Layla

[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!

[Lindsey]

Gayle, the cart has optional stirrups for dragging feet, but is set at the right height for walking if she can start using her legs. Lots of people use them as rehab tools because they can get the walking motion down without bearing weight!

Layla has gained back a lot of muscle mass in the past weeks, but I guess it is the "smooth" muscle, which is used in reflex. If other muscles are coming back, it will take awhile to strengthen them and a long time for her nerves to fine-tune walking again.

[paula1961]

Oh my gosh Lynsey!!!!!!!!!!How exciting!! Layla is amazing!

[JJJ]

I am so excited for Layla

So happy to hear the great news.

[gja1000]

Lindsay, how is Layla doing with her wheels!

[Lindsey]

Layla is doing WONDERFULLY with her wheels! We went for our first real walk on the weekend as a family She got so excited as soon as she heard the word "walk"! We went pretty far (with lots of rests) and she passed right out when we got home for a couple of hours

She hasn't really run in the cart yet, which I was disappointed about. That is, until this morning. I put her cart on the ground outside the car with my foot in front of the wheels, and then I grabbed all my stuff. I let her go and she ran right to the front doors of the office (I didn't put a leash on her, thinking she'd go right in). But nobody was there to open the door (I was a few steps behind!) and she had energy from that ride into town, so she turned and went flying down the sidewalk! I ran as fast as I could in my heels, and only caught her by diving and grabbing the back of her cart when she got into some grass and slowed down! When we did get inside, she cruised around the office for awhile to burn off some more energy Not sure where all the energy came from!

For the past two days at rehab, Layla's reflexes have been the best they've ever been. They are so strong, she is kicking and moving her legs with barely a touch. Her vet thinks it might be from cart use, but I am really sure it has something to do with the B12 shots she started getting with acupuncture. The shots are supposed to help regenerate nerves, and lots of people with downed dogs swear by them. I had to push the vet to give them to her though, because she didn't think it would do anything. I think it is doing something!

[DianaB]

I just knew that she'd do well with her little cart!!! I can't wait to see a video of her going!!!! It would be sooo wonderful to have her get back most of the use of her legs, if not a full recovery!!!! I'm sure that a B12 shot probably gave her lots of energy because I know what it does for me!!!!