So after working solidly from 6am, throwing builders out of the house, and the wonderful dog walker popping in to load up Charlie and his gear, while I was still on the phone for work, I got away to drive down to greyfriars. Then got lost. So was stressed and late. Being stressed with an excitable dog is a disaster. Anyway, didn't handle Charlie very well, but got him into one of the tiny paddocks so could let him off lead for the physio to see him trot round. She thought he looked good, and was very complementary about how I have managed this. I nearly burst into tears at this point. Right. It's obviously all been getting to me. Full exam from physio, she declares he is pretty amazing considering he is not on pain killers. So we are good to swim. But treadmill rather than free swimming if we can manage. Round to the treadmill, took me ages, as was determined to do it calmly. In the process of this, I find out that if I use his lead on his flat collar, instead of his harness (which he hates) he stops doing a jumping jack impression (I use the harness in anticipation of this, so he doesn't hurt his neck) he walks as good as gold even passed other dogs. I think I will burn the bloody harness. We meet the wonderful, wonderful Angela. Charlie gets kitted out with life jacket type harness. He hates it. He refuses to move. Until we put a sea biscuit on the treadmill and he decides his legs work after all. In the cabinet. He is allowed to lick Angela's ears, so all is well with the world and he thinks it's great fun that the cabinet is filling with water. So much so he jumps on Angela's head. But she doesn't mind. Treadmill starts and he tries to swim - that's what water is for, right? Everyone within 100m gets very wet. Water level reduced so swimming is not an option. Charlie doesn't really "get" the treadmill. Oh dear. How can we make Charlie walk forward? Easy. Put a tennis ball on the other side of the glass. Charlie forgets the world and gallops happily towards the tennis ball! Hurrah! 100% focus on tennis ball. He gets to play with the tennis ball between 30 second gallops. Success! We're booked in for a course of 10 - 3 or 4 times a week. This will add 16 hours a week to my schedule. The wonderful, wonderful Angela tactfully talks to me about Charlie having a little spa break, as an in patient, and me having a rest... He is snoring on his back now...
Re: Water treadmill I've been waiting to hear how your day went! Oh, got to love Charlie... harness? No, thanks. Flat collar and lead? Rather... So pleased they found out how to get him to co-operate and that Charlie enjoyed his time with new ears to wash. You've done brilliantly. A little spa break for Charlie would help you recharge ready for the next stint... can you stay somewhere equally fabulous too?? Clare
Re: Water treadmill Oh wow! This is SUCH good news Julie - I have been waiting all evening for an update! So excited for you both. I definitely agree with Clare though - go for a double Spa break if you can - you both deserve it!
Re: Water treadmill He has done better than barley already. Well done charlie I agree about the harness, barley hates them too, he will shut down and refuses to move, he also does that with his halti :
Re: Water treadmill I am sooooo glad that it went well and Charlie enjoyed it . I have been waiting for you to post I think a spa break for both of you would be fab 8) All of your hard work and patience has obviously paid off, well done
Re: Water treadmill I've been waiting all day for this news Well done both of you! I think a spa holiday for Charlie and a minimum of a spa day for you is definitely called for xxx
Re: Water treadmill Thanks so much for the support - it's truly getting us through. But now I'm refreshed. His desire for that tennis ball was as bright as a nuclear power station. In the little paddock, I tried my recall whistle - away from 3 dogs, and six people, he whipped round fast enough to give himself whiplash. And instant stop and sit on the stop whistle on the way back to the distractions. We might be absolutely rubbish on a harness, but looks like he isn't forgetting the things we are good at.
Re: Water treadmill [quote author=bbrown link=topic=4045.msg47270#msg47270 date=1389737442] We promised he wouldn't x [/quote] You did, you did, indeed.
Re: Water treadmill All dried off. Full of kibble and sea biscuit treats from being good chasing the tennis ball. And now the very, very, best bit: post watwr treadmill by JulieTandCharlie, on Flickr
Re: Water treadmill What a relaxed dog; I'm sure it would have helped him (and you) sleep well last night. Hope you are seriously thinking about the residential spa option. Alice
Re: Water treadmill Yes, I am thinking that Charlie might get a spa weekend, so OH and I can go down to Cornwall - we haven't been able to go, because Charlie can't do the steps at my house. And if he is ok with that, I'm going to seriously consider whether he goes for the first few weeks after his op. He can then have professional physio, and then swimming each day. Plus, I don't have to then take forever off work. I'll have to see what the insurance will pay for though. Now I have to turn my mind to his home physio exercises - all of them are designed to shift his weight gently onto his back leg to maintain his muscle tone. They need doing a few times as many times as I can manage in a day. I have to train: Give me each of his front paws while he is standing up Stand on a wobble cushion with his front paws (I'll have to see whether I can find one on Amazon) Stand still while I put my arms round him and sway him backwards
Re: Water treadmill [quote author=Oberon link=topic=4045.msg47277#msg47277 date=1389737940] Sensational news!!!!!!!!! Angela sounds awesome [/quote] And you're surprised !!? ;D ;D ;D x !! Julie sounds like it went really well....aside from the actual activity benefit I'm so glad you've had an opportunity to practice some of his skills and KNOW that everything will be ok when you get through his op and recovery!im so glad you've agreed to him being an in patient for a little while....you are superwoman,you cope in the most amazing way but you can't take much more on and you need a rest to be ready for his op.you will miss him like mad I know but enjoy a little break xxx
