Happy New Year Everyone!! What a whirlwind the past couple of months have been. I had my surgery November 21 and the surgery was successful. Thanks to all the Doctors and staff at Anderson's Corner. However, my recovery has been a very tumultuous time for me. Can't a girl catch a break!! I think I may be part cat because I have cheated death more than nine times. I keep bumping into things and popping my stitches open because I am so skinny. I have been to the Doctor more times than I can count to re-stitch my incision. That really interferes with my ball chasing and tormenting my foster brother Cheney. The Doctors have tried a variety of things to help heal the incision including additional surgery and my all-time favorite, increasing my food to put on additional weight. Thanks Dr. T.
On the brighter side, I have adjusted well to being a "tri-pawed". My posture and gait are much better and I don't drag my side on the ground anymore. After the surgery, my foster parents can easily express my bladder and I don't have to wear those silly diapers as much. Please keep me in your prayers as I strive to overcome this latest obstacle and fully recover. Hopefully, by the next update, the only mention of stitches will be the ones I keep my foster family in with my love of life and antics. Until next time....
Lucy Looney
August 7, 2011
Greetings again from Lucy, who wants to provide an update...
Hi everyone. I really appreciate your support in getting me the help I need to recover from my stroke. I have completed my initial therapy at PAWS, and am doing wonderfully in my foster home. They have noticed that I can hold my bladder for longer periods of time, which is good news. While my incontinence is not 100% under control yet, it is very manageable. I am great with BMs as long as I keep to a schedule, but that's enough talk about the bathroom for now! Have I mentioned how much I love to swim? Check out my latest video, on vacation with my family at the Albemarle Sound.
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My foster family feels water therapy is going to be the key to my recovery, so they give me as much opportunity to swim as possible. I should be having a follow-up appointment at PAWS in the next couple of weeks to decide what we need to do next for my care. But I'm working hard at getting better, and I love every second of it. Everyone that meets me is amazed at how happy I am, despite "my disability". But I don't look at it that way, and I am determined to have fun. So thanks for all your support and encouragement so far, and please watch for updates.
Lucy
(video updated - 3 July 2011)
June 25, 2011
Lucy says hello after her first week of rehabilitation/therapy……… she currently goes on Mondays and Thursdays, and stays all day so she can receive multiple therapies without tiring her out. She LOVES going to PAWS in Virginia Beach, as everyone there is so sweet to her. It looks like she had GRREAT sessions this week. Check out her videos below, as she learns about the underwater treadmill that will hopefully help her regain strength and muscle mass in her hips/rear legs. Her devoted foster family is also learning exercises to continue at home. While Lucy faces a long road to recovery and may still ultimately need to have her left rear leg amputated, she is the happiest girl!!
Please consider making a donation to help with her care, and we look forward to sharing updates. And for more information about her awesome friends at PAWS, please visit their website at www.pawsforrehab.com.
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(video updated - 3 July 2011)
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Lucy made a special appearance at the beach on Thursday (16 Jun 11), and met many of her SEVA GRREAT friends and supporters (both human and canine)!! She amazed everyone with her spirit and determination. Lucy loves to swim and chase tennis balls in the water, even when the surf is a little rough. She will start her physical therapy at PAWS next week, so be sure to follow her progress!!
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No, not “that” Lucy……but SEVA GRREAT’s very own Lucy !!!!!
Lucy came to SEVA GRREAT on May 25th, when her owners realized they could not provide the care she needed to try and get better. Suddenly one day in March, she developed paralysis in her rear legs, particularly the left. After an overnight stay at the Emergency Vet, it was felt that she most likely had suffered a fibrocartilaginous embolism (FCE) or “spinal stroke”. While some dogs with this condition improve over several weeks to months, Lucy’s condition did not get better and she found her way to SEVA GRREAT. After 2 months of very poor mobility, she had developed open sores on her hips and tail. Her foster family quickly learned that she also had urinary incontinence, partially due to the stroke but also a urinary tract infection. This has improved dramatically with treatment for the UTI, and Lucy now “dribbles” only with excitement. While she walks OK on 3 legs, her left rear leg usually swings limply beneath her. Yet this happy 2 year -old girl doesn’t let it get the best of her golden spirit. She adores her foster family and aims to please! They have already learned that Lucy loves to swim, and as you can see from her pictures she is always smiling!
Based on the recommendation of Dr. Silverstone, we arranged a rehabilitation consult for Lucy at Pet Alternative Wellness Solutions (PAWS) in Virginia Beach. Lucy’s new friends at PAWS spent 2 hours evaluating her condition and getting to know her. While she may never regain use of her left rear leg and might ultimately require amputation, she will definitely benefit from physical therapy to improve her core strength and help with muscle atrophy. So we plan to start a 6-week session of physical therapy (both at PAWS and through home exercise), to include Massage, Therapeutic Exercises, Acupuncture, Underwater Treadmill, Laser Therapy, and Neuromuscular Stimulation.
Lucy’s treatment will be very expensive, so we’ll need your help to give her the special care she needs. Please consider making a donation on Lucy’s behalf, and we look forward to sharing updates on this special girl’s progress!
When Sat May 18, 2013 10am – 3pm Eastern Time Where Tractor Supply Company, 6499 Market Drive, Gloucester, VA 23061 Join us in a new location to meet some our adoptable Goldens and learn more about becoming involved with SEVA GRREAT!! TSC loves pets, and you and your Golden will love to come shopping. We […]
We are off to another GRREAT start but are still in need of more pictures for next year’s calendar. Deadline for submission is June 15th. Look through your digital pictures and find the cutest picture you have. It could be seasonal (we really need Valentine’s Day, Spring, and Patriotic pictures) or you dog doing something […]
Saturday, May 11 • 10 am – 3 pm at MOUNT TRASHMORE PARK It’s a day for the dogs as they compete in the 2013 Hyperflite Skyhoundz® Local Competition, canine disc contest, 21st Annual Dog-Gonest Dog Show and the Agility Course. Enjoy canine-related product and service exhibits, rescue organizations, and canine demonstrations. SEVA GRREAT and […]
