Post by LHR02 on May 14, 2004 20:19:32 GMT -5
This is my great friend Duncan.
Forgive me for a personal post, but I am excited and need to tell someone! You all get the honors.
I 'rescued' him from the pound on the day he was to be euthenized, being sadly told no one would ever adopt him they feared...he was just too ugly. And he was a mess, bone thin, hair all matted, horrible mange. Fighting words to me and home he came of course. And he has been the best dog I;ve had in years and totally adores Lizzy and follows her wherever she is....winning big points from Gammy. 
Mother's Day I left at 1100 for lunch with my family, he was fine...and arrived back home at 1330 to find him paralyzed in his back legs! Spent the rest of that day at the emergency vet clinic, no answers, next day to his normal vet and was referred to the 'WORLDS BEST NEUROLOGISTS/SURGEONS' and can't say enough for these wonderful folks. They spent nearly 2 hours explaining his diagnosis, prognosis, pros, cons, ups and downs. They felt sure he had ruptured a disc and were careful to advise me he had a 60/40 chance by the statistics of ever regaining normal movement again. I spent Monday night researching this on line, debating, praying, working the money and almost fighting my kids. I do understand their POV...it was 3500 bucks with no assurance of success...but something in me said he was a scrappy little fighter and worth the effort. He is my 'family' and the one that greets me whenever I return home...those of you with dogs know what I speak of here. So....I wrote the check and signed the papers and they did the surgery Tuesday afternoon. And told me he would need to be hospitalized a minimum of 8-10 days. Wednesday report was 'guarded' but promising, Thursdays hopeful as he was really rallying. This afternoon I got a call that he was exceeding all expectations....still can't walk of course but can support his own weight, control his urine, is trying ever so hard to move his legs to walk and would I like to bring him home for the weekend!! Would I?! Have got this sling affair that I use to support his rear end as the 'front' of him works just fine and believe me, he can drag himself all over the place. His back legs are just trotting along like he is running full out and he is doing so well. He is days and days ahead of where anyone thought he would be and while it is still a 'guarded' prognosis, the surgeons are ecstatic over his rapid progress and feel relatively sure he will make a full recovery. I am so excited, but trying to remember he may never get any better....but gosh darn it looks so good. It's hard to be negative. And while not what is normally discussed here....and apologies for such a graphic item...this evening I had him outside and he dragged his little self around the side of the house where he always does his 'business'....and did just that!! Who knew my dog taking a crap could be cause for such joy? 
My kids think Mom has lost her mind...spending that much money on a mutt....and maybe I have, but damn, I am a grinning happy woman tonight! My Duncan MacKenzie is on the mend! And except for an 8" scar down the middle of his back and a really, really bad haircut he is laying here beside me looking for all the world like the buddy I count on to keep me company.
Thanks for listening.....just needed to tell someone....my dog crapped this evening!!! ;D ;D
Forgive me for a personal post, but I am excited and need to tell someone! You all get the honors.
I 'rescued' him from the pound on the day he was to be euthenized, being sadly told no one would ever adopt him they feared...he was just too ugly. And he was a mess, bone thin, hair all matted, horrible mange. Fighting words to me and home he came of course. And he has been the best dog I;ve had in years and totally adores Lizzy and follows her wherever she is....winning big points from Gammy. 
Mother's Day I left at 1100 for lunch with my family, he was fine...and arrived back home at 1330 to find him paralyzed in his back legs! Spent the rest of that day at the emergency vet clinic, no answers, next day to his normal vet and was referred to the 'WORLDS BEST NEUROLOGISTS/SURGEONS' and can't say enough for these wonderful folks. They spent nearly 2 hours explaining his diagnosis, prognosis, pros, cons, ups and downs. They felt sure he had ruptured a disc and were careful to advise me he had a 60/40 chance by the statistics of ever regaining normal movement again. I spent Monday night researching this on line, debating, praying, working the money and almost fighting my kids. I do understand their POV...it was 3500 bucks with no assurance of success...but something in me said he was a scrappy little fighter and worth the effort. He is my 'family' and the one that greets me whenever I return home...those of you with dogs know what I speak of here. So....I wrote the check and signed the papers and they did the surgery Tuesday afternoon. And told me he would need to be hospitalized a minimum of 8-10 days. Wednesday report was 'guarded' but promising, Thursdays hopeful as he was really rallying. This afternoon I got a call that he was exceeding all expectations....still can't walk of course but can support his own weight, control his urine, is trying ever so hard to move his legs to walk and would I like to bring him home for the weekend!! Would I?! Have got this sling affair that I use to support his rear end as the 'front' of him works just fine and believe me, he can drag himself all over the place. His back legs are just trotting along like he is running full out and he is doing so well. He is days and days ahead of where anyone thought he would be and while it is still a 'guarded' prognosis, the surgeons are ecstatic over his rapid progress and feel relatively sure he will make a full recovery. I am so excited, but trying to remember he may never get any better....but gosh darn it looks so good. It's hard to be negative. And while not what is normally discussed here....and apologies for such a graphic item...this evening I had him outside and he dragged his little self around the side of the house where he always does his 'business'....and did just that!! Who knew my dog taking a crap could be cause for such joy? 
My kids think Mom has lost her mind...spending that much money on a mutt....and maybe I have, but damn, I am a grinning happy woman tonight! My Duncan MacKenzie is on the mend! And except for an 8" scar down the middle of his back and a really, really bad haircut he is laying here beside me looking for all the world like the buddy I count on to keep me company.
Thanks for listening.....just needed to tell someone....my dog crapped this evening!!! ;D ;D
