Day 55: Physio Relaunch & the Pillow Case Pup!

Samantha Knight
Mar 29, 2022
2 min read

Updated: Apr 6, 2022

My mind is spinning trying to recall all of the post spinal surgery physio moves we used to do prior to cancer surgery. I know it has only been a couple of weeks but it seems like so long ago that we were in THAT routine, we now have a whole other set of healing issues to be dealing with!

So I’m starting the day by making a list of all of the things we need to practise this week and to assess what level/stage he is now displaying.

Sit to stand
Walking backwards
Walking on the bed
The love hug stand
Weaving around ‘cones’
Trotting poles
Walking up steep hills
Walking for 15 minutes building by 5 mins a week

All of this is of course subject to his leg wound not continuing to burst open.

His ‘gait’ also needs to be assessed (I’m impressed I’m learning the ‘lingo!’), so in other words:

his paw placement - is he scuffing toes
Is he striding or bouncing
His general rhythm

Then to assess his strength:

Can he hold a squat to poop?
Can he balance on one leg to cock it and pee?

We shall take it slow and work on items 1-4 today!

First things first, I need to transport him to work with me in this spotlessly clean courtesy car without getting any fur or stinky pup aroma on the upholstery.

”hmmm, that’s going to be quite a challenge!”

I have a brain wave that if I can put him in a pillow case then it should contain him and cover him all up so as not to touch the interior of the car!

He looks more like he’s in a straight jacket!

Lloris is far from impressed and soon wiggles out of it leaving his fine needle hairs all over the footwell. GREAT START (not!)

Thankfully I get a call from Volvo and my car is ready for collection this afternoon. I’m secretly hoping it will have been valeted for me. I’m quite excited at the thought!

Alas; it has been returned just as filthy as I handed it over! Oh well, at least I can throw Lloris in the back for our journey home this evening without squashing him in a ‘straight jacket-pillow case‘

Back to Rehab Focus!

Let’s just say he is either not in the mood today, has forgotten everything in just two weeks or more likely he just can’t be bothered and is back to just messing around.

As I mentioned earlier we are just going to focus on four of the physio moves today.

Watch our video and see how we got on!!

Hmmm… he’s been a cheeky little thing all day so can’t say I’m surprised at todays poor performance!

We must do better tomorrow!

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THANK YOU’s

Whilst it goes without saying that a big chunk of credit for Lloris’s rehabilitation to being a walking puppy dog again goes unquestionably to him! There have been many helping hands along the way that are more than deserving of a mention …

Thank you to;

Davies Vet (Johnny & Alex) for their remarkable surgery, prompt action and after care. He came home a calm and happy dog…even if his legs weren’t working…his wound has healed remarkably well without scaring.

To Dr Rinnert van den Bergh - The Holistic Vet who never raised an eyebrow at his little accidents and always progressed him further after every treatment. Lloris is especially grateful for the liver paste you would win him over with!

To Nisha from Paws & Hooves - Hydrotherapy. You have been remarkable in your patience with Lloris. Thank you for answering the phone when many others didn’t that day. Finding you was meant to be.

To Willow Vets in Newport Pagnell who took Lloris on as a new case for his cancer straight away and operated within two days. The entire team of staff have been nothing but kind and professional and whilst Lloris will continue to hate you all (hate may be a bit of strong word…. But I’m not so sure?!) I on the other hand think you are all amazing.

To his Uncle Cristian for building his ‘Frenchie Bouncer’ was a big game changer in our rehab!

To his Grandad for building his Pig Pen which he has grown to love

To his Nanny for his the daily love and company not to mention the endless cleaning of him and my house! We truly couldn’t have got through this without you, you gave me the break I needed to keep my sanity.

To Matt the Chippy for his back door ramp!

To the IVDD Facebook support group. I learned so much from you. https://www.facebook.com/groups/178483559398659/?ref=share

To my friends and family who reached out to help me. Everyone of you that messaged, read our blog and paid an interest in both his and my well being made such a difference on both the dark days and the light. Lloris loves people so the visits and gifts all lifted his spirits and snapped him out of the sulks!

To Dan, Lloris’s dad. You stepped up when he needed you the most and answered our cry for help to get him to the hospital that day. It will always be a shame we couldn’t stay the family unit we had wanted for him. We certainly tried! Thank you for letting him live with me, I can’t imagine the heartache of giving him up.

To the friend in my life that gave me focus from day 1 when I asked for help bringing him home … he said something like “I have the dentist so can’t help you that day, I would if I could but … you’re going to have to get used to handling him and lugging him about on your own, so you may as well just get on with it now”. I thought he was being an unhelpful arse at the time but actually that was the best piece of advice I could have been given. Man up and get on with it. You can’t turn back time or change anything. You are where you are, so take a deep breath and in the words of Nike - Just do it.

And that we did!

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