Kylie and Frankie snuggling. Kylie at 3 months old and Frankie is six years old in this photo.
When I brought Kylie home as a pup I couldn’t resist getting this photo of her above with Frankie. They were almost the same size, but I knew that would not last for very long…
Kylie at six months old, & the last photo I have of the two of them before Frankie was diagnosed with IVDD
After Frankie’s diagnoses of Intevertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) over four years ago I could never allow Kylie and Frankie to play together without supervision. For some reason Kylie was very rough with Frankie when she was in her wheelchair, almost as if she thought Frankie was a toy. It was heart breaking to not have them snuggle together for fear of Kylie possibly reinjuring Frankie’s back.
Frankie is now able to scoot when not in her doggie wheelchair, and actually can hop like a rabbit, which she typically does when it is time to eat (she loves to eat!). She has made great progress in her mobility since her diagnoses of IVDD in 2006. She still needs her wheelchair for walks and school, and therapy dog visits that we do, but when home, she gets around pretty well on her own without the use of her wheelchair.
Kylie turned five years old this past October. Maybe she has mellowed a bit with age, but all of a sudden she is much calmer around Frankie. Another thing I discovered is if Frankie is not in her wheelchair, Kylie is not as rough with her. So over the past few months they have started to hang out together.
Getting this photo (below) of them brought tears to my eyes and such joy to see them so happy snuggling together. Looking at them together made my heart grow three times its size!
The love of our pets in all its forms truly brings me so much joy…
How have your pets brought you joy lately?