THE VINYL FLOORS ARE DOWN... THE ENTIRE FIRST FLOOR OF THIS HOUSE IS RELATIVELY WATERPROOFED...
WATER ???? WHO AMN I KIDDING????
THERE IS A VERY SLIGHT PITCH TO TH EHOUSE-- SO.... FLUIDS ARE INCLINED TO COLLECT IN PLACES.. SO I ASKED THE FLOOR GUY TO BEND THE FLOOR UP THE WASLLS ONE INCH..
HE HAD NEVER DONE THAT BEFORE...
IF I HAD MY WAY THE ENTIRE HOUSE WOULD BE PITCHED ENABLEING ME TO HOSE DOWN THE FLOORS AND HAVE IT DRAIN IN THE CORNERS.
EVERYONE IS THINKING ABOUT PUTTING ALL THE CRxxxxxP BACK IN THE CALENDAR ROOM WHEN I REMEMBERED-- THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE MY ROOM.. MOVING MY BED DOWN STAIRS--- CLIMBING THAT TIGHT SPIRAL STAIRCASE GETS WORSE EVERY DAY-- IT SERVED IT'S PURPOSE-- THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A DOG UPOSTAIRS IN THIS HOUSE.-- RUGS SPOTLESS UPSTAIRS.
SO WE HAVE SOME HEAVY DUTY PLANNING TO DO..-- YOU HAVE NO IDEA OF THE AMOUNT OF STUFF THAT IS NEEDED TO RUN THIS OUTFIT.
FOR INSTANCE--- I HAVE 3 GALLONS OF MISC SIZED RUBBER BALLS THAT GO IN THE DIFFERENT SIZE MONKEY FISTS- YOU BUY THOSE THINGS BY THE HUNDRED.... SO I DID...
WE CAN BUILD AND REPAOR ALOT OF THINGS WITOUT A TRIP TO HOME DEPOT... ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS FIND THE STUFF,
THERE IS NOT ALOT OF DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NOT OWNING SOMETHING-- AND NOT BEING ABLE TO FIND IT.
SO TODAY WILL BE SORTING DAY-- INTO THE WONDERFUL MEAT BOXES--
WHAT WE DO THEN I DO NOT KNOW YET.
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THANKFULLY BUD AND PAUL WERE AROUND ALL YESTERDAY TO HOIST FURNATURE ----
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AND WITH SNOW TODAY MEANS FEWER VOLUNTEERS - LUCKILY SNOW DOESNT BOTHER MEGAN...
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SO TO FILL UP THIS DD--- I WILL COPY PASTE ANN;S LATEST ON JIM AND KARMA ( FOR NEWCOMMERS JIM HAS SERV DOG KARMA WHO WAS HIT BY A CAR ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO IN A VERY CONTROLLED SITUATION-- AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY OF TH EDRIVER IS TRYING TO AVOID PAYING THE SIGNIFICANT VET BILLS.)
Hello, Family & Friends,
It's been a while since I did an update. First, thanks so much for everyone's prayers, calls, and support. We couldn't have gone through this alone. I think even Karma felt all the love & support.
We've come a long way, and since Karma's nerves repair at the rate of 1 millimeter a day, we still have a long way to go. However, we started with a dog who had to be spoon fed when she first came home. That went to eating out of her bowl, but refusing canned food. Next came home cooking; her preferences? Turkey or roast chicken, pot roast, mashed potatoes, & light on the vegies. When the dogs were eating this menu & Jim & I were having pizza, we looked at each other & said, "what's wrong with this picture???"
It's been a while since I did an update. First, thanks so much for everyone's prayers, calls, and support. We couldn't have gone through this alone. I think even Karma felt all the love & support.
We've come a long way, and since Karma's nerves repair at the rate of 1 millimeter a day, we still have a long way to go. However, we started with a dog who had to be spoon fed when she first came home. That went to eating out of her bowl, but refusing canned food. Next came home cooking; her preferences? Turkey or roast chicken, pot roast, mashed potatoes, & light on the vegies. When the dogs were eating this menu & Jim & I were having pizza, we looked at each other & said, "what's wrong with this picture???"
She's now transitioned to her dry dog food, some canned & some home cooked, along with good quality supplements.
Her PT continues twice a week at the critical care hospital in Melbourne, about a 45 min drive. She stays about 4 hrs, and they do all kinds of exercises, with breaks in between. She now puts weight on her front left leg, and knows what "paw down" means. Her gait is awkward, but she moves along. Her back legs turn towards the left a bit, but don't seem to bother her. She no longer yelps out in pain when resting. We've been able to cut out her pain meds.
If we keep her walking slow, she will use all 4 legs. If she wants to go fast, her preference is to use 3 legs. She can really move on 3!
She loves going to PT, and the staff is in love with her! They also do acupuncture on her, and an under water treadmill exercise. We have cut out the hyperbaric oxygen treatment, since she needed to be sedated each time. We thought she was too dopey each Tues & Thurs. Plus, it's the highest cost; $150 per treatment. The Drs. were more interested in having her continue the PT. We may add the oxygen treatment in again if she seems to need it.
When Jim picks her up in the afternoon, she's exhausted. She no longer has pain entering & exiting the truck back seat. I used to have to put a fleece on the pavement for her to step on before going in & out. This means Karma & Jim can go places without me, so that gives me a bit more freedom. Also, Jim & Karma can visit favorite places, like Home Depot, where Karma is a celebrity. The store is a good place to practice her walking, and helps Jim feel a bit more normal, too.
Karma's goofy, attentive, ditsy, great dane personality has returned. Her ability to make Jim laugh even on his worst days is priceless. When she first came home, she couldn't care what was going on around her. Now, when Jim goes out back each morning to have coffee & to fish with his buddies, she hops onto our bed & watches out the windows. Her neighborhood buddy, Harold, is the highlight of her day, when he comes bearing cookies. She even went to him first, coming out of PT the other day! We put a twin mattress on the floor by our bed, which she sometimes uses, but often uses it as a spring board to the big bed. Molly enjoys the twin bed on the floor, too! They do look funny on it together, especially when they're in the same position. Karma's favorite sleeping spot seems to be snuggled up next to me, fighting for my pillow. It's like sleeping against a brick wall, but I don't have the heart to tell her to move; I do!
Many neighbors ask about her & stop by to visit, which is good for both Karma & Jim. They are genuinely upset that such an accident could happen in our neighborhood. Not that it's a fancy place, but people like to think it's safe. We all know there's no such place, and life happens everywhere. We are fortunate Karma has a chance to recover. She'll be continuing her PT for the next 5 months. The Dr.s thought at 6 months we'd have a good idea of her total recovery.
One friend even gives her Reiki treatments! Yippee!
It's pretty safe to say she'll never be a true service dog again. She is absolutely terrified of cars. Translated, that means when we take her out of the front of the house, she only wants to go to the back seat of the truck. When she comes home, she wants to go directly in the house. No more casual sitting in the driveway with Jim. One day I took her across from the house to where she & Molly used to go to the bathroom. A car was coming along, not even visible, & approaching slowly. She took off to the house. I had to let go of her leash or be pulled across the street.
So, that's the rundown on Karma.
So, that's the rundown on Karma.
Take care, & thanks again,
Jim & Ann
Jim & Ann
TODAY ONE OF MY BIG CHORES IS TO AGAIN CONTACT TH E INSURANCRE COMPANY.. WE HAVE PR TO SPARE IF THEY WILL STEP UP TO WHERE THEY SHOLD HAVEE BEEN IN THE FIRST PLACE..
. IN MY OPINION...
