More Good News (Tinged with some sad news)
 

Ali's Mum here
Just have to share this with you all
This week didn't start off too well - we had to have our 13 year old English Springer Spaniel, Ben, put to sleep as he was desperately ill :Bawling:
Then Alison developed a really severe chest infection which meant she couldn't go into hospital for the planned three days of physio :Sick:
After a couple of days of us all crying and feeling desperately sad we decided to take the plunge and buy a new English Springer Spaniel puppy (who we have yet to name)
He has been in the house two days now and is not too manic around Alison's leg - he sits by her side a lot of the time and she has been stroking him and playing with him
As a result we have seen a minor miracle happen in front of our eyes - Her hand is starting to unfold and is now no longer in the tight fist we have seen for most of the past three months - she can now pull out her thumb and the first two fingers to hold a pen once more. :D:D:D
The hospital did mention that one of their patients recovered use of a hand by playing with her pet rats and now we have discovered desensitisation by dog !!!!
I am so happy that after a really hard week things are finally looking up - Its as though Ben has had a word with someone up in heaven and set us back on the right track.
The hospital always felt that it would be easier to get the hand to respond to treatment than the leg, but hopefully this is the start of a chain of improvements which will lead to the recovery we dreamt of !!!!
As for our miracle puppy, all we have to do is think of a name for him .....Any suggestions ????

Finally managed to upload a photo of our new puppy - Don't let the sad expression fool you, he really is a little monster at times
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/f...9/DSC00010.jpg

Firstly, I am so sorry about the loss of your dear dog. I know how that goes- very hard! :(

Oh, how happy I am for you and Ali about her hand unfolding! That is such great news!:icon_exclaim:I am excited for you both, and that's great that your new darling puppy is helping. I do hope she continues to make progress and my thoughts and prayers are with you.

As far as names, I looked at ones that mean "helper" and "strength"- perhaps you'd like a name that had a meaning that meant he helped or gave strength to Ali?

-Matt "helper of humanity"
-Alexander/ Alex defender and helper of mankind
-Ezra helper
-Saidi helper
from: http://www.thinkbabynames.com/search/1/strength/1

Just some thoughts... there are so many names to choose from that naming isn't an easy task. :wink:

P.S. He is GORGEOUS!!

Andrea,

What a gorgeous puppy:)His name should perhaps reflect the start of better things for Allison--?what about Chance.
I am so glad that it looks as though Allison is getting better. It is so unfair for one so young to have to deal with this sometimes terrifying disease.
Thoughts and prayers for continued progress.
Love Tayla:hug:

awesome I am glad that Ali's hand is doing much better. Hope she is over her chest infection soon, they suck. New pup is gorgeous....! springers are the best.. I had one called Woof when I was younger.. he was gorgeous.

Best of luck and hope the hand continues to unfold.

Love

Frogga xxxxxx

PS what about encouraging her to teach him to sit/ lie/ take him to training classes/ brush him (with bad hand)/ put her feet on his tummy to rub it (with bad leg), sit on the floor with him/ play wrestle with him etc? "dog physio!" When I had Fat Pig (a white alsation) and Booboo (another white alsation) they were brilliant for desense, company and ROM. Got to a point where had trained Fatz how to walk on his harness and pull me (in my manual wheelchair) along which was great!! also as Fatz would lick me and Boo would headbutt me that worked as a form of desense.

Alison here
Many thanks for all your replies. I too hope that my arm will get better - I just wish that my leg would do the same thing, I'm absolutely bored at the moment and want to go back to school to see all of my friends.
I like some of the names that you have picked for our new puppy - we will decide which one is the best when we get some more names, I like the name Bruno.
Vanessa - many thanks for all of your support through all of this, you have been brilliant, if you need any help just ask me. I like the name Alex for our new dog. Many thanks
Tayla - many thanks for wishing me good luck and thanks for saying that the puppy is cute - hes a bundle of trouble.
Frogga - Many thanks for all of your replies and advice - you too have been great. I like the names of your dogs, they are kinda funny, lol. I have been trying to rub my bad leg on the puppys fur, but it is really painful at the moment. I have been trying to teach the dog some tricks - we are going to take him to puppy classes when hes had his final vaccination.
When we took the puppy for his jabs he was ever so good, he didn't even jump when the needle went in. He was a bit shy, but when we gave him some dog biscuits he was straight there.
Will keep you up to date with my progress
Many thanks and pain free hugs
Alison

Oh, I'm glad Ali's doing better. She's such a nice, warm person.

I *LOVE* the puppy. He's so precious.

How about 'Milagro' -- it's Spanish for 'Miracle' :)

You know, it's really sad about losing Ben. But, I believe he's finished his work here and has gone onto his next life.

I believe that The Universe guides our steps where we need to go next -- sometimes we go as 'teacher' because we have to pass on something that we've learned; sometimes we go as 'student' because we still have more to learn. Sounds like a real good student-teacher match-up going on here :D I'll let you figure out which one is which :p

Hugs. Welcome back, Ali http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v9...S/amixcora.gif

Barb http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v9...witchyjoke.gif

I'm glad i checked here to see his picture- think spaniels are soo cute and sweet. We've had a few spaniel mixes over the years.

I was thinking along the same lines of "Miracle" or something that means similar , or in another language or a different spelling.

Wow..
 

Ohh Ali I am so glad things are turning around for you hon, pets are wonderful therapy for us.. I think mabie it would help for the foot desensitising if you just rested your leg/foot against the fur to start (psst.. yr pup looks like mabie a "frobo" to me) I hope your feeling better cold wise.. it's amazing how uncomfortable a cough can be for the RSD areas.. shakes it up some ay.

Boo is also a name that pops into the head when looking at that picture too.. or doodle.. then you can call him doodle bug..

Hugz Ali and Andrea you are a blessing to us here,
Sandra

it is always sad to lose a pet.......
 

my little pom died a year ago last week..i still miss her....she never even knew she was a dog....always on my lap or in my arms..............

but getting a new little one is a great idea....and it is helping with your hand too.........i opt for the name 'miracle' too........good luck with the obedience training and new tricks...................my friend has a large malteze, and she taught him how to do situps........i swear, he pulls up and goes back down...so funny...........

sounds like you need to join in on our road trip....bring the puppy too....he may get along great with joans horse............

Ali,

I'm sorry for the loss of your beloved pet. He is on the rainbow bridge waiting for the day you both will be joined together again. I know my Heidi was there to greet him. They will be playing in the sunlight, running without pain together. Your new puppy is beautiful. I'm so jealous. Springers are sooooo smart and fun to train. My 3 dogs allow me to live on their planet. what is so embarrassing is that I am a certified profession trainer. Never was any good with my own tho. On my worse days, my 3 girls stay close to me and always want to physically have part of their body on mine. On good days, they stay wherever they want. I've got the trial scs now, so I can't even go outside and see my horses. they are so important to me. my doc told me that 9-12 months after I get the perm scs, that I should be able to ride them again. I can't wait. I always have to have my animals around..they are so good for the soul.

hugs
Mary
:grouphug:

Hi ya Ali and Andrea!
I too want to say how very sorry I am to hear of your "Ben" passing away. Mary, your words to Ali had me bawling my eyes out! How "BEAUTIFUL"!!
Ali, your new dog is so adorable. I too love the name Bruno. His eyes are so "cute" I wish I had him! LOL Anyway, keep watching, looking, playing with your new puppy and you will find that perfect name! I myself love the name, "Hero" Well, I am glad to hear about your hand unfolding also!! What a miracle that is! I wish for you, loads of get well wishes, love and happiness and joy! `Love, Desi

Sandel - very odd... my dog is called Booboo!! she is a white alsation who we rescued a couple of years ago (after she and Fatz had been badly abused) she is the loveliest dog ever. xxxxxxx

Hey Ali.

First off, im sorry about you guys losing ben :(

I am sooooooo happy to hear about your hand :):):):) Hopefully your leg will hop into gear.

Your new puppy is too cute :)

(bear with me, i come up with weird animal names. i used to breed gerbils and they had weird names :p)

He could be named:
cow!
moo!
monkey!
fred/freddie
patrick
cookie
waffle
bert
woof
pop

hehe :D

Ohhh, "Patrick" is an adorable name. He looks like a "Patrick".

Barb

Oh Ali, your little puppy is sooooo cute!!! He looks like he's sorry he just peed on the rug!!! LOL!!

I opt for the name Miracle too. We have a minor league baseball team down here call the Ft. Myers Miracles and they have a Springer Spaniel for their mascot and his name is Miracle too.

Hope you're feeling better and please, join us on our cyber-bus tour!!! It'll be a blast and we can all take turns walking your puppy!!!

Dianelori

oh, your new puppy is really cute.
 

I am so glad your parents got him for you.

The stress of losing your beloved older dog, certainly was not good for your
pain issues.

This new friend appears to be a fine therapist for you ;)

Whatever name you pick, will be fine, I bet. I am one of those people who
believe that pets sort of choose their own name. They guide you to it!

Enjoy enjoy!

Killer
 

Looks like a good name, lol. Like naming a chihuahua Goliath. I am sorry to hear of the passing of your beloved friend, but the amazing thing happening with your hand, well, I should think The Lord had something in mind with that. Sounds like a blessing. May the miracles continue. Later, Smoke

Ali,

My deepest sympathies for you and your family, in the loss of your long time pet and friend. Our pets are family, and it does not hurt less when losing a pet.

I am so happy to know movement is showing in your hand. Keep working those muscles and try not to overdo at the same time.

Naming a pet is a personal matter; however, since you ask for suggestions, I like the name "Biscuit"...as a biscuit is a reward for the dog, and also a reminder that the dog came into your life and movement manifested in your hand...now that is a reward!

:hug:
Dew

Just a FYI.......this is an old thread from 2007 that somehow got pulled back up.

Thank you all!!

As Kitty kindfully stated, the post is pretty old and is from 2007 lol ! My arm is bad again but thankfully, it hasn't become Dystonic this time and locked into a fist as I made sure I kept moving it as much as possible.

We decided to call our dog Jack. It took us forever to think of a name but we liked that one and thought he looked like a Jack also!!! He is nearly 2 years old now and full of life - he can be a right little monster sometimes!!! He certainly brings a lot of joy to my life, even on the saddest of days when I feel really depressed.

He seems to know when i'm not feeling well as he will come and lick me and lay at the side of me. It is so sweet to watch! I think dogs know better than humans sometimes when people aren't feeling well !!

We are trying to get Jack into some training classes at the moment. We have had him for nearly 2 years now and he is fully house trained however he gets a bit anxious when we leave him in the house, even if it is just for a few hours. Someone said that it sounds like seperation anxiety so we are trying to get him trained so hopefully he will be a little better when we leave hima as at the moment, he drags everything all over the place - I guess it is to comfort him. He also seems to jump a lot when we walk through the door as he is so happy to see us which is OK but it can really hurt my leg!!!!

He is an absolute gem though! He sleeps on my double bed all of the time and never leaves our side hardly! I can't walk him really because of my RSD, I really wish I could as I miss out on that a lot as we used to always walk our old dog when I was fit.

Thanks again everyone for all of your suggestions, even if there were from a while ago!!!:hug:

Hmm...
 

Maybe I should look at the dates a bit closer... :grin:

dear ali,s mum,,,my wife said that you should call him "hope"
bobber

Hi Ali and Mum,
I'm so sorry about Ben! Our family has felt the sadness of losing a pet, an important part of our family.
It's wonderful Ali that your hand is unfolding. I have one of those hands, my left and original limb 13 years ago. I'm thankful for partial release thru therapy about 100 pt and 150 massage therapy. I'm happy to be able to cut my own food, zip a zipper , smile,
button a button etc.
Your pooch is so CUTE!!!!!!!!! I can see why your hand responded, he looks so soft and furry. Boy, a lot of the names are so good. I named my last kitty Sabrina. I guess I like Hope for a name. We are all full of hope for a cure or remission.
I have a chest, sinus infection too right now Ali. It sure sets us back doesn't it.
Take care and I hope you get to go to school soon and be with your friends. Thanks Mum for letting us know about Ben and also about Ali's hand and new pup.
With love, loretta

Thank you all for the kind words.

As I previously stated though, this post was from 2007 so is nearly 2 years old now lol !!!

We decided to call our puppy Jack as that is the name we liked and thought it suited him. He has grown so much since the picture was taken and is nearly 2 now (He'll be 2 in August).

My arm has been causing me some problems again but thankfully hasn't gone into a fist like it did before. It is still really painful though, especially around my wrist.

Thanks again. Just thought i'd clarify that this is an older post.

Might be sick somewhat, but...
 

Has anyone ever watched those nature documentaries about the great apes where they groom each other, pick off fleas and ticks, etc? Well, since I was a young child, I have loved cats. All animals, mind you, but cats have a special place in my heart. Anyways, the poor cat having fleas biting them always made me angry, so I hunt them, running my fingers deeply into their fur looking for the little heathens. Gotten quite good over the years. Anyways, I should think it would be a good therapy, the interaction with the animal calms a person, lessens the pain a bit, gives one a good feeling to help your friend with their bitey problem, as well as giving your hands some therapy. It is somewhat gross I suppose, crushing the evil little buggers between fingernails or chucking them in rubbing alcohol, and one should wash yer hands after doing it, just because, but I think it might help anyone with hand problems. Lemme know if ya find some help from this. Later all, Smoke