Something really important to remember anytime of year when fireworks are involved, and especially around the 4th of July.
Many of our pets are very sensitive to the sounds of fireworks and many of our service men and women come home from combat suffering from PTSD. The sound of fireworks has a far different effect on them than it does on the rest of us.
Remember this and please be respectful.
Happy 4th of July all my stateside peeps!!
Welcome to this week’s edition of Follow-Up Friday, the post where I answer questions, highlight reader’s comments and wrap up my week!
You Make Me Laugh – June 29, 2014
Ah Sampson, you crack me up.
Hailey and Zaphod said, “Someone seems excited to be leaving! I love the hitch area, I wish our clinic had that!”
Jan K said, “I like that hitch, I wish our vet’s office had one. Trying to juggle a dog while paying is such a pain!”
Honestly it is so amazing. I have actually thought of trying to find one and attach it to my house. I can’t tell you how many times I start out the door for a walk and realize I’ve forgotten something. Sampson is super good and will wait if I tell him, but not Delilah!
Lauranne said, “I just tried to put just ‘bless him’ as my comment and your blog just told me off saying it wasn’t long enough and I had to try again! I feel judged.”
I’m super sorry!! I have no idea why it did that.
Western Medicine vs Eastern Medicine for Dogs
I won’t lie, it broke my heart to see his little tail tucked between his legs. That has never happened before.
I agree with all of you. There is definitely more acupuncture treatments in Sampson’s future. Unfortunately the vet at our practice who does this is away for two weeks, so it will have to wait, but I’m hoping it will help him.
Emma said, “If only us dogs could talk for a second and let you know what is going on.”
There are many times I wish that too Emma.
Two French Bulldogs said, “We are really interested in that Eastern medics stuff for my legs and back.”
Have you tried it at all? Have you looked into it? I’m sure out your way there has to be somebody who practices on pups.
Lexy said, “Poor guy – and it’s just heartbreaking to not be able to explain what’s going on to them.”
I agree, there are times when I wish he could understand me when I say, your muscle will feel better if you plant your foot a certain way. Sadly, I am not Dr. Doolittle.
Just a reminder, your comment should tell me WHAT treat you want for your pet. Some of you commented but didn’t say.
Emma said, “Mom has our box on top of the refrigerator so we can’t get it and the cat can’t get up there either.”
And considering the mischief at your house over the sneaker box Emma, I don’t blame her a bit.
Bernie said, “I nominated you for the Shine On Award on my blog today!”
Thank you so much!! That was very sweet of you.
Oz the Terrier said, “OMD…I LOVE your ditty. I even sang it to myself with a ‘twang’ in my voice! ”
LOL I love that Oz!!
Jan said, “I’m sure my dogs would love eating lungs and tracheas and ligaments and scrotums and…”
Good thing I didn’t have anything in my mouth when I read this Jan. If they really want some scrotums, check out the Bully sticks.
Houndstooth asked, “Are you sure you don’t want to start a career as a songwriter? ”
Are you kidding? I struggle writing this blog. LOL
I’m like a fine wine Mama, it takes time.
Lauranne said, ” it sounds like the people who are helping you through this (doctor, surgeons etc) are all brilliant and together you will all get there. In the meantime can I suggest a good merlot?”
Yes. Yes you can. I’m heading to the winery tomorrow. 😉
2 Brown Dawgs said, ” I would imagine not overexercising that muscle would be important to allow it to heal.”
See that’s exactly what I thought! But they all say I should still be walking him, just keeping it very slow. I think like you, let’s keep him off it as much as we can and see if that muscle eases up.
Beth said, “Even though it’s hard (especially when you’ve got the short end of the stick and have the atypical recovery), I think it’s really important to remember that our pets are individuals; they’re different from every other dog/cat/bird/guinea pig, which is exactly why we love them but it also makes it hard when their recovery times don’t measure up to everyone else’s.”
I agree with you 100%! I kept telling the therapist this, you can’t fit everyone into the same cookie cutter! But it still makes me sad that he has had the complications. 🙁
Two French Bulldogs said, “We got your back Sampson.”
God how I wish there was a like button for this comment!!
That’s it for me, have a safe and wonderful 4th from all of us at Heart Like a Dog!
I promised you an update on Sampson after he saw the surgeon, which was last night.
The physical therapist had already updated him to Sampson’s little set back a couple of weeks ago, and he wanted to take an x-ray of Sampson’s knee, which he did.
The x-ray showed that the knee is stable, which was the ultimate goal, and now we need to find what works best for Sampson to help him heal.
I told him what our vet thought, and he examined Sampson and agreed his Iliopsoas muscle was definitely tender. He explained it as similar to the pain experienced with a groin pull. A nagging, constant pain. He told me he’d consulted with another surgeon in the practice and asked if he’d ever heard of going in and cutting the Iliopsoas or injecting it with something and thankfully the other surgeon said no. If he had suggested it, I would have never agreed to it anyway.
We talked about him going back in and looking around as the therapist had suggested. She really feels like it’s a Meniscus but Dr. Lesham and I both agreed we are not ready to take that route right now.
I like people who are real and I like this surgeon. We sat on the floor in the exam room with Sampson laying next to me and talked about Sampson’s surgery and recovery.
I shared how frustrated I am with Sampson’s recovery, how everyone that shared their stories with me before surgery had a far different outcome. That this wasn’t the recovery I had anticipated for Sampson. I also told him I thought I was too strict when Sampson came home and had perhaps hindered Sampson’s recovery.
He shared he is frustrated as well. He said, “Sampson got a shit run.” He went on to say that Sampson is such a good dog and this isn’t the recovery that he wanted for him either. He assured me that none of what is going on is my fault.
I told Dr. Lesham Sampson had had an acupuncture treatment and he was so excited. I told him we saw some improvement in Sampson after one treatment which surprised him, his experience is typically it takes a few treatments. At this point he would like to see us continue with the acupuncture and check in with him in a couple of weeks.
Then we went to physical therapy and I asked if the underwater treadmill was the best option at this point, considering he has a pulled muscle. I thought perhaps he would benefit from the cold laser treatment. She agreed to switch out the treadmill therapy for cold laser.
So that’s where we’re at. We are not pursuing surgery at this time, but we will be upping his glucosamine, setting him up with some acupuncture therapy and finishing his last three or four therapy appointments with cold laser.
I’m like a fine wine Mama, it takes time.
My book.
I’m back writing again (for the moment.) This week I hit the 40,000 word mark. The typical book is between 80,000 to 100,000 words, so I’m about half way there.
I think the plot is there, I just need to tweak it some and add more detail. I apologize for not visiting your blogs, but I want to take advantage of the creativity while I have the motivation. 🙂
JONES CHEW GIVEAWAY
Don’t forget to enter our giveaway for some awesome treats from Jones Natural Chews!! If you missed it, it’s HERE.
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