Charlotte- My last piece of Charlie- but there is a problem
By brendalee
@brendalee (6082)
United States
January 31, 2007 10:17pm CST
Some of you may know about the death of my beloved dog Charlie(the dog in my avatar) last October. Well there is something you didn't know. I was afraid to say much as I was not sure what would happen to her. Before Charlie died, the little devil managed to get one of my other dogs(Jessica) pregnant. I had been very good at keeping him apart from her as we didn't have the money to get him fixed yet. Well, I screwed up and he got her. I knew she was pregnant shortly after Charlie died. I remember hoping that she would have a puppy that looked like Charlie but then again I was hoping not as I didn't want a reminder of him. Well, Jessica gave birth to two puppies on November 26th. One died shortly after birth and yep, you guessed it, one looked exactly like Charlie even the white spot on her chest. It made me happy as now I have one last piece of Charlie. But as fate would have it, she is not your normal puppy. She is almost 10 weeks old and she cannot walk. Her front legs don't work right. The vet called her a "swimmer" and he says it happens more than you think. I have never heard of it. He says to put an elastic band on her legs to try to get them in the right position. Beside this we exercise her legs daily. There is not much else we can do. Its almost funny to watch her get around the house. But it breaks my heart at the same time. She gets around quite well considering her disability. I just have to clean up after her all the time. The vet says she will probably walk, we just have to be patient and keep working with her. Sorry this is so long but I am very passionate about my animals and I believe that if anyone has read this far then maybe they are too and I might be able to get some answers. I want to know if anyone has ever heard of this happening to a puppy and what was the outcome. It will break my heart all over again if I have to put her down, so I am hoping that someone out there has a success story to tell. Thank you for your time.
18 people like this
31 responses
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
1 Feb 07
A while back we went to the local humane society to search for a cat. They had 2 of the cutest kittens we ever lay eyes on. They were swimmers. It is sad to watch them They look like they will topple at any minute and they are never steady on their legs.
I know how you feel about your pets. They are family members. Huggers to you.
@brendalee (6082)
• United States
1 Feb 07
Thanks for the huggers. I didn't know cats could have it to.
3 people like this
@bonbon664 (3466)
• Canada
1 Feb 07
I commend you for taking this on. I have never heard of this condition, and I'm sincerely hoping thar your puppy eventually walks. I too am an animal lover, and would do almost anything for my animals. Good Luck with your puppy!
2 people like this
@brokentia (10389)
• United States
1 Feb 07
As much as I would like to say that I have heard of this and give you a success story, I can not. But I was so touched by your story and so happy that you were able to keep a piece of Charlie.
I would not give up on the little girl! I would do as the vet said and hold hope that she will get better. An elastic band, huh? Interesting.
Have you looked it up on the internet? You can usually find tons of information on the net. :)
But I honestly can't say that I have heard of a dog being a swimmer in the term that you are speaking of. But I am glad she has you! Because I know you will do everything that you can to help her.
Maybe you should try the name sake of swimmer out this summer.
Put her in a pool to learn to swim. I am sure it would be great exercise for her legs. But I wouldn't let her in there on her own without you by her side.
Do you have a tread mill? Maybe put it on the lowest setting and get her to walk with the band on her legs. It sounds as if it is a muscle thing. So, exercise is probably a great thing for her.
Please keep us updated!!!
1 person likes this
@brendalee (6082)
• United States
1 Feb 07
I had researched the net but I couldn't find anything. A poster a few posts before yours gave me a website with lots of good imformation. Actually one of the sites I found from that website said to put them in warm water and let them swim and it would help strengthen their legs. I have lots of new things to try now. I am so excited. Thanks for the confidence boost. I really needed that.
1 person likes this
@smacksman (6053)
•
1 Feb 07
Maybe take a bath together?
She looks like a 'water' dog.
My Ruby, (black lab) loved to share a bath with me
before the soap came out for me.
1 person likes this
@Willowlady (10658)
• United States
1 Feb 07
So glad that a piece of Charie is here. Just a thought...wasn't Charlie harmed before departure. Well this dog is exhibiting rehabilitation needs and should give you cause to work through your grief. Animals are amazing and I am sure with your live this descendant will have a full and loved life.
Good for you! Am glad for your household.
2 people like this
@Trace86 (5030)
• United States
1 Feb 07
Brendalee, She is so beautiful! I have never heard of this condition anywhere. Animals are magnificent creatures with wonderful powers of adaptation. I will pray for her that she can find a way to learn to walk. Keep up with her exercises and the rubber band and hopefully her legs will get the idea. Maybe someone could make her a piece of adaptive equipment to help her get around. Have you seen those half-paralyzed dogs that have their back ends strapped to a tiny skateboard thing? Maybe she would benefit from one of those if her legs don't strengthen sufficiently on their own. Again, my prayers are with her.
1 person likes this
@brendalee (6082)
• United States
1 Feb 07
Thank you. Yes, we have been thinking about getting some type of device to help her. My boyfriend is very creative so I think he will be able to make something. She has made a little progress so I am hoping it will continue. Thank you again.
1 person likes this
@Justme2007 (1848)
• United States
1 Feb 07
Thank you Jesus see god gave you a gift he might have taken one from you but he also gave one back. Prayer is awlsome and I trust god to take care of all thing in my life is you just put it in Gods hand he will give you another blessing your pup will be strong and healthy and will be just like your Charlie and not like him. Patience and prayer he will show you how great he is. God Bless. Lay hands on your pup and pray for her god is a healer he can hear your prayer and will heal your pup I'm sure of that.
@angel108 (570)
• Philippines
1 Feb 07
I don't have a puppy. But then I would say don't lost hope.Nothing is a hopeless case. But also it is good to divert you attention to some other things too.As you see nothing in this world last. So be loving to anyone but also be detach.In other words never let anyone or anything makes you so very sad when they are gone.
1 person likes this
@brendalee (6082)
• United States
1 Feb 07
Thanks. Thats some good advice but very difficult for me to do.
1 person likes this
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
18 Mar 07
Brendalee she is lovely
I have never heard of this Illness before and I have had Dogs all my Life so it is strange that I have never heard or come across it.
I am sure that with your Love and care that she will get through this. And she was left for you by Charlie so I am sure she will be ok
@villageanne (8553)
• United States
1 Feb 07
How wonderful to have a puppy that looks like your dog. I hope everything heals and works out. You sound like you have alot of love to give so I am sure it will walk with your help. We had one like that one time. The vet said many are born like that.
1 person likes this
@brendalee (6082)
• United States
1 Feb 07
Thank you. You didn't tell me what happened to your "swimmer" so I am guessing the outcome wasn't very good. I'm sorry.
1 person likes this
@ProAmerica (131)
• United States
2 Feb 07
Sorry about Charlie, he looked like so cute in the pictures. I'm Glad Charlotte is there for you now.
1 person likes this
@brendalee (6082)
• United States
10 Feb 07
I just wanted to thank everyone for their comments and well wishes. I'm sorry I didn't answer them all. But I read them and I am truly grateful. Charlotte is starting to walk with the help of a device my boyfriend built. I will be making a new discussion soon about her progress. Thanks again.
1 person likes this
@miaksy (11)
• Philippines
2 Feb 07
im sorry to hear about the passing away of your per charlie. it is always hard to lose somebody or something that you have grown to love. about charlotte, keep her. despite her infirmity, give her a chance to be part of your life also. as your vet had said, she has hope.
1 person likes this
@mshogrider67 (565)
• United States
3 Apr 07
My daughters cat walks on her elbows of her front feet but she runs and even climbs now.
@nana1944 (1364)
• United States
1 Feb 07
Oh my goodness. What you have gone through with your babies. I understand how it is to care for animals. Mine are my babies. I love them so much. I had never seen a swimmer or evenheard of them until now. At least if anyone I know is faced with this I will tell them how to find the site that the other member was kind enough to look up. Best wishes to you and to your little Charlotte.
@avs189 (1030)
• India
1 Feb 07
Nice to see that you care so much for your puppy ,life is all abt loving ur loved ones and pets...if you care for others then u would be loved by others and even God would love you ,its all matter of loving each other and having great respect for each other be it man or animal...dont worry ur dog would go fine with ur prayers ,love and affection....wish u luck with ur puppy
1 person likes this
@superbren (856)
•
1 Feb 07
yes i have read a little about this condition , it is quite rare , apparantly most puppies will recover in time .they have weak muscles in the rear legs . try not to make them walk or struggle along wooden or slippy floors as this will worsen the condition.make sure the floor has a bit of traction . good luck.i dont think yoiu will have to put her down.
1 person likes this
@shambuca (2524)
• United States
1 Feb 07
SHE IS A DOLL___ OMG HOW CUTE-- I hope everything works out okay- I adore dogs and have two of my own and know eeactly how you feel about losing Charlie, and I am so sorry for that.
maybe try dogvetcare.com, I have found some useful info there.
Best of luck!!
@KerriMarie (151)
• United States
1 Feb 07
I have never heard of this situation - but good luck with baby Charlotte!
1 person likes this
@taramoon (740)
• Spain
1 Feb 07
Ahhh baby i have never heard of this in dogs, and i was a vet assistant for 2 and a half years, have seen many times little animals whom have lost the use of their back legs and i have also seen a lot a contraptions that the owners of theses little bsbies have made and all have worked, i have also had animals in my care whom have learned to ajust to their situations i.e either learning to walk on just their front paws or back paws, yes and they all look very funny, however none of them suffered and carried on with life as any normal animal, Brendalee give the little soul all the love and care that you can provide, theselittle creatures are put on earth to prove to us all that things just are not perfect but we can adapted to the circumstances.
1 person likes this
