Tirriki Irish Water Spaniels & Border Terriers

22/04/2024

16/03/2024

The beginning: Brook and Bracken
The restart: Casey and Aislinn
The last: Sorcha, Daniel and George

03/03/2024

SORCHA

I've been asked why does Sorcha have her pink Walkin' Wheels.

Sorcha has been diagnosed with DM and arthritis.

"Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) in dogs is a progressive disease affecting the spinal cord, leading to hind limb weakness and paralysis. While there is no cure for DM, there are ways to support your furry friend and enhance their quality of life:

Mobility Aids:
Dog Wheelchair: Consider using a dog wheelchair to provide rear-end support. It allows your dog to move around comfortably even if their hind limbs are affected.
Harness or Sling: A supportive harness or sling can assist your dog when walking or standing. It helps lift them over obstacles they might otherwise struggle with.

Protective Measures:

Dog Boots: To prevent knuckling and protect toenails from scraping, use dog boots. These are especially helpful if your dog drags their paws due to muscle weakness.
Ramps: If your dog needs assistance getting onto furniture or into a car, consider using ramps. This minimizes strain on their limbs and makes mobility easier.

Physical Therapy:

Regular physical therapy can help maintain muscle mass and slow down the progression of DM. Water therapy, range of motion exercises, and walking with a supportive harness are beneficial45.
Remember, your love and care play a crucial role in supporting your dog during this challenging time."

I found a Youtube 15 minute video that explained so much and confirmed much of what we were doing was the right care for Sorcha. The above was also a big help.

I thought I was doing her a favour by restricting activity whereas I was actually making her worse. We had already bought her several orthopedic beds (which her sons happily share) and as we had pet friendly floor coverings everywhere, invested in runners throughout the house. She's an extremely calm, confident and intelligent dog. It took her no time to workout that slips and falls were less likely negotiating her way around by using these and that her special mats and beds were more comfortable. We had a Intex 10ft Easy Set Pool with an inflatable top ring. She was doing 'moon walking' for 10 minutes most days. After Gillian Shippen (Handicapped Pets Australia and Pets Need A Life Too), a qualified vet nurse, loaned us a wheelchair, we started walking for about 1/4 hour just along the footpaths. It was summer and we live in a hot city so walks were ruled by pavement heat. And honestly, after the first few days, it was damned boring. From day 1 in Oz she has loved retrieving Canadian street practice ice hockey balls, so I tried it out the back where we used to play before. Now she's doing several retrieves daily and loving it. With the wheels she was off! The streets walks had made her feet and nails rough so she punctured the inflatable ring on the pool and patches wouldn't hold, meaning the new pool was needed to carry on with hydrotherapy. It's an Intex Prism Frame Pool Round - 10ft which is really far better for her. Filled only to moon walking depth but under Gillian's hydrotherapy vet advice, I've upped the time to 1/2 hour, rarely missing a day. We were already doing 10 minutes daily on a vibrating step machine after a recommendation from Phoebe Mac. I only have to ask if she wants to go jogging and she heads to the dining room ready to mount the folded ramp that is used to level the standing surfaces. Likewise asking about swimming or playing ball. Our very special friend PooiLing Joseph Walsh has been an amazing support with wise words and advice. Dr Sharna at Seaton Vet Centre is her medical advisor and carer. A more gentler caring person we couldn't wish for.
To say that we are encouraged and delighted with Sorcha's progress is an understatement. Her personality is a major help with her care.
Thank you to all of you who have helped with Sorcha's management and those who have wished her well. She's been an amazing dog, not only in her record achievements in the ring, but as our companion. I'm so grateful that Patrice Dodd and Colleen McDaniel allowed us to select which puppy we wanted and share her life. Love the girl whose my constant shadow to bits.

13/01/2024

So excited for our special girl.
Miss Pink is getting wheels - PINK of course!
An early 12th birthday gift for one who has and still gives her all to us.
Her boys will soon be learning that their mother goes everywhere FIRST ..... no more bumping her over.

10/06/2023

Just love this 💜💜💜