You are more than welcome. Looks like we're about the same age.
If I had your dog right now, I would have to look ahead and think, if he lives 10 years, I will be 73. I am glad you are physically fit, that is such a huge help. Still, you want to protect yourself. I learned something with my dog that is hard to put into words. I lifted my dog for about 3 years because he could not get up from lying down, and more so the last 8 months when he was down completely and could not get up at all. I was very-very careful to use good body mechanics and lift correctly to ensure I did not blow a disk. I knew if I injured my back, there would be no one to care for him. I was careful to keep my back straight and use my knees, etc.
Fortunately, I never blew a disk
but over time there were accumulated small changes in my back that added up. I was not really aware of them because they crept in. There was no obvious "Ouch!" moment (except when I dislocated a rib). Over time, I rotated some vertebrae because I always lifted right handed and you kind of twist when you reach down. I rotated my pelvis, froze the left SI joint, and developed stiffness (fibrous ankylosis) in the spine itself, which was partly able to be broken down with physical therapy later. I finally tore the ligaments in my back when I bent over to pick up something off the floor that was heavier than expected, and since my back would no longer flex, the ligaments just tore.
I have always said I waited way too long to take any kind of anti-inflammatory. Something like Aleve does loosen you up. I wish I had started taking it much sooner. Your goal may have to be to stay flexible, since you already have good strength. And another goal might be to use a lifting aid as much as possible starting as early as possible. Little Milo will have to learn to be patient. Even when he grows into an energetic teenager, he will need to let you tend him in a way that is "long term safe".
And I suppose you and your husband will have to be patient, too, because it is SO much easier to "cheat your future" and lift more than you should because it's quicker at that particular moment, and you're busy. (I was still working full time and always on a tight schedule when my golden retriever went down.) You think, "I'm not a wimp, I can do this." Maybe you can. Maybe your husband can. I did...but it wasn't for free. By the time I got my engine hoist, I'd already been lifting unassisted for 3 years. After my dog passed, I went to physical therapy and tried to undo as much of the damage as possible. I'm still dealing with the ligament damage though, and doing exerises at home over 10 years later.
The very best, most helpful thing I found for my dog was a belly band with handles. My golden retriever wore his belly band 24/7 for the last 3 years of his life. I needed a rear harness to get him to his feet or move him to change his blankets, etc. It was inconvenient, having to put on a harness every time you wanted to do anything, and it was inconvenient having to put it on over/around the belly band. So I sewed straps on his belly bands. It was
wonderful.
https://www.handicappedpets.com/mediawiki/?title=Male_wrap_with_handles
EDIT: THIS MAY NOT BE APPROPRIATE ADVICE FOR THIS CONDITION, SEE viewtopic.php?f=4&t=22078&p=110860#p110860
The best thing I found for skin care, with my dog wearing his belly band 24/7, is original Desitin diaper cream. It is white and contains zinc oxide. If you butter the male area with it, it will stay on and not have to be reapplied for at least a day or two. You don't have to reapply it with every diaper change. And it really works, protecting the skin.
Zinc is toxic if a dog ingests enough of it, so you don't want to use it if your dog is going to lick the area. I asked my vet and he said he hasn't seen a problem with zinc toxicity except in rare cases where a dog swallowed a bunch of coins or something, so he said it was OK. I have another diaper dog who sleeps bare-bottom at night, and I do not use it with her, because it adheres to the skin so well, I'd have a job trying to get it all wiped off at night to be sure she didn't lick it during her grooming when her bottom is bare for 8 hours.
My information may be out of date, but I remember one of the brands (Parents Choice? Goodnights?) had a children's diaper that went up to 125 lbs. People here have tested diapers by pouring measuring cups of water in them to see how much they really hold.
There is also something called a booster pad they use for humans. You put it inside the diaper and it gives added absorbency when the patient is soaking their adult diapers. Though I will say, by the time you have a dog in a belly band with a diaper and the diaper is soaked, it is a physically heavy object for your dog to have around his waist. I was surprised at how heavy the pads were when I removed them from my dog's belly band, but after I thought about it, I shouldn't have been. Liquid is heavy. However if the dog is simply lying in bed, the weight does not matter.
https://www.carewell.com/booster-pads-guide
My one diaper dog is the same way. She dribbles herself empty 24/7. I've never been able to express her because there was never anything there.
I wanted to be absolutely sure I wasn't just missing something so the vet did an ultrasound not long after I got her and another later. Sure enough, she was empty. You are lucky if you have a dog like that!
You did not mention any issues with "Number two". That can be expressed too, if needed.
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=18586
There is one more
link I didn't give. If you
scroll down it shows a Hoyer lift and a suspension bar they use. They call it The Equi-lift Hoist. This is one of the older wheelchair companies and I believe the owner got it (if I understand correctly) because he developed back problems fitting dogs of all sizes with wheelchairs for many years. It may be the most suitable hoist to use, I don't know. You'd think if anyone knew what worked best, he would. I only know I've seen it illustrated on their website.