is rabbit kick me. Just trying to get back at the man, always trying to hold him down and caged up. I'm sure it'll be better in an hour or so and looking over my shoulder I can't help but to laugh as he tries to gnaw through the bars.
Those first few days were really long and every day we seem to figure out things that make life easier for all of us. I also must have the mojo on myself because pulling him out of the crate this evening, and all he wants to do is rabbit kick me. Just trying to get back at the man, always trying to hold him down and caged up. I'm sure it'll be better in an hour or so and looking over my shoulder I can't help but to laugh as he tries to gnaw through the bars.
John Popp
Site Supporter
Just a quick shot of Chongo in the crate. The old woven blanket is heavy enough that he can't easily move it and prevents him from seeing how far he can kick litter. I also really don't like that the litter box has become a play area like a child's sandbox.
He's up on top of a small perch made with a small shoe box size wooden box, cotton batting and a pillow case. Placed in the crate to eliminate the void between the litter box and the side so he won't get tangled up. Perch, litter box, bed, repeat. It can go on for hours
He's also using his laser vision, ears and head tucked down to avoid the ensuing flames of trying to burn a hole through the blanket as he is assured that freedom is just on the other side. Raising up the floor doesn't give him a lot of headroom, but we really couldn't have him bouncing around as he was when he first came home.
He's up on top of a small perch made with a small shoe box size wooden box, cotton batting and a pillow case. Placed in the crate to eliminate the void between the litter box and the side so he won't get tangled up. Perch, litter box, bed, repeat. It can go on for hours
He's also using his laser vision, ears and head tucked down to avoid the ensuing flames of trying to burn a hole through the blanket as he is assured that freedom is just on the other side. Raising up the floor doesn't give him a lot of headroom, but we really couldn't have him bouncing around as he was when he first came home.