Wednesday, February 25, 2009

{even the small stuff}

If you follow my blog, you know this little guy below, Coco. He is actually my daughter's dog. But again...if you follow my blog, you know that she is a busy girl, which means I take on most of the care for him.

He is a sweet dog and lots of company during the day. My family teases me for "talking" to him and are waiting for him to one day answer me! "smiles" But, this sweet little dog has a huge problem.....

Uncontrollable Tinkling!

We bought Coco from a breeder a little over a year ago. I didn't want to start with a puppy, because of the time and patience required to house train a dog. Coco was 2 years old and the previous owner assured me he was housebroken. Once home, we quickly realized he was either very confused with his surroundings, or wasn't trained at all. He had a lot of other problems also. He can't hear thunder clatter and seems to have no sense of smell. He just doesn't seem to have all his faculties. But again, he is a sweet dog, and except the wetting is a good dog.

For the last year, we tried everything to housebreak Coco and it seemed we finally had succeeded around the Holidays. And then about a month ago, he was injured in some sort of accident. As he lay up for several days recuperating, we were lenient on him. Unfortunately, when he was "well," his potty habits transgressed terribly! He was worse than ever. I would leave him outside for a very long time, and he would come right in the house and "go." And he "went" excessively!

One night he wet on the piano, a family heirloom, (staining the wood), and a large rug that was practically new, and I lost it! And I don't care what you use to clean, the smell never fully disappears. That was the straw that broke the proverbial camel's back! I know it is only "stuff," but I do try to take care of what I have and he was ruining our home and most everything in it! David could not leave his bookbag or any toys on the floor, it was all fair game to Coco. I went to bed that night very upset, and in desperation, I cried out to God, "please help me with this situation." I knew my daughter would be terribly distraught if we gave the dog away, but at that point I knew that I was out of options. He would have to go.

The next day, I looked online for doggy diapers, what I felt was my last resort. But they were expensive. Averaging $1.00 a piece, I knew that we could easily go through 5-6 a day or more. And I couldn't afford. So I searched eBay, for cheaper diapers, finding BELLY BANDS for dogs.

They are essentially a diaper for boy dogs. But for me, they are a MIRACLE!
You can use them as are, or line the inside with a cheap feminine napkin, which is what I do. The bands can be washed out and napkins disposed of, so they are cost effective! These bands were a God-send! Coco seldom wets them, and when he does, the bands do not leak. My house smells fresh once again! And my furniture and rugs are dry and safe! The morale around our home has improved as well! {I'm not losing my mind! LOL!}

Now this sounds like a commercial for Doggy Belly Bands, and I guess that if you need them, I do highly recommend!
But my point of this post is a testimony of how God answers our prayers and takes care of EVEN THE SMALL STUFF! In the scheme of life, my situation may have seemed not prayer worthy. After all, it wasn't life threatening, no illness, or financial woe, or family in dire need ...the "serious" things we so often take to God in prayer. But, our prayers of any magnitude are important to God, and He is faithful and hears them. God wants to bear our burdens, no matter how big or small. And He answers even the small ones that may seem insignificant.

"Don't worry about anything, but in everything...let your requests be made to God."
Philippians 4:6
~~~~
If you are interested in the dog bands, the seller I purchased from was KINGSWARE on eBay. I am in no way affiliated with this seller, nor do I know them personally. But I was very pleased with the product they offer and service! {The picture above was borrowed from their listing.}
~~~~
Hope everyone is having a wonderful week! ~Rhonda :)

31 comments:

Kristen said...

So glad you found a solution to Coco's issue.
Coco is just the cuttest thing!

Love your blog look

Vintage Whimsy said...

Rhonda,

My mother in law has a dog that has a little tinkling problem when he gets excited and she uses these little bands too. They work really well for Mr. Jingles issues!!

Your puppy is so cute! I love his nose. And you aren't alone in talking to your dogs. I talk to mine all day too! My husband can't say anything about it because he talks to them too! lol

Lori

Tardevil said...

I have never heard of the dog bands, but I have heard that CVS sells doggie diapers (or they use to anyway).

duchess said...

What a great little invention.
Somebody's getting rich off of that one.
Glad it's working for you.

mysteryhistorymom said...

Yeah Rhonda! That has always been my problem. I LOVE dogs, but I cannot potty train them to save my life! I think I'm too much of a softy! Lori

Michelle said...

Well...I've just about seen it all now! Glad you prayers were answered:)

Linda said...

Rhonda, your issue with Coco was most prayer worthy...and God certainly thought so too! It's so comforting to know that God answers "all" of our prayers, even the one's we think not prayer worthy!

Coco is adorble! My little guy Jake became paralyzed in October and we now have to express his bladder about 4 times a day but he dribbles too. My husband is so tired of smelling urine! I'll have to check into these bands. Thanks for the hint.

Unknown said...

Well that is amazing! So glad you found a solution (actually, glad that God led you to it)! :)

Robin Beck said...

Thanks Rhonda... This post is wonderful for me because I have a male chihuahua with the same problem... I do have him trained BUT if I leave home for more then two hours he "can't" hold it. I could put these on him when I go out!
Thanks so much. God IS amazing! He sure does love us doesn't he? :)
Robin~♥

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Rhonda, this is actually something that is very serious to pet owners, and I love how God answered your prayers! That's fabulous!

Love to you!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Four Paws and Co said...

Rhonda,
I sympathize with you! I have 5 dogs, 3 males & 2 females. 2 of the males think it is their purpose in life to mark occasionally, it's usually Bailey, but once in awhile Chief does it too. All my fur babies been spayed or neutered. We have a doggie door for them to go & out & a big back yard, which they use.

We love our dogs to pieces & have replaced all the carpet with Brazilian cherry flooring. (It's #2 on the Janka hardness scale.) We can't put anything down, because "if you put it down, they will come".

Ok, long story short, in order to preserve my sanity, I tried various odor elimination products & found one of the most amazing products on the face of the earth! It's made by Bio Fog & called SCOE X10.

Here's the info for it:
BioFOG, Inc.
5950 Shiloh Road East
Suite H
Alpharetta, GA 30005
sales@SCOE10X.com
http://SCOE10X.com
ph (678) 648-4015

I order on their website & they ship it right away. It's definitely a keeper! ☺
Diane

Anonymous said...

Rhonda,

Glad to hear that you found a solution for Coco. I thought maybe I was going to have to tell you that I would take him, he is so cute.

Funny how God will lead us in the right direction.

Angie said...

Ok...is it just me that wants to see Coco in his Big Boy pants?
:-) I am trying to figure out how they go on. My brother has an Italian Greyhound that uses pee pads and those are soooo gross. I think I may show these to him and see if he would want to try these.

We adopted a cat last year who the moment we brought him in...peed on the carpet. And, then proceeded to pee just about everywhere. Then, he decided he would poo everywhere, too. Even the kids' bookbags! We tried everything for weeks. It was either him or live with the smell of pee and poo. It was not an easy choice..but now he lives in our barn where he seems much happier. I am glad you were able to find such a great solution!

imjacobsmom said...

I'm with Angie, I want to see a picture....LOL! I had a diabetic schnauzer that sure could have used them. He picked one spot in my living room that he would pick when he didn't feel good. If you think that regular urine stinks - I think that the diabetic version is stronger - ugh! We had to rip up the carpet and pad and neutralize the floorboards. It smelled like a kennel for about a week until it was resolved. P-U! I'm keeping these in mind if Miles should ever need them. Thanks! Coco is such a sweetheart! ~ Robyn

Pink Slippers said...

There goes not getting the 'puppy' problems.
He sure is a cutie though. Poor guy!
Not completely whole...but he found the right family didn't he?
Blessings to you!
Wendy

Monogram Queen said...

Honey that situation was DEFINITELY so prayer-worthy! I am so glad you found a solution.
I am very lucky with my Reilly as I have heard Yorkies are notoriously hard to housebreak.
God bless you Rhonda for looking for a solution. So many people give up and "toss" the animal.
Coco is precious!

onlymehere said...

I agree that he even answers the small prayers; however, this was a big prayer for you! It meant a lot to you to not have to break Ashley's heart by giving Coco away. Thanks for sharing this with me today.

Bo said...

Hi Rhonda...what a dilemma you were facing with Coco going or staying...I'm so glad you found a solution. I've been very lucky with my Poms & also with the rescue Pom...he was housebroken but had never used a doggy door...but thankfully he caught on to that in a couple of days. I'll keep these in mind if any friends have issues. ;-) Bo

nikkicrumpet said...

I'm so glad you found a solution so Coco can stay with you. I can only imagine how hard it was when you had to clean up after your sweet little pooch. I agree I think God is there for us through the big and small stuff. I think he understands our needs and helps us no matter how trivial it might seem in the big scheme of things. I believe he is a loving father....and helping his children makes him happy.

Kim said...

Hi Rhonda!

I feel like we are kindred spirits. I will be 40 this year and have been married to my college sweetie for 15 years! He spoils me too - God is Good! And we have two daughters 13 and 9. I am also a Christian, love to shop/sell on Ebay and RMS is my passion (next to blogging). I will follow your blog for sure. Thanks for visiting mine!

Kim

Michele said...

Hi Rhonda ~ so glad you were able to find something for Coco's problems. Thanks for the info..I'm going to pass it on to Glenn's mom! They have a cocker spaniel that pee's everywhere..the house smells to high heaven...yuck!

Hugz,
Michele

SmilingSally said...

It is a terrible thing to give or sell a dog to another with the claim that they are housebroken, when clearly they are NOT. I'm glad that God helped you.

Kellie said...

You know I agree with you on the small things that God answers prayer for us. It is so awesome to see Him in our everyday lives when "ordinary" things need help.

That verse is one of my favorites. :)

Picket said...

Oh Scooter...girl you could be my spiritual twin! I have always believed that God cares about even the smallest matters if they affect us...loved this 'testimony' and I also talk to my pets just like they were kids! lol I am so glad everything worked out and Coco gets to stay where he is loved.

Anonymous said...

Oh My Rhonda! I can relate to most of this post because we had a cocker spaniel that wouldn't leave my side(my daughter's dog) and when I would have to go out I would return to huge messes even tho she was housebroken! I had just redone a small room we left her in only to come home and find doggie doo on new drapes and freshly painted walls where she had jumped up! Yuck, yuck yuck! I found out I was allergic to dogs and we ended up giving her to an elderly lady that lost her husband! I felt like I was reliving your smelly pain all over!lol Glad you found a solution because I still feel bad about giving her away!!! I hear they sell dog pads for the floor that they can go on and then you dispose the mat BUT I think the diapers are far better and easier! Good Luck!lol Sincerely, Jeannette (I read your first post re envelopes - never heard of this but I'm sure will be very effective!)

ThisleRose said...

Rhonda- I happened accross your blog from a comment you left on Vintage Whimsy's blog. I have the same issue with my two dogs and whats worse is that I am not home much during the day to make sure they get to go outside over and over again. Its been horrible and they have been ruining my belongings. I've sort of just adapted to it but Its really been frustrating. THANK YOU for posting this info. I'm going online to buy them right now and I'll tell you how they work!

Justabeachkat said...

I'm so glad there's a happy ending to your story 'cause he is so stinky cute!

Hugs!
Kat

Gigi said...

That is hilarious! There is a product for every problem. So glad you found a solution. Doggy tinkle is no laughing matter.

Tamara Jansen said...

You are patient as an angel :) I take my hat off to you!

Heather said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE this post! How true it is! God knows the desires of our hearts- both big and small!!
So glad you found a solution to the problem and didn't have to boot poor Coco out the door. But if you ever decide to in the future you have my address- just ship him to me!! My kids pee on the floor so what's one more!! LOL!!
Hope you are feeling better!!!
HUGS
Heather:)

{Bellamere Cottage} said...

Hi Rhonda......

I've just read the "tail"...Uhummm......of your pup's problem and God's timely solution.......I'm telling you...I've often said it's the small prayers that God answers that amaze me the most! It reminds me how much he cares for us to even care about the things that to others seem insignificant. Isn't HE amazing? Your story brought tears to my eyes......that's happened a couple of times here in blogland today. I'm so glad you found a great solution.

Many blessings,
Spencer