Whilst I do agree with those who say 'enjoy what you have' I don't necessarily think this means just giving up and accepting her stiffness - there are definitely things out there that can make a difference. Different things definitely suite different dogs, so its worth trying different things.

You really have helped me so much.

Im not good with Websites. And I cant multiquote. Forgive me.

I am sooooooo chuffed by so many kind words - thank you to all those that have written them. I look for a red faced blushing icon but cant find one. So Il stick with grins.

I have been extremely lucky in my life, granted some very "challenging dogs", to share my life. I have made sooooo many mistakes. But I have chosen to learn from them. And to take that learning and to spread it. And I hope that it helps others.

A serious head injury some years ago, led me to give up my career and focus on my love, dog training. I have been sooooo lucky to have had this wake up call, so early on. It adjusted my thinking to the now. Most of the time at least. Becasue the now is all we have.
Tomorrow I will wake (that's the plan anyway ) and I will count the years of love I have had from my dogs and the love I still receive daily. And I will try to ensure that I repay them. And my friends, who make me strong and teach me. And my customers who make it all possible. And the people I meet in the streeet who give me perspective, and the bed I lie in, that gives me comfort. The flowers that smell lovely, the trees that grow green, the weather that keeps coming, the sun that keeps us all alive. And I will try to enjoy each moment.

Lace could die any second. Any number of bad things COULD happen. But I will not look at those things and focus on them. Why should I spend any moment, thinking of the bad that COULD happen, when I am surrounded by the good that IS happening. "Bad" does happen, but I need not spend the "good" times pondering it - the point of that would be, what exactly???

For those that don't do that appreciation thing, why not try it - it works!

Thank you to all of you for making me feel welcome and useful. I hope that I will continue to be.

I thank you.

Sorry Kirsty for hijacking your very purposful thread. You are trully lovely and I totoally resppect your approach, personality and experince (I need a bow down icon here). I hope that one day we will meet. It will be my proviledge. And thank you for inviting me to Dogsey. Sorry it took me a long te to arrive ,

Thanks again, to all that have made me feel so welcome and useful. What better way to feel in this life than welcome and usefull. ...... I suppose there is always licked to death by an adoring dog..... Connor, where are you when I need an adoring lick??? He's Asleep.....

Thanks again everyone for your lovely replies.

Ziva. I will make a note of the meds you are talking of and speak to the vet about them if needed.

However, I took Flame to the vet today. After a fairly thorough examination, the vet said she thinks the main problem is just the bad arthritis in her hindquarters and possibly also her spine. I told her of the medication we had already tried and that Metacam had been recommended by so many that I would really like to give it a go. So I have come home with a month's supply to try, and see how we get on. Also, the vet agreed with less exercise, but not to stop altogether (2 or 3 short walks a day instead of 1 or 2 long ones) and to continue with hydrotherapy.

Fingers crossed the combination of these things help my special girl

Good one, you have had some good advice there anything is worth a shot hun. Jake, my Boxer, was on Metacam for 3 years along with other med, and I think it was the Metacam that kept him going, he never showed any sign of sickness with it never vomitied or anything.

Good luck

Elaine xxxx