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Day 66: Stuck in a Rut

  • Writer: Samantha Knight
    Samantha Knight
  • Apr 9, 2022
  • 2 min read

Updated: Apr 12, 2022

For a number of weeks now Lloris has been able to walk unaided. For this I count my lucky stars everyday!

Prior to the set back of his cancer tumour removal on Day 40 of IVDD Surgery Rehab, he was progressing forward positively pretty much each and everyday with his strength, stamina and technique. Not to mention improving on his incontinence by the day.

He was doing so amazingly well that I would wake up each morning and excitedly wonder what ‘fruits’ today would bring!

Since the unfortunate timing of his cancer tumours and the required surgery to remove them we just seem to be stuck in a rut.

  • He was almost there with ‘cocking his leg’ to pee rather than peeing all over himself, but now he isn’t even bothering to try anymore


  • His walking technique is currently all about pulling himself along with his shoulders and his back legs just bounce about behind him. This bad technique of walking is no longer something he looks like he’s trying to correct


  • His toilet habits are now as such that he makes no effort when he’s at home to make it known he needs the toilet, he will just go where he fancies. We were doing so very well at him regaining his continence prior to cancer surgery!


The feeling of being stuck in a rut brings with it the frustrations of just wanting and knowing he can do better, but this is something I can only encourage and coach him with, he needs to put in the effort and want to improve/change himself.

That is where our issue lies. To me he is ’stuck in a rut’, however to Lloris… he’s just pure and simply content. What is the need for more effort?

I could accept how far we have come as being enough. He’s happy right?

I could just accept that he is likely to get reinjured walking the way he does and just live life waiting for that day

I could accept that those long runs across the beach, his favourite place to cause mischief are unlikely to be possible but he can still go for a walk around the park right?

No, No, No!!!

We are all guilty of losing a little motivation from time to time but i‘m Lloris’s ’wingman’ ready and waiting to give him that gentle kick up the bum to get back on track.

So this morning we set out to find ourselves some steep hills to walk up! Hills, Hills and more Hills is what our walk in the sunshine is about today. The steeper the better. We will force him to put weight in those back legs!


Two positive things to report on!


  1. Lloris’s leg wound has now completed sealed up and is water tight! This means only one thing… we can recommence swimming classes! Woo hoo! This should get his posture and stride back on track.

Sealed wound! Now to see how/if the fur grows back

2. Today has been a dry/accident free day (I reserve the right to edit this, the night is still young!). This is the second day in a row.



 
 
 

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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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