Yesterday a good friend was lost. Reggie was a rescue dog that my parents got when we he was barely a year old. The dog had been starved and isolated as a puppy. My parents adopted him and gave him a grand life. He had many issues like any rescue dog but my parents persevered and he became a loyal and good friend. He will be sorely missed by all.
Rest in peace.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Patton goes birding
Yes, Patton is doing pretty well after all he has been through. This afternoon while he was outside with my oldest son, he decided to go birding. My son saw the bird the same time as Patton did, unfortunately, the dog is faster then the boy. In record time Patton had his mouth wrapped around what he thought was dinner. Somehow my son managed to convince Patton to drop his snack and brought Patton in the house. My son went out to check on the bird and found it was quite alive and asked me what he should do. I told him it depended how much damage Patton had done to it. He replied it was flapping it wings like mad when he approached. I said let it be and we will keep an eye on the bird. Later on I went out to check on the bird and it had left our sandbox and moved to our neighbors yard. I could see that yes Patton had pretty much done the bird in, but it was a fighter and it was doing its best to go where ever it felt it needed to be. Its right wing was pretty much toast, checking later in the evening I could not find the bird anywhere.
What did Patton catch you ask? A Downy Woodpecker, I believe. Spotted wings and all.
What did Patton catch you ask? A Downy Woodpecker, I believe. Spotted wings and all.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Patton goes Swimming
This past weekend Patton went on an adventure. Camping!! He hasn't been camping since he was about 5 months old. It was cold and snowy, so he didn't get to enjoy all that camping entails. He made up for it this weekend.
Patton went on a few hikes through the woods. Each no more then 2 miles but a lot of very steep hills to help strengthen his hips. He did great. He enjoyed all the smells to be had from the deer to the horse tracks he had to follow. And any other critter that happened along the trail previously. He truly loved these walks. Tongue hanging to the ground, tail wagging and pulling us along to go further faster.
I think, though, Patton's favorite time was when we walked down to the dog beach. The only "swimming" Patton has ever done was with Courtney in physical therapy so we weren't sure how he would react to a lake. He had the place to himself except a few fisherman in canoes a few yards out. (They must have loved us) We left him on his lead since we weren't sure how he would handle all this. He approached the waters edge and thought, "Hey! Another big water bowl just for me!!" and proceeded to take a drink. Since Patton loves sticks we figured let's throw one in and see what he does, not too far out but far enough that he would be in the water. A toss of the stick, Patton's eyes glazed, and ran for the stick. I don't think he realized that the stick was IN water until he landed with a big sploosh. (He likes to pounce on them) With a grab of the stick and a quick bolt out of the water, "What in the world was THAT?" he seemed to look at us questioningly.
We threw in another stick, a little more tentative this time as he went in after it. And that was all it took. By the time we left, he was soaked from head to toe. It was a very windy day thankfully and he was almost dry when we got back to the campsite. He slept very well that night indeed.
Patton went on a few hikes through the woods. Each no more then 2 miles but a lot of very steep hills to help strengthen his hips. He did great. He enjoyed all the smells to be had from the deer to the horse tracks he had to follow. And any other critter that happened along the trail previously. He truly loved these walks. Tongue hanging to the ground, tail wagging and pulling us along to go further faster.
I think, though, Patton's favorite time was when we walked down to the dog beach. The only "swimming" Patton has ever done was with Courtney in physical therapy so we weren't sure how he would react to a lake. He had the place to himself except a few fisherman in canoes a few yards out. (They must have loved us) We left him on his lead since we weren't sure how he would handle all this. He approached the waters edge and thought, "Hey! Another big water bowl just for me!!" and proceeded to take a drink. Since Patton loves sticks we figured let's throw one in and see what he does, not too far out but far enough that he would be in the water. A toss of the stick, Patton's eyes glazed, and ran for the stick. I don't think he realized that the stick was IN water until he landed with a big sploosh. (He likes to pounce on them) With a grab of the stick and a quick bolt out of the water, "What in the world was THAT?" he seemed to look at us questioningly.
We threw in another stick, a little more tentative this time as he went in after it. And that was all it took. By the time we left, he was soaked from head to toe. It was a very windy day thankfully and he was almost dry when we got back to the campsite. He slept very well that night indeed.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Happy Birthday, Patton!
Happy Birthday, Patton!!!! Today Patton is a whopping 1 years old! And what a first year it has been for him. One year ago today, Patton entered the world with his 5 brothers and 6 sisters at the Watertown Humane Society in Watertown, WI. Six months later, his Bi-lateral Triple Pelvic Osteotomy that he came through with flying colors. An awful lot for a puppy to have to go through. I have noticed though that he still has some scabbing under his right leg from the one incision that I will have to keep an eye on.
On his 1st birthday, Patton is doing great. He spent the day doing the things he loves best. Finding things to get into, everything from potholders to nail clippers and growling at folks as they pass by the front of our house. For his birthday he got a few cow hooves, a rawhide twist chew(which he is afraid of, pretty humorous to watch him play with) and a flying squirrel(a Frisbee for dogs that is square shaped) since he can now run.
I see it has been a while since I have posted so let me catch you up on all things Patton. He has been set loose by the VMTH and he is still progressing nicely. Our walks are currently up to about 6 blocks, when my legs can handle it and the heat doesn't beat him down. My oldest son also takes Patton on about a 2 block jog when he is able to. (My son is also in physical therapy for his heels and is on the mend for track. So the running is good for both of them) Our neighbor has a fenced in backyard and with the loss of their dog over Christmas has been extremely generous in allowing us to play with Patton in their yard. (Our's is not fenced and we need to train him with the electric fence that we do have) He loves it! He enjoys playing ball, both soccer and fetch, and he loves playing with his new flying squirrel. He still has a love for sticks and is a big help in picking up sticks from our lawn, sometimes he even lets you add them to the log pile.
If you were to see Patton at play you would never imagine all that he has been through. His gate is beautiful and no hitch when he runs. He is getting stronger everyday. The only hint of his surgeries is his funny looking coat. It has mostly grown back in but there is an obvious difference between his left and right sides and then from front to back in the length of his coat. The upcoming weekend he goes on his first hike as we go camping. The hill climbing will be good for him but we will have to keep an eye on him and not push him too hard. But I know he will have a ball.
Happy Birthday, Patty! Many more too come!
On his 1st birthday, Patton is doing great. He spent the day doing the things he loves best. Finding things to get into, everything from potholders to nail clippers and growling at folks as they pass by the front of our house. For his birthday he got a few cow hooves, a rawhide twist chew(which he is afraid of, pretty humorous to watch him play with) and a flying squirrel(a Frisbee for dogs that is square shaped) since he can now run.
I see it has been a while since I have posted so let me catch you up on all things Patton. He has been set loose by the VMTH and he is still progressing nicely. Our walks are currently up to about 6 blocks, when my legs can handle it and the heat doesn't beat him down. My oldest son also takes Patton on about a 2 block jog when he is able to. (My son is also in physical therapy for his heels and is on the mend for track. So the running is good for both of them) Our neighbor has a fenced in backyard and with the loss of their dog over Christmas has been extremely generous in allowing us to play with Patton in their yard. (Our's is not fenced and we need to train him with the electric fence that we do have) He loves it! He enjoys playing ball, both soccer and fetch, and he loves playing with his new flying squirrel. He still has a love for sticks and is a big help in picking up sticks from our lawn, sometimes he even lets you add them to the log pile.
If you were to see Patton at play you would never imagine all that he has been through. His gate is beautiful and no hitch when he runs. He is getting stronger everyday. The only hint of his surgeries is his funny looking coat. It has mostly grown back in but there is an obvious difference between his left and right sides and then from front to back in the length of his coat. The upcoming weekend he goes on his first hike as we go camping. The hill climbing will be good for him but we will have to keep an eye on him and not push him too hard. But I know he will have a ball.
Happy Birthday, Patty! Many more too come!
Friday, April 6, 2007
Patton's Graduation
A week ago, Patton had his final physical therapy session. Yes, I said FINAL. Courtney was quite impressed with the progress he has made and with the results of his X-rays the week before, she felt that his was well on his way.
His final session saw Patton on the treadmill by himself. He couldn't wait to go in and then he wouldn't come out! He kept trying to go back in after we dried him off. His stride has definitely improved as has his gate. Just for a comparison, when he started he was walking at a pace of .5 mph for a mere 4 minutes. Last Thursday, 1.5 mph for almost 12 minutes. His muscle mass has continued to improve so it was time for his graduation. Once he was out of the tank and relatively dry, Dr. Manley (the surgeon that did his left hip) stopped by for a visit and also seemed pleased with his recovery.
It is hard to imagine that this Odyssey started 5 months ago. It is far from finished. We are still working on building muscle mass and increasing his stamina. The hills at Lapham Peak are in the near future. So I will continue with this blog for as long as possible. Keep all of you up to date on his progress, adventures and any problems that should arrive due to the procedures. Fingers crossed there won't be any setbacks.
The picture to the left is one of his final X-rays, a side view. The bone is healing nicely around the screws and the hips are sitting well. And the best news is, if you watch him play....you would never know any of this was done.
Now if there was just a surgery to get him to stop stealing things......
His final session saw Patton on the treadmill by himself. He couldn't wait to go in and then he wouldn't come out! He kept trying to go back in after we dried him off. His stride has definitely improved as has his gate. Just for a comparison, when he started he was walking at a pace of .5 mph for a mere 4 minutes. Last Thursday, 1.5 mph for almost 12 minutes. His muscle mass has continued to improve so it was time for his graduation. Once he was out of the tank and relatively dry, Dr. Manley (the surgeon that did his left hip) stopped by for a visit and also seemed pleased with his recovery.
It is hard to imagine that this Odyssey started 5 months ago. It is far from finished. We are still working on building muscle mass and increasing his stamina. The hills at Lapham Peak are in the near future. So I will continue with this blog for as long as possible. Keep all of you up to date on his progress, adventures and any problems that should arrive due to the procedures. Fingers crossed there won't be any setbacks.
The picture to the left is one of his final X-rays, a side view. The bone is healing nicely around the screws and the hips are sitting well. And the best news is, if you watch him play....you would never know any of this was done.
Now if there was just a surgery to get him to stop stealing things......
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Patton's Final X-rays.....hopefully
Patton made, hopefully, his final trip to VMTH Orthopedics this past Wednesday. Shown are his x-rays from that day. Dr. Schaefer proclaimed him "98% healed". Best thing I have heard in months. Everything looks good and we got the green light to ramp up his activity...slowly.
These x-rays are a little different from the last ones because Patton was his usual co-operative self, and even sedated he was a wiggle worm and refused to straighten his legs out. But the bone has healed around the screws and that is what counts. While he was sedated, Courtney checked his passive range of motion because once again he is so co-operative with that during his therapy sessions. The good word....out of 165 degrees for range of motion, Patton came in at 150 for both hips. Absolutely great news! We still have to take it slow until he is back to "normal".
So, he goes back to visit Courtney this Thursday and I am sure some new activities will be added to his physical therapy exercises at home. I know he is happy to be on the move again. With the beautiful weather this weekend he and I went for an hour walk, with plenty of rest about half way through. He was totally exhausted when we came home but he later showed no signs of soreness.
I want to thank everyone at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. Especially the Orthopedics Dept, Dr. Manley, Dr. Schaefer, Dr. Colopy, Wendy and Leo for taking such great care of Patton and getting him on the move again. For always keeping us informed while he was staying with you. And to all the people that took care of him that I don't know about....a big thanks as well. Everyone that I came in contact with was wonderful and made what seemed like a horrible experience into a smooth ride. He is doing wonderful.
And though we are still working with Courtney there....a big thanks to you as well for being so patient with a fruit loopy dog. See you on Thursday.
These x-rays are a little different from the last ones because Patton was his usual co-operative self, and even sedated he was a wiggle worm and refused to straighten his legs out. But the bone has healed around the screws and that is what counts. While he was sedated, Courtney checked his passive range of motion because once again he is so co-operative with that during his therapy sessions. The good word....out of 165 degrees for range of motion, Patton came in at 150 for both hips. Absolutely great news! We still have to take it slow until he is back to "normal".
So, he goes back to visit Courtney this Thursday and I am sure some new activities will be added to his physical therapy exercises at home. I know he is happy to be on the move again. With the beautiful weather this weekend he and I went for an hour walk, with plenty of rest about half way through. He was totally exhausted when we came home but he later showed no signs of soreness.
I want to thank everyone at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. Especially the Orthopedics Dept, Dr. Manley, Dr. Schaefer, Dr. Colopy, Wendy and Leo for taking such great care of Patton and getting him on the move again. For always keeping us informed while he was staying with you. And to all the people that took care of him that I don't know about....a big thanks as well. Everyone that I came in contact with was wonderful and made what seemed like a horrible experience into a smooth ride. He is doing wonderful.
And though we are still working with Courtney there....a big thanks to you as well for being so patient with a fruit loopy dog. See you on Thursday.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Continued Workouts
Patton had his third rehab this past week with Courtney. She was quite pleased with how far he has come. When we started rehab he was placing most of his weight on his front legs and had a short stinted gait with his hind legs close together. He is now more symmetrical with his weight distribution more or less equal from front to back(he bears more weight still on his left hind leg but we're working on that) and his stance has spread in the back. New measurements were taken of his thighs, when we started he had a 5 cm difference between his left and right, now it is only 3 cm. So he is gaining muscle mass in his right leg. All good news.
Our walks at home have increased to 3 blocks so due to this, and him being such a fruit loop(he just wants to play at rehab), it was decided that we would put him in the tank for most of his workout BUT a weight was added to his right leg. He did great, 9 minutes of underwater treadmill. So we will continue to strengthen his back legs. I do notice that his gait is getting much better, more dog like.
For now we are going to continue with the same exercises as last week. Patton goes in this Wednesday for his post op X-rays. Depending on how well he has healed will determine our next step in his rehab. If all screws look good and the bone is healed, full restrictions will be lifted and we will get him moving a little faster. I know he is dying to chase a rabbit, bird, or squirrel, or even just play ball again.
Our walks at home have increased to 3 blocks so due to this, and him being such a fruit loop(he just wants to play at rehab), it was decided that we would put him in the tank for most of his workout BUT a weight was added to his right leg. He did great, 9 minutes of underwater treadmill. So we will continue to strengthen his back legs. I do notice that his gait is getting much better, more dog like.
For now we are going to continue with the same exercises as last week. Patton goes in this Wednesday for his post op X-rays. Depending on how well he has healed will determine our next step in his rehab. If all screws look good and the bone is healed, full restrictions will be lifted and we will get him moving a little faster. I know he is dying to chase a rabbit, bird, or squirrel, or even just play ball again.
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Patton and Courtney
You have seen pieces of Patton's physical therapist in past photos. Courtney has been great at helping Patton get back in shape and getting him moving again. Just one of the many wonderful people we have come in contact at UW-Madison Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. I know he looks forward to our car rides to Madison(every time I go anywhere now he thinks he should be going too) and seeing everyone there.
Patton's rehab
Sorry there has been a slight lapse in posting, life gets hectic and unfortunately this has been neglected.
Patton continues to improve. He still fights on his exercises, especially when it comes to his left leg. He will let you do something for maybe 4 seconds and then decide he has had enough. The right side he is more then willing as long as you are massaging him at the same time.
This past Thursday he had his second physical therapy appointment. Some improvement but he still has a long way to go. He is still under restricted activity until X-rays on March 21 when we(fingers crossed) get the all clear that he is healed.
More exercises have been added to strengthen his muscles. The right leg is in worse shape then the left. The trick again with Patton is to trick him into working. We have come up with us laying on the floor and having Patton step over us. He does this already, so should be fairly easy for him. We just have to make sure he doesn't jump over. Another easy exercise is for the boys to lift him up from under his chest so his front legs are slightly off the floor. Again, something that he is use to and will put his full weight on his hind legs. Patton also likes to "punch" you with his front legs, so when he does this we usually grab his leg, this will help shift his weight to the opposite rear leg, again helping with strengthening. This is also being done on a step with his front legs on the step and gently lifting one front leg.
With the weather getting nicer our walks are getting longer. Good for him.......and me.
Patton continues to improve. He still fights on his exercises, especially when it comes to his left leg. He will let you do something for maybe 4 seconds and then decide he has had enough. The right side he is more then willing as long as you are massaging him at the same time.
This past Thursday he had his second physical therapy appointment. Some improvement but he still has a long way to go. He is still under restricted activity until X-rays on March 21 when we(fingers crossed) get the all clear that he is healed.
More exercises have been added to strengthen his muscles. The right leg is in worse shape then the left. The trick again with Patton is to trick him into working. We have come up with us laying on the floor and having Patton step over us. He does this already, so should be fairly easy for him. We just have to make sure he doesn't jump over. Another easy exercise is for the boys to lift him up from under his chest so his front legs are slightly off the floor. Again, something that he is use to and will put his full weight on his hind legs. Patton also likes to "punch" you with his front legs, so when he does this we usually grab his leg, this will help shift his weight to the opposite rear leg, again helping with strengthening. This is also being done on a step with his front legs on the step and gently lifting one front leg.
With the weather getting nicer our walks are getting longer. Good for him.......and me.
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