Layla

[Lindsey]

Thank you Marilyn! I can't wait to get her out walking around the neighborhood in her cart and I know she will be the most popular little girl in town! I think that we have a great opportunity to show people how happy she is and educate on this disease so anyone will know that they don't have to be put to sleep even though some vets will encourage it.

Today I was printing out a big set of plans and when I went to the printer to grab them and put them in order, I took Layla with me and set her on the ground. A coworker came to talk to me and Layla dragged herself a few feet to see him. Another coworker came down the hall and Layla greeted her too. Before I knew it, she had zoomed off down the hall and around the corner! I could barely catch her! I think she realized she was on carpet and she could actually grip it with her front paws! She's going to be a little speed demon when she gets her wheels!

[Janet]

Lindsey...I'm so sorry I haven't been here for you. Layla looks so wonderful in the videos....she looks happy. You and Scott are doing everything right so don't ever doubt that. Layla will adjust and be just fine. Only hold her back if she may hurt herself...otherwise...let her experiment and learn her limits with her cart. You are such a great Momma!

[judy]

Ahhh Lindsey, I am sorry you had to hear that news from the vet! It is one thing to think something, and another to actually hear it out loud.

Now that you know what is to be, you and Scott will quickly get over your disappointment, and between you, him, and Layla, will figure out how to make life as wonderful as always!

You are a loving, happy caring family, and the three of you will always be that way. (When you add to the family, it will add more happiness and caring!)

I like the spray paint idea! Maybe some decals or bows for special days?

[Lindsey]

Thanks everyone. All of your support means so much to me. No matter what the vet thinks, I am still not giving up hope. I have spoken with owners whose dogs have regained sensation almost a year later. Anything is possible.

[Lindsey]

I just got a call from Massechusetts confirming my order for Layla's cart It is going to be $345 for the cart with stirrups for her back legs, and up to $85 for shipping, plus whatever duty and other taxes might be. And it will be worth EVERY PENNY!!!! It will take 2 weeks to build and approximately 6 days to ship. Layla can still spend a couple of months running around outside before it snows I am so excited for this!

Marilyn, you are so right about children learning a valuable lesson with a paralyzed pet. I hope that when we have children, they will learn that disabilities don't hinder personality

[Lindsey]

Oh my gosh!

Scott's parents, sister, and baby nephew were passing through today and stopped at my office. Little Tare turns 1 in two weeks and he was being helped to walk back to my desk. I pulled Layla out of her crate, she got one look at Tare, and ran (dragged) straight for him! HER TAIL WAS GOING A MILE A MINUTE! Her tail was DEFINITELY wagging in response to exciting stimulus! That means there is nerve connection! YAY! Not only that, but she was following Tare around on the floor, running all over the place, and I couldn't take my eyes off her back legs. It was like they were paddling. They weren't just dragging behind her. Her right one for sure kept trying to get underneath and then pushed her forward. Scott's mom asked if she was using her legs and I said it really looks like it, and I've never seen that before!

Scott's sister came in from outside and Layla ran over to her. She asked the same thing, if she was using her legs. She knelt down to pet Layla, and Layla STOOD UP. She may have just put her weight forward like a cantilever, because she does that a lot, but it seemed different to me. I don't know, but I do know I'm so excited I could cry!

Layla's rehab vet, who was just very grim on her outlook, is going to be very surprised when she gets back from holidays! I have Layla with me this whole week and you can bet we're going to be working on this walking thing!

I am so proud of my baby girl!

[gja1000]

WOW Lindsay!! That really IS EXCITING! I'm wondering if when the cart comes you can set it so that her back legs just barely touch the ground so that if she is really trying to run/walk, she can do that in the crate and it will hold her up and she can practice and get stronger without having to hold up her entire weight. She has lost all her muscle tone in those legs because they have not been working, so even if the nerves begin to work, she'll need to increase the muscle tone and strength to actually be able to walk.

I'm so happy for you and Layla!

[gja1000]

Lindsay, how is Layla doing with her wheels!