Hi!
Hope all is well with you. Thanks for keeping me in your circle for emails!
You should feel free to tell or post on social media anything about the rehab of Sputnik.
He’s doing amazing.
When we moved out here (Manitou Springs, CO), he got a little re-injured. Our yard is built into a hill and he tried to jump a retaining wall to catch a squirrel. I’ve learned that he needs more restriction and leash time here – given it’s so hilly and he’s so prey driven. It was very minor and I used all your techniques, books and notes to help with it. I”m grateful we kept notes!
And…the thing that makes me happiest in the whole world…he LOVES to hike and be outside on trails. It melts my heart to know how happy he is and how much he just loves to have walks and exercise. I can’t believe he’s 11 years young. You’d never know it by looking at him and if you didn’t have his protective mom telling him he’s been injured, no one would ever know. I promise because it’s happened time and time again that people say “really?” when I mention it!
I also thought it might be a good idea to see if there was a specialist here given I don’t know the terrain as well yet. I was curious to know about whether hiking was good for him.
Turns out that YOU got lots of kudos from our orthopedic (specialist) doctor, she said I did everything right.
And she said given how well he’s doing, she thought we made the right decision for Sputnik
by not having surgery.
I can’t tell you how this eased my mind given surgeons just want to tell you to always have surgery.
I am forever indebted to you and all your help.
I know I get some credit for sticking to a plan. (Yes, YOU do, Renee!-Rehabdeb)
That’s huge. But you were my teacher and that is the important thing! Thank you!
Sputnik is doing great.
He’s hiking up to 4-5 miles a time – many days a week (with rest periods too. I know he’s not a young pup anymore and he gets days off!). Walking some pretty hefty hills and is happy, happy, happy.
Thank you!
Happy Holidays!
~ Renee
12/15/16
Sputnik now sees vets at Mountain Shadows Pet Hospital and recently received praise on his non-surgical CCR recovery from an orthopedic surgeon at Colorado Canine Orthopedics
