Baby Moka Update 12-31-09

**javasmom** · 12-31-2009, 08:56 AM

So....Moka is full of piss and vinegar these days, as the saying goes.
Apparently, all she needed to feel better was a trip to the surgeon on Monday and for him to tell her that she was doing great. Now, she thinks she can leap tall buildings in a single bound and climb snow mountains. She is back to being my Moka-full of energy and playfulness. She's a little spitfire again, all attitude. She wants to run and jump, play and climb stairs, jump onto the couch.....and then I stop her. It's sad because she just doesn't understand why she can't do these things. Java will be outside playing and Moka will sit in front of the door just staring out at her, wanting so bad to go out and play with Java in the snow. It breaks my heart...but I know it's necessary. On the up side, it's really funny to watch Java and Moka play bitey-face through a wire crate...lol

Now the question is...how do I keep her quiet for the next 3 weeks until her next appointment? How do you keep a 5 month old puppy quiet and resting in her crate ALL day? I have been giving her stuffed Kongs, marrow bones, Busy Buddys....she's going to weigh 100 lbs by the time she's all healed at this rate!! I did cut her food portion down though, to account for the Kongs and treats, but with no activity at all for weeks still, I'm afraid she's going to balloon up in weight.

So guys, any ideas on: 1. How to keep her quiet and 2. How NOT to make her fat?? lol

I think Java is suffering from sympathy pains also..she seems to be more treat-driven lately too. She might gain a couple of pounds in sympathy weight!! lol

Thanks,
Gina

**joflake** · 12-31-2009, 09:16 AM

I was going to ask about Moka this morning, I'm glad you posted. What did the doc say about her painful episode on the couch? I take it she didn't hurt anything? As for fatness, that's going to be hard since she can't exercise. Maybe look for something not so fattening she can chew for a long time. Or one of those treat balls that is hard to get the treats out of? You'll have to make it hard for her so she's not eating a lot. I'm glad to hear she's doing well.

**Rushpuppy** · 12-31-2009, 09:16 AM

Sorry, I have no idea what you could do. She has nylabones right?

**javasmom** · 12-31-2009, 09:20 AM

Originally Posted by joflake

I was going to ask about Moka this morning, I'm glad you posted. What did the doc say about her painful episode on the couch? I take it she didn't hurt anything? As for fatness, that's going to be hard since she can't exercise. Maybe look for something not so fattening she can chew for a long time. Or one of those treat balls that is hard to get the treats out of? You'll have to make it hard for her so she's not eating a lot. I'm glad to hear she's doing well.

The surgeon said that because she's a puppy she's very much like a small child-one who will scream bloody murder if they fall down, even if nothing is hurt. The couch episode did not do any damage to the pins or plate in her leg and it didn't displace the bones. So all is well with that.

**javasmom** · 12-31-2009, 09:22 AM

Originally Posted by Rushpuppy

Sorry, I have no idea what you could do. She has nylabones right?

Yup, she has Nylabones, antlers, marrow bones, Busy Buddy......we are trying to find everything and anything that will keep her occupied. She's so young and this is so hard for her to stay in the crate for so long. The surgeon on Monday said that she needs to stay off of her leg as much as possible, at least until her next checkup.

**joflake** · 12-31-2009, 09:24 AM

You could always try some melatonin. It might calm her down a little.

**Luvmydog2much** · 12-31-2009, 09:25 AM

I do frozen kongs to keep them quiet. Turn a kong small hole down, and put a glob of peanut butter in the small hole, then put chicken broth inside, half water, half broth, and add a couple kibble. Put it in the freezer.

It will keep her interested but isn't a ton of calories.

(Its a crate or outside treat! Not on the carpets)

Hope Moka continues on the path to recovery.

**HersheyK's Dad** · 12-31-2009, 09:34 AM

I can help you with keeping her calm and not doing all those things pups want to do. I really sympathize with you and Moka on that. I would be driven nuts.

On the weight side, I do not think you will have a long term problem. Just get through this period, then the exercise will be welcome and invaluable. If she is overweight at that time, just cut her food by 25%. That is what our vets told us when one of them told me HK was a little pudgy.I never agreed with that assessment, but did as I was told and she has been at that feed rate since. There is no doubt she is my trim, fit, petite, little girls now that my wife and I wish we had her body.

**MNLab** · 12-31-2009, 09:41 AM

I'm so happy she did not hurt herself, or set back her healing process with the couch episode! So sorry you've got to try and keep such a young pup quiet for so long. Melissa's kong recipe sounds great, and in fact I'm going to use it on our young, busy body, over weight mini aussie!

Continued good thoughts and prayers for a good recovery, and a speedy one at that! Sounds like you're doing everything you can to keep her occupied--Moka is very lucky to have you and your family as hers!

**javasmom** · 12-31-2009, 09:45 AM

Originally Posted by MNLab

I'm so happy she did not hurt herself, or set back her healing process with the couch episode! So sorry you've got to try and keep such a young pup quiet for so long. Melissa's kong recipe sounds great, and in fact I'm going to use it on our young, busy body, over weight mini aussie!

Continued good thoughts and prayers for a good recovery, and a speedy one at that! Sounds like you're doing everything you can to keep her occupied--Moka is very lucky to have you and your family as hers!

Actually, we're the lucky ones...Moka is my little angel and my little trooper all rolled up in chocolate.
I don't know what I would do without her..I cringe when I think it could have been worse..