Spike - a tail of inspiration

Relaxing and dreaming at BSA Ringwood...

It is now two months since Spike had his TPLO Surgery for the ruptured cruciate ligament in his hind leg.  He has been on restricted exercise since then and his mind has struggled to cope with this.  We have tried to manage the situation as best we can and numerous toys and special permissions have been given to him.  Not every dog gets the living room to themselves with their choice of movie playing on the DVD on the rare occasions when both Ian and I need to leave the house together!

The good news is that the operation has been a success and a recent x-ray has confirmed that the bone is healing well.

The face of apprehension - at the Vets

The bad news is that Spike has a very inflamed patellar tendon, which is clearly causing him pain and discomfort.  

He is also acutely lame in his front left leg, a combination of soft tissue damage and his elbow dysplasia worsening, something we have been prepared for ever since we learned of the extent of the damage in his elbow joints.

The really good news is that Spike has already exceeded the life expectancy that was predicted in January and it is clear that his spirit and determination remain strong.  

Spike's devout attitude to wanting to run is one that I can relate to very well. 

However, while I understood why I was not allowed to run for 4 months, Spike is confused and does not understand why he cannot run and have fun with the other doggy members of the team.  It is heart-breaking to see his little face when the others go running.  He has been incredibly accepting of the restrictions imposed on him and not once has he rebelled or become destructive, not even his toys….

Spike has a little den in our living room where (through choice) he spends most of his time.  He has special bes and lots and lots of toys which he neatly piles up in one corner of his den.  Every now and again he rearranges them into the diagonally opposite corner, in just as neat a pile.  He is very protective of his den and his toys and gets quite upset if one of the other dogs wanders into the den and removes a toy.  Being bottom of our pack he cannot stop them and we have to be discrete when “rescuing” his toys from a fatal ending.  

Thankfully the toy destroying husky of the house is very respectful of Spike’s little den and only ventures into Spike’s den when he is trying to get my attention…..

Spike has been receiving excellent help during his recovery.  As well as the amazing support from the North Pole Marathon Spike has had special laser treatment from one of his most special friends.  Without her help and support Spike would never have received the medical help essential to his survival.

Icing Spike's leg - he is very helpful :-)

Spike’s biggest supporter and helper is most definitely Ian.

Ian carries Spike when he needs to be carried; helps him eat when he refuses to eat; ices his leg when it needs to be iced; cuddles him when he needs a cuddle; rescues his toys when they need to be rescued; makes him do his special exercises; basically Ian is there for Spike 24/7.  They have a very special relationship and it is heart-warming to witness.

Spike has many people to thank for giving him the gift of life and hopefully they are reading this and know just how grateful we are for their help.  Without their help Spike would never have made it this far.   There are some wonderful people in this world, people that choose to help save a life no matter what it takes.   

Humanity in its purest form crosses the divide between species and there can be no other greater inspiration than knowing that whatever happens, everybody has a guardian angel for them somewhere.