Little Dog in a Big World

Archive for the ‘Dog Wheelchairs’ Category

It is with a heavy heart that I must tell our readers that Sierra passed away this afternoon.  She had been doing really well, so it’s been a shock.  She went about her morning as normal.  She scarfed down her breakfast, took her walk in her wheelchair, had a snack, and visit with one of her best buds, Jeremy.  In the afternoon, she had a little yogurt and visited with the neighbor.  She seemed to be having trouble with her back leg and gave up visiting to lay on her bed.

About a half hour later, she didn’t look well.  She began to throw up several times.  She rested for a few minutes, looking like she had gotten it all out, then threw up again.

A couple of minutes later, she gave a few coughs–and then she was gone.

She lived a good long life.  She survived cancer after having her back leg amputated.  She adapted to her new life as if three legs was the way she was meant to be.

She was diagnosed with arthritis in her back hip a few months after her amputation.  The Vet said that this was it.  She’d be limited to the backyard and the house.  But, Sierra wouldn’t have none of that!  Once we got her medications regulated, she was back to taking two 10 minute walks a day.

She really had no more problems until this February when she began to get constipated.  This were looking up in May when the constipation was under control and she was given a donated wheelchair by Kathi Barton’s class and the wonderful people at The Handicapped Pets Foundation.  In June, she was up walking with her wheelchair, chasing cats, and enjoying the feel of grass on her paws.

It’s so hard to say goodbye especially to a pet who has been such a great companion, who was such a fighter, and such a clown.  She was a thief who would steal food off your plate and the best companion a child could ever ask for.  She merely asked for a little peanut butter, a sun spot to sleep in, and tummy rubs.

I have so many good memories of Sierra.  The time she tried to steal the birthday cake off the table, sharing my bed with her while I read, how she adapted to the arthritis in my feet and would gingerly move around me, how she enjoyed laying down on top of the tent while my nephew and I tried to put it up, how tolerant she was of the younger family dogs who loved her too much, how she allowed my niece to clean her teeth with a wet washrag, how she stole a full loaf of bread the my niece and nephew had just pulled out of the bread machine, how she pulled a twenty dollar bill out of my sister’s purse, the time she came under the table, jumped up and took a bite out of the pumpkin pie while we were singing “Happy Birthday to You”…There are so many memories.  Mostly, I’ll miss her eagerness to start the day with all her aches and pains and how she would lay on my lap and practically knock me off the bed.

Here are a few photos of my little sweetness…I’ll miss you, babe!

May you enjoy all the best sun spots now…

Today “we” jumped a minor hurdle.  I put the harnesses on Sierra.  As I wheeled her chair over, she sat up–without a treat!  I had to hurry up and hook the front then lift her back end before she layed down again.  I’m often amazed at how she figures out new routines and adapts to them.

We went out the front door today, just so I could get a little practice.  Once again, things were easier.  She is adjusting to the size of her new butt.  I’m figuring out when I need to assist her.

Here is Sierra just getting out the front door and checking out the scene:

Before every ride, I take Sierra out for a potty stop.  Today, she went out, pooped but didn’t pee.  You probably know where this is leading…

She did her routine in the front yard.  When she was done she rolled into the backyard and proceeded to pee with her harness and chair still attached.

I got her into the house, disconnected everything, then washed her off.  Then I washed the harness and the side of the chair that got hit.  Good thing the harness is very easy to wipe off.

Technically, it’s not an accident.  After all, she was on the back grass where she normally does her business.  Sigh…

I am going to have to be more persistent in that she does everything before coming back in to get harnessed.  I’ve heard that some people cut patches in the back harness to allow for potty time.  I’m not sure how you do this for a female dog.  Another less on learned.  Just because your dog hasn’t done something before doesn’t mean they won’t.

I knew that this would happen eventually.  Sierra was in her chair too long today.

She wheeled herself out front and then what happened?  She sniffed a cat.  Boy, did she ever go.  She followed that scent until she found the neighbor’s cat under the bush in the shade.  And, then she would not leave.

It was already over 80F at 10 am.  So, it was hot and she was being obstinate.  She just would not move.  I was caught by surprise at how strong her front legs were because I could not budge her.

After a few minutes, I got her attention.  I got her over to the sidewalk.  She kept her eyes on the cat the whole time!

Once I got her in the house, I realized she had been in the chair at least 20 minutes which was 5 minutes longer than normal.  When I unhooked her, her back leg was very tired.  This lingered throughout the day.

I decided that on Monday I would talk to the Vet about pain relief.  She is on Deramaxx.  But, this extra activity was causing her pain because she wasn’t used to it.  I know are medications that would make things easier for her.  We’d just have to work on finding the right one.

After fighting the back harness for days, I decided to do things differently.  Instead of putting the front harness on first, I put on the back harness first.

Man, this made things so much easier!  Because her inclination is to lay down once I get the front harness on, I was able to do the back and then adjust it while she was laying down.  Then I slipped over the front harness.

A little treat got the cart hooked up to the dog.  This took less than five minutes.  Less frustrating for me and less stressful for her.

While we were out today, the neighbor came outside with his puppy.  I was a little uncertain as to how Sierra would react.  She likes other dogs, but can get huffy around strange dogs.  She has never met this puppy before.

The puppy got antsy, but his owner was able to keep him in check.  My dog, on the other hand, wanted to roll over and check this dog out.  I wouldn’t let her because I’m not sure if the puppy is fully vaccinated.

I had a nice conversation with the neighbor.  Sierra kept a watchful and was on tiptoes, prancing around.  The puppy went inside and then we continued on our way.

I’m sure we will have other encounters like this.  I’m not all that comfortable about it, but it’s really unavoidable.  I just hope the other people have control of their dogs.

I noticed yesterday that Sierra had a little trouble moving her back leg.  I decided the sling was interfering with the harness.  Today I decided to try to get her into the chair without it.

It wasn’t as difficult as I thought it would be.  I gave her a couple of pieces of dog food, which she sat for.  Once she was in the sitting position, I was able to lift her to the chair and then hook her up.  This was easier than doing it with the sling.

I had to retrain myself to manipulate her with the back of the cart.  She needs to be lifted over the sliding door jamb, manoeuvered out the gate, and so forth.  I wasn’t sure I would be able to lift her.  But I did.  She seemed to be walking better, so this looks like it will work out.

Honestly, I wonder why other people with dogs are not concerned about strangers with dogs!  Today, I had to rush Sierra back into the yard.  A couple came up with two big dogs on leash.  I’ve never seen these dogs or these people before.  I don’t know how friendly they were, but they were roaming at the end of the leash and I didn’t want to take any chances.  Sierra really couldn’t defend herself if the dogs chose to attack.  I can’t always depend on dog owners being able to control their dogs.

It’s not so easy rushing a dog in a wheelchair.  I tried to do it as gently as possible.  We made it to the yard before the other dogs got to our property.

Sierra was getting a little too worked up over it.  I wish the people had crossed the street.  If I had seen another dog getting this huffing, I would have changed sides of the street out of courtesy.

While we were out this morning, the neighbor’s daughter and son-in-law pulled up.  They waved and then had to come over to see the Three Legged Wonder Dog on Wheels.

Sierra was over by the gate.  When she saw she had company, she wheeled herself over.  She enjoyed being able to stand up and get attention since so much of her days have been spent laying down.  She ate up the attention.  New people to give her a head scratch.

It was great to see her interracting.  Her back leg was tired from standing in place, but I think it did her good to be social.  She loves people and loves the attention they give her.

Sierra is adjusting to her chair very well.  Today she started to exhibit a little more confidence and some dog like behavior.

She sniffed the grass in the front of the house picking up the scent of the puppy who was on the lawn the night before.  She spotted a cat across the street and refused to leave until she got a really good view of it.

She is doing 10-15 minutes and seems to be enjoying the experience.