For a few nights in a row now, I’ve been practicing doggy massage on Tzipporah. It started when Mom was worried that Tzippy hadn’t pooped in a few days, so she asked me to try to massage her, the way I used to do with Cricket, after her knee surgeries way back when. I’d just seen a video on Facebook about using massage to help dogs regulate their nervous systems, so it seemed like kismet, especially now that I could actually walk across the room again without fear of falling down.
I sat down in front of Tzippy’s bed and started by massaging that space between her eyes, the one that makes her eyes half close, and then I lightly stretched and rotated her ears, and found the spot on her jaw that the video said might hold a lot of tension. I also removed the goop while I was in the area, though I don’t think that was especially calming for her.
Next, the video said to run a finger down her spine, from the bottom of her neck to the top of her tail. I did it a few times, and I’m not sure if it accomplished anything, but at least she didn’t seem to mind too much. Then I tried the tapping, which I was circumspect about, because it involved just tapping lightly on her legs and back and head. I didn’t notice any reaction from her in particular, except maybe some side eye. I even tried pressing her paw pads and bending and straightening each paw, which she did not like at all, pulling her legs under her body like a turtle hiding its head. And finally, I did the regular massage I used to do on Cricket, pressing on the muscles on either side of her spine, looking for tension and possible knots. I didn’t move on to the stretching exercises Cricket used to love, because Tzippy was already curling into herself by then, trying to make herself as small as possible. But within a half an hour, she’d left a poop on the wee wee pad in the hall, so I was encouraged to keep trying and to see if maybe massage could help more than just her digestive system.
It’s progress, I think, that she’s willing to tolerate these short nightly sessions, even if she still thinks Mommy is very weird. She’s still escaping whenever I walk into the room, so I have to wait for her to be completely wiped out before starting the massage or else she’ll run away. But some things are changing for the better. I made myself pasta with melted cheese the other day (I’m still sticking to the soft foods diet, just in case), and I noticed her staring at me, so I held a piece of curly pasta out to her and she slowly, carefully, took it with her teeth, brought it over to her bed, and ate it with gusto. And then she took the long way around the coffee table again, and stared at me with her head tilted to the side, and waited for me to hold out another piece of pasta. It was the first time she’d ever taken food directly from my hand (even with the prized chicken treats, I have to put the treat down and walk away before she’ll go near it), so maybe the massage really is having an effect. Either that, or, just like my human students, she really really loves macaroni and cheese.
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I’m impressed by your massage skills. When you’re done with Tzippy, could you give me one? Seriously, that’s a fantastic way to get things moving again for her.
Cricket used to demand hour long massages, even barking at me if I skipped one of her favorite stretches. Tzippy, not so much. But hopefully each small step adds up.
I wonder if the massage is a variant of Shiatsu massage. I like the idea of rewarding Tzippy with mac and cheese, too.
It’s a mish mosh at this point, whatever I can remember from various books and videos. I have to be careful with the cheese because it can upset her tummy, but a little bit can’t hurt, right?
Small amounts of dairy should be OK.
She is so cute. Massage and pasta? I think those agree with her!
You’re just projecting, Lois.
Dang it! Busted!
I hope the massaging is helping. I’ve only ever had a therapeutic massage once. It was painful, but I think it was worthwhile.
I hope the massages continue to help Tzippy. It seems like she’s slowly forming a bond with you.
My little ‘Pebble’ absolutely loves to be massaged – any kind, just as long as it’s daily and long lasting. She generally poops when on a walk. Oh, she is spoiled and gorgeous. Good to read you are both eating better! It can only improve in time. 🤗
I think those massages are the winning recipe.
I’m glad you had some good results so quickly and that you’re feeling better too.
I’m glad that Tzippy tolerated the massage and took the pasta straight from your hand! So much improvement from when she first moved in!!!
Sounds like a nice service maybe you can name it Pet Massage & Pasta!
Aww.
Tzippy and Reiko seem to share some behaviors. Both run from their
ownersservants when approached and both are reluctant hand feeders but improving. I’d try doggie massage but I cannot touch Reiko even when offering prime food treats. When presenting medicines after her recent flea debacle, I discovered that the supreme treat from her perspective is a warm ball of sharp cheddar cheese. I melt a tiny a bit of the sharp cheddar and form a ball around the meds then leave it on a paper towel near her hiding place and when I am not around she will come out and take it – 100% successful so far! I experimented and found out that the cheese ball must be warm. It must be sharp cheddar. It must be offered from a distance. If any of those conditions are unmet, the medicine is rejected outright.She’s such a cutie, and good girl for pooping on the mat!
Maya loves cheese too. She also likes rubs, either behind the ears, her shoulders, or best, her rump!
She’s not as tactile as Maggie was, but she is getting to be quite loving.
Sounds like progress to me. 🙂
I agree with you; Tzippy seems to be growing stronger by allowing these massage sessions and because she took food directly (and more icebreaking-like) from your hand. Her relationship with you is improving, and I’m sensing that massage and pasta could continue to help her and motivate her more,