Navigating senior years.

[Grumpy Bear]

2 hours ago, Donstar said:

Thank you, friends.  I use to listen to "Animal Intuition" on Sirius XM (Sonya Fitzpatrick).  She believed that part of a previous pet's spirit will emerge in subsequent pets. (reflect us).  We know that adopting another dog in the future would fill the void her passing will leave in our lives.  Currently, we're a firm no to this but...   

 

Not exactly what I meant by reflection.  I meant as they grow with us we develop a style communication with them that we both understand that is unique to that creature and us as a team. More like when I look at my younger brother I can see my dad in him in his manor of speech, his gestures and preferences. A mimic we recognize in each other. We come to anticipate each other; like the wife finishing your sentences.  

 

Example. Rex has been with us ten years come December. When night falls he has multiple ways of communicating the differences between, "Come sit with me on the couch and watch some TV", a soft whine, which is different to "It's bed time, lets go", a punch in the thigh.  If I say okay he spins and heads to bed and I follow. If I say, not yet, he sulks and ambles off to bed taking my pillow. Which is different from "time to go potty", staring at you the head cocks and the ears fold back. I say "Potty"? The ears prick up stiff. If not he's just bored and lays down behind my chair. 

 

I'm certain you all had some type of shorthand. 

[Donstar]

I think I wasn't far off what you meant by reflection.   The radio show I was referring to had the listeners believe part of the spirit of your deceased dog will come to live in your new dog.  I argue it will appear to happen regardless if you believe the spirit of your past pet is in the room.  You train, teach, input the same information to different dogs and they will develop many similar behaviors.  

[Grumpy Bear]

4 hours ago, Donstar said:

I think I wasn't far off what you meant by reflection.   The radio show I was referring to had the listeners believe part of the spirit of your deceased dog will come to live in your new dog.  I argue it will appear to happen regardless if you believe the spirit of your past pet is in the room.  You train, teach, input the same information to different dogs and they will develop many similar behaviors.  

 

Ah yes. I see what you mean now. 

 

 

My first love was horses but dad didn't care for them in the house and they take up allot of the bed so he brought home an abused mut we called Tippy when I was about four. Its been game on ever since. Poop is smaller too. 

 

Tell us about Star and the experience of her. 

 

 

[JW2024]

So when do the senior years officially start?  My wife is always encouraging me to take my “old man” nap. Im

only 50. 

[customboss]

5 minutes ago, JW2024 said:

So when do the senior years officially start?  My wife is always encouraging me to take my “old man” nap. Im

only 50. 

If feel “Old” you are.

[Grumpy Bear]

1 hour ago, JW2024 said:

So when do the senior years officially start?  My wife is always encouraging me to take my “old man” nap. Im

only 50. 

 

At birth It's the start of the slide. The only thing that changes is the steepness of the slope. Enjoy them naps. 

[diyer2]

 I haven't been around here the past few days due to my inability to stand or walk without a lot of back, leg pain. I have been dealing with this for a long time. I had been doing good with pain but I was just sitting all the time. This past Monday I tried to do some mods on the side x side and it was a bad idea. 

 

 Suddenly breath taking pain. The trip from the garage to the bed was very painful with the wifes help. I had a doctors appointment the next day about this problem. Lower back discs are gone and arthritis, nothing new. 

 

Lumbar fusion surgery scheduled for Dec. 8th. I gotta say I'm scared.

[txab]

[Grumpy Bear]

3 hours ago, diyer2 said:

 I haven't been around here the past few days due to my inability to stand or walk without a lot of back, leg pain. I have been dealing with this for a long time. I had been doing good with pain but I was just sitting all the time. This past Monday I tried to do some mods on the side x side and it was a bad idea. 

 

 Suddenly breath taking pain. The trip from the garage to the bed was very painful with the wifes help. I had a doctors appointment the next day about this problem. Lower back discs are gone and arthritis, nothing new. 

 

Lumbar fusion surgery scheduled for Dec. 8th. I gotta say I'm scared.

 

I feel for you. For about 5 or 6 years now I have bouts of about six consecutive weeks mid winter of lumbar 'guarding'. A musculature reaction to pinched nerves from thinning disc. Can't sit, can't stand and can't lie peacefully. Chiropractor has held it at surgeons length for this period but eventually.....

 

Alternating a heating pad and ice packs does provide some limited relief. Hope this goes well for you. 

[customboss]

12 hours ago, diyer2 said:

 I haven't been around here the past few days due to my inability to stand or walk without a lot of back, leg pain. I have been dealing with this for a long time. I had been doing good with pain but I was just sitting all the time. This past Monday I tried to do some mods on the side x side and it was a bad idea. 

 

 Suddenly breath taking pain. The trip from the garage to the bed was very painful with the wifes help. I had a doctors appointment the next day about this problem. Lower back discs are gone and arthritis, nothing new. 

 

Lumbar fusion surgery scheduled for Dec. 8th. I gotta say I'm scared.

 Hang in there. I had C6-C7 fused and it stabilized neck and stopped crushing my spinal cord. Lumbar are still an issue for me too. I don’t sit. I lay or recline or stand. No in between. New hip is helping. Fusion should stabilize you. 
If I can help say so. I’m about 2-3 hours away but can drive again. 

Edited November 8, 2025 by customboss

[diyer2]

Thanks for the offer custom but the wife does a great job. Still dealing with hand recovery from carpal tunnel surgery.

[Donstar]

On 11/7/2025 at 4:13 PM, diyer2 said:

 I haven't been around here the past few days due to my inability to stand or walk without a lot of back, leg pain. I have been dealing with this for a long time. I had been doing good with pain but I was just sitting all the time. This past Monday I tried to do some mods on the side x side and it was a bad idea. 

 

 Suddenly breath taking pain. The trip from the garage to the bed was very painful with the wifes help. I had a doctors appointment the next day about this problem. Lower back discs are gone and arthritis, nothing new. 

 

Lumbar fusion surgery scheduled for Dec. 8th. I gotta say I'm scared.

I'm sorry you're going through this.  Surgery is scary but will most likely improve your quality of life.  You know that doing nothing isn't an option.  You will be on the mend very soon!  Pain and/or muscle guarding can be very debilitating.   While you're waiting for surgery, has your Doctor prescribed effective pain relief?  If s/he has you on prescription pain medication and it's not working ask for something else.  There are  alternatives to the popular pain and muscle relaxant medications.  A couple of things I've learned is pain medication is most effective when used proactively and not to chase pain. Also, you don't have to feel stoned or in a fog to achieve pain relief.

[JW2024]

On 11/7/2025 at 3:54 PM, customboss said:

If feel “Old” you are.

I only feel old when I have to get off the floor.

[Donstar]

1 hour ago, JW2024 said:

I only feel old when I have to get off the floor.

Gravity works only one way.  For the return trip, get one of these:  (seriously)

[Donstar]

^^^If you're unfamiliar with the item in the above post, it's called a "garden kneeler".  I keep one in the house and have it within reach anytime I plan to get on the floor.  They are inexpensive and remarkably useful.