Zoe at PT

This is a short video of Zoe at physical therapy. She is walking on the underwater treadmill. She is doing much better; however, she still doesn't walk all the time. Tonight she wore weights on her right leg to make it stronger.

Fabulous News!

Zoe took her first steps since surgery today at physical therapy. It was on the underwater treadmill. The water helps her to support her weight. At first, she was just dragging her back legs, but then she started to move them too!! I was so happy and thankful that all those prayers have been answered. The physical therapist even started to cry a little. How sweet is that?

Zoe Update

Zoe has now been home almost two weeks. We have been going to physical therapy three days a week. The progress is very slow, but there does seem to be progress. Although she can't walk yet, her reflexes and sensation seem to be returning. It's still hard though. I come home during the day to check on her, and the physical therapists is not easy to get to. I take two buses and then walk about three blocks or take three buses. Not fun at all. She got out her stitches on Monday and the wound seems to be healing fairly well.

The physical therapy is interesting. First, the therapist is Bulgarian and speaks German and Bulgarian, so I take my German dictionary, and he draws pictures. I can understand about 60% of what he says. He does things that teach Zoe how to walk again. He does exercises that practice the motion of walking. He also uses magnetic, laser, and electro-therapy. When Zoe gets a little better, he has a underwater treadmill that she can walk on that will support her weight. It's often painful for her, but that's actually very good. Here are some pictures that I took of her when I got her home.

She was sitting on a puppy pad because she has had a little problem with incontinence. That seems to be getting better, thank goodness!

Update 2

Zoe came home on Friday afternoon, and I spent the whole weekend taking care of her. I really felt overwhelmed at times, but I prayed a lot. She stays in her crate all the time. Because she can't move her back legs, I carry her to the bathroom where she does her business in the tub. I actually have to squeeze her abdomen to make her go.

I tried to work out a schedule for school. I left her on a table in the kitchen this morning on her crate so that she could see out the window. I came back at about 10:45, and she had fallen off the table, out of her crate, and scooted her way into the living room. Then, when I picked her up, she peed on me. I was beside myself.

Then, this afternoon, I came home around 3:00 to take her back to the vet to meet the physical therapist. Thank goodness, Zoe was in her crate! Then, even better, the physical therapist was optimistic about her prognosis!! Hallelujah!! I think the Lord knew that I really needed to hear some good news.

Thanks for your prayers!

Update

Zoe came through the surgery pretty well. I just got word about an hour ago that she has gone to the bathroom. I still don't know if she actually has control over those functions, but she is making some progress.

Here are some things to pray for

That she regains the use of her legs. She is paralyzed in her back legs right now and could be for several weeks or even forever.

That she has control over her bathroon functions.

And, that I can deal with having to care for a seriously ill dachshund by myself. I might have to take her to school or leave school often to check on her. My emotions were not so out of control today, but it's just hard to not have her here when I got home.

I will call the vet tomorrow to see if I can take her home. Thanks for your prayers. It means a lot to know that I have such caring friends.

Neustadt Fest

The Neustadt area of Dresden is a really interesting place. A lot of people live there who definitely have alternative lifestyles. For example, there's a Goth second hand store. I don't know of many places that have Goth stores at all, much less a second hand Goth store. The Neustadt also has restaurants and bars. I like several restaurants in the area, but I don't really like going on the weekends. It's disconcerting to see my students out on the streets drinking (Sixteen is the legal drinking age).

The Neustadt had a big festival this weekend. I had heard about it for several months. Pretty much anything goes. People can pull their couches from their apartments into the streets and even sell things if they wish. I heard about some people who had set up a beer funnel from the second story apartment with a chute rigged to send money up to them. I bet they made a killing.

For a while, I had also heard that there would be violence. There's been some protesting in the Neustadt during the year, and the G8 conference was held in Germany a few weeks ago. I think people expected the protesters to come to the Neustadt festival. Anyway, I decided to go with some German friends. It was really crowded. I saw more dyed hair and piercings than I've ever seen, but it was pretty tame. Plus, there was a ton of police including some dresseed in what looked like riot gear. Some of them were pretty cute. It was really fun, and a fabulous place to people watch. I look forward to going next year. I'm going to break out my hippie clothes so I can fit in!

ZOE UPDATE: She is doing much better. Almost 100%. The lady who took care of her during my trips even took her swimming in the Elbe so I've bought a retractable leash for the summer. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers!!

Travel (Again!) and a Zoe update

Thanks so much for your prayers for Zoe. Today on our third trip in one week, the vet finally took x-rays, and noticed two areas of concern on her mid and lower back. She is stocked up on pain and other meds (including B Vitamins). It's wait and see now because Wednesday I leave and will only be back home for a day or two until June 2. I'm taking her to her usual boarder with strict instructions for no climbing stairs, jumping, running, or playing with other dogs. Pobrecita! How boring!

Now for the travel details. I leave for Krakow on Thursday with friends from school. Since Auschwitz is close, we are going there too. It should be a great trip, and I'm going with the funniest people I've met so far here. (Although they don't compare to Trey and Co., the Lunch Crew, or the Glencoe girls for peeing in the pants laughter) We get back Sunday just in time for me to turn around and leave Monday for Vienna with the Grade 10 on their European Destination field trip. We're there til Friday. There's a possible trip to Berlin for Saturday and Sunday to watch English movies, and then Monday, I leave to chaperone a Model United Nation group in Oldenburg, Germany. We get back Saturday. My poor Zoe won't recognize me!!

As I type, a good old fashioned Southern thunderstorm is going on outside complete with hail. A part of me wants there to be a "weather event," but it's just not the same without James in the weather center. He wouldn't have even taken off his coat for this one much less rolled up his sleeves. Oh what the Germans are missing with their sedate weather!

Prayer Request

Zoe has hurt her back. I'm not sure when it happened exactly, but she has been in pain since the night that I got back home to Dresden. I took her to the vet first thing on Tuesday morning. He gave her several shots and some pain medicine. I am supposed to bring her back on Friday for more tests. She doesn't want to walk and even drags her back legs behind her. I'm really scared that she is seriously injured and will need surgery. I think most of you understand how much this upsets me. I've cried more in the past few days than at The Notebook and Steele Magnolias put together! Please be praying for her and for me.

So happy together!

Five years ago today, my dad took me to Hokes Bluff for an early birthday surprise-Zoe! I thought we were going for some tractor part. Little did I know, I would be getting the best birthday present ever! Even though she had humble beginnings (I mean, Hokes Bluff!), she's been on an airplane and lived in two different countries! Here are some reasons why I love my baby girl.

She lost weight like a champ on her airplane diet last summer and didn't even make a peep on the flights.

She tucks herself into bed, even if it's my bed.

Her tongue is just a little too long for her mouth when she's sleepy.

She has the sweetest expressions.
She loves the sunshine!

She curls up like a bean when sleeping.

She intently watches outside for the slightest hint of a bird, cat, or other dog.

But most of all, she loves me back!!
In fact yesterday, I sprained my ankle fighting off another dog who tried to bite her. She's fine, but I'm not so great. I'll be fine though, and she's worth it.