DIAPERS, DIAPERS, DIAPERS (PART 3): CARING FOR A NEWBORN AND A SENIOR DOG AT THE SAME TIME

BY: JULIE, THE MUTTLY CREW

We brought our other blessing home. The day before, we gave one of our baby’s hats to my mother-in-law for Teddy to sniff before he met him. After we arrived home from the hospital, Teddy greeted my hubby and me, but he kept his distance from our new addition. He wasn’t interested in getting to know his little brother. And things didn’t get easier right away with Teddy. I won’t even go into us juggling getting up every 1 to 2 hours for our baby boy while tending to Teddy nearly every 2.5 hours. Sleep deprivation. Happiness and frustration. Inundated with feedings, newborn troubleshooting (sorry, don’t have a better word for it), Pampers and Bodhi Dog diaper changes! It was just insanity. I also had a great loss in the family within 2 weeks of our boy being born so it was a very sad time too. A few weeks after our blessing’s home debut, Teddy actually got better!  There were still accidents and times he needed a little more help to relieve himself. But now these incidents were few and far between. This miracle happened after many weeks of Teddy’s father mainly having to express him EVERY time he went to pee outside and then giving teddy a brief walk. It’s all about timing. There is a very short period of time when we can express Teddy’s bladder. It’s right after leaving the building and quickly getting his diaper off. He gets in a position, gaining momentum where his belly/bladder area is firm and we can express him. But then it softens quickly and he then can’t be effectively “squeezed.” So it’s racing out the door while hoping no one else is exiting or coming in the building at the same time where it can slow us down. Because Teddy will start peeing as soon as he thinks he is technically outside or can’t hold it anymore. Props to him for holding it as much as he has on a daily basis! On many outings, Teddy also would be unable to pee after his first run. It would just be frustrating and painful for Teddy to keep trying and moving with his bad back.  Before, when I referred to our “walks,” that’s what I meant.  Then after that initial relief, we try to walk him a bit if he is comfortable enough to endure it. It depends on his back, sometimes it seems to get better and he can take on some light exercise. Rest seems to help his have backache relief. This was our lifestyle: doing the daily tasks of work, chores and obligations. We focus on the baby being healthy and enjoying him while ensuring Teddy could pee okay and didn't have any infections.(Teddy & Johnny)    Teddy remained cautious, quiet and kept his distance from the baby. But most importantly, he was gentle. He didn’t mess with the baby and the baby, well, couldn’t mess with him anyway. He was a newborn!  But Teddy was annoyed.  They just coexisted. But our baby boy never flinched when Teddy walked by or looked at him. He was intrigued with this cute, quiet, big moving stuffed animal! At this point, whenever one of us was awake and not tending to the baby, he won’t leave that person alone to even nap himself. He was starting to look like his condition was improving.  Although he was getting better because we could relieve him every day, he was mad our attention was primarily on the baby. Particularly mine. And he made us pay for it from time to time with vindictive leaking and peeing. Yes, of course, many times he can’t help but we have known him for 13 years. Sometimes he is sending us a message! Through this entire experience, I have felt we have grown.  It became as much about becoming more patient, sympathetic and empathetic toward our Teddybear as it was about getting him to feel better and live his best life.  Managing challenging situations for the greater good. He is our furry child and we will never give up on him.