BEND AND LIFT 300 POUNDS

There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life--music and pets.
Albert Schweitzer & Arkansas Patti

Sorry Albert for the paraphrase but I just had to change “cats” to pets for all kinds of pets perform that wonderful function.



BEND AND LIFT 300 POUNDS

It dawned on me the other day that I lift approximately 300 pounds each day, some days closer to 400 pounds. So why aren't I in better shape? I should have buns of steel and ripped abs but I am pretty much pudding soft.

How do I accomplish this weight lifting feat? I have a 12 pound dog with bad knees that has to be lifted everywhere but on the couch and sometimes even there. He use to be able to jump on the bed by himself, then his double knee surgery pretty much grounded him. I would get him a ramp but my bedroom is so small, that there is no room to put one.

So why does he need to be lifted so often? Actually 25 times is a conservative estimate. Mighty is a foot for foot dog. I move, he moves. I go outside, he must also. A sudden reversal in direction by me will result in a noisy squeal from him as he follows so closely. Being a super wuss, he screams if I come even close to stepping on him. If it is possible, he goes in the car with me, which is more lifting. My computer is near the bed so when I work on it, he asks to be lifted on the bed to be close.

Now he is not noisy or whiny. He just stares with an intensity that is as effective as a howl. He stares when he has to go out side to pee. Since his bladder retention has diminished with age, that is darn often. In the morning on those rare days I sleep in, he stands over my face and stares when he thinks it is time for me to get up. He stares when he wants lifted. His stare is a physical thing---I can feel it.



When I leave the computer to stretch, get a drink, or use the bathroom, he jumps down to follow me. Jumping down is no problem, his front legs are good. Naturally when I return, he needs lifted back up on the bed again. Sometimes, even though he has a step up for the couch, he still gives me the stare to be lifted up on the couch. Perhaps on those days, his knees are worse. I have similar days.

Do I resent him? Does he annoy me?? NEVER, though I am grateful he is not a Rottweiler. I mean, the little fellow is impaired after all. I am just giving care. Besides, even though all the lifting has not given me ripped abs, I try to imagine what I would look like with out my 25 or more “bend and lifts” each day. The image is not pretty. I consider him my personal fitness trainer. Maybe I should fatten him up a wee bit to increase the effectiveness of the work out.

When I hurt my back a while ago, I told Mighty he was going to have to help with the lifting. I would slowly bend down to grab his middle, give the command “Help me” and the little fellow would spring upward ever so slightly. It wasn't a lot, but the slight upward motion made lifting him so much easier. Such a good boy.

So if I lift and place, 12 pounds, 25+ times a day, it is good for us both. Thanks Mighty.

You will have to excuse me just a minute, I'm feeling a stare.

The picture below of some of the cows in my neighbors pasture is mainly for Naomi who wanted to see them. As you can see, all is peaceful in the pasture these days. The Cow Saver has hung up her cape as the dogs are no longer a threat.