Never Say Never to a Paw in Need…
"Meet Doggie Lama…
For a while I was having this nagging pain in my back, it wasn’t so bad at first but it got to be very uncomfortable. I’m a 200 lb. Tibetan mastiff, living as a watchdog in a mountain town, it’s not in my breed to complain and call in sick! But I just couldn’t keep quiet anymore and I didn’t like upsetting her with my whines but I had to let my mom, Barbara, know I needed a little help. Mom decided it was time to see one of those humans in the white coat that she calls “seethedoctor”.
I met these humans before when I had what my mom calls a “herniated disk surgery” a long time ago, and they did make me feel better. I wondered what they were going to do this time, but when I looked at mom her eyes told me not to worry. Blue shirt guy and white coat guy and mom all stood around and talked. I could see in my mom’s eyes something was wrong. I tried to listen and understand these words I had never heard before, they said strange things in human code like “C6, C7, and spinal compression” but I trusted they would know what to do. My mom eventually told me that I would need another surgery to fix those C6 and C7 things they talked about. From what I’ve seen humans and dogs both don’t like surgery or talking about it, but if it’s a must then it’s a must.
It’s always a little scary going to the vet place, it’s not as comfortable as home and smells different, but all the humans are kind and give me treats which I won’t complain about! The last time at the vet I had to get up on a big table and before I knew it I was taking a long nap, I woke up a bit groggy and it did hurt all over, but I was happy to hear my mom and these doctors use words like “successful” and “recovery.” The humans kept saying things like “I have a lot of healing and work to do”, “long journey” “long road ahead”. I kept thinking “Where am I going?” “a journey sounds pawesome!” I am good at heeling and I love to work, this is not so bad. Turns out I was not going anywhere, I have to work at getting better, and that is what they were talking about. I am a working dog and I’m not afraid to put in the time and effort to get things done, and I won’t let my mom down to do all the work herself.
anything is Pawssible!
As you already know I’m not the size of a Chihuahua, and it is not easy for me to get up and move after this kind of surgery. It not only hurts, but I need a few human hands to help me up. It’s frustrating to not be able get up and go, why aren’t my back legs working like they are supposed to? I feel so hot, the nice humans keep giving me ice chips and have a machine blowing wind on me. I must try harder; I am the sentry guard and need to get to my post. I love having my mom by my side to keep me company; she has a lot of encouraging words to say to me. Mom and the doctors are talking about my need to be lifted upright and use my legs, they are using words like “hoist” and “device” and there seems to be a sense of “figuring things out” in the air. The nice humans at this vet’s office have been on their phones a lot, asking around about a stronger, powerful, sturdier solution for someone my size, especially something my mom can take home with us so we can recover back on our mountain
My mom and the doctors finally got some good news, there is a really helpful bunch of humans nearby that have a device called a “LiteGait” that would work for my size and allow us to start recovery at home. They had to put it together, especially for me; it is white, has 4 wheels, has a comfy blue harness, and a couple of big straps that fit around my body, it feels good. I sniffed around this device a bit and gave it a good inspection, after all, I am the sentry guard and I had to be sure it was safe. The new human and blue shirt guy helped me get inside of it - they buckled me in securely and using this powered human gadget, they lifted me up onto my paws for the first time in days. It was amazing to be up on all fours again. It was still a little painful to move, but it felt good to use my front legs and start to stretch out my hind legs again. I’m not as fast as I’d like to be right this second, but I will work hard, I am a working dog.
"With this LiteGait machine, and the love from my mom, I am getting better. We walk on the road she calls recovery, she says its long but we only stay on it for a short time each day ."
“whatta good boy!”
A few days later the doctors and my mom took me for another slow walk in this device outside, it was fun to see the outside world again and smell the air. I was able to take a few more steps and use my hind legs a bit, everyone kept saying “good boy!” “whatta good boy!” that really helped! My mom will be taking this device home to help me walk and get better, without this it would be too hard on her to help me get up and move. It really is helping me and she seems happy when I am trying to walk in it, I love to see her happy.6
With this LiteGait machine and the love from my mom, I am getting better. We walk on the road she calls recovery, she says its long but we only stay on it for a short time each day. I am very happy that all the people at the vet place and the man that made this walking device for me made my mom’s eyes not look so sad anymore. I have plenty of work ahead of me, but once again, I’m a working dog and I can handle it! Now I think it’s time for a much-needed nap after all of this blogging.
- The Doggie Lama (with special thanks to my mom Barbara Bruce, Mobility Research and the great staff at Veterinary Neurological Center)
-a note from mobility research
Although we no longer make our LiteGait-Vet model we knew there was something we could do. At Mobility Research we are all about innovative physical therapy solutions, and once in a while that means solutions for our four legged friends. The wonderful team at Veterinary Neuro Center in Phoenix, AZ reached out to us regarding a 200 lb. Tibetan Mastiff who just underwent spinal disk surgery and was in dire need of a powered lift system to aid in his recovery and get him practicing gait post-surgery. While we do not currently specialize in veterinary models, we quickly went to work and assembled a LiteGait-V specifically for Doggie Lama to use. His owner, Barbara, could not have lifted him up every day on her own to practice gait, so a reliable, sturdy, portable and powered lift would be necessary to allow a proper recovery. This LiteGait-Vet model would not only allow this heavy animal to be lifted safely and easily, but allow for overground and over treadmill training at home - and fortunately, Doggie Lama is taking to it! Doggie Lama is on his road to recovery step by step, and we are truly grateful to have been able to help him and his owner when they were in need. Never say never, because there’s always a solution! ;