Charlene snapped this picture of Willa during her K9 Nose Work class. The K9 Nose Work can be done by any breed of dog, requires no training or obedience.
Not be out done by Max (U-litter), Willa has her preliminary xray brags too. Only her brag came about in a more round about way. Willa went to bed in her crate on a Tuesday night and Wednesday morning she wouldn’t come out. I had to pull her out and she was screaming in pain. She would not walk at all and for days I had to carry her from the house to outside to go potty, the rest of the time she would only lay in one spot and not move around at all. It was so sad because Willa is so active and vibrant, and literally over night she became this pathetic little pup that would not move around. On the other hand, I guiltily admit, it was kind of nice to have a little vacation from the exuberance of the puppy known as Willa. Mos and Willa did a lot of bonding during this time as she laid on a blanket next to Mos as he watched House, Gunsmoke, and Jerry Springer. Does this sound familiar? It also reminded me why I shy away from placing puppies with people whose previous dog had severe dysplasia of the hips or elbows. I know, I know, you are thinking “Huh?” Here is how it goes: “….we lost our dog …..he had such bad hip dysplasia all he would do is lie around. We want to make sure we get a good healthy puppy with good hips….” So I provide them with a healthy puppy with good joints. What happens next? I get emails and phone calls, this puppy is nothing like our other dog, it is always running around and jumping. He never holds still. What can we do to get our dog to settle down?” Sigh.
My little immobile Willa was xrayed from head to tail to discover the source of her pain, all we found out was there were no orthopedic issues. Her elbows were normal for her age and hips looked to be good to excellent, hence Willa’s brag.
By Sunday Willa was finally moving around on her own, although limping quite severely. It took about 3 weeks for her to start moving around like her old self. I keep her out of schutzhund training for a couple more weeks just to make sure she did not re-injure herself. I am still keeping her a little quieter then I would normally as soft tissue damage can take a long time to heal. But her attitude is back full force! Plus she is also teething and one of ears has flopped down.
It was great to see her back up and around last weekend. She has gotten so big! I especially loved her game of “grab the toy and try to bury it in the chair cushion”. I love that girl!
I’ve also read that with the teething/floppy ear stage you can give more RMB’s (necks, backs, etc.) for extra calcium to help!
I’m glad Willa is feeling better, poor baby. 🙁 Maybe she got something on her paw pads? Just guessing.
Wait!!!!!!!!!! Mos watches Jerry Springer??!!!! What is wrong with him?? ROFL!!
I know, I don’t understand it either, but he doesn’t drink, smoke or have any other nasty vices…just this thing for the Jerry Springer show.
As long as he never goes ON the show, I think you’re fine.
Poor Willa. At least she got to watch House! It reminds me of staying home from school when you’re a kid.
I’m glad Willa is feeling better. Hopefully that doesn’t happen again – whatever it was! Hugs to Willa from the Read’s!
Maybe Pano? I love House too,but Gunsmoke and Jerry Springer have got to go!!!
JULIE!!! You let out the dirty little secret!
Mos is a man of great versatility. House, Gunsmoke, Law and Order, and shhhh (Jerry Springer) and he also can quote every itty-bitty daily detail of the NY Times.
no no no not the NY times, the WSJ – Wall Street Journal
crap….right State…wrong paper! I knew as I was typing it that something wasn’t right. Obviously, I only read the Wall Street Journal when Mos clips out something for me to read. 😉
Ah, yes—let me go grab my WSJ and turn on Jerry Springer!
Oh, Julie, I am so sorry for what must have been such a scary time. What a relief to have her feeling better again, and returning to her normal activities. I’m so glad you are telling us this after Willa is on the mend again, because we would have all been so upset and worried about her. Three weeks is a very long time to have had to deal with uncertainty, and the poor little angel couldn’t even tell you what was wrong. Our dogs are so very active and exuberant – what we love about them can also get them in trouble. Do you think she may have injured herself playing? Those soft tissue injuries can take a while to feel better.
We figure she hurt herself rough-housing with her baby Daddy Gavin. It was ironic she walked in her crate just fine and didn’t walk again for 4 days. The funny part of it we had dog training classes here on Thursday night. I brought Willa out to the training room and put her in a wire crate and left the door open because she was not walking, she wasn’t going anywhere. All through the classes people marveled at how well trained she was and wanting to know who trained her. LOL
Oh, Julie, that is funny! The guilty pleasure of it all…
We had a similar experience when Beaumont tore his ACL early last summer while racing around in a happy frenzy after we had cleaned his ears outside. Suddenly, he screeched, fell to the ground, and gradually started walking again, on 3 legs as he held that back leg up. We opted for therapy and he’s darn near 100% now with a nearly imperceptible gait change.
The guilty pleasure, you ask? He now stays with us as we walk our property, and is no longer the naughty wanderer. When Scott and my brother in law were talking about it, Scott said we should have torn his ACL years ago!
Batman loooves K9 nosework! The level 2 class starts next week — we are moving on to birch odor vs treats.
I really like that you can practice it at home with minimal equipment.
We don’t have k9 nosework where I live-bummer. It sounds like it would be a good thing to keep little furry minds busy.
Poor Willa. I hope she is continuing to improve. She will soon be driving you crazy again!
Those puppies work and play so hard. Another note to self to mind their bone development with no long-distance running for one year – and to be aware of how hard they go for that fly ball. The soft toss is a nice break for those growing bones.
Sharon, this is a great reminder for all of us! Thank you.
(As you can tell I have not been able to read the blog in a while)
Willa, Julie do you have a new addition for yourself? How wonderful! I love our big furry guy and was scared to death when he got so sick a few months back, as you will remember I called you all upset. I am so happy Willa is with you and doing better.
I know where have you been? I hope all is OK?
Yes I kept a girl from the Gavin x Kira breeding. She is lots of fun!
I am so happy you are back!