This made my day – what a great story… feel free to read Max’s story below….
n
This is the story of my sore back.
n
nI like to think I am a dignified miniature schnauzer. I am known as Max – aka
nBlack Boy, BB, Mr Max, Maxy Man, Black Max, Sweetheart, Darling and (ouch)
nSweetie Darling. There are 3 things I love in life – my family, my food and
nWALKING!!!
n
nWalking is best anywhere off the lead. Come with me and … hang on…sniff sniff
npee sniff..sniff – ok I’ve got it now -charge…yeah man , an empty chip packet, St
nPat’s boys’ sandwich crusts, dead fish…
n
nAt the end of last year my back started to hurt and I just didn’t feel that excited
nabout my walk. Sometimes I would just dig in my heels and get carried and other
ntimes I would cope by hopping. Instead of the occasional little dog hop that I
nhave always employed I would hop every second or third step. My local vet said
nthat most likely I had a cruciate ligament problem so my humans, Denis and
nHelen, found Brooke…mmm,.. for a little physio . While Brooke could feel some
nlooseness in my knee after a few sessions she said that she thought the main
nproblem was my lower back. So, back to the vet, x-ray, specialist MRI…At the
nbeginning of this year it was spinal surgery for me.
n
nThat disc Dr M removed was a big one. Well, I was ok for a few days post op
nbut then I got pain in my lower back that crippled me. I am not a sook. I just
ncould not walk, did not want to eat and did not want to spend time with my
nfamily. I was put on steroids that not only did not completely relieve my pain
nbut gave me old man symptoms (I’m 10 – middle aged at most!) – jelly belly and
npeeing through the night. A lesser dog may have thought this was hell but I knew
nthere are no angels in hell and I had an angel in the form of Brooke. Brooke was
nalways only a text message away when my humans were unsure or upset. Helen
njust wanted me better and kept finding little signs of improvement which was
namazing because between you and me there were none. Thankfully, Brooke
nwas able to give gentle reality checks. Brooke and I were tight by this time and
nshe could pretty much tell from my personality change that something was
nseriously not right. I was helpless, weak and tired from weeks of pain. I had a
nlot of muscle loss from the steroids and lack of exercise. My hindquarters were
nalmost skeletal and, not to be critical, Helen had let my grooming go to the pack.
nDefinitely at a low ebb.
n
nWith Brooke as my advocate I had a second surgery which showed that my
nvertebra had been too loose and that fibrous tissue had formed around both
nsciatic nerves as my body had tried to stabilize the area. That was fixed with
nsome nails and a lump of bone cement.
n
nMy recovery since then has been slow but I am definitely going in the right
ndirection. I am back to loving my food and walk but most importantly loving my
nfamily and wanting to be with them. Ahhhm… getting my looks back too ..
nWhat I want to say is that Brooke was always there with exercise, massage
nacupuncture and dietary advice which of course helped but the reason I love her
nis that she was also so constant, with moral as well as professional support. It has
nbeen a long road for my family and I feel that at times my humans were fighting
nback despair. Brooke was always a rock. I am writing this so that other families
nwho find themselves in strife know they can persevere and succeed with the
nright person in their corner. Without Brooke I really wonder if we would have
nregained the amazing joy we have just being together as a family.
n
n
n
n
Brooke is my friend but I am will share her with fellow canines who need her to
nfind their way back to health.
n
Max x
n
Thanks Max!!
n
n
n
n
n
n
