Committed to the improvement of the breed by breeding for health, temperament and better structure in dogs that have the ability to herd.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

I believe in miracles!!

For those not following Oliver on Facebook.....

HUGE PROGRESS TODAY!!!

This morning early I got up to bathe and blow dry Oliver. His urinating inside has all but subsided, preferring to wait until he's outside. I was bathing him and held up his rear between his legs, on the belly side. He seemed to have some feeling in his feet and was squeezing my arm with his inner thighs. Interesting I thought. It must be spasms. Or my imagination.

Same story on the grooming table. Weird. I thought.

I brought him to the Acupuncture/Chiropractic vet Dr. Brad in Casselton, ND, about 120 miles each way, but closest certified vet in that area (same place he was for his 3 day DMSO treatment). They asked his progression and I said..well i 'thought' i felt some stuff, but wanted them to try it.

They pinched his webbing in his feet and Oliver squirmed and thrashed wildly! Same for the other foot! The vet got what I call a 'permanent grin' or 'permagrin' at this point and was nearly yelling his findings out of excitement! They then stood him up and UNASSISTED, he stood there for a good thirty seconds before they had him sit again! HE DID IT ON HIS OWN! Dr. Brad was crying and both techs were on the verge of it. I was weeping. I couldn't help it. It was joy and unending love for this dog. They never cease to amaze me. I have only planned for the worst and so anything better than that, is good, but this was WAY ABOVE ANY HOPES! I wept for a good half hour after that, just because I was so overcome with joy, love, amazement and thankfulness. I am truly blessed with an amazing dog and a God who loves me and Oliver.

Dr. Brad said when he called me with Oliver's prognosis after the three day treatment he said he was pretty down. He is usually the pep talk that the owners needed and when he called me I was HIS pep talk. He said that by listening to my determination and love for the dog on the phone that he was able to wrap his thoughts around Oliver possibly getting better. Today made his day. HIS WEEK. It sure made mine!

I realize that this is just a baby step, but a huge one! And I need to take each day at a time. But this is huge. I never dreamed he would stand again. Now the rehab starts. Strecthes, rotations, standing, etc. Dr. Brad truly believes it is now just a slipped disc and that YES it can come back...and at any time, but he thinks with proper rehab and not over doing it when he does regain his ability to run, that he should be fine for a very long time. Let's have our fingers all crossed for that.

But in the mean time, I am prepared if he does plateau and doesn't get to the point of walking again. Or Running, or not 100%. I'm prepared for it and ok with it. So every day that he gets better and improves I'm thankful and blessed.

Dr. Brad also said that because its only been 16 days since he went down and he is already so amazed at his improvement, that things look REALLY good. He said typically dogs that have these conditions that look like IVDD, they take 2-3 months to start to regenerate nerves and such. he also doesn't think he'll be a spine walker as he has deep pain, and have sensations in his legs and feet.

Gosh this is so mumbled/jumbled I don't know if I've covered everything!

OH! He told me to hold off on a cart for four months...to see if Oliver doesn't need it. he doesn't think he will.

PRAISE GOD, JESUS and thank YOU for all your thoughts and prayers. They sure helped the Big O and me get through this stressful two weeks. We are very loved. And we are very blessed. Dr. Brad said between Oliver and my extremely positive attitudes, we should be FINE :)

YEEEE HAAAW!

16 comments:

Michelle said...

Oh Garrett, I got chills and thrills just READING about it! Praise the Lord for such wonderful news!

PS: I'm pretty excited about getting to use Barish this fall, too!

PPS: A couple new possibilities for getting Possum to your place have come up. Stay tuned.

coopercreek said...

Awesome news, Garrett! So happy for you and Oliver. PTL! Praying for continued improvement.

Lani said...

What great news, and what a blessing!

Kim said...

so SO happy for you! and Oliver!

Kanisha said...

phew I feel Like I can breather now have been holding my breathe for a couple of weeks. such wonderful news for you and Oliver. onwards and upwards!

RegentCardis said...

What a wonderful post and great news!! I am so happy for Team Oliver. :)

Sharrie said...

Why we must.......keep the faith!!! Best wishes for a long steady recovery! Happy for both of you1

Jules said...

I am crying - I can only imagine your reaction. What tremendous news! I am so happy for you and Oliver.

Sherilyn said...

Oh my! Reading this has got me crying, and I'm at work! LOL Everyone's asking if I'm ok, and when I explained why I was crying, they just don't get it! I am so relieved to hear this good news...positive thoughts and prayers do help! Continued from here in Iowa...keep us posted on that young man, please! Hugs to all!

Taryn said...

Oh, thank goodness! What wonderful news! May he continue to improve daily!

PS I'm at work and teary-eyed too! Had to make it look like I was blowing my nose ;-)

Sarah said...

That's fantastic news!!! I knew Oliver could do it, even if he never gets farther than this, you know he's trying. :-) Sniffling a bit at work here myself.

Lybertygirl said...

What fantastic news and a true testament to the power of positive thinking! We will keep sending healing thoughts your way!

Taija said...

Garrett, after reading your posting I'm writing this with teary eyes: I am so happy for you! Go Oliver, go!

Janine's Mom said...

Wonderful news!

I'd disagree about a cart, though, a cart acts like a walker for a dog and lets him uses his legs normally while still supporting his weight- it can help with rehab just like swimming can (which is great if you can do it, too.) A dog that can uses his legs doesn't stop because he is in a cart.

JoAnne said...

I'm late to the party! I'm so happy for you both. This is huge, Garrett. One of the people who called me when Meg and Cody went down told me her story. It was almost six months before her dog walked. She lifted her out of the car at the vets for a routine appointment and since the dog wasn't walking, didn't leash her up. She was getting some stuff out of the car, shut the door and .... no dog! The dog was ambling through the parking lot to the front door! So hang in there. I think he'll walk.

God is good!

Claire said...

What wonderful news!