deb_l222
Well-Known Member
Helloooo
Just thought I would share a few piccies and words about the bonkers dog, also known as Willow. She's been here several months now and quite a lot has happened to her in those few months but she takes everything in her stride...............it's me that needs the tablets!!
I'm not sure if I posted before about discovering her luxating patellas. If not, both knees dislocate but the left one is worse than the right and the dislocation wouldn't correct itself in this leg. Long story short, I was persuaded to send her for specialist surgery to correct the knee and off she went at the end of September. Eight VERY long weeks of strict cage rest (for a young springer this wasn't easy) and unfortunately we're not much better off and the knee is still dislocating, albeit not as bad as it was before.
There won't be any further surgeries, especially if the outcome isn't guaranteed, so she definitely won't be getting the other knee done. We've now started hydrotherapy, which she's taken to like a duck to water, so will continue down this path in an attempt to manage the condition non-surgically. She's lost about 6kg in weight which should help massively with her knees (and other joints) in the future. She's allowed back out on short lead walks, which has made such a difference to her energy levels and it's so lovely to see her out and about again.
The really massive change in her however has been her reaction to strangers and people in general. She was soooooo very timid when she first arrived and did a lot of panic weeing, especially when new people attempted to say 'hello'. If you made any attempt to hold her collar, she would really go to pieces, do a wee, then almost collapse into herself. I commented to my neighbour at one point that it's like, the lights are on but no-one home. Sometimes the lights weren't even on which started me thinking she had some sort of neurological / eyesight thing going off at one point. Those concerns were totally unfounded and she just needed time to realise the world is OK really.
She now greets most people with a daftness only a springer can, which is wonderful to see. I'm so pleased for her that she now feels relaxed around people that she doesn't immediately regress to fear. She's definitely going to be a dog that doesn't 'hang on' to her past and will be a 'live in the moment' gal. Just this week she's had a proper lovely fuss with a lovely chap we met out walking. He had a walking stick and even that didn't bother her. She thought the Virgin Media salesman was a right dude and the postman is totally the new best friend for life!!
On the downside, she's still a total nightmare to walk on a lead. Pulls like an elephant and bounces in front of my feet like some bonkers zebeddee creature. Needless to say, this is still a work in progress! She does still chew, given half a chance but she's not as bad as she was. Love her to bits, the wonky donkey
I'll shut up now and post a few pics
Happiness is a snuggle chair for two!!
"look into my eyes, look deep into my eyes"
Cage rest is SUCH fun, especially when you're let out for 10 minutes. We played the 'take the bedding out of the crate' game every single day
First day back out for a little walk (post op)
Just thought I would share a few piccies and words about the bonkers dog, also known as Willow. She's been here several months now and quite a lot has happened to her in those few months but she takes everything in her stride...............it's me that needs the tablets!!
I'm not sure if I posted before about discovering her luxating patellas. If not, both knees dislocate but the left one is worse than the right and the dislocation wouldn't correct itself in this leg. Long story short, I was persuaded to send her for specialist surgery to correct the knee and off she went at the end of September. Eight VERY long weeks of strict cage rest (for a young springer this wasn't easy) and unfortunately we're not much better off and the knee is still dislocating, albeit not as bad as it was before.
There won't be any further surgeries, especially if the outcome isn't guaranteed, so she definitely won't be getting the other knee done. We've now started hydrotherapy, which she's taken to like a duck to water, so will continue down this path in an attempt to manage the condition non-surgically. She's lost about 6kg in weight which should help massively with her knees (and other joints) in the future. She's allowed back out on short lead walks, which has made such a difference to her energy levels and it's so lovely to see her out and about again.
The really massive change in her however has been her reaction to strangers and people in general. She was soooooo very timid when she first arrived and did a lot of panic weeing, especially when new people attempted to say 'hello'. If you made any attempt to hold her collar, she would really go to pieces, do a wee, then almost collapse into herself. I commented to my neighbour at one point that it's like, the lights are on but no-one home. Sometimes the lights weren't even on which started me thinking she had some sort of neurological / eyesight thing going off at one point. Those concerns were totally unfounded and she just needed time to realise the world is OK really.
She now greets most people with a daftness only a springer can, which is wonderful to see. I'm so pleased for her that she now feels relaxed around people that she doesn't immediately regress to fear. She's definitely going to be a dog that doesn't 'hang on' to her past and will be a 'live in the moment' gal. Just this week she's had a proper lovely fuss with a lovely chap we met out walking. He had a walking stick and even that didn't bother her. She thought the Virgin Media salesman was a right dude and the postman is totally the new best friend for life!!
On the downside, she's still a total nightmare to walk on a lead. Pulls like an elephant and bounces in front of my feet like some bonkers zebeddee creature. Needless to say, this is still a work in progress! She does still chew, given half a chance but she's not as bad as she was. Love her to bits, the wonky donkey
I'll shut up now and post a few pics
Happiness is a snuggle chair for two!!
"look into my eyes, look deep into my eyes"
Cage rest is SUCH fun, especially when you're let out for 10 minutes. We played the 'take the bedding out of the crate' game every single day
First day back out for a little walk (post op)