Yeah, Not A Chance

[Lorcan]

So I recently got out of hospital after a two week stay from a head injury. I'm fine and great and all (2 weeks in hospital is really boring, btw), but I had to get some emergency care for my two while I was suddenly not at home. Now that I'm back Comet is fine and his usual self, but Blitzen has a problem.

See, the people looking after them fed them, filled water bottles, everything like that, but there was no handling involved because they weren't comfortable doing it. Which means any progress made with Blitzen in being handled has now essentially been lost. He won't settle, continually fights to be put down, and lifting him for more than a few seconds clearly causes him distress, so I don't want to push it. Except he has a really matted butt.

I could cut it out but with the way he's reacting to being handled it's not safe to do so. I realise I've got to work on this with him and that...but in the meantime, he's got a matted butt. It does appear to be just his fur and it's not causing him any movement problems, and obviously I don't want to upset him (I really can't explain properly how badly he's reacting to being handled, it's obviously not his fault but it's actually quite distressing for me to see too, considering how well he'd been doing about the whole thing) - should I attempt to do something about the matts, or would I be better off leaving it a couple of days to let him calm?

 

[Mother Hubbard]

Sorry to hear you haven't been well, and thank goodness you had someone to do the essentials.

No fear, given time Blitzen will come round. I waited for 2 years for Flossie..yes that is right...2 years for her to come round. My view on your predicament, and whilst may not be favoured, I would just go for it. I would even suggest giving him a bath, I know that it might take 2 pairs of hands and he'll wriggle like nobodies business, however after wrapped up in a warm towel, given some of his favourite food and finally being dried off, he will feel better. Your nerves might be a little frayed but worth it. Persistence with handling again and favourite food for bribes.

 

[Lorcan]

Sadly I don't have the two pairs of hands required, living alone has its downsides He also won't stop fighting with me long enough to even wipe his bum down, nevermind giving him a bum bath.

Okay, I'll admit it, I'm moderately terrified of losing a limb. But I'm also worried about scaring B to death. He's actually easier to physically hold on to than Comet (by virtue of being a long skinny sod to Comet's chunky) but argh. I know you can't plan for head injuries but I chose a hell of a time to get one :/

2 years though, I can definitely see that. I almost wondered if that's what I had on my hands when B first arrived. He settled far more quickly than I thought he would, though he still really likes the taste of my fleece for some reason. He's easier to pick up when I'm wearing the fleece. It's the little things, lol.