Arthur's Announcement !!

Earlier this month, I mentioned that Arthur would have an exciting announcement.  He has just received confirmation that he (along with Heidi, Grace and Pogo) will be participating in the Toronto Dachshund UN.  It is a 4 day event and they will be participating Sat. March 2 and Sun. March 3, 2013 at the Toronto Harbourfront theatre.

Admission to the four performances (Thurs. Fri. Sat. and Sun.) is free, hopefully we will see some of our Ontario/GTA followers there.

This is what it will look like (except that we will be in an indoor theatre)

During the 50 minute performance, the humans are hidden inside the display.

Bennett, the artist, was concerned for Arthur's safety because of  his blindness (falling off the seat) so he will be the Speaker of the Assembly as this is a larger platform.

 

 

This is what it looks like with the facade on the front.

 

We are all very excited that Bennet was very open to and eager to include the handicapped kids (sight, mobility, etc.) in the performance.

Jackie's first treatment

Jackie saw Dr. Pat tonight and had her first acupuncture treatment.  She was a very good girl and sat still throughout the treatment, even when we put the electric stimulation on the acupuncture needles.  The electric current stimulates deep inside the nerves and muscles, giving her the most benefit from the treatment.

We have confirmed her injuries are at T11 and T12.  This is the same place where Pogo was injured earlier this year (below the shoulder blades, just before the middle of the back).

Jackie is on crate rest with physiotherapy exercises at home to keep her legs from stiffening and to help retain muscle strength.

Dr. Pat said that Jackie's neuro responses are the most I have given her to work with, of the three dachshunds she has treated for me.  This is encouraging news as the two girls who had less feelings/responses are both walking in one form or another.  (Heidi can walk on carpeting and Grace is just starting to spinal walk.)

Dr. Pat will check on Jackie in a week and we have another treatment tentatively planned in two weeks.

Jackie's crate has been fitted with a memory foam bed, she has soft blankies and a nice big bone to chew on.  She is in the kitchen, so she has 4 other dachshunds for company.  We are trying to make the next 6 weeks of crate rest as comfortable as possible for her.  She is a good little girl and deserves every bit of comfort and pampering we can give her.  (And we have told Santa where to find Jackie this Christmas as well)

It has been a big first day for Jackie in her new foster home, so time for bed

Night everyone

Jackie's story

Sometime around Oct. 1, Jackie peed on the carpet of her home, so her owner hit her with a golf club.  A neighbour felt sorry for her, so she took Jackie into her home, but was overwhelmed with Jackie's injuries and needs. 

The awesome owners of K911 Animal Transport were at the vet's office on other business, when they saw a lady sitting in the waiting room with a dachshund on her lap.  They realized the dog was injured and that she was most likely there to be euthanized.  Because they had met Heidi and Grace only one week beforehand, they knew there were other options, and so they talked to the lady, got Jackie's story and got Jackie.

K911 did all they could for Jackie, including providing her with a cart.  She lived with one of the business owners, but theirs is a demanding business.  They can be out in the ambulance for 12 or more hours at a time. Although they took Jackie with them, this was not the ideal situation for Jackie.  As much as it broke Rodney's heart, he called me to ask if I could take Jackie.  He knew this was better for Jackie, as much as it hurt him to let her go.

Jackie arrives here in a couple of days and we already have an appointment booked for Monday with the vet who does acupuncture and cold laser.  Jackie's injuries are T3-5 with at least one disc bulging.  "According to the textbook, there are no signs for recovery" said the initial vet with a little smile and a wink - you see, she knows about Heidi and Grace.  Neither were ever supposed to walk again, but neither of them can read the textbook either.

So stay tuned for more news of Jackie when she arrives and her continuing journey with us, as we work towards as much healing as possible and finding a forever home for this little one.

GRACE WALKED !!!

Two plus years after her injury and against all odds, Grace has been showing more and more signs of movement in her legs. Well, on Tuesday night she just stood up, walked about 5 feet on the smooth kitchen floor, had a drink of water and returned to the big dog pillow, where she continued to stand until one of the others bumped into her.  This was not a flash-in-the-pan either, Grace has walked several times since then and stood to eat an entire meal!!

I doubt that Grace will ever be able to completely retire her wheels, but who knows how far she may go???  Never say "never".

Our newest foster

This our newest foster coming in this Sunday.  Meet Jackie !!

More to come about her.

Exciting news !!

Exciting news!!!  I have been asked to contribute articles about handicapped pets.  My first article appears tomorrow on www.montrealdogblog.com.

The plan is for monthly articles/stories about Heidi, Arthur and other handicapped pets.  Entertainment and Education are the two watchwords for this new endeavour.  (Much the same as this blog)

The first article introduces Heidi, next month ????? who knows !!!

All ready for our talk show

Arthur is all ready, we just need the networks to call him for his own talk show

 

 

 

What should we call his show?  Teckel Talk?  Other suggestions??????

LIfe with Arthur

Wow, I can't believe it has been over 3 months since I was here!  It seems like last week.  A lot has happened with Arthur. He has had his eye surgery; they found embryonic eye material which never developed and a complete absence of an optic nerve.  Things were cleaned up and his eyes were closed.  Especially with his long hair, it is hard to tell at first that his eyes are closed.

Arthur is a "chick magnet" what can he say? When you've got "it" you've got it !!

Arthur passed Puppy Pre-school with flying colours and continues to expand his skills set.  Although we are still working out leash skills and the right tools to teach Arthur how to heel on lead, he gets around just fine.  He is quite adept at mapping out his surroundings in very short order.

Check back with us often, Arthur has a very exciting announcement to make in the near future !!