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Life with Bella: The diaper era
By Kim Campbell Thornton
May 25, 2010
When I was a teenager, I made money baby-sitting, to which I attribute the fact that I never had any desire to have kids. One of the things that I was not good at was diapering babies. Or having the diapers stay on. Even the ones with the adhesive tapes would fall off. Luckily my mother was usually next door to provide assistance.
Turns out that I am no better at getting diapers to stay on a dog. After trying a couple of different styles and prowling the incontinence aisles in search of just the right liner, we’ve found one that works, but Jerry is much better at getting it on Bella than I am. It’s always kind of loose and lopsided when I do it. Sort of the same way the diapers were on the neighbors’ kids.
Bella doesn’t wear one all the time. I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t like that, but we’ve reached a workable compromise. When we’re home, we’ve gotten really good at just automatically taking her out any time we see her awake. The rest of the time she is sleeping at my feet, so we are not finding as many unexpected puddles. The diapers have freed us to leave the house for more than two hours at a time, and sometimes we can count on them to give us a full night’s sleep.
I say sometimes because if Bella has to potty in the middle of the night, she apparently doesn’t like doing it in the diaper. I sometimes am wakened by her attempts to rip it off, so I just get up and take her out. But for the most part, wearing it seems to encourage her to “hold it” for longer periods. What usually works best is for me to take her out just before I go to bed, some time between 10 and midnight. Jerry is usually up by 5, so he takes her out then.
There are some advantages to an owl-lark relationship.
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Well, apparently Bella read this and decided we were having too easy a time of it because she just pooped in the living room. Happily, we have my two favorite dog products: wood floors and lots of enzymatic cleanser.
Comment by Kim Thornton — May 25, 2010 @ 6:57 am
Thinking of you, Kim. This is certainly not an easy time, for you or Bella.
Comment by David S. Greene — May 25, 2010 @ 8:00 am
Do they make them small enough for a chihuahua?
Comment by perkysmom — May 25, 2010 @ 8:07 am
Yes they do, perkysmom.
Comment by Kim Thornton — May 25, 2010 @ 8:16 am
Oh, Kim. Bummer!
Dax went through this stage, too. For her, an Aussie, we found that larger kids’ diapers fit her better and stayed on her better. But of course, she didn’t have a tail!
Dax did get to the point where she needed them all the time in the house, especially when she was sleeping as that was when she was so relaxed her bladder would release.
She never left feces in the house; her problem was with her bladder.
Dax was always very distressed when she had an accident in the house so the diapers helped us keep her calmer as her health declined.
My thoughts are with you, Kim. Although this is a special time in a dog’s life - old dogs are a treasure! - it is also a sad time.
Comment by Liz Palika — May 25, 2010 @ 9:07 am
Thanks, Liz and David. Right now it’s a pretty happy time, despite the accidents—an Indian summer time.
Comment by Kim Thornton — May 25, 2010 @ 9:35 am
An Indian summer time! I love that phrase.
I’m afraid Riker is moving towards that, too. He’s still fairly active and loves to play but he’s 11 and his hips are bad. Sigh….
If you need a shoulder or want to vent or cry, you know my email and my phone number. Feel free!
Comment by Liz Palika — May 25, 2010 @ 10:16 am
i also find it very difficult to put a diaper on my puppy. he doesn’t like or he doesn’t feel comfortable wearing it.
Comment by Anne Smith — May 25, 2010 @ 10:18 am
This may be ground you’ve already covered, but I have to ask — have you tried proin for the incontinence?
It’s cheap and effective.
If not proin, then DES from a compounding pharmacy?
Also cheap and effective.
Of course, doesn’t work for every dog. If the source of the incontinence is spinal, I don’t believe these meds will work.
Our last months with Mel, a giant soul laid low by the aftereffects of spinal trauma, were physically taxing and unbelievably sad — and also time I would not have traded for anything in the world.
Yes, she could not walk unassisted in the end. Yes, I laundered bedding and non-slip rugs three times a day. Yes, I ruined my neck helping her. Yes, it was a knife to the heart every time I saw this world-class athlete struggle to rise.
But … she kept a sunny, happy attitude the entire time. She begrudged the universe nothing. She got to be the auntie to Pip’s last litter, and basked in the love of those babies. It was an honor to clean up the poop of my old friend.
Comment by H. Houlahan — May 25, 2010 @ 10:28 am
Aw, such a pretty girl.
I have had so many animals through my house in the past 10 years. Lots of fostering and petsitting.
I just love the oldsters. In my case, it’s usually rabbits but sometimes dogs. I am just so much more cognizant of taking time every day to focus on them, to spend some time just cooing and telling them how great they are.
I take the young ones for granted. I know I shouldn’t do that.
Comment by Mary Mary — May 25, 2010 @ 11:42 am
I think you need to get one of these https://www.mybedazzler.com/ and give those senior garments some bling! She looks like a stylish girl. :O)
Comment by Original Lori — May 25, 2010 @ 1:08 pm
An Indian Summer! I love that! I have a 12 yr old mini dachshund with inflammatory bowel disease. She nearly died before we figured out what the problem was. She’s responding to meds, but I really feel like this is her Indian Summer, too. She’s happy and relatively healthy and loving the world. Couldn’t ask for a better reprieve from illness.
Comment by Sherron — May 25, 2010 @ 2:22 pm
I went through a diaper phase with one of my dogs when she was ill. My dog didn’t have a tail so I had to use a onesie for toddlers over her diaper to keep it on. Not sure if you are having that issue at all but wanted to pass the info on.
Good luck.
Comment by Marie — May 25, 2010 @ 7:08 pm
Hi Kim,
This is Stella, Founder and Designer of Crate Covers and More. I have read your column in Dog World about keeping your house clean while sharing it with your dogs. I really like your article and agree with your tips. I am a clean fanatic but also enjoy sharing our home with our 2 dogs, a Bichon Frise and Scottish Terrier. You mentioned about keeping a washable covering for your furniture and made me think about sending you our Sofa covers made with Crypton Super fabrics so it is waterproof and machine washable - best of all they are made in the USA. They are also stain proof so it is easy to keep it clean. Pls visit our website - http://www.cratecoversandmore.com. If you like to try it will be happy to send you one. Thanks again for your contributions to dog lovers like me.
Stella
Comment by Stella Clary — May 26, 2010 @ 6:24 am