Visting, Herding, and Magic

Yesterday I spent the day in Calgary- it was a busy day. But I got to do three cool things. 

Visit with a good friend, that I don't see often enough and haven't talked to in what feels like a long time. Because I haven't been to a trial in what feels like forever I don't get to talk much with all my agility friends. It was a nice visit- although too short. Next time I will plan better!!!

Have a Herding Lesson at Louanne's.
Which was really good. Her stops were way better than before (at least to start), and she worked really well. We did a Y chute for the first time- which was difficult. LOL. And did fenceline work with actual obstacles. That was cool. The sheep we used were super flighty and fast- Brit liked that. It was very apparent we have a long way to go though. I struggle with watching my dog, my sheep, and thinking about what I am supposed to be telling my dog. With time it will come together but right now we are both very novice. At least I have a good novice dog- she tries hard to please me, and is way smarter than me. lol.

And I took Wicca to a different rehab person. Well, a Canine Body Worker. Sarah is apprenticing under Tina from Inhand Equine Therapy and I had the chance to take Wicca to be a guinea pig. I jumped at the chance- another set of eyes on her can't hurt!  Right off the bat Tina could see two things. And as she went over her she told me that she thinks that Wicca has an old, chronic Iliopsoas injury. Interesting eh? She did her magic and by the end of the hour Wicca was walking like a normal dog- without her legs tucked under her, and her topline had leveled out a bit. So I came home with a different set of exercises to do with her every day. Exercises specifically to a Psoas injury- which she may or may not have. But at this point I am willing to try anything. It can't hurt for sure, and if how Wicca was after the appointment is any indication then I am sold.

The hard part about this sort of thing is that I've already been working with a vet who has done lots of good for Wicca. As with everything in life there are always opinions and different thoughts. But I'm a believer in exploring options. And Tina is pretty confident in her observations. She certainly sounded like she knew what she was talking about!  So I'll give it a go. This means that Wicca is back to no fun. Leash walks only. No Running, Twisting, Turning, Jumping, Stairs, or Fun. lol. But Tina thinks that after 7-9 months of Rehab she will be better. That's right, Better.

Even if I could get her better I still won't go back to agility with her. I will be forever scared of hurting her. I couldn't handle that at all. But it would be fun to go back into the Rally ring with her! But being who I am I am still remaining pessimistic about the whole thing. lol. I will be happy if one day she can return to normal life.

Stop Freaking Out...Part 2

I took Wicca to see Dr.Devall today- hopefullly this can be the last appointment for a few months. It went really well, and her adjustments are holding pretty well.

Her shoulders were where the trouble was at this time. Particularily her left shoulder/bicep area. I can't remember what the muscle was called exactly, but it is essentially her rotator cuff. She got some trigger point needles (which Wicca didn't care for too  much), and laser. Veronica showed me some exercises I can do to improve her range of motion as she is still quite tight there. Likely from years of this...

Her neck and pelvis were great- and only a few little adjustements in her back. I am pleased that she is doing so good. I really just need to stop freaking out, but it's hard. I love this dog to bits, and want her to be healthy and happy. Not stiff, sore, and miserable. She is on the road to that though, so it makes me very happy. The plan is to spread out the treatments every three months or so, depending on how she is doing. Combined with frequent massages from Sarah. :)  The massage helps a ton, and Veronica said that it was good that I had her worked on when the shoulder flared up. So I'm going to get on a regular schedule with that aswell.

Her coat is super crappy right now- it's so dry, and with it being so cold I have the heat on all the time. She gets Salmon Oil every day, but Veronica also suggested Cod Liver Oil. 1/4 tsp twice a day to start. I am going to go and pick some up this afternoon. All the dogs coats are dry, so everyone will get some. She is also due for a bath- (maybe this weekend if I have time!).

So that's that. Hopefully I can keep Wicca semi-active without hurting herself, and we can go back to spending money on more fun things. ;)

Wicca Update

Wicca has been doing good- she seemed to be getting stronger, and was back to her normal self. Her exercises were going well, although the dog cannot crawl, or do cavaletti's very well.  And then a few days ago she started acting weird, and semi-lame. She didn't do anything out of the ordinary- except she did manage to slip past me and jump out of the van once. And now It's like we are back to square one.

I am so frustrated. It's like Sam all over again. Seriously. Random lameness that pops up now and again, soon turned into chronic lameness, and before you know it my dog had to be euthanised. It was awful. And that's all I've been thinking about for weeks.

When she first seemed off the other morning, I thought I was just being paranoid. But it was pretty obvious she was uncomfortable. She sits funny, yawns a lot, and stretches- often holding the stretches for more than a few seconds. Sarah gave her a massage tonite, and found swelling on/near some muscle on her shoulder that I can't even pronounce. When she saw her a few weeks ago she was okay, except for some serious muscle spasms in her hamstring area (I can't remember where exactly, or what muscle.) The muscle spasms there are actually what I noticed first at the beginning of all of this.

I emailed Dr.Devall, and could have gone to see her tomorrow, but instead have to wait for next week because I can't afford to go on such short notice.  Dr.Devall is great- she knows my dog, and really knows her stuff. I believe she has made a difference in my dog. I am grateful to have her so close (only a few hours away), but I am pretty sure I can't afford to go and see her every month forever.

I have been doing pretty good financially- even feeling comfortable enough to drop a day of work in trade for evening classes (which is about the same amount of money after taxes, etc.) Now it is likely that I will have to wait a month to get that shift back, and then go back to working five days and five nights a week...  I have been trying to save money for other things (like a dental for Boone, and a dentist for me...). But every spare cent is being used up by this chronic, not going away, issue. I want my dog better, and I never want to have to withhold treatment because I can't afford it. But at this point I am going to have to do some serious life changing things to be able to afford an extra $500 a month. ($350ish for the appointment, plus gas, and potentially a day off work). It's depressing.

Interestingly enough, I actually have been feeling much better mood wise lately. Wicca really has been doing great, and I had a great work break over christmas. And even with this Wicca thing flaring up I am still oddly okay. I don't really believe that my dog is going to die anytime soon, and I do think she will get better. It's just going to take a really long time. And I'm going to have to work extra hard, and cut back on some stuff to be able to afford it. But that's okay. It will work out in the end. I'm just frustrated.

I've already picked up a few private lessons, and am working on a website for that aswell. Private lessons are a good money maker, and take less time than running classes. I can fit them in when I can, vs. trying to fit another class into my already packed schedule. Now to decide what to cut out. lol.  I don't pay for classes so that's a non issue, and have no trials planned anytime soon, but my herding addiction may have to be put on hold for a while, and I'll probably have to start walking the dogs to the field for a run, instead of driving all over the country side. And Tim Hortons may have to go without my business, and I might even have to stop buying quick meals and actually cook things.  But there are worse things than being forced to exercise and diet. lol. And if I end up with a sound dog at the end of it I'll be happy (and thinner.) lol.

Wicca's Last Year

Wicca and I had a pretty great year. Probably one of our best. We were working as a team for the most part, and had some really spectacular moments. I love this little dog to bits- she is all heart. It has been an amazing journey with her.

Although it is earlier than planned, Wicca is retired from Agility. Instead we will maybe take up tracking, or something else a little easier on a crazy corgi body. We will see how the rehab pans out and go from there. She won't be turning into a couch potato anytime soon- she will be kept busy learning new tricks, maybe working on some more utility exercises (minus the heeling). There is a lot of things that we can play at. Wicca enjoys training so much- we will definitely keep it up.

I am very thankful to have had such a great agility partner. She taught me a lot, and has made me a better trainer. I remember her young crazy days, the same as I remember her last trial- as crazy as ever. It was always a rush to step to the line with her.

In Rally Wicca was always a high 90's dog. She has had more than a few perfect scores over the years. Her focus, and enthusiasm in the ring made her great fun to trial. In very limited (Three Weekends!) trialing she earned top Cardigan in Canada, and a surprising #10 dog in Alberta! Imagine if we were diehards!  At this point she is retired from Rally aswell- she only needs one more combination leg for her RAE title. Time will tell if she will be able to go back in the ring. Heeling has done a number to her neck.

Here is the break down from our very awesome year.



2011 AAC Results- according to her Stats Page

22 Qualifying Runs
8 Trials (plus Steeplechase at Regionals)
3rd Place 6" Specials AAC AB/NWT Regionals

Titles Earned
Masters Jumpers Dog of Canada
Agility Trial Champion of Canada!!!!
Bronze Excellent Standard
Bronze Excellent Gamble
Bronze Excellent Snooker
Bronze Excellent Steeplechase
Versatility Bronze

CKC Rally Obedience - according to Canuck Dogs
 #10 Dog in Alberta
 #1 Cardigan in Canada
12 Qualifying Scores (3 Weekends!!!!)
77 Points (Canuck Dogs) Multi High in Clas
One perfect Score (100)

CKC Agility
One Q at the LDKC Trial- moving her to Intermediate. Earning her AGNS.

CKC Scenthurdle Racing
Scenthurdle Dog Champion!

I am so incredibly grateful for this dog.  I don't think I say that enough.

Prescribed Digging

Wicca had a follow up visit with Dr.Devall this morning. It went pretty well- there has been lots of improvement. Her pelvis is holding strong, and only a minor tweak in her back. However her complete left side is still pretty ouchie. The first rib was out again, and a minor adjustment on her neck. She got some laser, and some new exercises.

Digging! Wicca will love that. She loves to dig, All I have to do is say Gopher?! and she will dig in any spot I point to. Even snow. The digging action is going to stretch those muscles in her shoulders.

Bowing/Full stretch. This one we do lots of already. But will make sure we add it to the daily program.

Peanut Ball work. I have't had her on the ball since her injury- she will be happy to get to play again. She can do turns and sit ups on the ball.

Paw Targeting. Wicca needs to reach up- which is hard when you have short legs. She already has a paw target on cue, so will stick a thing on the wall and get her really reaching up for it.

Cavalleti. We can start doing some cavaletti exercises which Wicca will find enjoyable I am sure. It's kind like agility. lol (not really...)

This is on top of the stretches and exercises we already do. Backing up, Slow Left/Right turns, Sit Ups, Crawling, etc. We also are going to go back to Arnica instead of Traumeel for a few weeks, and now she can get the full dose of Ligaplex in the morning instead of split.

She also gets to do some flat running- still no twisting or playing with the other dogs. But she will be happy to get a bit more physical exercise!

Veronica was pleased with the progress. I am pleased with the progress. I am trying to be upbeat about this, and just take one day at a time. She will be fine- she is well on her way already. But am horrified that I've done this to my dog. :(

EDITED TO ADD:

I do know that we can't keep them in a bubble, and I do know that there is risk in everything. Not just agility. But Wicca is harder on herself than the average dog. She runs agility as fast as she can possibly go, with no thoughts to self preservation. Wicca hasn't done actual agility in months- and to still have rib problems now just blows me away. How long has she been hurting and not showing anything? She has appeared to be pretty sound for most of last year. But this has been building for quite awhile from the looks of it. At this point Wicca is likely never weaving again. Her shoulders and ribs are likely due to weaving. I went back and watched some video. If I can stomach it I will make a montage of weave pole clips- you will see what I mean.

In a Funk

No Fun 48/52, originally uploaded by manymuddypaws.

I'm in a funk lately and can't seem to shake it.

It's not even just one thing, but a combination of lots of things. It's hard to see the positive side of things sometimes.

My dogs do their best to cheer me up, and they really do make me smile every day. But it's the rest of the day that I'm having trouble with. Maybe if one of them were small enough to carry around in my purse they could cheer me up all day.

Imagining a corgi in a purse just made me smile. Maybe I need to keep that image with me for the rest of the day. ;)

Wicca Update

Concerned 47/52, originally uploaded by manymuddypaws.

Today I took Wicca to Calgary (Dr.Veronica Devall) again for a recheck. The appointment went well.

Her pelvis, spine and neck were all pretty good. Just a few minor adjustments. She got an accupuncture treatment, and another B12 Injection. Veronica is happy witht the improvement but Wicca still has a ways to go. We are still on restricted activity- leash walks only. Trotting in small amounts. Nothing strenuous, no twisting, jumping, or anything crazy like.

She sent us home with two more supplements- Ligaplex is specifically to help repair tendons and ligaments. And Catalyn , which is a vitamin of sorts. This is on top of her joint supplement.

I am very glad for the improvement. Even her attitude is slowly getting better. She is happy again, and is actually using her rear properly. We will continue with the stretching three times a day and have to go up again in two weeks.

I have been giving serious thought about permanent retirement for Wicca. It's sad to think she will never get to play again but if it's in her best interest there will be no question. We are still playing a waiting game as to how long it will take, or what the expected recovery is.

Twisted

Today was the longest day ever. Work, Drive to Calgary. See vet (who is awesome). Drive home from Calgary. Go Home for 10 minutes. Go to dogshow and run three hour funmatch.

Wicca's appointment was good. She does not have a back problem. <insert huge sigh of relief>

What she does have is a whole lot of twisted body parts.

Her pelvis was twisted- AND pushed forward. How that happened we have no idea. Seriously it was amazing to see. How she fixed it? With a neck adjustment. Serious. Ta Da! Straight pelvis. Amazing.

She also had two ribs out- this was a very sore spot for Wicca. They obviously hurt a lot. :(  This could have been done weaving.

Her neck was a mess- lots of adjustment there. She speculated that all of this could have even started with the neck (good old heeling...).

Her back legs of course, and her iliopsoas is tender, but likely from accomodating for the pelvis issue.

Also there were some minor adjustments to her spine. Wicca's back IS sore- but it's more of a sciatica issue. That could explain the lameness.

After all this adjusting she got an injection of some fancy stuff that I forgot the name of... (thankfully my friend Jen tagged along and took notes that I could refer to if I felt like it...)

I am so relieved.  I am going back in two weeks for a recheck, and some more adjustments. Already after this afternoon Wicca is walking better- not tucking her rear under her.

In the mean time she is on rest. Leash walks, no wrestling, jumping, climbing, tugging. Essentially she is not allowed to do anything fun for a while. But that's okay- because in a few weeks we will be able to start bringing back some real life stuff. And for that I am thankful. We've got some exercises to do each day to keep us busy.

Oh- and Pixel did great at the funmatch- her only thing was the SIT! for the drop on recall. She sat. So bizarre. lol. Everything else was beautiful. Fingers crossed for tomorrow.

Stop Freaking Out

My specialist vet is very accommodating and will see Wicca Friday afternoon. It means yet another trip to Calgary (and probably in the snow), but it is worth it.

Tuesday night wasn't good. She woke up in the middle of the night and had to stretch- and she whimpered amd whined which killed me. So sad for the woo woo.

Since then there has been some improvement. She has had one dose of metacam (Wednesday morning) and has been pretty stable since then. She is also getting Traumeel twice a day.

Yesterday afternoon she seemed a little off, but by last night she was walking more normal. This morning she isn't hunched over and her skin and muscle are nice and loose. She (we) had a good sleep, and she was her talkative normal self for breakfast.

I am still worried about her, but the thoughts of death aren't swarming around in my head. I've been too busy to focus on her too much which is a good thing.  Keeping busy is how I cope with life.

In one of Dr. Devall's emails to me she told me to stop freaking out. I needed to hear that. And it made me laugh. Both really great things.

Half Empty

So in real life I am most definitely a "glass half empty" kinda girl. I do try to keep positive for important things but my general attitude is a bad one. I blame my fathers side of the family and my own demons. I am quick to think the worst. Especially when it comes to my dogs.

This weekend Wicca and Brit tagged along while I taught agility. We were in a barn, and it was cool, but not abnormally so.  Wicca came out of her crate Saturday at noon and wouldn't put her foot down for a few minutes I was worried. I walked her out and she seemed to loosen up a bit. I put her back in the crate with her Back on Track coat on. When I took her out of the crate a few hours later and again she would not weight bear, and in fact kind of acted like the foot was asleep I instantly went into OMFG mode.

 Saturday night she was in obvious discomfort- she was restless, I slept like crap. I massaged and rubbed her leg for hours. All I have thought about since Saturday is that if Wicca has a back problem I might die. Serious. Not sure I could handle going through that again. Now keep in mind I haven't been to the vet yet. I can't get in to see my specialist vet for two weeks. Which is too long. I have sent her an email begging for an earilier appointment. I need to know what is wrong with her, or at the very least start with some solid findings. Sarah gave her a nice massage tonite and found lots of ouchie spots, it doesn't seem limited to one area.  It could be muscle strain or a pulled something or other. Or a combination of arthritis, how cold it was Saturday, and the fact she barely drank anything all day. Maybe it was just a muscle cramp. Or maybe not. It's the maybe not that is killing me.

 I am a mess. Since Saturday I've been distracted, frazzled and aggravated. I need to chill out. To get in the right mind set for my other dog this weekend. But I can't.  Wicca is wondering why I am freaking out.  I've given her a million massages since Saturday. I am sure that she wishes I'd stop touching her.

I hope I am over-reacting, and that it's not a big deal. Just some muscle strain, or at the very worst a pinched nerve. But what if I'm not?