Whether the weakness was stable, improving, or worsening.
Whether he showed signs of pain.
And whether he could urinate and defecate normally.
His habit of dragging the bed also provided an everyday glimpse of his function.
Milo clearly had determination and useful strength in his front half.
But watching his rear legs follow behind made his limitations difficult to miss.
Sometimes the mattress moved more smoothly than Milo did.
Olive Had Her Own Slow Routine
Olive’s days moved at a different pace.
A senior Great Dane with arthritis does not need to be pushed into unnecessary activity to prove she is improving.
Comfort mattered.
So did maintaining whatever safe mobility she still had.
She needed opportunities to stand and move without slipping, but also enough rest to avoid excessive strain.
Getting off the cot could take time.
Turning could be deliberate.
Settling back down was sometimes a process rather than a single movement.
And almost every time Olive changed where she rested, there was Milo.
Awake again.
Watching.
Then reaching for the edge of his mattress.
Eventually, Staff Could Predict What Would Happen
Clean the recovery run.
Straighten Olive’s cot.
Place Milo’s mattress nearby.
Give the dogs time to settle.
Then wait.
Soon Milo would take hold of the bed.
Pull.
Rest.
Pull again.
Eventually, most of the mattress disappeared underneath Olive’s cot.