thank you BOTH... we dodged a bullet this time. It's nothing more than a super tight quad. There is nothing like seeing your dog, that wouldn't walk, come RUNNING to see you after getting a massage from the on-call doctor. He showed me the proper way to do it and we're going to put some heat on it and I'll watch her today. Of course she is ALWAYS a happy, happy princess when spending my money at the ER! 🙂 

I'm a runner - I should know proper stretching and muscle pain but in a dog, I didn't know. I massaged around where he showed me and it was very tight but she's not in pain (which is great). He did say he thought PT would be good for her (where am I going to find the time - truly) and maybe swimming. I'll do whatever for Shelby but my wallet is getting maxed out with her challenges. 

But the good news is that this is not cancer related, this is lack of proper stretching and massage work (and I thought I was doing a good job but clearly I was not). Prayers answered today - the ER vet usually sees me pretty calm but today I arrived in tears. I feel better now; albeit exhausted, feel like a train hit me and am going to have to work at home. Thank you again! Shelby is a strong girl! 

Well, she is STILL in the bathroom but at least she can't get into trouble in there. I am trying SO hard to be 'more dog' today and look at what we have that's going good for us today.

1. Shelby WILL eat - in fact, when I was making lunch, she came into the kitchen to beg (like normal). I have a yoga mat in there now so she won't slide.

2. She wanted to go outside and once we were out, she stumbled a bit but was able to pee (she lost some of her footing but she's got it). She then tried to walk a bit longer but I stopped her and carried her back upstairs.

3. I made an appt with the PT place we went to pre-amp (Two Hands / Four Paws). Sadly they can't see us till next Saturday since I cannot go during the week next week as I have a HUGE event for work and my boss will not be keen on me taking time off (working at home is probably pushing my limits but I said I had a plumping emergency).

4. I found some videos on massage and rehab for rear-amps and will work on her muscles. I will try and massage her for 10 - 15 minutes a few times a day - even if it means getting up earlier or missing a workout.

5. I am still going to go out to dinner w/a friend tonight. Shelby is at no risk for harming herself since she doesn't seem to leave the bathroom and I need a break.

I am exhausted today. I want a nap. I want a good cry. I want a hug. I want MORE chocolate. I wake up several times a night - looking for my dog (that is new). I know she wants to fight and that this has nothing to do with her cancer but I feel awful that she was having discomfort (I guess - they tell me she's not in pain and I don't think she is) and I didn't do PT or anything else for her. I just gave her glucosomene and hoped that would help her joints but the way she is walking right now is like me post-marathon. All gimpy and looks like any one of her legs will go out. It breaks my heart to see her like this and yet she looks at me, wags her tail and seems to say, I still love you, mommy!!! And I swear to GOD - the next person (stranger) who says to me; what happened to her leg, follow-up with how old is she (13) followed up with the, oh, she's an old dog anyways, is going to get PUNCHED! She is NOT an old dog - she is a young spirit in a senior's body and she has a shit-ton of fighting left to do!!! Sorry for the potty mouth.... and the venting ... I needed to get that off my chest. I swear, she knows when I am angry typing .... lol 

Alison & Shelby