Lottie's Recovery!

Today I realized it's been three whole months since Lottie had back surgery! Her hair has grown back over the big rectangle that was shaven. She can run and jump and chase her ball again. She's as happy as ever and that makes us happy. She still has a swagger in her walk that comes off as clutsy, but it's still comical because she doesn't let it stop her or slow her down. Tom and I took her for a walk this evening around the little block and I only picked her up a couple of times. The extra exertion didn't seem to phase her because she still wanted to chase her ball after we got back in the house! This was only the second time she's gone around the block. Most of her exercise has just been hobbling around the yard sniffing whatever good stuff she can find. I'm so proud of Lottie! She's been a real trooper!

The outdoor picture was almost 3 weeks after surgery.

Great strides for Lottie

This week has been a good one for Lottie and her humans. I was away for two days visiting my mother in the hospital. When I got back from Fredericksburg on Sunday, I heard that Lottie had a greenbelt adventure chasing our neighbor Sally's cat, and meandering the bamboo forest. Tom had the joy of chasing after her. On Monday and Tuesday, she was begging to me to play ball with her. She stood on all fours and even jumped with her front legs off the ground to catch the green ball in the air! Her wobbly back legs stood firm! On Wednesday she wagged her tail big time for Sally. And today she showed off her skills for her surgeon. And oh yeah, she made lots of racket in the vet hospital reception area as the big dogs came and went while we waited for Dr. Gower.

Lottie Stands!

This evening when I fed Lottie, she took it upon herself to stand on her back legs for the first time while she was eating her dinner! I ran for the camera and hurriedly snapped a not so good shot before she sank down to a squatting position. Never the less, progress! I'm beginning to love that word.

Tom built a ramp for the back door. Both Lottie and Mocha seem to like it.

Exploring the greenbelt using her sling.

At first Lottie had trouble holding a chewstick because her balance was off.

But she's got it down pat now!

Tell Us How You Feel, Lottie!

 

Lottie ripped up her bed this afternoon. This week she's been confined to my bathroom, since she's not supposed to have the run of the house yet, and she was too lively for me to take her to work any more. Last week I took her to work in the mornings, and home for the afternoons. That worked fine as she was asleep when I got home, but she must have more energy now!


We thought she would like having her own space without having Mocha around to get on her nerves. Well, I guess she told us! So Tom and I had some sweeping up to do when we got home from work. Good job, Tom!

Tom and I weren't sure what to do when we went out to dinner tonight. We left Lottie in her old bed in the living room. Mocha was there, too--they were both just fine when we got home.  

Every night I tuck Lottie in - back into the laundry basket. I think it's her security, a place where she feels safe while she still has the insecurity of not being able to walk on all fours.

Progress!

Lottie made great strides today!

Two in one day!

This morning she was eating her breakfast when I walked in the room. Her back legs were up on her knees!!!

Then, this evening when I arrived home she was in the front yard with Tom. She was walking with her sling that keeps her back end from dragging. When I got out of the van, she walked over to see me and Tom said to look at her tail. She was wagging it very slowly from side to side! What thrill to see a happy sign from my little friend.

Today it has been three weeks since Lottie ruptured a disc in her back.

Facebook post

February 24

Good news from the Hokanson household! Lottie, our miniature dachsund had surgery for a ruptured disc 2 weeks ago. Her prognosis wasn't very good when we brought her home from the vet hospital. But yesterday when she had her stitches taken out, Dr. Gower tested her back legs for feeling and movement and was pleased to say that Lottie will be walking again soon. Thanking God for hearing our prayers! She's spent some time with me in a basket under my desk at work...

A Good Day for Lottie

Yesterday was a good day for Lottie!

We went to the vet hospital to have her stitches taken out. After a 45 minute wait we saw Lottie's surgeon, Dr. Sara Gower. While we were waiting, Lottie did her best to exercise her vocal chords every time a big dog came in or out of the waiting room! (Which was often!) Her hound dog bark was back in full force. Now was the time to find out if her surgery was successful or not. After some poking and pinching, Dr. Gower declared that Lottie would soon be walking again! Hallelujah!

Lottie still has a long road to total recovery, but we are so very thankful that our fun-loving puppy will be back to playing fetch, throwing her ball, and turning twenty circles while waiting for me to put down a dish filled with onehalf cup of dried crunchy morsels. So glad God gave us these warm furry little creatures to bring us joy and laughter...

Lottie Is Home!

Rachel, Perry, and I went to the Animal Specialty Hospital to pick up Lottie this afternoon. The tech there, Sam, was very congenial and gave us a quick tutorial of all the things we need to do to speed Lottie on her way to recovery!

Today, she is still rather lethargic because of the pain killer and Prednisone she's taking for inflamation. She slept in my arms for an hour after we got home. Oh, maybe 2 hours. It was good for the soul.

Meanwhile, Rachel and Perry had a snack and then took Rachel's packed up belongings to her car so she could be on her way to her new job as an outdoor leader at Camp Champions near Marble Falls. We will miss her!

I read through all the instructions to care for Lottie, then took her outside which she really liked. I used the sling they sent home with us for her back legs. She walked over to the compost bin and barked at some chirping birds, and walked back again. All that activity made her tired, so I placed her bed in a large laundry basket and tucked her in with some old towels. She fell asleep again in a matter of minutes. Snoring and everything. Now Tom is home so she'll get some more attention. :)

PS -- After Tom was home a while, I pinched Lottie's back paw and she moved it!!! This is the reaction we want. A little later I pinched the other one and she moved it too! Thank you God!

Sad Day for Lottie

My Lottie Latte sweet puppy must have jumped down from her favorite chair one too many times. She ran for her dinner like always. Gobbled it up as quickly as possible and raced to the door to go out, as always. But suddenly I noticed that she was having trouble with one of her legs. She hopped around and managed to squat down and pee. Then it became obvious that she couldn't move her back legs. I picked her up and took her in the house so I could break the news to Jill who had been in bed for 2 days with a virus. I asked her to come hold Lottie while I called the vet and did a couple of other things. Next I called Tom. He was in the car on 360 so we decided that he would come home first and we would take Lottie together to the emergency animal hospital. That's where she is now, waiting to have surgery tomorrow. Only other thing is, Rachel is camping, so she doesn't know about Lottie yet, because she didn't pick up her phone when Tom called her. She's probably going screenless tonight, otherwise known as unplugged. I guess it doesn't hurt to not know for a little while longer.

It's time to remember and pray Psalm 46:1 - "God is my refuge and strengh, a very present help in times of trouble."

And to truly believe and practice, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart."

I lift Lottie up to you Lord, and pray for guidance for the surgeon tomorrow.