As Lola has trundled on towards senior status, I’ve been looking out for symptoms that typically come on in old age. When I noticed that she no longer carried her tail curved over her back I was alarmed, then sad, then accepted it as inevitable, although I hadn’t known that it could happen. At the age of eleven she began to walk more and more slowly. It got to the point where it was difficult crossing roads within the time available at pedestrian crossings. One morning, not far from home, I let her off lead in a park to wander and sniff. When it was time to continue, she refused to move. I put her lead on and took a step in various directions to entice her onwards and the only direction that appealed was the one that led home. I took her back, then continued the walk with just Indie.

Assuming she had some joint pain I added supplements to her food and gave up on regular walks. From then on, when we were about to take a walk I would pick up her lead and wait to see what she wanted. Her way of saying no was to back up a couple of steps and sit down.

I’ve taught human Anatomy and Physiology for a number of years at different levels, and due to a set of circumstances ended up in charge of Surface and Living Anatomy at an Acupuncture College. I’m used to identifying anatomical landmarks and had noticed some years previously that I could easily palpate Lola’s linea alba. On humans this is the vertical depression made of connective tissue that joins the left and right sides of the abdominal muscles. You only really notice it as part of a six-pack on a very well developed, muscular abdomen with little to no fat over the top.

One day Lola had a bad tummy and threw up part of her breakfast in the garden. I was standing over her to make sure she was okay and noticed that her abdominal muscles were bunching up weirdly along her sides. I was aware that women can suffer from diastasis recti during pregnancy, where the left and right abdominal muscles separate. I didn’t know it could happen to dogs. The ideal next step would have been to visit the vet for confirmation, but this happened mid-2020 and vets were only open for emergency consultations. Online, I found other dog owners who confirmed that this had happened with their own dogs and there was no remedy for the condition.

The one thing I thought might help was to offer some support for the abdominal organs that would usually be held in place by a healthy muscle wall. So I made her a stretchy, close fitting vest. The first one was a patterned cotton with lycra, but it needed more stretch. Then I found some fabric with “4-way stretch”, like swimming-costume fabric. It was supportive and firm, but easy to get on and off. I made three so that I’d have spares for days when Lola rolls in something mucky. Luckily she has never minded being handled or dressed-up and co-operates when I need to put something on her. It seemed to do the trick and reignited her joy of walkies. She’s still a little slow, and spends a ridiculous amount of time sniffing, but we have adapted to that. I also made a little step to help her get up onto the sofa. She completely ignores it.