Degeneration SUCKS

Skully playing with baby Satchel

I haven't much discussed this with my interweb friends at length, but it is time to talk about it I think, at least to release some of this into the open.

About a year ago, my precious girl, Skully P. Tatoes, began having some issues walking. Nothing major at the time, just the occasional stumble from her hind legs. Here, a year later, she's gotten to the point where I'm seriously considering a doggie wheelchair for her. She drags her hind legs, gets them tangled up, scrapes her paws, and falls over a lot.

What she has is called Degenerative Myelopathy, which is like a dog version of MS. That article goes into far more confusing detail than necessary for my purposes, but explains well what exactly is going on with Skully's nervous system.

I get strange looks at the dog park until people find out what is going on with her, because she looks like quite a sight, stumbling around looking like the Little Engine That Could. I have to carry her up and down the steps so we can take walks, 4-5 times a day. She is only 8, and has been in incredible health since I've had her.

The good news about her having this particular disease is that she really doesn't feel any pain because of it. More frustration, than anything, I think.

Anyway, we're doing what we can to try to prevent her condition worsening, including acupuncture, and a more regimented exercise program. I've also got her taking a specific Bach flower remedy as a mood enhancer.