Sometimes a new dog comes along and the therapy session follows the textbook.
In fact, I think Bob wrote the textbook.
Bob is a young Collie with occasional rear leg issues. He is part of Sarah’s group of dog friends . She describes him as quite non-collie in that he is chilled and laid back with only the occasional mad zoomie. At his Mum’s work, people come up to sit with Bob and just zen-out for a while.
His Mum wanted a therapy session to check him out. During the initial palpating part of the session, Bob stood quite still and processed the whole thing. “What’s this? This is unusual. I’ll just sit here and see how this goes”
But it worked. His stiff back was giving off loads of heat already. Once we got further into the session it went (in Bob’s voice)....
- “Ok…that was lovely but I’ll just go for a walk round the sofa”
- “And hello I’m back”
- “Ok…I’ll go for a walk again”
- “And bring back my toy to hold”
- “Ok…I’ll go and sit by Mum and rest against the sofa”
- “Oh this is nice, I’ll just close my eyes”
- “Ok, that was an ouchy bit, I’ll open my eyes”
“No I won’t…I’ll close them again”
- “Hmm…I’m sliding down onto the floor”
- “Ok, I’ll just stay here and sleep”
- “You’ve done that side Dr Les…here…I’ll roll over for you”
- “All done? Ok, I’ll pose for the pictures with my trusty blue ball”
- “I feel like a stretch….oooooo… l-o-n-g stretch”
- “And I’ll do another one – ‘coz I can now”
- “Are you leaving? Not if I stay sitting on your massage bed and look up at you adoringly”
- "Ok…I’ll just curl up on the sofa…bye”
We know our job is done for the time being, as Bob’s Mum will now be able to use this knowledge and physical therapy to support him throughout every stage of his life. But she also knows there are professionals she can call on if Bob starts to display and more wobbles.
You don’t need to wait until your dog has mobility issues or arthritis, you can help them manage their health at an early age and maintain that through to silver faced years.
“Dear Les and Chris, our parents were impressed with how quiet we were when you came in to our house. Normally we have to warn them of strangers but we knew that we didn’t need to worry about you both. You were very kind and didn’t push us into anything that we didn’t want to do. Thank you for making us both feel relaxed and more comfortable. We look forward to seeing you again , Wet kisses Flint and Alfie 🐾🐾🐾🐾"
Last weekend we had another Double Therapist Saturday with Alfie & Flint. Alfie is a Collie who loves his agility and older brother Flint is a Springer who is a typical bouncy spaniel. Recently Alfie displayed lameness from his rear left leg.
Alfie can be a wee bit anxious but throughout the 90 minute session he demonstrated a classic “I’m going into the massage zone” routine that we have come to experience so often.
It went like this (using Alfie’s voice…well…..I think that’s what he would have said) :
1. “Hmm…I don’t know who you two are so I’ll just stay a little away”
2. “OK…you haven’t gone away and are just sitting on the floor so I won’t look at you but maybe I’ll sit in your lap Chris”
3. “Oh…you’re working on my back….oooooo that is nice. I’ll just stay here for a while”
4. “And now you’re on my shoulder….goodness I’ll stay a little longer”
5. “I’ll walk away now”
6. “Nope….I’m coming back with my toy fluffy sheep for you”
6a. “And my toy fluffy dog”
6b. “And maybe this toy too”
7. “Hmm…you’re working on my brother so I’ll go to the other therapist…he looks lonely”
8. “But I’ll just lie here against the sofa while he works on me”
…….much later….
9. “Excuse me….did I say you could stop touching me Dr Les? I’ll just give you a guiding paw on your arm back to where it belongs on ME”
10. “Hey…you can’t go….I’m staying here on your mat. You won’t be able to leave now”
…later still…….
11. “Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz”
Responses like that just make what we do the best in the world. Thank you Alfie and Flint for sharing your Saturday with us (before and after pictures below)
