It is hard to believe Encore has been home a full week today. She is getting stronger and stronger but sometimes is frustrated by what she can’t yet do. Personally I am thrilled with all she has been able to over come. I put together this little video of show you some of her successes and struggles. It is hard to know if her frustration is stemming from the fact she wants to do something but can’t or possibly that she believes she is doing what I ask but doesn’t actually recognize she isn’t doing it! I guess there is no really want of knowing but for I am trying to keep her frustration down just in case she believes she her body is doing one thing when it is really doing something else!
We have had a few set backs with her suffering minor “focal seizures” on three consecutive days leading up to a full seizure at 3:30 am on Christmas Eve. Luckily I am a very light sleeper. I got up and our friend Louise and I drove her the 45 minutes to the Emergency clinic. They were nice enough to give us a private room where Encore and I snuggled in on the floor until the neurologist showed up around 8:30. More blood work and a change of meds and she has been much better ever since. We still don’t have a “cause” for all of these health struggles but are still searching for answers.
Long road ahead but I got the best Christmas present ever just having her back home with us.
Today I am grateful for amazing progress Encore has been able to make is such a short time and all of the people and prayers that got us to this place!
Go Encore! She looks wonderful and the progress is amazing! Thanks for sharing! now I have to go find a Kleenex :).
Thanks for sharing your experiences. So nice to see the improvement. And the smiles.
I love you Encore!
“Let perseverance be your engine and hope your fuel.” Keep on Keeping on, Encore! You are blessed with a lot of love surrounding you…
Oh my! Such wonderful progress!
I am so heartened to see your dedication to Encore and her response and efforts in kind. Go team go! I have done a long rehab stint with a recovering dog and it is worth it! Yeah. Your love of your dog shines brightly.
So thrilled or the progress of Team Encore! Amazing team!
When I saw that right paw respond I was overwhelmed with joy.
That is the most amazing video…full of what Christmas is all about, sadness, happinezs, and hope. So happy for you all. :)I. Such a blessing! Sending prayers for continued success.
Amazing progress Susan…..cheering loudly for Encore!
Susan,, it’s very exciting.. I just ordered some of those mats for a SMALL (14x14ft) training area, and the guy at GREAT MATS told me to put them upside down, as they had better traction that way.. he said there is some oil on the surface which makes them slipping when you put them the “right” way up.. I must say the other side is superb. You might want to see if it helps Encore.
Hugs
Jane.
Hit post too soon. Not only are you an inspiration but the video reminds me of how grateful I am for my own rehab team. Hopefully I can work as hard as Missy En.
You and Encore are an inspiration.
This brought tears to my eyes Susan. What a lucky dog to have such a devoted team & what a wonderful girl she once again proves to be.
Remarkable progress! just goes to show anything is possible with love, perseverance & the commitment to a positive foundation … Who knew it would prove handy for such a tough assignment.
You’re always an inspiration & we love you guys for it! Keep up the great work ;0)
This does bring tears, both good, she has come a long way, and bad, she tries so very hard, what a great heart she has.
Thanks for letting us know how Encore is doing, we all care very much.
Merry Christmas 🙂
made me bawl. go team encore!
Tears in my eyes and a huge knot in my chest as I watch this surrounded by my own fur kids. So happy to see her progress and all the love that this special girl receives. Merry Christmas.
big old fat happy tears flowing. Your love for your girl is so amazing. Hugs!
A Christmas to remember for sure! Watching her recovery is an inspiration and a joy to behold. Thank you Susan for sharing this with us all.
Those are truly inspiring words, images, friends and dog. The whole story spells H-O-P-E and L-O-V-E. Congrats Encore.
Awh she is doing so well. We will be continuing to sending healing good vibes and special wishes as she continues her rehab xxx
Big big progress in few days ….
It is very inspiring to watch her progress…and to all of those helping with her recovery, keep up the great work!!
Way to go to you all. That brought tears to my eyes.
It always amazes me how a dog doesn’t see the disablity or injury during rehab. They teach us more in this process than anything else. Encore….you go girl.
Susan, what a journey you are having with Encore. I am so happy to see that she is improving as time goes on, and sincerely hope that she will return to her old self. It is very interesting to see you working on all the foundations for puppies to bring her back to good balance. Looking forward to more successes.
Encore and you are an inspiration. The courage and love are amazing. Tears of joy for the progress Encore has made with the help of you and the rest of Encore’s rehab. team. Healing thoughts and prayers cont. for Encore and you.
What struck me the most is not the progress she has made (which is just amazing!) nor even the thought and effort which is going in on the rehab – which is exactly what we would expect from you Susan (and your fabulous support team), but rather – how all of the puppy work, all of the small body awareness exercises, targetting etc is now so vital and making the progress so much “easier” (not that I’m implying its “easy”). Best of luck for continued improvement and I look forward to seeing more of her running around with the others at home again 🙂
Very inspiring video. Encore is so lucky to have such a great team to work with. She is making such great progress!
YAY – Baby step by baby step yet they are HUGE steps of progress. Great job to Encore and her team.
Yep… my best christmas present too…
I knew if I watched this I would cry. Of course, I did. I keep the image of her running to you in my head. She looks so good. What a lucky dog she is to have you to help her recover and you are lucky to have Lynda to help you. I hope she recovers and becomes stronger everyday.
Susan, I so feel for you. My 13 yr old Am Staff was retired at 5 because of a genetic ataxia that some Am Staffs show around that age. It has progressively worsened over time and with her growing age weakening her. Her condition looks a lot like Encore’s. But I still have her, and dogs are so good about accepting their conditions. She enjoys life. I wish a great recovery for Encore and I hope they can get her seizures stopped.
Best wishes for a better 2013.
I got tears and a big lump in my throat Watching Encore’s rehab. With all of your determination and Encore’s spirit and willingness she has already improved by leaps and bounds. Here’s wishing Encore a full recovery in 2013… God Bless
Lookin’ good! Each day at a time! 🙂
As many have said, this has brought tears to my eyes. Both you and Encore have been so brave though all this. My prayers are with you.
Absolutely amazing to see the huge improvements she’s had over the past week! Keep it up Encore!
Encore is making progress due to her Moms love and support. Knock on wood for continued recovery and no more seizures.
Susan thank you for sharing this video. It is amazing what love, patience and committment can do. Encore is so lucky to have you for a mother and be surrounded by so many wonderful supportive friends like Lynda. You all are amazing. So wonderful to see Encore running again. Keep up the fantastic work, you all are an inspiration.
I am in tears with Cheryl watching this….much love and healing energy still being sent. Encore could not have a better mama!!!
She is looking great. I picked the same song when I was told that Fantom is a 11 year old GSD…..nope not giving up…..and she is getting stronger again too….hoping Cory will keep recovering the way she is and that you find an answer…..
I am so glad for you. Live in the moment!
“Celebrating small successes … as if they were world championships”
You have a truly beautiful relationship with your dogs!!! They are as lucky to have you as you are to have them. And extra blessed to have people like Lynda O-H in your life – she’s very special!!! Thank you for sharing the journey and progress with us!! Continued positive thoughts!!!
What a sweetheart Encore!
Oh, great choice of song too 🙂
So glad to see all the progress she’s making! Your love together shines through — here’s to continued success for Miss En in her recovery.
Now that made me teary! She has made such great progress and the last footage of her out on a walk with Feature was just beautiful. She is going to get better and stronger for sure, how could she not with so many people fighting with/for her.
Your girl is truly an inspiration! And so are you, Susan. I’m here with tears, just seeing the love she has in her eyes. You can tell, she is fighting hard because of the lonve and the bond you two share. Thank you so much for sharing your journey together with us. We continue to keep your gilr in our thoughts and prayers. Hugs ENCORE!!!!!
Way to go Encore!
Oh Susan that brought tears to my eyes but not tears of sadness. Tears of joy that your girl is still with you and you can continue on whatever road she is able with you. That is the important part “with you” God bless!