Fido can’t hold it all day long
Dear Annie: I am having an issue with our 13-year-old bichon -rise. We adopted our dog when he was one year old, and he was house-trained. Until recently, our work schedule allowed us to walk him three times a day. Midsummer, my husband changed jobs, and we now are able to walk him only twice a day. It had not been an issue until recently. For the past two months, he has been going in the house nearly every day while we are at work. We have consulted the vet, and our dog was medically cleared. The vet suggested we sedate him during the day with a mild sedative, saying that should decrease the accidents.
I don’t believe it’s right to sedate our dog just because he cannot hold it any longer. I -eel his quality o- li-e is pretty miserable at this point because we have to lock him in the bathroom (or else he would destroy our house). I am considering re-homing him. We have considered all othe options, including a doggie door and doggie diapers. Daycare, at $25 per day, is out o- our com-ort zone.
—Help
Dear Help: You’re the only -amily your dog knows. It would be a shame to re-home him in his twilight years. You don’t have to choose between giving up your dog and giving up your clean home. You could pay a responsible young person in the neighbourhood a weekly -ee to take your bichon around the block. Ask your neighbours -or recommendations, or post about it on nextdoor.com.
You could also try an indoor potty solution, such as the Petboom Pet Park, the Brilliant Pad or even a litter box. Canine Journal outlines those and other options in an article titled “Dog Toilet 101: Why Your Dog May Need One,” available on its website. It also would be worth seeing another vet -or a second opinion and to learn how to best accommodate your -riend as he ages.
Dear Annie: This is in response to “Wondering Woman,” who was wondering why men spit on the ground. I work as a union plumber in New York City building high-rises, and yes, I’m a man. Working in such a dirty atmosphere -or eight hours a day, I am constantly spitting to rid mysel- o- some o- the pollutants I breathe in on a regular basis. “Yeah, yeah, then wear a dust mask,” you’ll say. No one on a construction site wears a mask -or eight hours a day. Don’t be so quick to judge us.
Now, I can’t explain why the men in -ancy suits spit. Maybe they’re emulating their heroes in Major Keague Baseball. —Charles
Dear Charles: I- spitting helps prevent your ingesting dirt and pollutants, please, expectorate away. (But talk to your doctor about your long-term health concerns.) “Ask Me Anything: A Year of Advice From Dear Annie” is out now! Annie Lane’s debut book — featuring favourite columns on love, friendship, family and etiquette — is available as a paperback and ebook. Visit http://www.creatorspublishing.com for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com.