Get Well Wishes

Thanks so much for all your get-well wishes.

Harrison especially enjoys reading his cards!

The first one says, "What do you call a surgeon who's really cool? A smooth operator. Best wishes for a quick recovery." From the Gandy team.

This one reads, "Please get well soon. Tigger hopes it won't be long until you can bounce right out of bed." From my Mom and Ed.

A busy week

Hi all,


Harrison has had a very busy week. On Monday, we went to see Dr. Gillick to have his drain removed and on Thursday we went back to have most of his stitches removed. He still has a bandage on his right side covering one sore. The hope is that it heals quickly so we can start hydrotherapy as soon as possible. Here is Harrison with Dr. Gillick, the surgeon who performed H.B.'s back surgery and saved his life! Thanks, Dr. Gillick!









On Tuesday, we took Harrison to his second physiotherapy appointment. In the picture, lasers are being used to help speed the healing of Harrison's back and bed sores. They also used some electro-therapy to stimulate his muscles. We have another appointment this evening.

Overall, there has been no nuerological change in Harrison yet, but he has shown improved muscle tone in his hind legs and his tail. In addition, he is also showing signs of improvement in his reflexes. Best of all, he is gaining more control over his pee and poop and has had only a few piddles in his crate.

We are not out of the woods yet, but are encouraged by small improvements that we see every day. Last night, he was dreaming of running and his front legs were twitching away as usual. I noticed some flexing in his hind legs and an ever so slight toe twitch. My new Beagle song is "these legs are made for walkin'...and that's just what they'll do...one of these days these legs are gonna walk all over here.."

More later!

Getting back into the old routine

Saturday and Sunday, October 23 & 24, 2010



Our weekend was a typical one here at home. I have dance class on Saturdays and Rob does a lot of planning for the week. On Sundays, we attend mass at OLPH and then sometimes go shopping. We usually take Harrison to the park or on extra long walks on Sundays, too. Sounds boring, I know, but after a week of interacting with people all day, it's just the perfect way to recharge our batteries and get ready for another work week.

On this Saturday, just as I was about to leave for my class, Katie, our dog-walker, stopped by to visit H.B. (Visit her website: http://www.kspetcare.com/services.asp) When he heard the knock at the door, he started barking a little. His barks are softer and quieter since the surgery. Once he recognized her, he was so excited that he started 'talking' in his usual way- like he's telling a story. He loves seeing his friends! Thanks for stopping by, Katie! It really lifted his spirits.

On Sunday, we took Harrison outside in his wagon for some fresh air. We were careful when moving him around because he still had his drain with one long tube in and some stitches. We used a sling under his belly to hold up his back end while he sniffed around in the grass. He is still unable to poop and pee on his own but he hasn't had many accidents in his crate. He seems to hold it until we move him out of his den. He does move himself into different positions when he is sleeping and sits up and moves around a lot if he has to go. That he has this kind of awareness of himself is a good sign and a step in the right direction, especially considering he has very little feeling in his lower half as of yet.

All in all, a typical weekend here with no real news. This week, Harrison has two doctors appointments and two physiotherapist appointments, so stay tuned!

Thanks again to everyone for your support, encouragement, and prayers. I know a lot of you have tried to post a comment and can't. (I've reset the settings so that anyone should be able to leave a comment, so keep trying!) Since this blog started, there have been over 500 page views from Canada, the U.S., Argentina, Brazil, and Singapore! Cool!

First Physio Appointment

Friday, October 22, 2010

Today I took Harrison to his first physiotherapy appointment at Canine Wellness Centre in Toronto. (http://caninewellness.com/). We met Tania Costa, the owner of the centre, and a few other people who work there with her. They were all very happy to meet Harrison and he enjoyed having four girls fawn all over him, telling him how handsome he is!

The first thing we did was fill out some forms and answer some questions about Harrion's injury and surgeries. Then, Tania did some laser therapy on Harrison. She said this will speed his healing from both of his surgeries. Almost immediately I noticed some movement in his back thigh muscles, and we all noticed him pushing with his back feet when we held him up. I almost burst into tears when Tania said that she thought he would be standing on his own within a week and that he might not ever need wheels! I am so grateful for the Canine Wellness Centre and for Tania. I have always had faith that Harrison will make a complete recovery, and it is more than encouraging to have a professional who works with dogs like H.B. all the time agree!

The major obstacle to all of this are his stitched up bed sores and the drain that is still in. (I will not post any pictures of that stuff. Yuck!) Once we can get those healed and under control, Harrison will recovery quickly. One of Tania's clients recommended Johnson & Johnson's Advanced Healing Adhesive Pads because they protect the skin while healing it. I have to wait until the stitches are taken out first and then I will try them.

The doctors and Tania also recommended that Harrison sleep on wool fleece as it is natural and it stays dry. The two fleece blankets Tania sold me work amazingly! Harrison is so comfortable and dry! I put some pee pads underneath the fleece just in case and then put some towels and foam pads underneath that. And I thought Harrison was a spoiled dog before all this!!

We have two physio appointments next week. All of us are really looking forward to them! Hopefully, Rob can come to the first one if his schedule allows. I have taken another week off of my morning classes so that I can be here for Harrison.

Let's hope all goes well this week and I may even have some videos to post!

Oh where, oh where has my little dog gone?

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Kitty is wondering where his brother is. I caught him checking out the blog this morning. He probably wanted to post a comment.

Below is the Toronto Vet Emergency Hospital where we have been taking Harrison for his recent surgeries. The doctors and staff there are just amazing. Harrison has come to really like it there.

For me, it was another frustrating day of waiting, waiting, waiting. The doctor called this morning to report that Harrison had managed to pull out one of his drains. Fortunately it was the one they wanted to change anyways, and they were able to sew up the other one.


Finally, after I finished work and we had dinner, Rob and went and picked up Harrison and brought him home. His staples down his back have been removed. He now has a drain in his right side, a few stitched up areas, and a cone he has to wear to keep him from ripping the other two out! It's a good thing Halloween is coming. Poor Harrison! Doesn't he just look mortified! (Don't tell him I posted this picture!) We are glad to have him home again. After some snuggles and a baby wipe bath, it was time for bed. Tomorrow we have an appointment with the physiotherapist at Canine Wellness. Her name is Tania and I can't wait to meet her!

Still at the vet

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Harrison's surgery went well. The doctors put in two tubes to drain H.B.'s pressure sores. He had a slight fever so they wanted to keep him overnight to monitor that and the amount of drainage.

Today was Rob's birthday, so we went out to Swiss Chalet for dinner. There's one right around the corner from the vet hospital. Then we went to visit Harrison. He looked very good and was moving his tail more than before. He had a cone on so that he couldn't do any damage to the tubes coming out of him.

He has had his staples removed from his back surgery and the fur on his back is growing in. It's so cute that you can still see his white spot even when the hair is shaved! He looked alert and gobbled down most of his dinner during our visit. I can see some improvement in the way he is trying to move around.

Tomorrow afternoon if all goes well, we will bring him home. Hopefully Friday he will start his physiotherapy. The doctor recommended he get his wheels as soon as possible to prevent any further complications from his pressure sores. It was good to see him. He seemed very comfortable there and not in any pain, but the three of us miss him here. The cat has been looking around everywhere for him!

I'll post more pictures tomorrow!

Another Surgery

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Today at noon, Harrison had another operation to help clean out his pressure sores. He went through the surgery ok and has a good appetite. He's at the vet again tonight for observation, but we should be able to pick him up tomorrow. Rob believes that once this heals, he will start to recover in great strides. I have a good feeling about it, too. We'll keep you posted.