I thought about you and Dasher most of the night! He isn't the first dog to be put on "bed rest" and get bored, so there has to be ideas out there. I still think the vet is a good first start. I empathize with Dasher. At age 28 I got pneumonia and spent 9 weeks out of work and on bed rest. I was SO bored! Solitaire, cross words and word finders only kept me occupied for just so long!

I was wondering about a few things. First you know how at Thanksgiving we hear about the trypto . . . . (I can't remember the word) which is in turkey and makes us sleepy? Could you give him 2 or 3 slices of turkey about 15 minutes before you leave him, so he will be dozing? Not the sliced deli turkey as all that stuff is high in salt and probably not good (or ask the vet). But turkey breast.

If your back yard is enclosed, could you do a few games out there. I thought about "seek and find." Before he goes out, you put a few little piles of kibble here and there. Just 5 pieces or so. Once he is outside, he wanders about looking for the piles. Once he gets the hang of it, put them somewhere different. He is just walking about, not running or excited. Only problem I thought of is the time of year; what do you do to keep warm while he is sauntering about.

And I am not familiar with the "stuffed Kong" someone mentioned. But that or some other toy(s) that he ONLY gets while he is alone. So it is something new to keep his attention.

Best wishes!
Sandra