| If caring for your dog has become difficult because of | | | | need more easily. |
| weakness, here are some suggestions for | | | | 6. To play with your dog, use flashlights or laser |
| strengthening your physical resources: | | | | pointers. Dogs love chasing the light, and you won't |
| 1. When it comes time for your dog to visit the | | | | have to make a move. |
| veterinarian, investigate mobile veterinarians who will | | | | 7. If you have difficulty performing basic functions for |
| come to your house to see your pet. Mobile | | | | yourself, investigate the use of a service or assistance |
| veterinarians are especially helpful if you have large | | | | dog. Assistance dogs are trained to help people with |
| dogs or several pets. | | | | physical limitations perform their everyday functions. |
| The mobile veterinarian can check on all of the pets at | | | | Assistance dogs are accepted in public places just as |
| one time and give each one his annual vaccinations in | | | | guide dogs and hearing dogs are. |
| one visit. Check the Yellow Pages of your telephone | | | | 8. If you are planning to get a dog, find one with an |
| directory under Veterinarians for listings. | | | | activity level that is less than yours. Dogs do a great |
| 2. If you must have your dog groomed, contact a | | | | job forcing their owners to get exercise and fresh air |
| groomer who operates a mobile facility and, like mobile | | | | each day, but an overly active dog can be a handful |
| veterinarians, will come to your home to conduct the | | | | when your energy hits bottom. Before adopting or |
| necessary grooming. | | | | purchasing a dog, investigate the breed characteristics |
| 3. If you need help giving your dog medicine, fluids, or | | | | and think twice about bringing home one of the more |
| shots, ask your veterinarian if he or she knows of | | | | active breeds. |
| anyone who will make home visits. If not, contact local | | | | 9. A dog, even a small one, may be able to pull the |
| pet-sitters to find ones who will assist you. Many | | | | leash out of your hand or even pull you to the ground |
| pet-sitters are trained to perform these functions for | | | | if you suffer from weakness. Walking your dog in ice |
| the sick pet for owners who cannot perform them for | | | | or snow may be completely out of the question. As an |
| themselves or for owners when they are away. | | | | alternative, use a radio collar as a virtual leash when |
| 4. When feeding and watering your dog, use large | | | | your dog needs to go outside to potty In time and with |
| bowls so that you don't have to refill them as often. | | | | practice, you may not have to activate the radio collar |
| 5. Ask a friend or neighbor to divide your dog's food | | | | because your dog will know the spatial boundaries you |
| into smaller containers so that you can lift what you | | | | have set. |