intervertebral disc disease

Have Arms, Will Snuggle. Gidget the Love Dog.

Posted by Barbara Techel

cam and gidgetCameron and Gidget

There are many things I’m enjoying and loving about Gidget. I’m also relishing in her sweetness and go with the flow attitude. One thing I especially love about her is how she easily adapts to new people around her.

Last Sunday we had friends, Karin, Ron and 9-year old, Cameron visiting from Illinois and staying at a local resort. We had them over to watch the Packers/Bears game. Yes, I admit it, we let Bears fans in our home…. but after all, they are friends, even if they do love those Bears.

I first met them after Cameron, a lover of dachshunds, discovered my first children’s book about Frankie that a local gift shop carries and sells for me.

My friend, Victoria, was the manager at the time and spied Cameron walking around holding a copy of Frankie’s book.  She said, “I happen to know the author of that book and the real Frankie. I just might be able to arrange for you to meet them.”

That was almost five years ago. Since then we’ve gotten together just about every year when they visit our little village of 947 people.  Cameron still working on talking his Dad into a Dachshund, has gotten his dose of doxie love from Frankie, then Joie, and now Gidget.

Karin, Cameron’s mom, took the photo above of Cam and Gidget getting to know each other. Gidget made herself right at home snuggling her little head into Cam’s hands for a good dose of petting. Cam, being the young gentlemen, didn’t say a word about the fact she was wearing a Aaron Rodgers Packer jersey!

It seems no matter who comes over, or no matter where I take Lil’ G she easily finds her way into the laps of those wanting to pet and snuggle with her.  Yesterday she was happy and content to be in our dear friend, Cassy’s arms, as we spent some time at her apartment and she made dinner for us.

Not only was it a treat to have Cassy cook a delicious dinner of taco’s for us, but to see how happy, content and comfortable Gidget is wherever we seem to go, really does my heart good. She is really getting to be quite the love dog. But I suspect she always was.

cass and gidgete

 

Extra Bonus When Doing Water Therapy with Gidget for Her Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)

Posted by Barbara Techel

2013-12-29 09.05.13Gidget loves her “pool” time. Shhhh, don’t tell her she’s in a bathtub and not a big, luxurious pool. She dosen’t seem to notice the difference.

There isn’t a rehab water therapy facility near where I live to be able to take her for therapy, so this is the next best thing. When the tub is full, I call her and she comes running. She has no qualms about me putting her in the water.

She caught onto the drill quite fast. I have small, low calorie treats I use to get her to walk from one end of the tub to the other. I also have a rubber mat along the bottom to help her with better traction.  This girl will do just about anything for treats so she is happy to do her exercise’s.

It’s so fun to see her wade back and forth in the water. Doing water therapy for her helps keep the muscles in her legs strong, so she can continue to walk and get stronger even though she has IVDD.

The extra bonus of this is I feel like it is a special bonding time between us. I love to cheer her on as she makes strides back and forth in the water.

After she has done a couple of rounds of “laps” I do some range of motion exercises with her hing legs. It’s also a great time to soap her up so she is squeaky clean though I don’t do that every session.

When she is done with her water therapy, I wrap her in a towel and gently pat her down. She then waddles over in front of the woodstove, crawls into her weenie pocket blanket and falls asleep.

A happy, content doxie makes for a happy, content doxie mom.

To learn more about water therapy visit this link on Dodgerslist website.  They have tons of great articles and information on helping dogs with IVDD.

There are many things we can do at home for our pets with IVDD as long as we do them correctly. It saves on time and money, as well as it really is a wonderful way to bond with your pet.

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Find Out What the Gidget Thermometer Predicts for Upcoming Wisconsin Weather

Posted by Barbara Techel

snuggly g eGidget’s position within her weenie pocket this morning indicates a big drop in temperature heading our way.

From what I’m understanding by her nestled in appearance we are expecting temps to drop rapidly today and winds to pick up this afternoon.  Windchill to drop to almost 40 below overnight. This cold snap is expected all week, so lots of cuddling will be needed.

This also calls for staying cozy and warm in front of the woodstove.

Later this afternoon we will also welcome friends, Karin, Ron and son, Cameron visiting from Illinois.

Long time fan’s of Frankie who they met quite a few years ago, then a fan of Joie’s who they met last year. And now it is Gidget’s turn to wiggle her way into their hearts.

Now are you ready for this?  They are from Illinois, so yes, they are Chicago Bear fan’s as well. So we’ve invited them over to watch the Green Bay Packers beat the Chicago Bears in the divisional championship at 3:00pm today (hey you know me– I try to think positive!). Believe it or not, they accepted our invitation!

All kidding aside, we are looking forward to the fun rivalry. But most of all we are looking forward to spending time with friends we would have never known if not for Frankie.

GO PACKERS!