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Permalink Reply by Linda on August 19, 2014 at 7:10pm

I take it you have to step into the tub to shower.  Can you have a hand held shower head put on...they aren't expensive.  Then you can join Sully in the tub...with bathing suit or nekkid....and just kneel down in the tub to wash him and with the hand held shower head it's easy to wet and rinse them.

I understand the difficulties, I have a fusion in my lower back which makes bending over difficult and getting up from the ground hard to do.  Luckily I do have a groomer close by but there have been times I've needed to rinse off muddy dogs and cats that pee in their pet taxi on trips back from the vet.  I can kneel in the tub and get myself up but baths..forget it, I need a crane to lift my butt up.

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Permalink Reply by Holly on August 19, 2014 at 11:29pm

Thanks Linda! You sound like you and I have very similar physical issues. I do have a hand held shower. Since Sully has trouble getting into and out of the shower I am thinking about a couple of kiddy stools that little ones use to reach the sink. I just thought of it today. Wonder if that would help. If I started to fall into the tub I think the stool would keep me up just high enough to manage getting back up with the bars. On a side note, my helpless little dog who cannot get into the tub without help somehow managed to reach my backpack on the counter, 3-plus feet, unzip the zippers, and pull out a snack, leaving everything else untouched. Crazy!

Thanks again Linda.

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Permalink Reply by Beverly Butler Redford & Tucker on August 20, 2014 at 10:27am

Are there any mobile groomers in your area?  There are several companies here in Las Vegas that come to you in a mobile van.  Also, check online for balance exercises.  They can be as simple as standing on one leg while holding a chair.  A shower chair might also be helpful.  That way you can sit in the tub with Sully,

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Permalink Reply by Vicky Hay on August 20, 2014 at 6:24pm

 Ouch! This is one of my recurring scary nightmares. Glad you're OK!

I also have to lift pooches into the tub and wash them with a handheld shower gadget, with back pain and old-age issues engaged. It's difficult, to say the least.

Rubbermaid makes little plastic stepstools, like small tables. I used to use them as feeding stands for the Gershep and the Greyhound, and I'm pretty sure the things are still made. Here's one at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Rubbermaid-Home-420087BISQU-Step-Stool/dp/B00...

If you can fit on it, this might work as a handy portable dog-washing seat inside a tub or shower stall. Sure would be a lot better than trying to stand or kneel to do the job.

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Permalink Reply by Anna Morelli on August 20, 2014 at 8:09pm

Ouch! Glad you are safe.  My Mowgli fits in a Laundry sink, also known as Utility sink, do you have one? If not, maybe that's something you could request. The plastic ones are deep and fit a Corgi just fine, if Sully is not too heavy for you to lift into it.  You would then be standing, which makes things easy and they make hand shower attachments for sinks.  Non of this is particularly expensive.

http://www.faucet.com/swanstone-pt-1-white-polypropylene-22-gallon-...

For the shower, I have a very small corner unit and when I sprained my knee and was on crutches, I managed to fit a small plastic lawn chair in there.  You may have room to try that.  The plastic Rubbermaid step stool may also help, but would be harder to get up from compared to the chair.  Let us know what works.

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Permalink Reply by Holly on August 22, 2014 at 11:27pm

Thanks to everyone for all the ideas. A shower chair may work, but I think a small, non-slip stool would be easier since I would be closer to reach Sully, Standing is not an option unless I have hands free to hold onto the bars and I need two hands to manage Sully's bathing. I currently sit/kneel on the floor beside the tub, or sit on the side of the tub. The side of the tub is harder to maintain balance, but sitting on a small stool would be safer and easier no doubt. It would also give us more room if I actually end up in the tub with her. Though neither of us is that big, I think using a stool outside, or a bench seat that can be height adjusted are the key. I would never get her into a laundry sink, but I wish I could. I may also try a thick rubber mat for traction and safety. The tub has a non-slip bottom, but apparently, Sully and I do not. Thanks again all!

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