Willows story
Willow was the victim of a road traffic accident and suffered a spinal fracture.
Willow underwent surgery where she had a metal plate fixed across her spine to strengthen and support the fracture.
Unfortunately the fracture meant that she would have to learn to walk again and receive a large amount of physiotherapy and heat massage etc to contemplate getting back her weight bearing and motion.
Unfortunately Willows owners had to give her up as they are unable to give her the time to rehabilitate her as they work full time.
She spent about two months in hospital and showed signs of vast improvement towards getting back on her feet. Willow is such a lovely girl and has fought hard to overcome the trauma and effects of major surgery. Despite everything she has been through she has remained very loving, affectionate and a joy to know. So much so that the veternary nurses at the hospital clubbed together and purchased a special trolley to help her walk. she needed to be lifted onto it but then she is fine.
Willows walking trolley allows her to move about both inside and outside and is there to take her weight as she slowly starts to gain movement and continues her recovery. Currently, WIllow is starting to move her rear legs to try and walk. Her feet still turn under at the moment but she has started to bear weight on her own for a few seconds and take a few uncoordinated steps.
Willow is urine and faecal continent but when left for long periods of time may have the odd accident. (Like any Puppy)!
Willow is improving steadily and a good recovery is hoped for - however, there can be no guarantee given as to the end results but unfortunately, it is likely that the hospital will be unable to continue looking after her for much more than another week and a decision may be made to put her to sleep -
Update - 14th March
The vet nurses caring for Willow have secured this lovely girl a short term foster home - approximately 1 month. Willow has started hydrotheraphy yesterday and was putting her legs down - Labrador Rescue has agreed to fund the treatment which will be twice a week at £15 per session (£30 per week).
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Update - 17th March
Willows temporary mum visited yesterday to see if her dog and Willow would get along ok together... great news - it was a sucessfull visit and plans have been made to collect Willow on Thursday - keep your fingers crossed that all goes well!!
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Update - 20th March
Willow had her 2nd Hydrotherapy day today and all went well. Willow is leaving us tonight to go and spend the weekend at her new temporary home and see how well she copes. (I'm sure everything will be fine). Willow will be having her hydrotherapy at Glenbrittle Kennels. The Hydrotherapy days are Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Ideally she could attend twice weekly on Thursday at 1pm and either of the weekend days depending on her new foster parents.I Thank you once again for your continuing support. Kind regards Liz Sweeney.. The first £130 block booking for 10 hydrotherapy sessions has now been paid.
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Update - 30th March
Hi Glenys,
Great to talk to you earlier today, and really lovely to hear how many people are interested in how Willow is getting on. Here's the update as promised of how she's doing.
Well, since she came to live with us life has become more hectic! We already have two (rescue) dogs; Max is a German Shepherd, and Ben is a Yorkshire Terror!!! These two don't really get on, but tolerate eachother to an extent. Willow has burst into their peaceful routine like a whirlwind! Ben isn't sure about Willow at the moment, she is too playful for him as he is a little old man, so we have had to put a piece of wood across the doorway between the kitchen and dining room with a cut out big enough for Ben to pass through, but not Willow!
She really is a lovely girl, very affectionate, and quite obedient (when it suits her, and especially if a treat is involved). I think she will be good to train as she is responsive to treats and toys. She loves getting out on her wheels for a walk, and is reaching fitness quicker than I am! She can really whizz along! She is continent, until she gets excited or if pressure is put on her bladder when we pick up her back end to get her to the front door. There have been several accidents, but we're all getting to know the best ways to avoid this now. She isn't sure about things she's not seen before, like bales of hay or oil tanks which she growled and barked at to begin with. She really doesnt like cars either, but this is because she gets very travel sick at the moment. This is something we are working on to improve, as she has a 45 mile round trip for hydrotherapy 2 (hopefully 3) times aweek. The hydrotherapy seems to be going really well, she absolutely loves it and can't wait to get through the door. She comes back absolutely worn out.
She can stand up on her own and take an unsteady step or two, but then her legs cross over and she sits down with a bump. Today, while she was out on the lawn though, she managed to stay on her feet for about 3metres, kind of in a wobbly, cross legged bunny hopping kind of move. Yeah Willow go!! She is quite good when she concentrates, but as soon as something distracts her (like the chicken taunting her) it's all over and she's back to dragging her legs behind her.
I tried to get photos onto the computer but failed miserably. Will have another go one evening this week. Will keep you regularly posted on progress.
Karen
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Update - 6th April
Willow is progressing really well - everyone at the hydrotherapy pool is delighted with her progress so far.
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Pictures above - Willow being visited by a friendly chicken - the one on the right, yes its Willow standing unaided! What a wonderful achievement so early in her recovery and therapy program. The staff at the hydrotherapy pool are delighted with her progress. We have now booked the next block of therapy sessions for this lovely little girl.
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Update - 8th May 2008 - A Happy ending for Willow
We have had some wonderful news - an absolutely brilliant home has been found for willow. Her new home will be at a rehabilitation centre who can offer her hydrotherapy daily if necessary and rehab. They have eight labs and lots of love and time to spend with Willow. They also have a qualified Veterinary nurse on site working with the hydro unit.
Final arrangements have now been made and Willow will be taken to her new home in Cumbria to continue her rehabilitation with her new family/brothers and sisters. She will be taken there by Karen and Liz who have cared for her and worked wonders to help this little girl recover.
Willows new owners are happy to commit to her continued therapy and all the time, treatment ad support she needs to make the best recovery possible.
Final Update 19th May 2008
Hi Glenys
Here are some pictures of willow and her new family. I will send more there are lots.
The meeting couldn't have gone better and Willow was so happy to have so many friends to play with she almost forgot we where there.. She spent most of the afternoon clowning around with three girly labs and three big boys who were all so friendly and happy to see her. It went so well!
Her new garden is huge and beautiful and her new mum and family are perfect for her. She liked the look of her new hydrotherapy pool also and the veterinary nurse who will be swimming her is also doing physiotherapy so I've come to the conclusion that there would be no other place on earth this perfect for her. (twas definitely meant to be).
As you can imagine we're all extremely happy, although there where a few tears when we left her we knew we where doing the write thing. Hope you are as thrilled as we are with her success.
Thank you everyone who has contributed, supported and wished Willow well, we could never have got her this far without all of your kindness. Also a huge thank you from myself and Willow to Karen and Simon who have fostered Willow for a few months and given her such love and support and once again she wouldn't have got anywhere without their selfless act of kindness and compassion for Willow. They gave her such wonderful care. Thank you.
Thank you sooooooo much.
Liz xxxxxx
Update 27th October 2008
Its Liz Sweeney concerning Willow, I have some good news unless you already know? Willow is walking without her wheels!!! She's quite wobbly and when she wants to go fast she still looses control a bit but its great news. I'm due to go and visit her over the Christmas period so I will remember to take some pictures and videos etc of her success and send them to you.
Has Jan been in touch about Willow? I'm sure she was going to when she got internet fitted but I'm unsure of that happening yet.
Hope you are all well and keeping up your wonderful work.