Friday 29 August 2014

Feeling Blue wk 15

You would think that after 3 months of our new normal I would be settling into a better emotional state as well, but no, I'm not.

So many ups and downs.

Up:  my BFF bought Penny a Lil Back Bracer from the US, and organised some of our other friends to pick it up and carry it home in their luggage, saving postage.  It fits her perfect!  This was something I had looked at and researched for Penny, but just could not afford. So grateful for such a thoughtful BFF! 

Dodgerslist has a long review of back braces in general and do not endorse their use unless prescribed and fitted by a specialist. I think their concern is that people will use them incorrectly, and expect them to prevent injury, which they wont. They can only provide support.  That being said, a lot of experienced IVDD dog owners are using back braces on their dogs and do recommend them.  I took it to Dr. Neil, he had never seen one.  He is going to do some research to see if he can find some medical reviews on it.  He did say it looked like it would give her side to side support but not up/down support and to not leave it on her 24/7 or un supervised.  Sharon from K9 therapy loved it, and though it was brilliant and would keep Pennys spine straight. So I guess, like everything, you have to weigh up the pros and cons and do the right thing for you and your dog with the information you have.  Penny  doesn't like it much, but I am going to use it on her give her back some support.



Up:  I posted a profile of Lady Penelope on the Village Vets Australia page, in the hope to raise IVDD awareness.  We can't win the $5000 because we are not Foxtel subscribers, but I linked in the fb support page and dodgerslist and this blog and set up a go-fund me to raise money for Pennys wheelchair.  

Down: Finances are so tight we can't remember the last time we were this broke.  With Pennys on-going treatments adding up to a weekly $110 it leaves our household budget short for other things like Kanes car rego and business insurance and fun.  I hated putting up the fundraiser for her wheelchair! I can't tell you how many of our friends, neighbours and strangers gave to us in the beginning.  It seems so wrong to ask for more... but I can't see anyway of getting her wheels with out some assistance- we could do it, but it would take about 2 months and she needs wheels now.  In the middle of winter now and Kanes work is not as consistent as it has been- I know this situation is temporary but it sure does add a lot of stress to an already intense situation.  Our kitty had a urinary tract infection and had to go to the vet, and we couldn't even pay the bill.  

Down:  Penny had a pretty bad week.  She was quiet and often made no attempt to get up and walk, I had never seen her this despondent.  She would just wait for you to pick her up with those big brown eyes.  She wouldn't even come for dinner.... I don't know if her back was sore, or what.  Seeing her like that really took the wind out of my sails too.... all those same questions about have we done the right thing keep coming up.  Kane was saying he didn't think he could live with a special needs dog- nearly broke my heart.  Although he did go onto say how he was not giving up yet.  But even the thought was a blow.  Saying things like "shes going backwards" just flattens me- I don't believe she is going backwards, recovery is not a steady upwards curve, but a series of small gains and losses gradually increasing.... I keep wondering if the wheel chair will help.  It's the loss of what *used to be* and adapting to the now.  

Enough self pity!!! Onwards! 

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