Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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So, I've been doing rehab at home following the exercises I got from her rehab specialist (I can never remember the title). Cora is actually pretty good about doing the activities. Except the other day she refused to do the rocker board. She's generally seemed to enjoy that before so I gave it a pass.
I'm amazed at how well she does. She can balance on two legs when I pull her back leg up. She adjusts to the rocker board. She will walk over almost anything I ask her too. She usually likes me stretching her legs. Her least favorite activity is the slow turn to the left. I think it bores and annoys her but I can usually coax a few circles out of her. However she is often grumpy the next day after having done rehab. This makes me think she must be sore after, so I am trying to find a good balance.
Yesterday she was little miss rowdy. She was playing noisily in the yard and at one point I looked out and she'd jumped about 1.5 ft up (can you believe it!) to attack a bush. So, I loaded Floyd and her in the car and took her to my friends farm. She decided she would climb on top of a pile of wood. She ran. She jumped. And as I was watching her, I was thinking some of her movements do seem better. I'm not sure if that's the rehab or just her progressing over time.
And today we tried swimming. Cora loves the water. She is back to asking to be in the bath tub. So, we headed out into the pond. Her with her life jacket and me with my water shoes. She was ok at first but then she reached the point where it was time to swim. I had her (of course) and finally she tried to paddle. Then she panicked. She whined and cried and was miserable. We took a break and went back to land but then she headed out into the water again. She backed in which is one of the ways she navigates when she's really uncertain of her surroundings. Better to run your butt into something than your head. Again, when she actually tried to paddle she panicked. I tried holding her a bit until she calmed but she started shaking with fear and I said enough was enough.Cora has also been inventing her own rehab exercise. There is the leap. This I don't have photos of. But she waits, listens, smells and then leaps off the ground towards her target- me, floyd, a bush... she is an equal opportunity attacker. And here are some more exercises below....
The Bath Tub Tiptoe
The Bath Tub Front Leg Reach
Toe Balance
And the final amazing exercise... Cora is practicing her yoga... This is the Upside Down Dog Pose
Oh I love this update! Cora is getting braver and stronger with every new adventure, I'm so hoppy for all of you. What fun!
Swimming is HUGE. I can't imagine how scary that is for a blind dog, at first anyways. I do know that it took our Wyatt Ray nearly two years before he was comfortable enough to swim in water and now we can't keep him out. Hopefully Cora will get there too.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
HUGE GRINS HERE!!!!
Way to go Cora.. I have to be honest with you.. her story just warms my heart... I love the pictures.. and love the attack stealth mode!!! Everything is a target.. human... animal... plant... next will be inadmiate objects!! or a rock.. lol
ouch.. no.. hopefully not a rock....
Keep snapping those pics.. and smiling!!
Christine..... with Franklin in her heart ♥
Franklin, he was the Happiest Dog on Three Legs! Diagnosed 09/26/2012 with Osteosarcoma, amputated 12/4/2012. Had a wonderful 5 1/2 months painfree until he ran for the Bridge on 5/15/2013. Always in my heart, and always a guardian angel of my pack... You can follow his Tripawd Adventures, before and after, in my blog, Frank'n'Farter!
Oh yeah! Grinning ear to ear over here too!! This joirney continues to keep be in a state of awe!! And we only get a glimpse into one millionth of what it takes to get her to this point! You live it, breathe it every single second of every day!
I am sooooooo happy for you both! So very happy!
Hey, some dogs just like to wade in the water and that in itself is a huge victory!! Lile Jerry said, I can't imagine the how fearful swimmng must feel to a dog with all her "challenges". But loving the bathtub? That is adorable!! Love the "smiling yoga pose"
Xhris, this is nothing less than a miracle! And you are clearly the "miracle maker"!
Continuing grinning over here!!!
Lots of love!
Sally and Happy Hannah
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Yay Cora. I am so happy to see this update
Hugs
Michelle & Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
She is just amazing and you can give yourself a big pat on the back for all she has accomplished.
Go Cora!!
Luanne and Shooter
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
This is a great update! Yeah Cora! She is doing great with all her new moves. So happy for her strength to overcome!
We are learning just how new all these moves are too, Especially swimming. Atlas used to charge into the water to swim, now he is much more hesitant and cautious but we are keeping at it for the PT plus he loves being out there even if he does choose to lay in the shallows instead of swimming. LOL!
Patricia & Mighty Atlas
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