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Original poster

Self isolating

63 replies

Neptunesgiraffe · 07/03/2020 10:44

Hi! I really dont mean to add to any panic surrounding coronavirus, but I was wondering what you would all do if you were unfortunate enough to have to self isolate. We have a very lively small dog who needs 2 walks a day. Anything less and he would go bonkers. At weekends he has an extra long walk both days (usually a few hours of walking.) Our garden is small and he doesn't play fetch so we cant even exercise him much at home.
Thanks to anyone who read this.

OP posts:
pigsDOfly · 07/03/2020 17:10

Surely if you're not supposed to touch the dog or go out of the room you're in, you can't go into the garden either?

Those rules of self isolation sound terrifying. I live on my own, with the dog, beginning to wonder how I'd manager.

My fear is, what happens if your dog, or any other pet come to that, needs to see a vet, and there's no one else to take him/her?

jinxpixie · 07/03/2020 20:17

pigsDOfly try not to go down the what if line of thought. You have jumped to you and your dog both with a bad illness together.

Be sensible have a thermometer at home for you and dogs ( I suggest different ones!) You can get advice over the phone and the more info you can give a vet the better. Know what you dog looks like when healthy eg heart rate, gum colour etc and again this will help medics you may speak to on the phone. They can drop of medicine etc to you

BUT the odds of both of you being ill together I guess are low.

Dogs will cope with limited exercise

Hovverry · 07/03/2020 21:13

I’d walk my dog at dawn. Nobody around, no danger to anyone and nobody would know. Rural here, it might be harder in a city.

BertieBotts · 07/03/2020 21:31

Do you have a friend or family member who could take the dog in for 2 weeks? A dog walker coming and going twice a day would be too risky. You wouldn't be allowed to just go for walks when nobody is around.

PestyMachtubernahme · 07/03/2020 21:32

FFS self isolation means stay at home

Either your dog gets to stay at home also, or you arrange boarding.

LaurieFairyCake · 07/03/2020 21:37

I think my dog would be fine. I would definitely interact with her.

Floralnomad · 07/03/2020 21:42

If it gets much wetter I’m telling the dog we are self isolating just to avoid the bloody mud irrespective of Covid -19 .

iismum · 07/03/2020 21:46

I’ve been wondering about this - we don’t have a garden and live in the city centre. What would we do?

SapphireSalute · 07/03/2020 21:49

self isolating but not actually got covid?

my pup will get his walk.....might be v early or late but if its people we need to avoid then thats easily done

YgritteSnow · 07/03/2020 23:15

I will walk him at 6 am and then again late at night. I don't care if self isolate means stay at home! to a bunch of MNetters and anyone who doesn't stay at home! is a selfish and horrific human being. There is no risk whatsoever in putting him in the car, driving to a huge park, jogging him round and then straight back home again, seeing and interacting with no one and touching nothing. Some MNetters slavish need to do exactly what authority tells them, without question, and then attack anyone who cannot or who have managed to find a way to adhere to guidance in a way that works for them, never fails to puzzle me.

YgritteSnow · 07/03/2020 23:18

Some people cannot afford boarding. They don't have a suitable or safe garden, they don't have family support, they live in a flat etc. Those people have to find a way to make this guidance work for them and their dog. It's just silly to order people to adhere to the guidance in a way they cannot and smacks of you having no idea of other people's circumstances outside of your own nice house and suitable garden.

pigsDOfly · 08/03/2020 00:08

jinxpixie Yes, you're right and my post makes me sound a bit neurotic reading it back.

My dog has been very ill in the past with pancreatitis, thankfully hasn't had an attack for about seven months now, but I suppose it's something that's always at the back of my mind.

BiteyShark · 08/03/2020 06:24

pigsDOfly tbh I have these worries not related to coronavirus given that we have no family to take care of BiteyDog if both DH and I were very ill.

HasaDigaEebowai · 08/03/2020 08:47

I don't care if self isolate means stay at home!

And that selfish attitude is precisely why we are screwed in this country. China has managed to reduce the number of deaths they have experienced because they've put in place strict measures and have forceably taken away and put into quarantine facilities anyone who does not comply with the rules.

The new legislation in this country allows us to do the same. There are also significant fines possible.

jinxpixie · 08/03/2020 08:52

YgritteSnow I am surprised at your attititude as medical advisors and vets agree with the fact that self isolation means stay at home and go nowwhere.

It is not essential for any dog to have to have a walk (better yes but not life or death) Mental stimulation is equally as good for a period of time.

I will do everything in my power to help the country contain and manage coronavirus and if it means for a time altering my dog walking habits then so be it.

Wolfiefan · 08/03/2020 09:06

If I’m really taken Ill (immunosuppressed) then a friend has agreed to come and take my dogs for the duration. They sleep in a converted garage. She could access them straight from the outside and wouldn’t have to see me.

adaline · 08/03/2020 09:30

Ours would have to cope with ball throwing and brain games, though we do at least have a garden he can go in.

YgritteSnow · 08/03/2020 09:53

Tell me jinxpixie where the risks of contagion are in my approach? There's guidelines and there's common sense. Most people function best in all areas of life with a mixture of the two. Slavish adherence to The Rules with no critical thinking whatsoever is as problematic as complete non adherence imvho.

YgritteSnow · 08/03/2020 09:55

The new legislation in this country allows us to do the same. There are also significant fines possible.

Again can you let me have a link on this or tell me where to find this information please? Genuine question.

jinxpixie · 08/03/2020 10:38

@YgritteSnow I am no medic or viriologist or head of WHO so I have to go by their guidance.

If it just affected me I would be more gung ho and take the risks but this will impact on other people and I do not live by the "I am alright jack" way of life. We all need to work together for a short period of time to help society deal with this. It is not a major event to not walk your dog for a few weeks.

In an laymans terms things that could go wrong with your idea are:-

You will need petrol to drive to your dog walking location
You will use poo bags that will be put in a bin for others to clear away
You will touch gates styles etc
You will have a dog lead that dropped on the floor will spread germs
You dog can have your germs on it which it will rub on things people may touch
Your may have a car accident
You may need to call AA services etc

HasaDigaEebowai · 08/03/2020 10:40

Hang on I'll find the legislation link. Its a statutory instrument and a it wordy (Im a lawyer and have had to read it for work purposes)

HasaDigaEebowai · 08/03/2020 10:41

www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/129/made

HasaDigaEebowai · 08/03/2020 10:43

In summary - we can lock you up , we will lock you up and we will use force if necessary.

pigsDOfly · 08/03/2020 11:05

BiteyShark I'm the same, no one who could take her and I live alone.

I'm sure there must be loads of people in the same position. It is a worry.

HasaDigaEebowai · 08/03/2020 11:14

But dogs don't have to be walked.