The Water Boy

Well we've been very busy recently.  We've moved house and now Sonny has a wonderful 2 acre field to run around all to himself.  It's completely dog proof which is a bonus and he's been busy checking out all the boundaries just to make sure no one got in last night when he was in bed.

We have started an intensive regime of physiotherapy, (exercises to maintain his muscle memory) 2 to 3 times a day, plus hydrotherapy twice a week.  We have also purchased him a pair of boots for his two back feet which due to his foot dragging have worn his poor claws down to the quick.  Despite being a dog who is deeply suspicious of all things new he seems to have taken to this onslaught of new additions to his life with remarkable vigour.  With the condition that he has got, which is degenerative, walking at speed seems to work better than slow and unsteady.  The most difficult part is the stopping to relieve himself when he can look as though he's almost going to topple over before he makes it and he's off at a trot again (after we've cleared up of course.)

In hydrotherapy he is transformed, none of the wobbliness is there as the water supports him and he can glide along and turn with the grace of a ballerina.  It is so wonderful to see him like that again and if it keeps his muscles strong so that he can go on for a bit longer that is all to the good.  Without insurance the cost of course is no small thing.  However the alternative is to do nothing and watch him deteriorate which I cannot bear to do. 

Moving on

Moving home can be a really stressful time for any pet.  Poor Sonny has had a lot to contend with over the last 2 or 3 weeks.  He has been surrounded by packing cases and new smells. His routine disrupted, nothing is where it should be.  Not surprisingly this impacted massively on his physical health.  In the few days after the move he was more unsteady and I noticed his two back feet had worn the claws down to the quick.  They were bleeding as clearly all the foot dragging has begun to take effect. If that wasn't enough he kept falling over and collapsing.  We were so concerned about him that we even wondered if his time had come and I spent a very emotional 24 hours thinking that I was going to have to  finally say goodbye to my old pal.  However, after a consultation with a new vet he has rallied and suddenly realised that there is a 2 acre field out the back of the house that is all his own!  The joy on his face as he gambles about like a puppy, without lead or muzzle, experiencing real freedom for the first time in many years is a brilliant boost for us to see.  He is even managing to run for the ball in a limited way which is good exercise for him.  I keep telling him he is such a lucky dog to have this as a retirement home!

Today I have taken him for his first physio appointment and it was hard going trying to overcome his natural aversion to strange people, nice as the physio was.  However, she was very patient with him and suggested we give him a 'wrap'.  This is a technique used in Tellington Touch which simulates swaddling and is designed to increase feelings of safety and security.  This was a new one on me as to my knowledge dogs do not swaddle their pups, however it really made a difference and although he was still wanting to keep as far away as possible from her, he was panting less and prepared to lie down and be stroked.  He even took a treat at the end from her which is a big thing for him to do. In the end I did most of the assessment exercises with him as he was not keen on her touching him but we are going back again next week so he may get used to it.  After that we are going to try water treadmill to see if we can build up the muscles in his poor old legs so that his muscular strength helps to compensate for the nerve dysfunction. 

Even if he only lasts for a few more weeks or months I am so thrilled to be able to do this for him.  Watching my boy go for the ball is really my idea of heaven right now.