Boquet Enjoying Life
On Oct. 4th, we took a walk with Bo & Boquet in the evening. At first, Boquet was off-leash, scampering around the yard. She made a big circle, then “came in for the kill”, that is, ran toward Bo, so that she could chase him. She played with him a little, then bounced away. She was so happy, with her tongue hanging out. Then we headed over to the obstacle course located at the local Heart of the Catskills Humane Society. Boquet happily trotted up the teeter-totter, the dog ramp, and the A-Frame. She did the weave poles, then climbed/hopped through the mini tire jump, and over the bar jump, which was only a few inched high. When I reached down to give her the treat, she "sat pretty" for a few seconds! Then I told her "Go Chute!", and she "ran" through it and back to me, all smiles! She went through the chute another time; when she came out, she turned around and wanted to go back into it from the end. As we were walking back home, Mom & I told each other, "If Boquet were to die in mid-air, she would have died happy! She has so much determination to live a happy life!" It is such a special moment to watch Boquet enjoy herself on the obstacle course, because when she ruptured that disk, she couldn't walk, let alone bounce around.
Hide And Go Seek Overload
On Sunday, November 28, 2005, we played several games of hide-and-go seek with Bo & Boquet. First, I hid in a tree behind our house near the swamp. Dad came out with the dogs (on-leash), who followed my trail right to me. I stayed with the dogs by the tree, while Dad went to hide. When he started to ring the bell, I released Boquet, but kept Bo on the leash. Boquet hopped from footprint to footprint in the deep snow. After we found Dad in the car, Mom went to hide. Boquet knew exactly where Mom was, so she ran right to the tree house. Dad & I hid, and soon after I rang the bell, Boquet came tearing through the snow, right to us. Next, Mom, the dogs, and I then went to look for Dad. Again, through deep snow, Boquet hopped and bounced. It was so much fun to watch her! It reminded me of the previous winter before she was paralyzed! When we headed inside for the night, Boquet climbed up the stairs without any hesitation.
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Overdid It Equals Herniated Disk
However, when Mom let Boquet out later on in the evening, she walked slowly and stiffly, and then stopped moving altogether. I thought that she might be fine in the morning. But, when Mom let her out again during the wee hours of the morning, she winced in pain when Mom picked her up. Knowing we shouldn’t mess around, we called the vet on Monday morning for some steroid medicine. Not wanting to pick her up out of her box, we began a system of having her walking into the bottom half of a pet taxi or crate. Then we could safely take her outside, where she could “get busy”. When she was ready to go inside, we carried her in the pet taxi back to her dog log house box.
Boquet increased in walking about each day, so that soon we had to start limiting her exercise. I occasionally checked her feeling in her hind paws, and every time, she had good feeling. I’ve learned (or, at least I thought so) my lesson that even though Boquet is able to climb stairs, run, and hop, it doesn’t mean that it is okay to do it.
We tried our best to limit her running, climbing stairs, and jump/hopping, so that she wouldn’t get another herniated or ruptured disk.
Update on Boquet & Her Limitations
Boquet recovered quickly during the next few weeks and started to enjoy more freedom. She spent some days in her dog log house, and other times she roamed loose in the house. On several occasions, we witnessed Boquet slipping and sliding on the floor. We consulted the vet, and he confirmed that she shouldn’t be walking on our floors. Instead of walking loose, Boquet tried using the Doggon Cart, but it didn’t fit her properly this time. In addition, she refused to walk in it, even with a hot dog! Back to her dog log house she went, but not for long. We let her be in a dog house bed near the wood stove, as long as she stayed there. As we “let out more leash”, Boquet began to walk about the house a little. I noticed that Boquet was walking very carefully on the floor, so I decided that would be okay for her to walk on the floor as long as she was careful.
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Walking Observations
By watching Boquet walk on several occasions, I estimated that her front feet carried approximately 75% to 90% of her weight. Her hind legs just went through the motions of walking rather than their normal function of pushing and propelling. Therefore, when Boquet occasionally got excited, moved a little too fast, or went around a corner the wrong way, her hind legs would slip while her front, strong leg muscles tried desperately to keep her balance. Sometimes through much scrambling of feet, she regained her balance, but other times, she fell and hit her body hard on the floor. After falling, her front legs with claws spread-out scurried to regain an upright position and enough momentum to continue moving. It doesn’t seem to affect Boquet, but in long term, it often does.
Boquet continued to have freedom in the house, which she enjoyed very much, as well as, resting in her dog log house. Except for jumping or falling a short distance a few times, Boquet was limited in her activity. Then she came into heat, because she hasn’t been spayed. Even though Bo was neutered several years ago, his hormones and instinct have turned into a habit. Boquet acted like it’s all a big game, and chased Bo all over the house. It was hilarious to watch, and we even got it on video. When Bo started putting his paws on Boquet’s back, we decided to stop this fun game. The only way we could do that was to put Boquet in her dog log house, and even then, Bo still tried his best to get to her. What little “hooligans”!
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Britches
During Boquet’s heat, she wore “britches”, which are actually dog diapers with removable liners. Several times, I found her britches on her without a liner. I thought someone had forgot to put a new one in, but when I kept finding shredded liners in her beds, I knew that it must be Boquet, not one of my family members. One day when Boquet was laying on one of her dog beds, I saw her lick herself through one of the leg holes in the britches. When the licking didn’t remove the strong smell, she grabbed the soiled liner with her teeth and pulled it out. This continued through her whole heat, and we finally decided to put her in her Dog Log House without her britches. That solved the problem of excessively used liners and too much friskiness between Bo & Boquet.
I still occasionally find shredded liners in the dog beds, even when she isn’t in heat. Most of the time, though, it is only when they are soiled, so I guess she’s just trying to keep clean. That’s great, but I don’t always find out immediately when she takes the liner out, which leaves her an “accident waiting to happen.” Occasionally, she’ll cry to go out, but most of the time we’ll find her “tootsie rolls” in her britches or in her Dog Log House, the main reason why she wears her britches. It’s so much easier than cleaning up if she had an accident in the house. I wouldn’t have ever guessed that my Chihuahua would be wearing a diaper, but lo and behold, she is. |
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Winter Fun Causes Relapse
During the 2005-2006 winter months, the dogs have often taken walks around the driveway while doing their daily constitution. On a few occasions, Boquet has briskly climbed the front steps, acting like it was no problem. She has loved to hop through the snow and chase crows, even though her discs couldn’t take that much stress. We found that out on Saturday, February 11th, 2006, when I picked Boquet up to sit on my lap. She yelped but I shrugged it off, thinking that she might have strained something when walking or running. I wasn’t sure if she was just over-reacting. I didn’t want to needlessly give her medicine as soon as she yelped once or twice. However, on Sunday, she continued to yelp when we picked her up, even though she continued to walk normally. To reduce the stress on her discs of picking her up, she walked into the bottom half of a crate, and we carried her in that outside. She walked more slowly and her eyes showed pain. I also discovered that if I used a towel sling to pick her up, she didn’t yelp. By Monday, we decided that it would be best to give her a steroid, even though we didn’t know if it was a herniated disc. Like the two previous times, she was confined to her dog log box, and she only walked what was necessary to “get busy” outside. After a few days on the medicine, I noticed a raised spot in her spine as I was examining her; it definitely felt and looked like it was a herniated disc.
Unlike the November 2005 herniated disc, she didn’t spring back as quickly. We wondered why, until we realized that although people were praying for her, she had not been anointed with oil in the name of the Lord. We noticed the difference. Her herniated disc spot on her spine didn’t go down, and she wasn’t as lively. In addition, when we picked her up, she groaned like it was uncomfortable or even painful. Then, the Lord gave us the idea to cut a door out of her dog log box, so that she could walk out the door to the bottom half of a crate. Then we could carry her around without the strain of picking her up. Also, Boquet was being transported around in the dog stroller. I carried her up and down the stairs in the stroller, so she could be with me. She really enjoyed the diversity, being up higher, and most of all being with “the folks”.
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March 2006 Update
On Thursday, March 2nd, 2006, we got 9 inches of snow, which was probably the most we got that winter. Because Boquet loves to hop through the snow, I’ve have to shovel or trample down the snow, so that she won’t jump through the deep snow. On March 4th, I took them outside in the plowed driveway. Boquet saw several crows and off she went, chasing them off the property. I called her and told her to come, but she was enjoying herself too much. She would gradually walk faster and faster until I couldn’t keep up with her without running. What a little frisky girl! I said to myself, “I don’t mind her enjoying her life, but if it means a herniated disc every three months, I have to say NO!”
Rest & More Rest
Once she was anointed with oil, and had lots of prayers on her behalf, she began doing much better. However, we had the big job of keeping her restrained and not letting her walk on the wooden floors. In addition to not running, climbing stairs, and jump/hopping, I decided to limit carrying her in our arms. I said that because, she often yelped when we picked her up. If these restraints didn’t prevent her from having another herniated disc, I don’t know what would. Basically, all she could do was sit, lay down, and walk carefully on only carpeted floors or outside! That was a very hard step for me, because it meant that she wouldn’t have much of a life, if she had to be limited to so much. But, I justified it by thinking, “At least, she has a good family that loves her very much. That’s one of the most important things in owning a sweet, little Chihuahua!”
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Boquet’s Dog Log House
You would think that Boquet was being spoiled rotten, if you saw her Dog Log House. It has three windows, complete with curtains and flower boxes, and even has a door that she can go in and out of when we allow her. Most of the time, the door is closed and “locked”, in that it is pushed against the wall or heavy object. Inside her Log House, she has plush, blue carpeting (actually, it’s just a dog blanket) and a separate dining area. It might sound like some luxurious custom-built dog house, but it is actually a Dell computer box that was colored with crayons and has cutouts for windows and a door. However, Boquet doesn’t mind that it’s just a box. She enjoys having her own space and most of all, windows to look out and see what’s going on. She’s truly now a “Queen in her Castle”.
Accidents Happen
In our attempt to make Boquet’s life less stressful on her discs, just what we were trying to prevent happened. The following events led up to Boquet’s fourth herniated disk (it was probably the same one that herniated the other times). We had been transporting her in the bottom half of a small pet taxi, whenever she needed to go outside or be put in the stroller. Several times when I put the pet taxi down on the ground, Boquet instinctively jumped out of the pet taxi, instead of walking out of the front entrance. If I paid close attention, I would catch her in mid-air before she would hit the ground, but there were times when she jumped out and ran off. During this time, Boquet spend much of her day in the dog stroller, so that she could be with us. As I was taking her out of the stroller to go outside, her hind feet didn’t fully enter the pet taxi. I assumed that in a few seconds she would pull them in. Before she could do it, the stroller rolled backwards, and Boquet fell from the pet taxi. I don’t remember exactly if I caught her or if she landed on the hardwood floor. Either way, I’m sure it caused stress on her discs. Then a few days later, I got Boquet out of her Dog Log House using the door and she walked into the pet taxi. I took my hand off of her and turned to get Bo out of his crate (another pet taxi). In those few seconds that I looked away and turned back to Boquet, another major accident occurred. Boquet shook like she usually does, but it also shook the pet taxi, causing it to tip over. As a result, Boquet was thrown out of the pet taxi and fell on her side, probably twisting her back and severely stressing her discs. I was a little concerned about these couple of accidents, but I committed them to the Lord. I didn’t think much about them, until March 20th, when she didn’t want to walk around much when outside and wasn’t very interested in her food. She didn’t yelp, because we didn’t pick her up, but the other signs showed that she might be having disc trouble again. Another sign was that she didn’t whine or “complain” when she was in her Dog Log House. Usually, she wanted to be right where the action was, not in her Dog Log House, “isolated” from everything. She didn’t improve any on Tuesday, so by Wednesday morning, we decided to start her on the left-over steroid Dexamethazone and the antiacid Femotidine (to prevent ulcers or bleeding in the intestines- the side-affects of the steroid). From then on, she rested and took it easy in her Dog Log House. We changed her mode of transportation to a larger pet taxi with both top and bottom, so that she could easily turn around and less chance of her being injured (like falling or tipping over) while being transported.
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Free and Easy for Dogs
On March 24th & 25th, I researched more about Canine Disc Disease and similar diseases. I also looked into Free and Easy for Dogs, a complete nutritional supplement for joints, ligaments, cartilage and discs. I considered the possibility of purchasing it for the following reasons: It would definitely be better for Boquet than a steroid. It might help improve her Canine Disc Disease, and therefore enable her to better enjoy her life as a lively Chihuahua!
We ordered Free & Easy for Dogs, and received it on March 31, 2006. She has been on it ever since. With the combination of the steroid and Free & Easy, she has been hopping around the yard and has had a lot of spring fever! Once she started getting lively again, we had to restrain her, which was quite a job. She enjoyed the nice weather & as much freedom as we gave her!
Exploring our Back Yard
On Sunday, April 2nd, 2006, we started out on a little hike in our back yard. Boquet came with us, as well as, Bo on this "small hike". We started out by walking alongside the bank of the swamp pond. Boquet was so excited to take a walk and followed close behind and sometimes ahead of me. She scampered over the dead grasses and enjoyed the cool afternoon breeze and the sun that shimmered on the water. When the "path" got too rough, I carried her until it became more smooth again. But when she was on the ground, she investigated everything and enjoyed being a dog! I was continually watching her, making sure that she wasn't hopping or over-doing it. For the most part, she behaved, even though she had a touch a spring fever. By the end of the hike, she was happy and her back didn't seem to bother her at all. I knew that for the next few days she needed to lay low, so that she wouldn't get another herniated disc. She acted normal in the morning and even a week later, she was just feeling great! Praise the Lord!
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Exploring our Back Yard - Detailed Version
As my parents, my Chihuahuas and I walked along, everything seemed to be rejoicing that spring afternoon. The red-winged blackbird’s song echoed across the valley as the wind rustled the quaking aspens. Overhead, a large group of Canada geese called to each other, letting the others know that a body of water had been found. Their honking intensified as they splash-landed on the swamp pond. Beyond a sea of slough grass, the sunlight danced and shimmered across Elk Creek as the evergreens along the bank whispered to each other. Meanwhile, Boquet scampered over last year’s undergrowth and fallen leaves that covered the sloping bank near the swamp. She maneuvered easily over the rough terrain that consisted of fallen branches, prickly brambles, various grasses, and other thick, tangled plants. It was amazing to watch her maneuver so easily, because nine months ago, she had been paralyzed. A ruptured disc in her spine had immobilized her, but through many prayers, anointing of oil, and medicine, she had started walking again by July 21st. Even though she’s had three more disc problems, she has been walking and enjoying her freedom ever since. An incredible feeling of thankfulness and contentment flooded my being as I continued exploring with Boquet and my parents. In addition, I was very blessed that Boquet could accompany us on this hike. Except for a few times that I had to carry her, Boquet carefully trudged along at a good speed and without difficulty. Ahead of me, my parents forged though the prickly brambles and over fallen branches. I followed behind them so that Boquet could go slower and more carefully than if I was in front. When a huge fallen tree obstructed our path, I picked up Boquet and placed her on the other side to wait for me. Then, I had to climb up and over the enormous tree, rather than step over it. Once I crossed, my parents followed behind me. Then we were faced with another choice. We could either climb up the steep hill or cross over an old beaver pond. After briefly discussing it, we decided to explore the area beyond the swamp. Using an old beaver dam as a bridge across a narrow part of the pond, we entered the slough grass area that surrounded the old beaver pond. I carried Boquet while I tramped through the thick grasses that covered the marshy ground until we reached Elk Creek. Then I let her enjoy her freedom and explore as much area as the leash would allow. I was so pleased that the Lord had blessed us with such a beautiful spring day and that we could all enjoy it, including Boquet. We followed the beautiful, meandering stream on its grassy bank, and it eventually led us to a more wooded spot, where we departed. After exploring the area a little more, we headed home with hearts rejoicing and contented that the Lord had provided such an enjoyable “back yard” to explore and observe the beauty of the Lord in the springtime.
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Boquet's Continued Recovery
As Boquet continued to take Free & Easy, the little stresses that might have contributed to disc problems didn't seem to bother her as much. However, we didn't want to "let the leash out" too much. When outside, she always needed to be on a leash, or else she hopped, ran, and scampered everywhere. She continued to be "pet-taxi-ed" around. So far, all of our attempts to prevent another herniated disc had been successful. Prayer, Faith, Love, Hope, and Free & Easy all helped, but All Glory belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ for His Healing and Protection on Boquet.
Boquet is now Free and Easy!
I have noticed a difference in Boquet since she has been on Free & Easy. Her back have become straighter, the raised “bumps” in her vertebrae, where the disc problems occurred, have disappeared, and her hind legs have become better aligned with the rest of her body when she standing or walking. Several times, I have noticed that when she stands, her hips and hind legs are aligned just like Bo’s. In the past, her hind legs bent inward and her feet pointed toward the middle of her back, almost touching each other. Her gait has also appeared to be steadier when walking or running.
One day in early 2006, I let the dogs out of the dog run. I caught Bo before he could run off, but Boquet was the one who decided to run off. Boquet was barking and had her nose to the ground, as she ran at top speed up the hill and across the field. As I called her to come back and ran after her, I also observed that her rear end wasn’t swaying back and forth like it used to do when she ran. Instead, her hind legs tried their best to keep up with her front legs and managed to keep going in somewhat of a steady gait. Meanwhile, I was carrying Bo, and trying to keep up with Boquet. Even though I was running fast, I couldn’t catch Boquet. I squatted down and called her, this time with more authority, and she responded by coming closer. I reached out to catch her, but she swerved out of the way just far enough away that I couldn’t get her. She darted away again, but stopped for a potty break. I ran after her, hoping to catch her, but she again ran off. When she neared the house, I told her to “go home”, but she was having too much fun to stop. She darted off in the direction of my brother Joel, so I decided to let him catch her. He later reported that he also had a hard time catching her, because she would zip past him before he could catch her. He finally caught her and gave her back to me. When lots of energy gets pent up inside her, Boquet resorts to “taking her own walk or run”, which earns her the title “a little Scamp”!
Boquet has been climbing up the stairs lately (early 2006). If I don’t pick her up before she gets near our stairs, she’ll go up them without any hesitation. I try to prevent it, but she is often too fast for me. Most of the time, though, she doesn’t go down the stairs, which I think causes a lot more stress on those discs than going up the stairs. She seems happy at her accomplishments, even though they might not be the best for her discs. However, if she’s enjoying life, I guess it’s worth it. Also, Boquet & Bo have been playing together lately on the screened-in porch. It’s hilarious to watch them chase, bark & attack each other. They haven’t played together in a long time, so it’s a treat to watch them.
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Free & Easy Experiment
I did an experiment starting June 5th, 2006 to see if the Free & Easy for Dogs has prevented further disc problems and if it has improved her discs and spine. Or perhaps, it has healed over time or by the Lord. In order to do this test, Boquet was taken off Free & Easy. She planned to keep her off the supplement until she began showing signs of the Canine Degenerative Disc Disease. Another purpose of this test was to determine whether or not to order more Free & Easy. I hoped that she would be fine without it, but I also knew that most likely she wouldn’t be. It wasn’t that I was unhappy with Free & Easy, for I was very thankful and happy that Boquet has been able to enjoy her life and go about as she pleases while on Free & Easy. I just wanted to make sure that Boquet still needed it.
As of June 12, 2006, Boquet started back on Free & Easy after being off it for just a week. Actually, I could have gone longer, but I heard her yelp when Dad picked her up to take her outside. I later found out that she jumped up toward Dad and he caught her, so she was probably surprise and therefore yelped (an overreaction). Oh, well, at least I took preventative measures instead of waiting and it turned into another disc problem. I also ordered another 8 oz. container, which will last several months. I thought at that time that after the 8 oz. container ran out, I wouldn’t order any more, for lack of money. I wanted Boquet to enjoy herself and live life to the fullest, because I thought that it might be her last summer. But, through this all, I have had and will continue to have confidence that my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, will lead and guide us. For it is written, " The Lord sustains the righteous."
The Celebration of Boquet’s Miracle Hike on July 2nd
It was the desire of my heart to celebrate the one-year anniversary of Boquet being paralyzed by taking a family hike with Bo & Boquet. So, we decided on a trail called "Giant Ledge". After we headed off on the hike, soon the upward climb began, which got us hot and sweaty, that is, except for the dogs. They scaled the rocks and trotted up the hillside like it was not as bad as we were making it out to be. Except for a few huge boulders or fallen trees in the path, Boquet was an excellent hiker girl. It was quite a contrast from a year ago, when she could not move her hind legs, let alone walk a few feet. Boquet’s front legs did the majority of the pushing and pulling while her hind legs helped keep her balance and even aided in her climbing. She was in constant lookout for the perfect and easiest way to get around and climb up the rocky, uphill hike. Sometimes I helped her make a good choice of a way, but she was smart enough to find her way most of the time. Meanwhile, Bo trudged along as if he had a specific goal in mind and nothing was going to get in his way. Then again, when a mud puddle or very wet and soggy part of the path lay in this way, he slowed down and carefully made his way through, trying very hard to not get muddy or wet paws. Boquet, however, did not have the same mind set. She hardly even hesitated to walk right through the mud, stop for a drink, and proceed right through the mud. She marched right along like there was nothing wrong and like she even enjoyed getting mud all over her paws and legs. Here is another example of something Boquet did that was very unusual. I do not know if she has complete control over her urination, but she decided that right in the muddiest spot on the path was a good spot to go. To make matters worse, she did not even stop to “get busy” but rather kept hopping along. Now, when she did that in the muddy and squishy path, she ended up with brown “markings” on her hind legs instead of white. Sometimes I wondered how much a lady she really was. Actually, I think she was just being a dog.
On this “celebration hike”, we crossed over a small wooden bridge that crossed over a small brook that trickled over rocks and down the mountain. After the bridge, we turned slightly to the left and sharply up a embankment that had large boulders for steps. They were too high for Boquet, so I carried her until we reached the top of the “steps”. Then I let her down to walk again. The dog’s tails were wagging almost constantly on this hike. They seemed to really enjoy the exercise and adventure of walking in a “new territory”. Along the hike, we met several other dogs, one of which was a Chow-Chow and the other one was off-leash. Because those two elements could spell a conflict between the dogs, we decided to carry our dogs until we had passed. Then a “hill” of large boulders and rocks loamed in front of us. It was obvious that there was no way around it. I picked Boquet up, because she definitely could not climb up those boulders. Bo, however, was not stopped but just sought the easiest way to climb up and over those boulders. Eventually the path started to level out and soon we found the first ledge that gave a beautiful panorama of our beautiful Catskill Mountains. While we took photos and videos, Bo & Boquet contentedly nibbled on grass, sniffed the area, and Bo marked it for his territory. By the end of the hike, I was elated that we had taken a hike together as a family on Sunday, July 2nd, 2006, a year to the day (not date) after Boquet’s ruptured disc.
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Statement of Boquet's Healing
Boquet continues to be "free & easy", in that, she is able to run and romp about without having any setbacks. I continue to be amazed at her progress and how she is able to do so much. All glory belongs to Almighty God, because it has been over a year since her last relapses in February & March '06! I cannot believe that it is just the Free & Easy supplement. I know that she has definitely had a miracle take place, and that without the touch of the Master's hand, she may not be walking or even alive. I've read other stories about dogs having ruptured discs, and the medical field has done their best to get them back on their feet. However, when I compared their progress to Boquet's progress, I was amazed to find out that Boquet can do more and has less setbacks than those dogs that have had very expensive surgery! Now how can that be explained when Boquet only was on a steroid and had restricted rest? She didn't have physical therapy, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, surgery, or anything else. But, she had people praying for her, and I personally believe, that is what did it. It doesn't matter what other people think, because I am already convinced. Even though, the Free & Easy for Dogs probably helped, but she didn't start on it until last year, after she was paralyzed and started walking again. It has only helped her maintain her recovery, but the actual healing took place not through the medical field, but through Jesus the Healer, the One to whom "they brought all who were ill, taken with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics, and He healed them." I don't see anything that would stop him from doing the same thing today, and touching a little dog so that she could walk again. And since Boquet cannot tell of all His wonders and speak of His great ways, I'll do it for her.
Fun Winter Activities
Boquet has had fun this 2006-2007 winter, romping in the snow. I've played hide-n-go-seek with her, and she greatly enjoyed it. Her greatest joy is to be free in the plowed driveway and run up and down it. Sometimes, she has gotten frisky and run off, barking at something or just having fun! When it was really cold, we dressed her up in her little parka or snowflake cape with purple boots. She was "frozen" stiff at first and didn't want to move, but once she got used to them, she enjoyed the comfort. Most of the time, though, she is lazing around inside, getting more plump, indicating that she needs to go on a diet. Or, she just needs to work it off during her "spring fever" time, which should be coming soon. She thinks there is nothing better than getting dirty feet by stomping through mud! Well, at least, she does seem to enjoy it.
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Boquet's determination
Boquet has alot of determination.
I say that because she has continued to improve and attempt to do the things she used to be able to do. I've watched with excitement as she has "sat pretty" for a treat, balancing on her hind feed with her front end erect. It's so amazing! Back a few months ago, I helped her (held onto her so I could catch her if she fell) go up the long set of stairs from the basement to the first floor of our house. I had to help her up the first step, then she'd do the rest. Then she started doing it all on her own as long as I said to go up the stairs. Boquet did that several times when my hands were full and I couldn't carry her up. I figured that once in a while would be okay, and that she would continue to "ask" before going up them. Well, I figured wrong. Boquet has decided that she is strong enough to trot right up those stairs without any help or without "asking first". What a strong-willed little dog! Her unused energy built up "the other day" and she ran off, barking at "who knows what". When I finally caught up to her, she didn't seem to be worn out at all, probably just warming up. To top that off, with all these extra activities, she hasn't had any set-backs or disc problems. Glory to God!
Boquet has been going strong, and "enjoying" summer life by spending 24/7 guarding the gardens. She's become an outdoor dog, even though she still loves being inside. I decided a while ago to reduce Boquet's Free & Easy to every other day. She seemed fine and no worse. Then, I kept forgeting to give it to her, so it soon became about every three days. Now, she's reduced to about two times a week, and I haven't noticed a difference. I'm not sure whether it's just built up in her system enough that her activity doesn't bother her disks anymore. Or, it's Jehovah healing her through the Free & Easy. Either way, Jehovah gets the glory, not the suppliment, because He is the Creator of the everything.
2007 Conclusion
Boquet is doing so well, as in, she is running, bouncing, doing almost everything that she used to do before her ruptured disc. And, that is with taking the Free n' Easy suppliment only once a week. So, unless she has any relaspes, all future updates about Boquet will be on Boquet's Life Adventures and Events .
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