Week 7 Update

Willa is out and about gaining strength every day. Here is a quick video update.

Games for Search Dogs

There are 3 things that the Doc told us to avoid: fetch, jogging and swimming. Willa does not jog (well, I don’t jog so Willa doesn’t either) but she LOVES to chase a tennis ball and would walk over hot coals to get to a swimming pool. So we’re trying to find creative ways to keep Willa and Ruby entertained. I have not had the time to work Ruby much since the Air Show so I decided to break out the scent boxes and work her and Willa.

I let Ruby go first. It was a simple exercise 2 only boxes. She sniffed both boxes, chose the right on and laid down a perfect alert. MJ and I were stunned, I could not believe that she remembered what to do after all this time.

I let Willa go next. She did it perfectly and gave me a great alert. I like the exercise because she has to bend her knee to do her alert. We did a few reps and called it a day.

No problem Honey, I got the dogs!

With Willa needing a bit of extra attention I cannot watch Ruby 100% of the time. Sometimes I pop Ruby into the backyard while I take care of Willa. It rained this morning so I had to split up the dogs and dry them off. In the 4.5 seconds that I left Ruby in the backyard she discovered her first mud puddle. This is her face watching me dry Willa. She’s waiting her turn in line. Good Dog!

Clean Bill of Health

Willa’s visit to the doctor was great. The doc say’s she’s 85% healed and has no fluid around her knee. This means that she can be unrestricted in the house and take longer walks. She can also start therapy to build her leg muscle back. This week it’s walking up and down hill. The neighbors driveway is steep and close by. 5 reps, 3 times a day for the week. Willa goes up easily though she balks at the trip downhill.

Ruby and Willa are getting along better. Here’s a shot of the two of them, Ruby is showing her “Sympathy Leg”.

Claws and Effect

Willa is doing great. A little too well actually. She is tired of being cooped up and ready to rid the back yard of vermin squirrels and doves.

I noticed the other day she was really working on her paws. Upon further inspection I noticed that her nails had grown REALLY long. This has never been an issue before because she is so active that she keeps her nails trimmed simply by running on the concrete. In the past I only had to trim her dewclaws.

So, break out the treats! It’s nail trimming time!

9 more days to the reevaluation.