Nelson...Therapy Dog...Healing My Heart.

I KNEW Nelson was going to be a therapy dog when I first met him.  He has such a sweet spirit...such a sweet dog.  Since Mother passed away last Thursday I've not been able to spend a lot of time with him.  He's been given just the basic care, and I feel bad for that.  How has he responded?  By stepping up his sweet attitude and love.  I think he senses the emotional pain that is there even if well hidden.  He has this "thing" that he does...he pokes with his nose when trying to get your attention.  Not a rude poke...just a "hey...I'm here" type of poke.  Tonight, as I was looking through some things I brought from Mother's house he walked up behind me and poked me repeatedly.  "Hey, I know you are hurting...but I'm here and Iove you."  I'm so happy to have him as my therapy for a hurting heart.

Treatment 2, Day 14

Today is Day 14 following his second treatment.  Dr. Rocky said that he might start coughing some and may need even more restricted activity for a few days.  However, I'm proud to say that Nelson is doing GREAT!!!  He seems to be feeling really good.  No coughing.  No sign of feeling bad at all.  We continue to restrict his activity just to be sure that he's ok.  Two more weeks and we get to slowing take him off of restriction!

It's been amazing to observe the changes in him over the last 90 days since we adopted him.  He seems to be totally comfortable with us now.  He isn't as reserved as he was when we first got brought him home.  His personality has blossomed.  I'm so glad he is a part of our family...I am looking forward to the time when we can get "out and about" again.

Nelson Udate August 11th

Hello friends,

Nelson had his second treatment on the 9th and 10th.  This one was pretty tough on him...he received a shot on Tuesday and had to stay overnight.  He received another shot yesterday.  He vomited some while at the clinic and wouldn't eat but he did drink.  I picked him up yesterday at 5:00 PM...I was SO happy to see him.

As my dad would say, "He feels poorly." The good news is that he is eating a little bit and he hasn't vomited any since we brought him home.  As I understand it, Saturday or Sunday may be a bad day for him.  Two weeks after the treatment is a critical time too.  Apparently that is when the majority of the worms start to die and his body has to "process" them. 

Please continue to pray for this sweet boy.

Life after living on the streets

One unexpected thing about the heart worm treatments...I know EVERYTHING Nelson does when he's outside.  :)  

I've learned that he can't ignore crickets...they are his obsession.  He pounces on them like they were t-bone steaks.  I realized this evening that they may have been his t-bone steaks while he was living on the streets. 

Update - Day 7

Nelson is doing great.  He's a little bit tired of being on restricted duty but...overall he's doing well.  Every step he takes when outside is on a leash.  The hardest part of this is that he seems to feel fine.  He doesn't understand why he isn't being allowed to run with the other dogs.

7 days down...53 more to go. 

Day 3

Nelson is doing so good!  He doesn't seem to feel bad at all.  The hard part is keeping him in slow motion.  Especially in the mornings.  He loves to kick up his heels when he wakes up.  These days he has to go slow on a leash.  He doesn't complain but you can tell that he is wondering why he is being restricted.

We went out to water the yard this evening and he BEGGED me to go for our long walk.  I told him that we woudl go tomorrow.  (His memory isn't good, so I can tell him the same story again tomorrow.)  :)

We are working on some basic commands (requests) that don't require much effort every evening in the cool of the house.  He has "sit" perfected.  Tomorrow we will start on "down".  That shouldn't take very long.  I'm also going to start working on "bow" as it is a natural thing that he does.  I want to put it on cue so that he will do it when I ask it from him.

Fun times with a fun guy.  He's so sweet.   I want each of you who read this to have the opportunity to meet him.  You will love him as much as I do.  :)

1st Treatment...Day 2

Nelson is doing great!  He didn't eat breakfast this morning but ate a full dinner this evening...with the help of a hamburger patty crumbled over his kibble.  :)

Dr. Rocky warned us that he might feel ok for the first day or two and then take a bit of a down turn.  I'm hoping that won't be severe.

We walked around the yard a little bit this evening.   We have to take it slow...but that's ok with this heat.  By the time he is released for full activity I'm hoping it will be cooling down a little bit. 

The good news is that we can do basic obedience training in the air conditioned house.  :)  So far he has learned to sit.  Next we will work on down.  Then we will learn stay.  We might even throw a few tricks in just for fun.