Letter from Lucy

This has taken me a while to copy out. I read the letter as soon as it arrived, then put it down and walked past it rather than pick it up again and read it again.

“Lucy has been with me for exactly two months and I am happy to report that she has settled very well and is an absolute sweetheart. She is very well trained and obedient and takes notice of hat I say – unlike her new sister Candy, who is a chocolate lab and has a mind of her own and is totally disobedient! Candy is however very generous and good natured is quite happy to share her home, toys etc with Lucy. Lucy is a farm dog now so she has to live with a cat, six geese and two horses. She is learning not to chase the geese and to let the cat rub on her and sometimes sit beside her. Because she is a farm dog her basket is in the kitchen by the Aga but she loves the sun and today has been lying out on the lawn, even though its a bit cold.

I am sure that she would be delighted to see her master again, but she has decided that I am her security and will do as second best. She is now my shadow and seldom lets me out of her sight.

Her legs are improving and becoming stronger as she is ‘on the go’ most of the day and also has at least three shortish walks per day. I enclose a photograph of her with a Christmas toy.”

Having just typed it out, am shedding a few tears. At least she is in good hands and having a nice gentle, loving & active life now which is what she deserves.

Lucy Liu

Its been a couple of days since Lucy left for her new home now and I miss her. I know its the best thing for her, to be with someone who will be able to look after her properly as her hips get worse and she needs more care. That doesn't stop it hurting.

I miss her most in the morning. Everyday at 07.30 we'd get up, she'd bounce out of the lounge, say hello by jumping up and nosing me and then rushing to the end of the landing - as if I'd go out naked. Having been to the toilet and getting dressed you'd hear her almost fall down the stairs with excitement and she'd already be waiting by the front door looking up at me. The same expectant look on her face. We'd then walk down to the river, possibly chasing, ducks, seagulls or geese. Or all three. Watching her walk in front of me over the last few months I have also become increasing sad as its very apparent she can't go on long walks in the countryside or to the beach, which she so loved to do. Walk over she'd struggle back up the stairs and stand by the kitchen door. Look at me and then look in again. Look at me and then look in again. Breakfast would then be served after which she'd sprawl out across the hall to let it settle nicely.

Time will heal I know. I have lots of fab photo's, paw prints and wonderful memories to replay and re-live. She's on a new adventure with new sights, sounds, smells and love. Something she can tell her grand-pups all about one day (not that she can have any). Born in India, flown half way around the world, sniffing a plethora of new smells in the English countryside on long walks, and now .... well that's to be written isn't it.

x x x

The Show Jumper

Poles £2 each Asda, Buckets £1 each B&Q... who said physio was expensive!!

Whatever next?

Lucy - Diagnosis Explained

Fibrocartilaginous Embolism (FCE)



The vertebral column is made up with individual verterbrae, which are cushioned by interverebral discs that allow an animal to flex its back. These discs are soft and gelatinous on the inside in order to absorb the forces exerted on the when the animal is moving. When a microscopic piece of this gelatinous material dislodges, it can enter and form a blockage in the arteries that feed into the spinal column, thus creating a fibrocartilaginous embolism (FCE). With no blood supply, the section of spinal cord affected by the embolism dies, and the dog becomes paralyzed in one or multiple limbs. FCE typically occur in young adults around 3 to 6 years of age, and about half of the dogs affected are large and giant breeds. In many cases the paralyzing effect occurs after minor injuries such as a fall, or simply a bad landing after a jump; however, the injury itself is usually not painful, and the paralysis is the only apparent symptom. The location and severity of the embolism will determine the degree of some dogs may just be weak in the affected limb, while others become completely paralyzed. It is not yet understood why or how FCE occurs, and the exact cause of this condition remains unclear.

Symptoms and Diagnosis.

At the onset of the embolism, there might be a painful yelp when the dog collapses or suddenly becomes weak in one or multiple limbs. However the pain is not persistent, and no other signs of trauma can be detected except for the In milder cases the dog might maintain some degrees of motor function, but fall more than usualDiagnosing FCE is usually a process of elimination since the blocked artery will not show up in X-ray. One distinguishing feature of FCE is the lack of pain, since there are usually considerable amounts of pain involved if the is caused by acute trauma or disc herniation. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) can be used to positively identify an embolism, however most veterinarians do not have access to this expensive method. Currently the only way to be absolutely sure of FCE is a post-mortem autopsy. For the purpose of treatment and rehabilitation, the safe practice is to assume FCE when other possibilities have been excluded

Treatment

The damage to the spinal cord is permanent, and therefore effectiveness of treatment is limited. However, dogs that receive treatment within the first 24 hours of the injury might have a better prognosis. While the effect of the paralysis cannot be reversed, it does not worsen over time, and many dogs will ultimately regain some level of motor function and lead an otherwise normal life. Relief techniques such as water therapy and massages will prevent muscle atrophy and help the animal to better function with limited mobility.

Lucy - Hydrotherapy Session

Lucy working out at the vets...

Lucy's Fall

It was the first cache of the holiday that we were on. We'd picked up Sara and Pippin from there camp site and headed off to Rough Tor for a different walk this time up to the old airfield and then back again. There's a wonderful dip to go down about half a mile from the car park, over a small bridge, done just right everyone's tummy in the car goes flip.... everyone's did.

We parked up and made our way along the path, both dogs running ahead. We started throwing stones for them to chase to see which one was fastest. I still maintain Lucy, since shedding her weight was faster. May not have quiet the acceleration of a wee jack russel but given a distance definitely. Just catching up to a stone she fell whimpering to the ground, unable to stand just squirming. We ran up and had a look. The first thing was her chin it was bleeding. She was using her front legs trying to stand but both back legs flayed. Trying to calm her I checked each one in turn. I couldn't find any obvious breaks or fractures as they both moved OK and she didn't squeal when I touched them. It must be dislocated.

Aaron was dispatched to the car to get a couple of blankets so we could carry her back between us. Thankfully the car was only about 1/2 a mile away. While we waited the cut on her chin dried. It was a classic case of what happens when you fall down as a child and forget to put your hands out to break your fall and graze your chin. I guess when you are running at full pelt possibly with all legs off the ground and they stop working I inevitably your chin would be the first thing to hit the ground.

Aaron came back and we lay her on the blankets and carried her back to the car. Gently lifting her into the boot we headed to the vets which was just the other side of Camelford. There we left her, to be x-rayed and if her leg was dislocated to be put back in.

As we were camping she stayed there for the rest of the holiday and we picked her up on the way home. Still unable to take her own weight a towel was used to support her rear end as she walked. When talking to the vet, she thought it must be something neurological as her hip wasn't dislocated. She did have really bad hip displasia though. And so she was transferred to SVCS a specialist animal orthopaedic clinic on the outskirts of Ringwood to be assessed and start her recuperation.

Her Evil Side...

Here we are down on Polzeath beach, tide safely out to give the dogs a nice run around.



I really don't like using stuff thats out of focus but seem to have no choice here... if you can't work it out - Aarons about to kick the ball for Lucy.



Not a girl you want to mess with when she's playing rugby.



Where did that evil streak come from?



Hell hath no fury like a girl after her odd shaped ball.



Screeetch.... "Mine"



Cute - but still with 'Evil' ears!!



Aaron vs Pippin.



All go.



In full flight.



Me by Jess.



"My ball".

Surfing Dudette

I'm sure Lucy's saying - "hey you down there"... me, well more like - "you've got a dirty tummy".



Pippin leaping for safety - not!



Little Miss Nonchalant.



"Ooh whats happening over there... someone throwing stones...?"



Surf's up.



"Periscope up - I'm going in."



"OK, ok I will go in...."



"Where did that stone go?"



"Not over here."



"Not over there either."



"Brrrrrrrr."



"Not a good time to be scratching your nose!"



"Surf's Up!!"



"I hate you!!"



"Stupid big wet dog!!"