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.