Day 12: Blink and you’ll miss it.
- Samantha Knight
- Feb 15, 2022
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 6, 2022
He was absolutely shattered last night and even came to tell me he was ready to be tucked up in bed. Am I working him too hard I wonder? He has an afternoon with his Nanny today so that will be more about wet wiping him (her nickname is Nanny Wet Wipe, so say no more!) and cuddles than moving those limbs!
My usual whimpering puppy alarm clock goes off at 7am, the day has begun whether I’m ready for it or not!
I trusted him last night without a nappy on and to my absolute glee - he’s stayed dry! Is this the elation you feel when a toddler doesn’t pee the bed?! I feel like I want to high five! This can only be Positive progress right? … hmmm or have I spoken wayyy too soon!
Outside we go for hopefully the morning toilet stop and he’s off like a rocket with me frantically chasing behind him with his legs held up in a sling. Horrendous sight that I just cannot get used to seeing!
Outside I place his legs in stand position a few times over and before you know it I’ve counted to 9 before they buckle under him!! This is now without doubt, day on day improvement!
Next up is the unsolved mystery of poop-gate
I realise my blogs focus a lot on Lloris’s toilet activities but for now they seem to bring me the most frustration but at times the most amusement.
So, we come in from the back garden. Back legs in his sling and he’s off again at 100mph. I have no hope at steering him and rather than head to the kitchen for breakfast, he instead heads for his favourite spot on the fluffy rug by the fire. I encourage him straight on though and through to the kitchen and he’s soon scoffing his breakfast (chicken, rice, cottage cheese and Brussels sprouts!- he loves them, honestly!) All is well …. But I can smell something a little unsavoury. Where could this be coming from?
To my bewilderment, when I walk back into the living room this is staring at me??
It wasn’t there when we went to bed last night and this morning we have just raced through this area like a horse in the grand national?! There was no stopping for this?
The mystery remains unsolved unless he literally fired it out on our way racing through … bizarre. Enough thought given to that one! we have bigger obstacles to focus on.
Back to breakfast, because here is our break through of the day!!!
Are my eyes deceiving me?
I place his legs in the stand position for his breakfast and he held it long enough for me to grab my phone, fiddle to get it onto camera and take this photo!
Yes his legs collapsed underneath him like they are made of marshmallows straight afterwards but he was taking the weight.
It’s got to be the electric toothbrush treatment I introduced yesterday! Yes definitely must be that! Haha
It has become so very clear to me that I must celebrate and take encouragement from just the tiny daily achievements because the big stuff will be made up of these tiny moments.
I realise I’m not going to wake up one morning and all of a sudden he’s standing. This is the long slow road to recovery I keep reminding myself and whilst patience is not a virtue of mine, it is one I shall have to learn.. and fast!
He finished his medication yesterday, so nothing to subdue him this morning and boy do I know it! I leave him snoozing by the fire, the back door is open to air the wet baby nappy aroma that has filled the air, I take the opportunity to pop and brush my teeth.
MISTAKE!
I return literally minutes later to find him out in the garden, having made his own way down the steps out of the back door. Whilst going for this 15 meter sprint he has wriggled out of his nappy and left me an impressive trail of pee to clear up!
The celebrations of the mornings progress now take second place to the major clean up task of a second sponge bath of the day (its not even 8am!) and a major floor clean.
As crazy as it may seem, I can’t help but to find the whole thing amusing and positive. This is a pup desperate for the return of his independence and his cheeky mischievous side is bubbling away at the surface. A sharp contrast to the sleeping beauty I had on my hands yesterday!
Some drops I have ordered have arrived today: ‘Leak No More’ which are designed to help with the incontinence. I can’t possibly see how they can work? Can’t hurt a try I suppose! I shall give you my review over the coming days.
I can’t tell you how excited I am for tomorrow. Hydrotherapy (which I keep referring to as aqua aerobics) is at 3.30pm with Nisha @ Paws and Hooves.
His referral has come through from Davies Vets who carried out his op, which wasn’t reading quite as positive as I had hoped, but this is all about beating the odds so we shall ignore the slightly negative vibe within it. Nisha seems positive and happy to work with him so solider on we shall!
Can’t wait to report back on it! No doubt it will not go without a hitch! I wonder if these ‘leak no more’ drops might kick in before his appointment tomorrow? I very much doubt it. I’m sure peeing in the hydro tank is going to be a given 🤦🏼♀️
Today has been a positive day. Whilst he may not be able to get up and stand himself he can now repeatedly stay in a stand position for a little longer each day. Progress, however small is worth the acknowledgement.
Launching this blog today has resulted in many words of encouragement which I’m so very grateful for. The most uplifting was from a client who has told me the positive story of his little dachshund called Matilda who a number of years ago was also left paralysed, had spinal surgery and has now made a full recovery. Whilst the breeds couldn’t be more different, if little Matilda can do it, so can Lloris!
Thank you for that Karl.
Until tomorrow…
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