Poodles In Need

(18/12/11) Due to having my car in the workshop for over two weeks and being given a courtesy car which you could not have dogs in (there was nothing to say I couldn't have had 5 children eating jam doughnuts in it but I couldn't have one non-moulting dog!) added to the snow here on Friday morning, dear Finnie hasn't been hydro for a while. He has had his exercise and my massage but I really think he is missing his swim.  His posture isn't as good and his back is slumping again.  He fell again Thursday night when he jumped off the bed (yes, he can now jump on our beds. Well the lowest one at least). His legs just sometimes don't seem as strong as he thinks they are.  Thankfully he doesn't seem to have done anything that a few kisses, cuddles and massage couldn't help. All being well, he will be back in the pool within a few days and in the new year I think I may take him twice a week when I can as it really seems to help.

On behalf of Finnie (and ourselves), we would like to thank everyone who has been following his story and sent such kind messages. It really does mean so much. So, as I am sure he would like to say " Thank-you, God Bless and have a very merry Christmas and a very happy and healthy New Year"

(04/11/11) During the past week the lad has been much more active and really quite playful at times. We have just got back from his thrid hydro session and he actually seemed to quite enjoy himself. What was interesting was that they had trainee hydrotherapists there and immediately one chap felt him he said how little muscle he has on his back end. Everyone though, says that given what he was like only 6 months ago he has come a long way. We are continuing to make him do his exercises to work on his 'core' muscles with the aim of getting his spine a lot straighter.  The visit to the physio next week mayshow if the exercises over the past three weeks have helped.

(27/10/11) Finnie went for his second hydrotherapy session he at Greyfriars Rehabilitation & Hydrotherapy Referral Centre today. We would like to thank them for giving us a special price for his hydro sessions given he is in rescue and needs their help. Last week he had an initial physio session with a lovely girl called Annelies who spent time focusing on his core muscles, spine and hips. She has asked that we peform massage on him and thinks he certainly is experiencing pain predominately in his right shoulder and hip. We were advised to keep him on Metacam daily to relieve the pain whilst undergoing exercise and massage.  Due to the lack of 'core' muscle strength,  his back sags making him very uncomfortable. We need to get him to start using his stomach muscles to align his spine.

After the physio, he went in the pool. He didn't seem as impressed with the pool and facilities as I was. He certainly wasn't impressed with swimming and kept trying to make it to the side and scramble out. Thankfully he had two therapists with him to keep him in the water. Today, he was supervised by Dean who after each doggie paddle around the pool would rest him and massage him in the water. We have booked sessions for him until mid-November when he will be reviewed again by the physiotherapist.

(29/9/11) Our lad has had a few sessions of accupuncture and although he is certainly a bit more active, he did have a day of lameness again last Saturday. The vet who performed the accupunture says he has never come across a dog with a gait like his and is at a loss to say what the cause or problem is. Today, he likened it to lactic acid buildup in the muscles of race horses and Greyhounds. He strongly advises we take him for Hydrotherapy to get him to move his legs in a way he wouldn't normally. We are now looking for a reputable place nearby. We will keep you updated.

 A BIG THANK-YOU to the couple who donated funds toward accupuncture and hydrotherapy sessions plus

the lady who donated a BIOFLOW collar for him. 

We really do  appreciate it...so does Finnie

(13/9/11) After his recent tumble, it is likely he will now become a 'permanent foster'. His needs are such at the moment we feel it unfair on him to be placed with a new owner. He needs love, understanding and patience in addition to regular therapy to improve his mobility. We will keep all of you updated with any progress.

(5/9/11) This poor lad has had a bit of a set back. He fell a few days ago and has been lame ever since. We are now in the process of looking to try holistic treatment (accupuncture, physio, etc.) to try to improve his mobility.

 (7 July '11) : The lad goes from strength to strength. We have had several enquiries for this lovely dog but the right home still has yet to be found.

* A large garden for him to trot around in as he still cannot be taken for long walks

* A 'playmate' is crucial. Preferrably another standard or min who likes to tug and play ball but is gentle and won't 'bowl him over'

* Someone who could lift him up if his back legs splay or could help him in to a car or on/off a sofa

He is a very gentle gentleman indeed and quite sensitive and really does want loving and to please.

NB/ He has no experience of stairs and therefore this must be a consideration.

(16 April '11) : The x-rays proved there is nothing wrong with his spine, front legs or his back legs. However, it did show the slightest indication of hip-dysplasia on the left side. The conclusion is, without performing very expensive scans for muscular issues and alike, he had been constrained for a significant period of time. The fosterer is performing physio advised by the vet on his front right leg which, although is improving, still quite stiff.

These photos is of him today.He is a very happy dog, loves to play tug with the other dogs and has even started to run around the garden in his own way. He has put on some 3.5kg in weight and gone from 24.6kg to 28kg and measures 28" to the shoulder. He is a big rangy boy and would make an absolutely lovely dog for someone who is quite content to take him for short walks then let him potter and play in a sizeable garden. He is a real sweetie who just loves a fuss and loves to please.

(1 April '11) We would like to thank the two ladies who brought this dog to us. You know who you are and a BIG thank-you.  Also, to all those caring people who have contacted us about this lad, rest assured, the RSPCA was contacted but declined to get involved!!  This young lad is going to be x-rayed next week and hopefully we will be in a better position to know the reasons for his stiffness.  We will of course, update you of his progress.

(22 March'11) We have been so amazed at how lovable and well behaved this lad is. He still looks a lot older than his years but he is happy, loves to 'mother' some of the fosterers dogs by cleaning their eyes, ears and generally loves them. He has started to play but in a gentle mouthing way.  His mobility continues to be an issue but the vet thinks this could either be from being 'restricted' for a considerable period of time or 'rheumatic/arthritic' in nature although they did not feel any typical arthritic elements to his joints. Although he loves wandering around the garden, we feel he will always need limited exercise in terms of walking. However, as he progresses, this may change.

(16 March'11 - photos 1 to 3) This poor boy was brought to us last week having obviously been neglected.  He was taken to the vet due to his condition, urination issues, stiff joints and sore feet plus incredibly bad wind! As we had no idea how old he was, both us and the vet had assumed he was around 11 - 13. We have since discovered through his microchip that he is only 8 years old.

All this lad wants is love & affection. He has proved to have a wonderful nature and has settled in with the foster carers other dogs (standards & toys) very well. Within a few days of settling in he has started having little 'tugger'  games with the other dogs and has taken to a couple of soft toys which he plays with on his own. Given his poor health, he does sleep a lot at present and although his joints are still very stiff he certainly is slowly showing signs of increased mobility which we guess is down to the medication.

This wonderful boy will take several months to return to being the fit & healthy dog we'd like to see him be and we will continue to update this section with his progress. 

Having said this, if there is anyone out there who would be willing to offer this lovable lad a loving forever home then please call Hanna