Sunday Morning, up at 8….since Mike is away for the week in Singapore it is my job to rush the dogs out the back door in the morning, all without allowing too much time for Niki to pee and poop along the way. Since her spinal injury she does not have the greatest control over her bowels, and her bladder.

Some of you may already know this, those of us with RA…well we are a bit slow in the morning. It takes a couple of hours for us to “unhinge”. Not only do I feel like the tin man from wizard of Oz in need of a good oiling, so too do I move like him. The dogs and I wander the yard….dogs do their morning thing, I make sure Niki’s bladder is completely empty having to do this twice for I cannot bend so early in the day (her bladder must be “squeezed” to make sure it is completely empty for bacteria can build up causing an infection.

Once inside I then can go do my thing All the while avoiding the mirror….as always my entourage has accompanied me down the hallway into the bathroom. The only thing on my mind is a nice cup of tea….I am not even sure if there is any caffeine in it for I had switched to green tea months ago. It helps with the “unhinging” process for I can wrap my hands around the warm cup. Once the water is up, stove on… me and my entourage wander back outside to fill the kiddie pool. Now, here in the Atlanta area we are still under drought conditions….I am not sure just how strict the county is currently enforcing the outside use of water for while I have followed the rules (with almost a full week of 90 something temp all you have to do is look at my lawn and weeds….dried brown mess….not to mention just how dirty my car is) I have been filling Niki’s pool just about every other day. Well worth any fines that may come my way for during the course of the winter she has lost so much strength and muscle tone. All of which I am uncertain if she can get back….but we will give it our best shot. As to if she is in discomfort….there are some days she moves a little like me. There is no yelping, or crying….just slow movement. I am really unsure if the county would have sympathy due to the fact Niki requires this in order to build her strength back up….or just to keep what she currently has. To view her walking in the water you see those back legs really moving, plus the sit, stand game we play (very tough to have her sit without floating…if she can touch the bottom of the pool….lots of concentration on her part she gets a click and treat). The movement is easier for her in the water, while at the same time it is so much more of a challenge for her… forcing the use of muscles she does not use on a daily basis.

Last summer when I introduced the pool to her she was not a happy camper…and the same this year. Refusing to go near it…..this morning I managed a few shots of her and the other two while I was filling the pool up. She was not happy….but since I had a few tasty treats she gave into sitting by the pool. As the pool fills… time for the birds….they want their feeders filled up. Yes, our wild life has us very well trained

Tea Time….water boiling away I pour the water into my cup and let it steep wile I feed the pups. Now, in my green tea I add a little milk….I know this has shocked some that have actually witnessed me doing this….I just like it that way. While sitting and enjoying my tea….my stiff hands slowly absorbing the warmth from the hot cup I spy the clock, the true testament of just how slow I move in the mornings, 9:45. I smile for I thought I had moved about in a speedy manner. My mind drifts to the fact that it is Sunday…I guess my age but I remember when stores were closed on Sundays, dinner was planned earlier in the day….you got to relax, eat dinner with the family….hmmmmm, sounds good to me. So. plans for the day….hanging out with the dogs, PT for Niki, depending on the heat and smog (bad air along with the heat) will determine how much out side time we get…then….relax.

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Yes…still in the office trying to get things put away…not having any fun So…took a few minutes to scribble something…just to put me in a better mood. Makes things go so much smoother when I take time to create something. I hope my attention span is a little better tomorrow, need to really get this office completed!!

Like many others, I too made a few of them for the new Year….the usual….organize, choose to live a healthier life (better food choices, more exercise)….be kinder, more generous…understanding…most importantly, Patient. Nothing crazy that I cannot at all attain. …well maybe the organizing part. I am an unorganized individual…big time. So, the last few days has found me in my office…a very small space with a lot of stuff. To organize….well difficult to do in a tiny space for usually as the mess gets bigger and bigger I usually give up….this time hanging in there….will get this done….so that is what I am doing for the next few days. Maybe in the next few weeks I will actually even paint the room….it needs a little something. I have actually found a few things that were purchased and forgotten about…hoping I find a few more surprises for that will keep me going

Over the weekend Michael managed some time to build a pvc ladder for little Niki’s rehab and exercise. It is 10 feet long, however separates into two 5 ft. sections….right now we are just using one section. I introduced it to her yesterday and worked with her until she could run out in front of me… run the ladder, turn around and come back towards me (wanted a few shots). Would have loved a few photo’s of her running across with me on the sidelines for I would have gotten a better view of just how high she is lifting those back paws. I hope by incorporating this into her daily routine it will improve muscle memory in the hind area. This can be used just for fun….Rocky did it a couple of times….helps to teach a big dog that there is a back end. With Gemma, it can help improve her confidence. Oh….might I also add the dogs think this is fun….and wonderful exercise. In one of our upcoming On Line Dog Training classes we will be teaching Agility in a bag and I will be offering info on how to build your own agility equipment, as will I be selling a small kit. Fun way to hang out with your dogs….teach a few tricks, commands and intro agility.

It has almost been a year since little Nik-Nak injured her spine. In the early days I often wondered if I had made the right decision by going ahead with the surgery. Now of course the thought does not even enter my mind. What a wonderful “Little” dog she is and what a fighting spirit. No…her gait…well still a bit on the wobbly side and still, there are the good, the bad days. Going Potty is not always perfect and yep, I still must help her to empty her bladder. We must exercise and massage her.

Her tale is pretty remarkable due to the fact of just how she came to be part of our pack… she literally washed up in the creek behind the house when she was about three months old….on a very cold stormy day….two goofy Goldens coming to her rescue. Very true story…fast forward a few years and those two Goldens have since died….that was so very tough for little Niki (& the reminder of the pack).

Now….a year after her spinal injury and surgery she is happy…running, doing agility (with me VERRRRY close by). We worked hard and I must say that we have had so many folks cheering us on….the prayers, well wishes helped so much and we will forever be grateful to all those that helped us along the way.

It is almost eight months since Niki’s spinal injury and surgery….boy, has she come a long way. From having her hind area totally paralyzed, to having the ability to get around via a canine cart (her big wheels) to what your are seeing in these images. Not sure she will make it back 100%…still I am amazed at just how far she has come. She still requires help….must have canine rehab….massage and exercise to keep those muscles strong, and the ones not being used fully from atrophying. Also…I must still assist her in emptying her bladder to prevent pooling and infection. I have said this during the entire eight months….from the little dog they said couldn’t, wouldn’t….she is the Little Dog Who COULD!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And the winner is…Nik-Nak!

 

 

 

 

 

 

It has been a couple of weeks since introducing Niki to the larger sized pool….several times a day (with a day or two off during the week) she has been doing some swimming in the larger sized pool (with my help)….then doing her walking laps in the smaller pool. These sessions are two-three times a day. Last few days she has been swimming with “out” any assistance from me….no panic and she actually seems to be enjoying it…Yippee

**Please do follow water safety when it comes to pools and dogs. I am right off to the side, my dogs do not have access to the pool when not supervised.

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 I have been putting Niki in the larger pool with great hopes that she would swim. Due to the fact she is such a skittish dog, we have been taking this very slow….she is just not moving her legs but rather allowing me to move her around….so opted to get a little life jacket for her. Works so much better for her. She still panics a bit but no doubt in time she will be swimming as well as enjoying it. I thought I would share our progress with you for it has been a little while since posting anything. Please follow safety rules when placing a dog in a pool…my dogs do not have access to the pool unless supervised.

Oh…forgot to mention…Photography by Michael A quick lesson in how to focus for it was set to manual….and he was off and running.

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Last few days finds Nik-Nak very stiff and weak. We still have not found a pool so rather then wait Mike made a trip to Target and picked up two kiddie pools (not sure how long they will last even though the dogs nails are short….easy to puncture a hole).

First thing this morning filled it up and started introducing her to it.

She sure did think it was an evil….refused to go near it. In the end, she is such a chow hound and will work for food. I of course managed to photograph the process….take a few minutes to sit back and enjoy

Hopefully we can get her to feeling better, and help her to regain her strength once again….keep your fingers crossed for her!

***Updated 6-18-07  I thought since this is our “New” blog I would just put a short little explanation to the above for several of the posts and the video of Niki’s rehab had been lost in the move.

Six months ago she injured her spine, due to the Emergency Hospitals incompetence more then 12 hours later she was completely paralyzed in her hind area. No bm control….due to the location of injury she also had no bladder control meaning she would leak when the bladder was full, a pooling effect causes bacteria and infection so She needs to have her bladder emptied manually. We went a head with surgery which was very expensive and were told afterwards due to the fact she showed little improvement in the weeks that followed surgery there was little hope of her regaining any feeling in the hind area. Fast forward six months and lots of hard work with massage, water/treadmill therapy and the use of her cart when needed she has regained feeling, strength. In this blog we will be posting her rehab and exercises, improvements and set backs.

I have received a few e-mails inquiring how Nik Nak is doing….
she is well, Thank You so for asking about her. Puppy Rocky has to be brought in the next few weeks to be neutered (1 year old in a few weeks). Niki will be going for the ride for she needs her rabies shot and her urine checked. Because of where her injury occured on her spine, I must help empty her bladder through out the day to prevent pooling which causes bacteria to form and therefore can cause an infection. Although I am very good about this and we have prevented infections from occuring, best to get the urine checked to stay on top of it.

Due to the warmer weather arriving I have been thinking about getting a small pool….it must have a filtering system, etc….along with a solar cover to help keep the water warm. I doubt they make these covers for that small a pool…maybe I could trim excess off a larger sized one??
This weekend I will head out and about to see what is available. I am thinking of doing her therapy work here at home until fall arrives. I will have to of course take her to a therapist that specializes in this type of work so I can be taught just what exercises will help her best. This type of water therapy is differant then the water treadmill therapy.
There is a small…almost looks plastic one being sold….wanting to go see what is available, if anyone knows anything about pools feel free in contacting me with any info you might have.
Bad weather on it’s way here in the Atlanta area….stay safe!