I'm Doing So Well and Then........................

I can now walk, run, and jump without any problems. My doctors are amazed at my progress. I'm back to chasing Coco and the kitties. I've been a good boy, taking my supplements, doing exercises, and going for accupuncture. It's truly a miracle! Three months ago, on April 28, I couldn't walk and my legs were frozen. Now look at me!

So, here I am, almost completely back to normal when it happened! It was a normal vacation morning. Daddy was out running errands, getting ready for their big trip. Mommy was home, on the phone talking to her sister. I remember thinking how special it was to have both Mommy and Daddy home during the day when I heard Mommy screaming. At first, I felt a little rumble, like a truck going by. It got louder and louder. Then the windows began to rattle and the building shook and swayed. What's going on here? I thought. Mommy is so upset, she's running around the house, screaming for Daddy. Daddy is not even here! And why are we shaking?

Just as quickly as the shaking started, it ended. Mommy tried her landline and then her cell phone. All of them were dead. That made her cry even harder. She grabbed her keys and went to check on our neighbors. Two are stay at home moms with toddlers. Mommy got them to go outside and wait. We live on the top floor of a condo building. Mommy went back and check each floor to make sure everyone was out. By then Daddy was home. I could tell Daddy was rattled. My Daddy rarely gets upset in emergencies. So I knew this was serious. Finally, we went back into the building.

As soon as the door opened, I ran to hide under my pawrents' bed. I stayed there all afternoon. With my PAWS pals' encouragement, a catnip jello shot, and a can of duck meat, I finally came out. Daddy said we had a major earthquake. I don't know what's an earthquake but I don't like them. Coco tells me that Los Angeles is famous for earthquakes. I thought we were famous for movie stars! She said the year before she was born, a huge quake happened. There were lots of injuries, people died, and buildings were destroyed. Now I'm scared! I don't want to go through another one! Canela explained to me that earthquakes don't happen all the time. You can go years before feeling one. He said it's a small price to pay for living with perfect weather year round. Well, I hope this was the last earthquake I'll feel in my lifetime!

My Surprise for the White Coat

I had to see my primary White Coat for a recheck for my ear and back. Well, I walked on leash for the first time since April 28 into the vet's office. The reception staff was so surprised to see me walking! They put us into a room and the first thing Dr. D saw was my new haircut. Mommy put me on the floor and I walked for her. Dr. D was, to say the least, shocked. She never thought there would be so much improvement in such a short time. The good news, besides the fact I'm walking, is that my ear infection is gone. The bad news is that because I'm compensating for not walking well, I have a pressure sore on one of my elbows. So, I'm back on antibiotics for four weeks. Yuck! Oh, by the way, I walked out of the doctor's office too!

My Mommy's Surprise

Today, when my mommy got home from work, I had a surprise for her. When she opened the door, I stood on all fours in the hallway. When Mommy saw me, she said, "Saki! I can't believe it!" She dropped to her knees and asked me to come over to her. I walked all the way, wagging my tail, to where she was and I licked her hand. She got so leaky! Daddy did too!

This is the first month anniversary of my illness. One month ago, I couldn't walk. I was in a lot of pain. My back legs were stiff and lifeless. With medication, acupuncture, and lots of love as well as support from family and friends, look what I can do!

I had one last surprise for Mommy and Daddy today. As they laid in bed, reading, I stood on my hind legs. Yes, I put my full weight on my back legs! I used my front legs to support me against the bed but the weight was on my back legs. Mommy and Daddy were speechless. Mommy scooped me up and gave me so many hugs and kisses. Daddy kept saying, "What a good little guy!" And to think, one month ago, one vet wanted to put me down! Power of the Paw, baby! Power of the Paw!

My First Acupuncture Session

This morning, it was drizzling in Los Angeles. Just a couple of days before, we had hail, rain and two tornados! Mommy wrapped me up in blanket so I wouldn't get wet or cold. With Daddy driving and Mommy carrying me and my medical records, we went off to see this new vet. We ended up waiting quite awhile because Mommy got the times mixed up. She thought the appointment was at 11:00 AM but it really was at 11:30! Silly Mommy! She still can't work that Blackberry of hers! Mommy spread the blanket on the floor and let me lay there. While Mommy and Daddy read, I got to watch all these doggies and kitties come in and out. Not all of them were there for acupuncture. This is a special vet's office. All of the doctors are specialists. Some are cardiologists. Others were cancer specialists. Then there was my doctor. She specializes in acupuncture and holistic medicine. Finally, the nice lady called my name. Daddy decided to stay outside. He frankly didn't want to see the needles! Sillier Daddy! I was the one getting the needles not him! The vet was very nice. I liked her. She had a kind and caring face. She was very gentle and loving with me. She kept apologizing to me because she had to examine me. She told Mommy that even though there are no MRIs, after reviewing the Xrays and the records, as well as examining me, she feels that one of my disks is bulging. She felt strongly that I will be able to walk again. I might have a slight limp or sway but I will be able to walk. She will do between 8 to 10 acupuncture sessions and then refer us out for physical therapy. She gave Mommy a new set of exercises to do at home. One is very strange! She wants Mommy to get a Pilates ball so I can practice standing on it. Of course, Mommy will be holding me up. Right, Mommy??? She also gave Mommy two Chinese herbs supplements to take each day. Besides the supplements that I'm taking, she's adding Omega-3 fatty acids to my diet. Then it was time for the needles. It wasn't that bad! Mommy held me and talked to me. It was a strange sensation going down my spine. Once all the needles went in, she used electrical stimulation to get the nerves going again. I had to lay there, with needles and electrodes for twenty minutes. It wasn't uncomfortable. After awhile, I felt comfy and sleepy. I even closed my eyes for a few minutes. Before you knew it, it was time to go home. Thank you, Dr. Boyer! I felt better but very tired. My next session is in one week. Well, time for another nap. Acupuncture is tiring work!

Update: One Month Since Paralysis

I am getting stronger and stronger as each day passes. On April 28, 2008, I couldn't walk on my hind legs. Two vets suggested putting me down if I didn't have surgery. Today, I am beginning to bear weight on my back legs. I still maintain anal and bladder control. Last Saturday, I was able to give a small wag. This morning, I was wagging my tail side to side! I'm off the pain medications. I still take the muscle relaxer because this is not something you recover from overnight. I do tire out easily. Hey, this is a major injury! I did scare Mommy last night though. My pawrents came home late from a dinner. We've been having wacky weather here in Los Angeles. We had tornados, hail, rain, and other crazy things yesterday. When they opened the door, they couldn't find me. They checked all my favorite hiding places. Mommy was starting to panic when she looked at my crate in the living room. There I was, inside, snug as a bug. Hey, it was safe in there with all that thunder and lightening! Tomorrow, I start my acupuncture sessions. I'll let everyone know what it's like in my next installment!

My Conversation With An Animal Comunicator

Well, friends, you won't believe what my Mommy did! I was taking a nice nap when I heard this strange voice in my head. The voice told me that she was an animal communicator. It seems Mommy hired her to talk to me. I wonder if Daddy knows! I told the lady that the one thing I needed was for Mommy to stop being so leaky. It's driving me crazy! She asked about my pain and I told her, "Of course, I hurt! My back is injured!" Dud! I also told her that I want Mommy to re-evaluate the meds I'm on. The predisone is good. It helps. I'll continue taking it. That tramadol, though, has to go! I don't like how it makes me feel, sleepy and strange. Good thing the new vet said I could take it as needed. I did say that the muscle relaxer is ok. I'll continue taking it. That white liquid antibiotic, however, is another story. I HATE THAT STUFF! The red liquid is fine. It's helping my tummy. Mommy says that I don't have to take the tramadol and that I'm almost done with the antibiotic. I reminded Mommy that ever since I got sick, she no longer gives me a job to do. When she leaves in the morning, she always tells us that Coco is in charge. She tells me that if I hear something not right to sound the alarm. To Canela, she tells him to help his bro and sis keep our home safe. She promised me that she'll give me my old job back starting tomorrow. The talk must have helped Mommy because she came home and was acting pretty normally. By the way, I told the nice lady that my pawrents need to treat me like the King that I am! Thanks, Canela, for the great line!

I'm Innocent!

I was resting in the living room early this morning when I heard a commotion. The black kitty, Ladybug, brought this screaming bird inside. Panda Bear and Millie, our other kittysibs, started fighting Ladybug for the birdie. Next thing I know, Coco and Canela grabbed the birdie. They started tossing it around like a ball. Our pawrents are so upset with us. When Mommy ran into the living room, she started screaming and crying. Mommy, I just watched. Honest! Remember, I'm recovering from my back injury. I swear, Mommy and Daddy, I only watched!

The Pain Continues.......

I went to see my own vet on Tuesday. He too thought surgery was the only answer. Mommy insisted that there are other alternatives for me. Someone she works with has a sister whose beagle ruptured a disk. Mommy found out about this place in Westminister, CA. So she made an appointment for me. My pawrents couldn't believe it would be a free consult. The vet was very nice to me. I liked her. Mommy says she gave me an intensive neurological exam. All I know is that she moved me this way and that way. Ouch! She thinks I have a lesion between L1 and L2. Although she concurs with decompresion surgery, she also gave us the option of having acupuncture and physical therapy. Mommy immediately called this vet's office and has an appointment for me on May 25. Mommy also contacted a well known local animal communicator. She waiting for an appointment. She wants to find out what I think about surgery and other things. She's also trying to find out about a medication that is used to treat shingles in humans but is now also being used for back pain. She emailed the vet asking if she knew anything about it. My pawrents say I'm a very good patient. I take my meds without giving them problems. I'm being kept quiet and sedated. I wish this was just a nightmare. Then I could wake up and chase butterflies again!

I need POPs! I'm Hurt!

I don't know what happened. This morning, I had a hard time walking. My poor mommy got so upset. She decided to take me to work and get me to an emergency vet there. Unfortunately, her school is located in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. The little wildfire that broke out this weekend has grown to over 500 acres and endangered many homes, including my mommy's school. At one point, we could see the fire going down the hillside about half a mile away. No, the school wasn't evacuated. Yes, it will be opened tomorrow.
As for me, I had a painful but wonderful day being spoiled by Mommy's staff. While Mommy was in conference with the District personnel, I was in her air conditioned office, being petted and loved by many. Mommy says I made so many people smile in a tough situation.
My pawrents were able to get an appointment this afternoon with our vet. We went in but ended up seeing this new lady doctor. Mommy had a bad feeling! She was right. The lady doctor thinks I've injured my back, just like Canela. Then, without running any tests, she began to talk about surgery and something about being "put down?" What does that mean? Those words got Mommy and Daddy very, very angry. They told her that putting me down is not an option. Does that mean that my pawrents plan to carry me for the rest of my life? Humans are funny! Anyway, they took these strange pictures of me as well as blood and urine. The vet was excited because it looks like I can still control my bladder. Hey, I could have told her that!!!! Meanwhile, my vet came in and checked me over. He told Mommy and Daddy that he thinks I have a very good chance at responding to the meds. I have to come back tomorrow for a recheck and get the test results. So I'm home, a little scared but certain that my pawrents will take very good care of me. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers! POPs are needed about now!

Frankie Tagged Me!

Name 4 jobs that you have:
1. Being the Family Clown!
2. Therapist - I helped Mommy recover from her Mommy's death
3. Food Taster - I feel obligated to taste all food
4. Watch dog - I may be small but my bark is loud!

Name 4 places where you have lived (or stayed at):
1. Atlanta, Georgia, where I was born
2. Los Angeles, CA, where I currently live
3. Glendale, CA, visiting Mommy's relatives
4. Palmdale, CA, visiting Mommy's sister and family

Name 4 places that you have been: (Vacations?) We never go on vacations! However, here are places my pawrents have been to:
1. London, England
2. Grand Cayman Island
3. Key West, FL
4. Charlotte, NC

Name 4 places you'd rather be:
1. Playing with Coco and Canela
2. Sunning myself in the warm California sun on our balcony
3. Going for a car ride
4. Doggie Day Care

Okay, I'm tagging the following friends:

1. Lovely Elphaba
2. Charming Scooter from PAWS
3. Rocking Mick Jagger
4. Elegant Sissy from PAWS