Saturday, October 22

Oberon and Jack

Miss  161

Well. Oberon is happy. Playing. Eating. Not falling, but ... he's "wobbly." His movement are not deliberate and strong like Izabella's. When he gets on the sofa he falls into it with a loud thud. When he walks his foot falls are super loud. Yes, Iz is much younger, but I'm comparing the Ob I saw before all this happened to the Ob I've been observing all week. So I'm eagerly awaiting Monday's laser appointment.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Since our last visit to Dr. Beckett, it's been a great two days. Oberon has not fallen, not panted (from excessive prednisone), and not listened to me. He acts like an empowered 8th grader. Perhaps I've spoiled him somewhat since he became ill. Today's visit was great as usual. Cold laser for 5+ minutes. In the car with no stumbling, no tripping. Quiet ride home. But at home he would not get out of the car. It took 3 tennis balls, one raw hide chew and 37 minutes. Hmmmm. This is not the first time that he's needed coaxing to get out of a vehicle once home. Ideas anyone?

Monday, October 10, 2011

What a happy Columbus Day! From the minute he awoke, Ob showed a non-ailing side. He was like the Oberon of last summer. Alert, agile, playful and mischievous. Through the large glass door facing the south woods he spotted a circling hawk (or vulture) and cheerfully barked. I let both dogs out for their morning thing and Ob stared into the sky lifting his head and bending his neck backwards. Looked painless. He engaged Izabella in play doing that play bow thing, and chased her around the house. And even grabbed for my new fuzzy slippers when he came back to the house.

The minute he saw me take his halter from the peg by the door he was eager to go. He stood by the car waiting while I took care of a few last things. Getting in and out of the Mustang is no longer a problem. He whined during the ride to South Glastonbury. Maybe he was singing. I need to get one of those collars that interpret dog-speak. If anyone has used them, send me a note.

He was squirmy at the Vet's today.  He loved the laser the first time, but since he's been moving his head from left to right, appearing not to enjoy it. Maybe it's the goggles. He's worn goggles with the top on the car down...just for effect. Today was his 7th laser treatment. He slept on the ride home and now he's sitting on the coffee table watching leaves fall as I blog outside on this beautiful day.

October 8, Saturday

Today Oberon is exceptionally puppy-like. He's gone through the garbage, taken all of Izabella's toys and barked at the fire works coming from somewhere west. He gets on furniture easily .... yes, I allow that. He does his business easily without stumbling, and does not fall down while turning or on wood floors. His gait is different from 3 months ago. He used to walk and run silently as if on air barely touching the ground. Now his movements are loud and somewhat rough. But he moves and doesn't fall and is happy as am I. Pretty good, huh?

Friday, October 7

Around 10:00 AM Oberon went and sat next to the car. Guess he was ready to go. Anywhere. Today's ride was less articulate than yesterday's. He made much less noise. I wonder how much of the distress is the narrow, cramped "back seat" or can it be paint or is it excitement. Today's weight was 103. Pretty much regular plus or minus one pound. Lucky Dog!

Laser was administered by Dr. Webb today. Ob looked great in his goggles as we did in ours. Treatment was 5.5 minutes. The trip home was short. I'm staining my deck this weekend. No dog park. Sorry Ob. Again he's lounging on the sofa happy not to be wobbling anymore. Next appointment Monday.

It's 7 PM. He shook his head and rattled his ears Doberman style and took Izabella's toy away from her. She stood silently and watched wordlessly. Ha! Is that a Dobie with a serious problem in his neck? Great Day. Except for the staining.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

ObDobe

Ob cried all the way to our 11:00 appointment. He even reached for me with his giant paw. When we got to South Glastonbury he immediately calmed down and wanted to go see the sheep. We walked along the side of the road littered pleasantly with black walnuts. A very unsteady walk yet he did well. I tripped twice.

Black Walnuts -
The Wild Vegetarian Cookbook

I wonder what it is about sheep that makes Ob so interested and so calm at the same time. Should I get sheep?

Inside he started "zenning" out right after the first needle. Ob is the poster puppy for acupuncture.

Based on his physical exam etc. it was decided to decrease his prednisone to 10mg every 3 days and to continue with laser 2x a week rather than 3x and acupuncture 3x a week.

He's sleeping next to me after inhaling his supper and I am terribly grateful to Dr. Beckett and his wonderful staff for lifting this part of my life.

A Different Kind of Day

On Wednesday our appointment was for 11 AM. Ob was pretty mopey all morning. I had both dogs in the family room with the door closed because my mother's care giver fears dogs. One can see into the room because it has glass doors. Alina actually noticed first that he looked out of sorts. Normally he would at least stand up when he saw me or her through the door. When it was time to go he gave me a hard time over the halter. Didn't want to put it on. I said the magic words, "Want to go for a ride?" and he let me put the halter on. Ob had trouble getting into the the car today. He fell. I had to help him by lifting his butt. He whimpered all the way to Glastonbury, about a half hour ride. He sat like always butt on the seat, rear legs sideways, front legs on the floor, but today he tried to rest his head on the passenger head rest. I think his neck hurt.

He was unusually squirmy during the 5 minute laser treatment. Got back into the car with no problem, and did not make a sound the entire ride home. Hmmmm. Big difference.

Last summer at the beach without Izabella.

I'm wondering if I perhaps do too much with him going to the park and all. Or maybe Izabella is too rough. This morning for the first time in a long time she tried initiating play with Ob by jumping on him. I stopped it of course, but maybe ....  Ugh.