Saturday, June 15, 2013
Friday, April 26, 2013
And again
*sigh*
Again an injury.
After rehabbing and strengthening Bella's left leg, she injured her right paw sometime in the fall. After nursing her paw back to health, we were ready.
In February we started agility again. What a happy pup she was to do that. This dog loves her jump.
This month she started limping on her right side & yes, another ACL injury. Partially torn? Strained? Who knows. The good thing is it was not a complete tear as evidenced by the fact that she put her foot on the ground. However she wasn't really using the leg very well as evidenced by a large loss of muscle in her right leg. And one middle of the night she walked into the back yard very peacefully and slowly. She came back with an exaggerated limp. So, she has done deeper damage.
Therefore, her re-entry into the agility world is now over. I so wish I had asked someone to videotape one or two of her runs. She was jumping 12", 8" lower than her original height. But that is not the point. When I say that she loves her jump, I mean this dog LOVES her jump. Not only was she happy to be back at jump class, but her whole demeanor at home changed too. The sport of agility seemed to give her meaning. Bella had her wag back.
Again an injury.
After rehabbing and strengthening Bella's left leg, she injured her right paw sometime in the fall. After nursing her paw back to health, we were ready.
In February we started agility again. What a happy pup she was to do that. This dog loves her jump.
This month she started limping on her right side & yes, another ACL injury. Partially torn? Strained? Who knows. The good thing is it was not a complete tear as evidenced by the fact that she put her foot on the ground. However she wasn't really using the leg very well as evidenced by a large loss of muscle in her right leg. And one middle of the night she walked into the back yard very peacefully and slowly. She came back with an exaggerated limp. So, she has done deeper damage.
Therefore, her re-entry into the agility world is now over. I so wish I had asked someone to videotape one or two of her runs. She was jumping 12", 8" lower than her original height. But that is not the point. When I say that she loves her jump, I mean this dog LOVES her jump. Not only was she happy to be back at jump class, but her whole demeanor at home changed too. The sport of agility seemed to give her meaning. Bella had her wag back.
And as a side note, if you live in northeast Ohio and are thinking of giving agility a go with your dog, I suggest checking out Rob Rachow's class at canine affair training center. He has great passion for the sport & endorses positive training methods. I highly recommend him.
We have decided to rest Bella for 6 weeks before deciding whether to have the surgery done. We have read and heard good things about the supplement cosequin and have started her on that. I have also been taking her to the vet every other day for laser therapy treatment. This is supposed to help increase the blood flow to the injured area & decrease inflammation. Because she is also taking
anti-inflammatories I don't know if the treatment is helping or not. And of course she falls asleep while receiving reiki almost every night. Maybe she would be worse without all of this?
We desire to keep Bella comfortable through all of this. I know it's a common injury, but this is my dog. & it's a big deal to me. What I most desire is to help Bella keep her wag. Her mopiness was not my imagination. And the spark in her eye, wag in her tail and strut in her step after getting back into the ring, is proof that she needs something that is all hers.
We have tried Rally. She is very good at it. But it bores her. Too slow. We have done CFF musical freestyle. She just thought that was weird.
So, if anyone reads this and has any suggestions as to how to keep an energetic dog happy while convalescing, I would love to hear them.
 |
| Waiting her turn - Mar. 2013 |
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Visit to Santa Paws 2012
Dumdadum - that time of year again.
Last year's Santa Paws visit was a bit hurried to say the least. And, while Bella felt quite important to be at the mall, she was not happy to see the beast man. It is a bit to ask of our dogs - to sit next to a huge creature that looks like prey but smells like person. We are lucky they they love us so much.
This year, the humane society had pictures with Santa Paws. They do this every year. The proceeds from the mall event went to the Humane Society.
Last year Bella was kind of scooped up and dropped into the big man's lap. This year, my goal was to have a calmer visit with Santa.
We went later in the afternoon so i had time to prep her. All that day she was handed treats accompanied by the words "Santa Paws!" said in a happy excited higher pitched voice. We played tug to the mantra of "Santa Paws! Santa Paws! Going to see Santa Paws," followed by more treats. Ear massages, belly rubs, butt scratches were all given while talking about visiting the big guy.
And then the time came. As i said, we went later in the day. In fact ours was the last visit. So, that helped to keep her nervousness down a bit. The visit was better than in the past. As we entered the room she got treats. Santa Paws gave her treats. She jumped up next to him when asked, and stoically sat until told she could leave. As you can see, she also let Santa cozy up a bit. So..... all in all, not bad.
The biggest drama was the wait. There were cages holding cats on either side of the line. This caused quite a bit of tail tucking and bolting for the exit until i took a seat on a bench and had her sit between my feet. I can only assume that if dogs made horror movies, at least one would entail a room filled with cats in some way.
Whether Bella is just mellowing or whether my word association exercise worked, i don't really know. Next year i will remember to incorporate the words "cages of cats" into the treating, & will see what happens then.
Happy Howlidays everyone!
P.S - Remember that the United States Humane Society has absolutely nothing to do with your local humane society. Nor do they receive money from the USHS. If you want to donate, please donate locally.
Peace
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
doggy bootcamp
Here is a story about exercising with your dog.
People think that if you have a dog and you walk the dog, you are getting exercise, yes? However, while it's true that some walking is better than no walking, if you allow your dog to be a dog and enjoy her walk in a doggy way, then you are often agreeing to take many sniff breaks on your walk. Bella can find the tip of 1 fallen leaf to be the most interesting thing in the universe - until she gets to the most interesting blade of grass just a mere 10 feet from the leaf. Often our walks are simply short bursts of movement in between reading very long pee-mails. But, this is how she explores her world. So, so be it.
But, the truth of the matter is, while i can rock the yoga and walk at a moderate pace for miles and miles, i need cardio. Not that i want it. But i do need it. & i am not the type to go to a gym or "out for a run." & i really do enjoy spending my limited free time with my 4-footed friend (honestly, Target would get so much more of my money if i were allowed to bring my dog shopping.). So, what's a lazy girl to do?
Hubby and i first learned about doggy boot camp on an episode of Cesar Millan (Yes, i watch Cesar. & i would watch all the other dog training shows too if they were available on Hulu). We looked at each other and said - "how cool. but it will never come to Cleveland."
But - Ta daaaa - it did. Right around the time that i promised myself to shape up and not become a old flabby fat woman, I met the boot camp ladies, Heidi and Lisa.
Really, i am a cardio wimp. Just don't like it. Never really have. When i run i kind of feel (& probably look) like a flopping fish desperately trying to get back to water. But, i must say the class is doable and participants are encouraged to go at their own pace. So, that's nice.
The class consists of cardio and resistance. About 10-15 minute intervals. So, my dog gets to rest while i "pump it up" with Heidi's instruction.
I say that my dog is resting. The fact of the matter is that she is working in a different way. She has to exercise self control and stay in one spot while i work the resistance. If the dog has a problem with this, then Lisa steps in to help give the dog and owner obedience training tips.
All in all, i am very happy that this type of class is available in my area.
Now, if someone wants to offer doga?
People think that if you have a dog and you walk the dog, you are getting exercise, yes? However, while it's true that some walking is better than no walking, if you allow your dog to be a dog and enjoy her walk in a doggy way, then you are often agreeing to take many sniff breaks on your walk. Bella can find the tip of 1 fallen leaf to be the most interesting thing in the universe - until she gets to the most interesting blade of grass just a mere 10 feet from the leaf. Often our walks are simply short bursts of movement in between reading very long pee-mails. But, this is how she explores her world. So, so be it.
But, the truth of the matter is, while i can rock the yoga and walk at a moderate pace for miles and miles, i need cardio. Not that i want it. But i do need it. & i am not the type to go to a gym or "out for a run." & i really do enjoy spending my limited free time with my 4-footed friend (honestly, Target would get so much more of my money if i were allowed to bring my dog shopping.). So, what's a lazy girl to do?
Hubby and i first learned about doggy boot camp on an episode of Cesar Millan (Yes, i watch Cesar. & i would watch all the other dog training shows too if they were available on Hulu). We looked at each other and said - "how cool. but it will never come to Cleveland."
But - Ta daaaa - it did. Right around the time that i promised myself to shape up and not become a old flabby fat woman, I met the boot camp ladies, Heidi and Lisa.
Really, i am a cardio wimp. Just don't like it. Never really have. When i run i kind of feel (& probably look) like a flopping fish desperately trying to get back to water. But, i must say the class is doable and participants are encouraged to go at their own pace. So, that's nice.
The class consists of cardio and resistance. About 10-15 minute intervals. So, my dog gets to rest while i "pump it up" with Heidi's instruction.
I say that my dog is resting. The fact of the matter is that she is working in a different way. She has to exercise self control and stay in one spot while i work the resistance. If the dog has a problem with this, then Lisa steps in to help give the dog and owner obedience training tips.
All in all, i am very happy that this type of class is available in my area.
Now, if someone wants to offer doga?
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Monday, May 7, 2012
Sunday, April 1, 2012
in the morning.
So, Bella is now allowed to go potty in the backyard by herself. This is both a relief and a bit confusing to her. Sometimes she stops and looks back at us as if to say "are you coming? Did you forget? Are you sure this is o.k.?" But she has adapted to the new/old routine of "checking her acreage" on her own quite easily.
I and J. are happy that we know longer have to suit up for night-night potties, middle of the night "think I gotta potty" potties, first thing in the morning potties, & "just said I had to potty so I could see if the squirrel was out". Luckily this has been a mild winter.
Of course there were good parts to taking Bella outside on her every whim -
Me - "but you just went out"
Bella - big puppy eyes
Me - big sigh - "Oookay"
We discovered that it was actually the animals dropping food into our back yard - bread, peanuts, chunks of fruitcake. And we have just decided to believe that the whole piece of pizza we found was dropped by a traveling raccoon. This is much easier to accept than thinking that someone would fling an entire piece of pizza over our fence.
And I discovered why some people not only drag themselves out of bed before daybreak but also out of the house and jog or whatnot. As I age, I am becoming an earlier riser but would've never thought to actually step outside before the skies lightened.
What a beautiful time between worlds - as night transitions into day. There is a kind of misty look that the trees have - as if the wind made a blanket out of itself and wrapped itself around the arboreal trunks. And the darkness of the sky just hovers a bit - loitering like an indecisive teenager while the light begins to work around it.
Of course, I mean.... I wasn't wearing my glasses. The world always looks more interesting when corrective eyewear is not involved. So if the above is not your take on early early morning - try taking off your glasses or squint so your vision is slightly blurred. It just may help.
And the birds waking up - what beautiful songs! And the air is still and fresh - refreshed from time without human activity.
Standing with Bella - breathing deeply while she sniffed quickly. Both of us quiet, curious. It was nice.
So nice, in fact that this morning I accompanied her - just for the heck of it.
The below pictures do not describe the time of day I was referring to. But they were taken on a foggy morning. Of course by the time I went into the house for my camera and got back out, much of the fog had lifted.
I and J. are happy that we know longer have to suit up for night-night potties, middle of the night "think I gotta potty" potties, first thing in the morning potties, & "just said I had to potty so I could see if the squirrel was out". Luckily this has been a mild winter.
Of course there were good parts to taking Bella outside on her every whim -
Me - "but you just went out"
Bella - big puppy eyes
Me - big sigh - "Oookay"
We discovered that it was actually the animals dropping food into our back yard - bread, peanuts, chunks of fruitcake. And we have just decided to believe that the whole piece of pizza we found was dropped by a traveling raccoon. This is much easier to accept than thinking that someone would fling an entire piece of pizza over our fence.
And I discovered why some people not only drag themselves out of bed before daybreak but also out of the house and jog or whatnot. As I age, I am becoming an earlier riser but would've never thought to actually step outside before the skies lightened.
What a beautiful time between worlds - as night transitions into day. There is a kind of misty look that the trees have - as if the wind made a blanket out of itself and wrapped itself around the arboreal trunks. And the darkness of the sky just hovers a bit - loitering like an indecisive teenager while the light begins to work around it.
Of course, I mean.... I wasn't wearing my glasses. The world always looks more interesting when corrective eyewear is not involved. So if the above is not your take on early early morning - try taking off your glasses or squint so your vision is slightly blurred. It just may help.
And the birds waking up - what beautiful songs! And the air is still and fresh - refreshed from time without human activity.
Standing with Bella - breathing deeply while she sniffed quickly. Both of us quiet, curious. It was nice.
So nice, in fact that this morning I accompanied her - just for the heck of it.
The below pictures do not describe the time of day I was referring to. But they were taken on a foggy morning. Of course by the time I went into the house for my camera and got back out, much of the fog had lifted.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)