Thunder Dog

Over the weekend, I went to Barnes & Noble to pick up some books I had been wanting to get for some time. Usually before I go, I check out their website to see what other new books are out that might interest me. There was this one book that immediately caught my attention called "Thunder Dog" by Michael Hingson. The tagline says it all "A Blind Man, His Guide Dog, and the Triumph of Trust at Ground Zero." With that said, I can only imagine that not only will I curl up with a hot cup of tea, blanket and Jada with this book, but also a box of tissues! I'm so anxious to start reading!!

My book!!  Even got it in hardcover :)

For more about Michael Hingson and the Thunder Dog book, you can visit his website: The Michael Hingson Group.



Day 9 - A Week Later

It's been a little over a week since I took Jada to the vet for her paws and things have been going very well. I've noticed that she is getting better.  One thing I didn't blog about but that was one of the regimen is the Douxo Spot-On droplets, given on Days 7, 13, and 19.  I would take the pipette and give each paw a drop, rub in and the medication would spread around her paw to the needed areas.  I was afraid she would lick this, but thankfully she left her paws alone.  She will get another dose of that treatment throughout the next 2 weeks.  I've also started to wean her off of the steroids, now down to every other day.

As far as her changes, the obvious is that Jada has not been licking or chewing at her paws. The first day I remember watching her and yelling maybe once or twice her name and she would instantly stop. I think she had a feeling that we were trying to help her get better. She also stopped limping, a very good sign.

The other changes were more subtle. A few more days after the start of the medicine, I noticed that Jada wouldn't hesitate to go into the grass as before.  She reminded me of a donkey and someone trying to pull it and it would just sit there and not budge. Well imagine an 8-pound min pin doing the same thing and you have Jada! I also started to see her scabs healing on her right paw pad, the worst of the four. Also, the black color was coming back and the hair on her back paws were slowly growing back. I also noticed she wasn't scratching or rubbing her belly on the carpet.

A subtle difference, but a step closer to getting better!

I have to say that last week, I felt so overwhelmed and unsure about everything. I had no faith in myself that this could work or I could do this, but I knew I had to, for my Jada girl and because I love her. It's amazing a week later seeing these results from this treatment.  I'm just hoping that her paws will get back to normal and that the biopsy will not be needed on her paws.

Still looks yellow, but I think it's because of the lighting (This was taken on my Blackberry) ~ 8/5/11

Scabs are almost gone! ~ 8/5/11

Sleepy Jada, still in bed! ~ 8/5/11

Two more weeks to go until Jada goes back to the vet for a follow-up!  Keep those positive thoughts and prayers coming ... I believe they are working :)



"It's Just A Dog"

I'm sure we've all heard this phrase at one time or another, even the cat people or just pets/animals in general.  So when I came across this poem, I just had to share ;)

It' Just a Dog

From time to time people tell me, "Lighten up, it's just a dog," or, "That's a lot of money for just a dog." They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent or the costs involved for "just a dog."

Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog."

Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog," but I did not once feel slighted.

Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog," and, in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you will probably understand phases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise."

"Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy.

"Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that makes me a better person.

Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future.

So for me, and folks like me, it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past and the pure joy of the moment.

"Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a human."

So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog." just smile....because they "just don't understand."

- Anonymous

 

Wordless Wednesday - Walking the Dog

Cutest picture ever  =)

 

Day 4 - Side Effects

While we think Jada's paws are improving, we did hit a minor snag. During Jada's appointment, Dr. Mary did tell me about a side effect to the steroid to look out for: increase in urination. Yesterday, since the steroids seemed to be working at it's most powerful, Jada did experience this side effect when she urinated on our carpet without warning, right in front of us. It was a little shocking because she hasn't done that since she was a puppy, but we couldn't yell at her. We just cleaned it up. It happened again yesterday afternoon and only once today. Thankfully, that was on our kitchen tile floor so clean up was much easier :) We were more aware of her drinking today and took her outside about every hour and a half to two hours. Tomorrow starts the weaning off of the steroid, cutting the dosage back to just 1/2 a tablet once a day. Her body should then slowly get back to normal.

Today, Jada did have her second bath with the Duoxo shampoo. She hates baths to begin with so having to keep her in the tub 5 to 10 minutes longer to soak her paws is nearly impossible. Luckily, I have a huge soaking tub, so since I don't get to use it often, at least it's getting used somehow!! With the huge tub, it also prevents Jada from jumping out, although she's a pretty high jumper ... if I wasn't there to stop her, she could definitely get out.

Did I mention I hate baths?!!  Get me out of here!!

Thanks again to everyone for their support and prayers!

Day 3 - Changes?

It's only Day 3 since Jada's medical intervention with her paws, and while I don't really want to jinx anything, my husband and I have started to notice some changes ... for the positive!  I've been following the chart I made to help keep all the meds straight.



Chart for Jada's treatment

First of all, Jada has not been licking or chewing at her paws.  I was so worried the licking and chewing would be the hardest to get through. After all, I know how I am with a mosquito bite ... scratch to the point it's bleeding!!  So I think I can relate to Jada's situation.  Since we've had trouble keeping the E-collar on her, we've took risk and left it off and have just been monitoring her.  I know Dr. Mary stressed that with the E-collar it could really help in a lot of ways so I was a little hesitant at doing this, but there was no other way she could keep it on.  Well to our surprise, she hasn't been after her paws.  Maybe she knows if she does, the E-collar will go on. 

The second thing we noticed was that her paws were scabbing, a sign of healing!  Also, the swelling has gone down a lot and we can see that she does have some black color back on her paws.  Don't get me wrong they are still raw, dry and infected but at least we have some signs of hope that this may be clearing up.

Scabs and no swelling (7/30/11)

Still infected and yellowish, but are those black pads coming back? (7/30/11)

I'm starting to feel better about myself too.  I'm doing everything I can for Jada and I'm pretty sure she knows that :)



I have to say THANKS to all my friends who gave me encouraging words as well as tips for the E-collar.  Everything means a lot to me (and Jada too!) and having my fellow dog-lover friends for support, means more to me than you would ever know!!



Day 1 - Begin the Treatment

I am going to use my blog to document Jada's progress over the next three weeks. I'm hoping this will help me feel better knowing I'm doing what I can and hopefully actually see a difference through the weeks that she IS getting better.

So here we are Day 1 of treatment and I've started Jada on the antibiotic and steroid/antihistamine with a full dose already done for the day (both meds taken twice a day).  She also took her vitamin and had a bath in her Duoxo shampoo. Whew! Now if only I can keep that E-collar on her?!!

Below are pictures I took from this morning ... viewer discretion is advised:



Infected Front Right Paw (7/28/11)



Another view of Infected Front Right Paw (7/28/11)



Front Right Paw (7/28/11)

Although these are painful to look at and for Jada, she is in great spirits and has been acting her normal self.  She puts up a fight to go outside, which I'm sure she associates with the irritation of her paws, but other than that, she plays, eats and drinks like a normal pup!  I'm just really praying this will work.  Any extra prayers, please send our way!