An update on Willow

Lovingly known as wheelydog - Willow had a spinal injury and used a frame with wheels in place of her back legs. Hydrotherapy, a loving home and one year later she is walkig without her frame and continies to improve

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LabRes1
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An update on Willow

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As many of you will remember, we helped to raise money for Willow (aka wheely dog) and helped the nurses at the veternary hospital to find her a new home. Unfortumately, the rescue was only assisting in this process rather than taking control and therefor the link to willows new home and subsequent feedback broke down...

Anyway - the good news is that we now have some feedback from willows new mum...

Dear Glenys,

I hope this finds you well. Last year at Crufts bought a lovely laughing yellow pup from your stall and mentioned that I hoped to be able to help your cause eventually. Little did I know that within 2 months I'd be taking on Willow! I know my communication with you all has been sporadic to say the least and it was unfortunate that you were unable to make Crufts this year as I took some pictures of her and was hoping to meet you - hence I really do hope this finds you well.

I am pleased to report that Willow - now called Milly as I already had a Willow - IS well. She remains the loving little character that you described. She is licky and appreciative of any fuss whatsoever - her little eyes close as she holds on to the moment if you tickle her chest and she is ever so patient when I fumble to put her boots on. Once the boots are on she is off and yips away madly as she chases tennis balls in the paddock. Invariably the boots come off and I have to carry her back until we find them again but she does so love it. She also loves just lying in the sun, sniffing the air and watching for anything that deserves her comment! If possible she bosses my other dogs around too, but on the whole they get on very well and it is always Milly that sounds the alarm if my boy Bracken has a fit! Sadly the first time he did she bit him so I now separate them if I'm not there!

I think it's fair to say that the hydrotherapy business has not been great in the past year and unable to give her full employment my vet nurse has had to leave (but happily she is back to being a vet nurse proper which is actually what she wanted all along). However, I am coping on my own and Milly still gets to swim, though not as regularly as before. However, she doesn't need it as much and tends to rely on her front legs anyway. She is still well exercised and YES she can walk unaided, but I don't think she will ever be able to 'go for a walk' or run. She's fine pottering around in the kitchen or garden and sniffing around on all fours, but once she wants to move quicker she drops to her knees and goes like the clappers!! So although her coat has improved and the bare patches on her sides have grown again her bottom is still bare and her hind paws need constant attention and covering up. I have not managed to find the type of boots she came with, which were the best, but we persevere with what we can get and tie old socks over them to protect them. It doesn't exactly look pretty but I've got lots of new socks as she gets all my others. As I said she is SO patient when being 'dressed' and we still use her wheels if we go out and about. She especially loves the beach. I think the sand gives her better purchase somehow and I can hardly keep up with her!

The down side is that she remains doubly incontinent. Liz Sweeney sent some nappies which I didn't like at first but came to appreciate. I adapt Pampers to accommodate the tail but tend not to use them unless I have to. Unattended she is quite likely to rip them to pieces. Pooh-wise she tries to head for the door, leaving an inevitable trail behind her but the intention is good. But she is a dribbler. Just before Milly came here I had to have my Ruma put to sleep and later tests showed she had leptospirosis so I had I took Milly for a booster with the others. Her next innoculation is in May and I will ask the vets whether they think she may have a urinary infection - all this moving along on her bottom does worry me - and I know you agreed to insure her so could you please forward details of her insurance as I may need it. Sadly neither Liz nor Karen has been in touch since I rang Liz at the beginning of October, which disappoints as having rescued her they seem to be too busy to check how she is and now I don't feel I can contact them. Incidentally I gradually put Mills on the same food as my other dogs and the end result is the same so I'll continue to do so. I know you agreed to pay for her specialist food but honestly I think your funds can be better used elsewhere. Now if you could find someone to sponser her in kitchen towels I'd be very interested!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Image

Must go. With best best wishes from us all, especially Milly Jan Waite
-------------------------------
Canine Hydrotherapist Training
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Lucy
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Re: An update on Willow

Post by Lucy »

It is so nice to hear the update about her and glad she is settled and enjoying life as much as she can :1944: .
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Re: An update on Willow

Post by jackiem »

Well done for giving this lovely girl the chance of a semi-normal life. Compared with how she was when she was first with you she has really come on as a a result of your patience and care.
Jackie
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Re: An update on Willow

Post by jackie »

Bless her, she certainly has been through the mill, but I am delighted to hear all about her amazing progress - well done and thank you for giving her a chance, I don't think she would have been here today if you hadn't.

Jackie xx
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Re: An update on Willow

Post by mollysmum »

great to her that Milly is doing really well. She looks good too :1939:
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Re: An update on Willow

Post by benjiesmum »

Glad to hear that she is getting on so well. Great news. :1952:
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Glenys
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Re: An update on Willow

Post by Glenys »

Further update:


Dear Glenys
Thank you so much for your very prompt reply. I really appreciate it because Mills isn't easy (however adorable at times she may be) and it is important that someone out there knows that and can offer moral support! I am pleased that the decision to save her in the first place wasn't mine but she is here now and a happy little girl. I discourage her from the carpetted area in the breakfast room for obvious reasons but she sneaks in under the radar and has been lying in the sunny patch in a jumble with several others. I actually tried to take a picture of her with my young yellow and 10 month old black to show all colours but it wasn't a great success but I'll keep trying as that shows her in her family. She thrives on their company and they are so good with her and put up with her bossiness.
Please share her news with your supporters. She is young enough to adapt and still get a lot out of life although she'll never really walk properly again, but she is a happy little girl.
ln time I'll probably contact Liz again to check on the insurance situation as I'm sure she was but excluding any ailment which would be as a result of the accident eg arthritis, however I don't insure mine anymore so we'll get by.
However, if you could sponser her Pampers that would be fantastic. Really I'd be so grateful as it would mean I could get away - taking her with me if necessary she is in therelooking for her favourite toy - the blue one in the picture.
Anyway I shall look forward to hearing from you. I hadn't expected so prompt a reply Best wishes,
Jan
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Re: An update on Willow

Post by Glenys »

I intend to arrange for the rescue to sponsor the pampers
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Re: An update on Willow

Post by jackie »

What a lady Jan is :1952: It is comforting to know that there are kind and patient people willing to give a dog the best possible life, takes a lot to do this and I think the pampers support is a great idea :1945:

Thanks for the updates and pictures, this little girl seems to come to and from my mind, she was quite a challenge for the Rescue.

Jackie x
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Re: An update on Willow

Post by LabRes1 »

As you will have read, Jan needs plenty of pampers to use for willow - as we all know, they are an expensive item..

I feel like the rescue hit man at times but I'm at it again -

If you would like to make a donation to be used to help Jan out a little with some pampers - the button is below...

[pampers][/pampers]

if i carry on like this - people will run a mile when they see one of my posts! :2009:
-------------------------------
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www.caninetherapiesacademy.co.uk
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Re: An update on Willow

Post by Glenys »

Thank you Ian you are a star xx

If anyone would prefer you can send a cheque made to Labrador rescue I will then forward it to jan in one amount.


This could be sent to me at.
Labrador Rescue Malt Kiln farm Tincklers lane eccleston Chorley PR75QY
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Lucy
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Re: An update on Willow

Post by Lucy »

I was just thinking would it not be worth looking into getting some of these as in the long run will be so much more cheaper and just as good ? I am not sure about the washing and drying side but would be the same as if it were for a baby ?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1-All-In-One-COTT ... 240%3A1318
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Re: An update on Willow

Post by playpen »

Just a suggestion,
Could one of you ladys who are into art & crafts, design one using toweling,
Cut a hole for the tail plus padding underneath to act as a soak-away and a velcrose strap for fitting.This could turn into a cottage industry and make mega-bucks for the rescue.
The possible name for this product:-

"Labby-Libbys "

Have to go now, the drugs are wareing off. :1956:

John
HAVE HOPE FOR THE FUTURE
jackie
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Re: An update on Willow

Post by jackie »

playpen wrote:Just a suggestion,
Could one of you ladys who are into art & crafts, design one using toweling,
Cut a hole for the tail plus padding underneath to act as a soak-away and a velcrose strap for fitting.This could turn into a cottage industry and make mega-bucks for the rescue.
The possible name for this product:-

"Labby-Libbys "

Have to go now, the drugs are wareing off. :1956:

John
:1966: All joking aside I think that is a good idea and of course it is more environmentally friendly.

Jackie x
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Re: An update on Willow

Post by JoanG »

The washable nappies sound a good idea but I haven't any experience of looking after a dog like Willow and as Willow is doubly incontinent I don't think i would want to have to wash nappies as well as having to wash her to keep her clean. Obviously we all have to clean up after our dogs and wash things when they have accidents or are ill but if you had to do that day in day out on top of everything else Willow needs it might perhaps be just too much.

Would she need a particular size of nappy, they seem to be much more sophisticated than when I used them twenty years ago :1967:

Joan x
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