My dog Baxter

by Everett Steiner
(Indianapolis , IN)

I had Baxter for 15 years and he was a very good dog. In the last year he had a lot of problems. I was surfing the web and found your site and built him his wheel chair - he loved it. We had to put him down yesterday. I would like to give it to another dog that needs one. We had a lot of good times. Thanks again.

Editor's note: Everett, we are sorry for your loss. We think Baxter was really lucky to have such caring owners.

Visitors - if you would like to get in touch with Everett about this used homemade dog wheelchair please contact us.

Never give up hope!

by Teresa
(New Port Richey, FL)

Deogee was given to me as a housewarming present. In the past 14 years we've been through a lot. We've moved 3 times, been through 6 boyfriends and a urinary tract infection that lasted 12 years because I trusted an ignorant vet tech (FYI.. NO! Some dogs don't just have smelly pee).

6 months ago I came home from running errands and went looking for her to let her out. She was standing in the doorway of the bedroom with a strange look on her face. She was having difficulty walking but I thought it was just her arthritis. When we got outside she fell going potty and I knew something was very very wrong.

I picked her up and put her in the backseat of the car, throwing my back out in the process. I called the vet and told them we were on our way in.

20 minutes after we got to the vet they broke the news to me. My wonderful baby girl had had a stroke. Deep down I believe I already knew this. I have a little bit of medical training and recognized the symptoms. I just didn't believe it was true.

It was a frightening sight. Just the day before she had been playing and running with my other dog (a mini doxi, Oscar Mayer) and now all she could do was lie there. She couldn't walk or stand. She couldn't hold her head right, it kept drooping and turning to the right. There was a slackness in her face on the right side. But the most frightening part of all, were her eyes. She had what was called nystagmus. A condition often associated with strokes where the eyes move extremely rapidly and uncontrollably side to side. It was truly horrible.

I was hysterical through the whole visit. This just could not be happening. Not that day. It was October 20th. An Aunt had passed away over the weekend and her funeral had been that morning. And it was the 2 year anniversary of the surgery that had put my mother on life support. Now this? October is no longer my favorite month.

The vet said she wanted to keep my baby at least overnight to make sure that she was stable. Then came more bad news. When it came time to take her home she might walk out like nothing happened, I might take her home in the same condition she came in, or she might pass away overnight.

3 days later I took my girl home. She had some use of her front legs but no control of her back legs. To get around I had to use a beach towel as a sling and walk as I straddled her. She had also lost her voice. She couldn't growl, wine or yelp. And what was once a big booming bark now sounded like the baby harp seal with laryngitis.

The next 6 months saw a raging urinary tract infection from her being so stationary, 2 months of physical therapy and many, many, many trips to the vet. I spent hundreds of hours online researching, asking questions and researching the answers I was given. I told everyone I met what happened to my girl and posted it on my facebook page. All in hopes of finding someone who had had the same experience.

FINALLY I found someone. In fact, I found hundreds of someones. A yahoo group called AbleDogs, all owners of handicapped dogs all with special needs (cancer, CHF, amputation, behavioral...). These people became my source of information, moral support and friendship. They are the most valuable thing I have found on the internet.

BUT IT WAS ALL WORTH IT!!!!!!!!

2 weeks ago I looked up and saw my girl STANDING drinking water out of her bowl. The next afternoon I actually got video of her walking on her own across the front yard and into the house!!!! I rushed to the vet and sat in the waiting room for 3 hours to show her a 2 minute video (she was in surgery when I got there). The next morning I went to the physical therapist's office to show her. I got the same reaction out of everyone.... jumping up and down and yelling 'Look at her go!'.

5 and a half months of lifting her, walking with her and cleaning her up every night when I came home from work. 5 and a half months of exercises, stretching, massage and hydrotherapy. 5 and a half months it took her to start walking on her own. But it was worth every minute of the wait.

I have the most wonderful vet in the world!!!! NOT ONCE did she even mention putting Deogee to sleep. She never even considered it an option. I know she gave me discounts and she lets me make payments. She referred me to the best canine physical therapist in town. And she has patiently read through every bit of information that I have brought her.

Deogee did all the work. She truly is a force to be reckoned with.

Yesterday I told the vet that if she ever has another patient that has a stroke, to give them my phone number. There was no one to guide me through this. Now it's time for me to pay it forward.

NEVER GIVE UP!!!!!! NEVER GIVE UP!!!!!! NEVER GIVE UP!!!!!

Editor's note: Teresa, thank you so much for sharing this information and your inspiring story. I am always in awe of the dedication dog owners show in caring for their pets.

A dog in a dog

His name is Riley, a Yorkshire Terrier. He died of heartworms. Fortunately, I see him in another dog, a Coton de Tulear named Huckleberry Finn - he's lovable, playful, and extremely cute! I love him and Riley - I'll never forget Riley!