We have moved….

We are still with wordpress….just our very own space. Please stop by and visit.

http://www.pawprintsstudio.net/blog/

Read Full Post »

On your mark, get set….Go…

 It is almost eight months since Niki’s spinal injury and surgery….boy, has she come a long way. From having her hind area totally paralyzed, to having the ability to get around via a canine cart (her big wheels) to what your are seeing in these images. Not sure she will make it back 100%…still I am amazed at just how far she has come. She still requires help….must have canine rehab….massage and exercise to keep those muscles strong, and the ones not being used fully from atrophying.  Also…I must still assist her in emptying her bladder to prevent pooling and infection. I have said this during the entire eight months….from the little dog they said couldn’t, wouldn’t….she is the Little Dog Who COULD!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                              

 

 

 

And the winner is…Nik-Nak!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read Full Post »

Niki…

It has been a couple of weeks since introducing Niki to the larger sized pool….several times a day (with a day or two off during the week) she has been doing some swimming in the larger sized pool (with my help)….then doing her walking laps in the smaller pool. These sessions are two-three times a day. Last few days she has been swimming with “out” any assistance from me….no panic and she actually seems to be enjoying it…Yippee 😉

**Please do follow water safety when it comes to pools and dogs. I am right off to the side, my dogs do not have access to the pool when not supervised.

Read Full Post »

Swim Lessons

 I have been putting Niki in the larger pool with great hopes that she would swim. Due to the fact she is such a skittish dog, we have been taking this very slow….she is just not moving her legs but rather allowing me to move her around….so opted to get a little life jacket for her. Works so much better for her. She still panics a bit but no doubt in time she will be swimming as well as enjoying it. I thought I would share our progress with you for it has been a little while since posting anything. Please follow safety rules when placing a dog in a pool…my dogs do not have access to the pool unless supervised.

Oh…forgot to mention…Photography by Michael 😉 A quick lesson in how to focus for it was set to manual….and he was off and running.

Read Full Post »

Water Dogs…

Last few days finds Nik–Nak very stiff and weak. We still have not found a pool so rather then wait Mike made a trip to Target and picked up two kiddie pools (not sure how long they will last even though the dogs nails are short….easy to puncture a hole).

First thing this morning filled it up and started introducing her to it.

She sure did think it was an evil….refused to go near it. In the end, she is such a chow hound and will work for food. I of course managed to photograph the process….take a few minutes to sit back and enjoy

Hopefully we can get her to feeling better, and help her to regain her strength once again….keep your fingers crossed for her!

***Updated 6-18-07  I thought since this is our “New” blog I would just put a short little explanation to the above for several of the posts and the video of Niki’s rehab had been lost in the move.

Six months ago she injured her spine, due to the Emergency Hospitals incompetence more then 12 hours later she was completely paralyzed in her hind area. No bm control….due to the location of injury she also had no bladder control meaning she would leak when the bladder was full, a pooling effect causes bacteria and infection so She needs to have her bladder emptied manually. We went a head with surgery which was very expensive and were told afterwards due to the fact she showed little improvement in the weeks that followed surgery there was little hope of her regaining any feeling in the hind area. Fast forward six months and lots of hard work with massage, water/treadmill therapy and the use of her cart when needed she has regained feeling, strength. In this blog we will be posting her rehab and exercises, improvements and set backs.

Read Full Post »

Niki Update….

I have received a few e-mails inquiring how Nik Nak is doing….
she is well, Thank You so for asking about her. Puppy Rocky has to be brought in the next few weeks to be neutered (1 year old in a few weeks). Niki will be going for the ride for she needs her rabies shot and her urine checked. Because of where her injury occured on her spine, I must help empty her bladder through out the day to prevent pooling which causes bacteria to form and therefore can cause an infection. Although I am very good about this and we have prevented infections from occuring, best to get the urine checked to stay on top of it.

Due to the warmer weather arriving I have been thinking about getting a small pool….it must have a filtering system, etc….along with a solar cover to help keep the water warm. I doubt they make these covers for that small a pool…maybe I could trim excess off a larger sized one??
This weekend I will head out and about to see what is available. I am thinking of doing her therapy work here at home until fall arrives. I will have to of course take her to a therapist that specializes in this type of work so I can be taught just what exercises will help her best. This type of water therapy is differant then the water treadmill therapy.
There is a small…almost looks plastic one being sold….wanting to go see what is available, if anyone knows anything about pools feel free in contacting me with any info you might have.
Bad weather on it’s way here in the Atlanta area….stay safe!

Read Full Post »

Just a quick Niki update….

 She is doing wonderful. We have not seen much as far as progress as of late…still further along then we thought she would be. The biggest thing is that with the exercises we have stopped further loss of muscle…and that is a very big deal. For those new to this blog, feel free in searching the site for Niki’s Tale. Several video clips….as will I be adding updates.

Read Full Post »

Soccer

Read Full Post »

Rehab 2

Read Full Post »

Rehab

Read Full Post »