Life Lessons and Laser Therapy by Jackdoodle

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Hi guys! I've been very busy since my MRI. I have another new vet and a new laser techician, and I've been getting some new kinds of treatments that I wanted to tell you about.

I know my mom told you that I was going to be going to a spa place for some alternative treatments, but it turns out that I can get the same treatments at the specialty center where my allergy doctor practices, and it saves my mom an hour and a half of driving plus a lot of $ for gas. So last week I met my new vet, who does acupuncture. She was very nice, and very pretty, too. Her name is Dr. Maria, and she has long red hair and talks in a very soft voice. I heard my mom tell my Aunt Jane that Dr. Maria reminds her of a "hippie flower child". I don't know what a hippie flower child is, but it must be something good because I like Dr. Maria a lot. She put her hands on my spine and moved them around a little, and it felt pretty good. Then she took a lot of little pins and stuck them all over me. It didn't hurt at all. Mom was worried that they would get lost in my fur and I would end up going home with a pin still stuck in me, but Dr. Maria knew where they were and got them all out before we left. I was very tired afterwards. Mom says she can't tell if it helped me or not, but I am going back again for another treatment next week anyway.

Yesterday, I started laser therapy, and I learned that even though I have some problems with my back and my tummy and my immune system, I am still a pretty lucky doodle. That's what I really wanted to tell you about.

When we got to the clinic, there was a man with a pretty white doodle standing out in front. My mom asked if she was a labradoodle and the man said yes, that she is only a year and a half old and she has cancer. He said the vet told him that she only has 2 or 3 months. He was very sad. Mom and I felt sad for them both.

Then, when we went inside, we saw another sick doodle! This one was missing one of her front legs. Her mom said that she had an infection in her bone. She seemed to be feeling pretty good, but I was sad for her that she had to lose one of her legs.

A nice lady named Lisa came and took us back to the therapy room for my laser therapy. I laid down on some towels while Lisa moved this thing that looked kind of like a microphone all over my lower back. It didn't hurt at all. While I was getting my laser therapy, another lady brought a black dog in and they both got into a big fish tank. The fish tank started to fill up with water, and the floor of the tank started moving. I was thinking I was glad I didn't have to go in the tank, but then, the lady sprayed cheese on the glass in front of the black dog, and he got to lick it off! And they kept doing that! She kept spraying cheese, and the dog kept moving forward to lick it! My mom was laughing, but I was jealous that I didn't get any cheese!  

But then, Lisa finished my laser treatment, and guess what? She had a bag of roasted chicken breast strips and she gave me 4 of them!!!! And the best part is, I am going back there today and tomorrow, too, and I'll get more chicken!

So here's what I learned:

1. Even though it's no fun to be sick, and there are dogs who are luckier than you because they are healthy, there are also dogs who are sicker than you, so you should always count your blessings.

2. You shouldn't feel bad if you don't get any cheese, because if you are patient, you just might get something better.

Love from your friend,

Jackdoodle

PS:  My mom wanted me to tell you that I am not having trouble getting into the car now, because we figured out a way for me to step in at the floor level and then I can get onto the seat with no trouble.

And last night, I jumped onto my mom's bed!

 

 

 

[F, Calla & Luca]

JD this is all such good news. Especially the jumped into bed, which we know means you must be feeling better. Sorry to hear about all the sicker dogs though.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, F!

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

Jackdoodle,

Not only are you a very handsome dood, you are very wise.  It IS important to count your blessings.  One day when my daughter was having an IV infusion to manage her MS symptoms and feeling a little sorry for herself, she looked around the infusion center and realized that most of the others there were receiving chemotherapy treatments for cancer.  All of a sudden, she was feeling far less sorry for herself, as many of the people there were truly fighting for their lives!

Glad to hear that the various alternative treatments are not painful (and even have some nice perks).  Hope they also do the trick in helping your back!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Deanna! Give your DD a smooch for me!

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

I haven't been on DK for a couple of weeks and it looks like I missed a lot.  Have you posted a discussion about the results of the MRI?  I can go look for it, but didn't want to look if one didn't exist  :)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

We know you've been busy with the Doodles in Need listings, Amy, not to mention moving across country. We figured that was why you haven't sent my mom any lime Tootsie Rolls yet!

Here's the discussion from my MRI : http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/jackdoodle-s-mri

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

Wow, how cool that you got in the car all by yourself and you jumped on the bed!!! I bet your Mom was just beside herself!! So proud of you! It is so enlightening to hear of your experience at the clinic and about all the dogs that you met. We do have to count our blessings and keep the others in our thoughts! I love your cheese story! haha  So glad you got your chicken though! So happy to hear from you!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Janie! We are really seeing quite a variety of animals on our adventures. Today, there was a gigantic timber wolf in the waiting room when we left! He was bigger than any dog I have ever seen! We did not meet him, though. ;-)

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Wow JD, so happy to see that you were feeling well enough to jump up on the bed.  Take it easy though as you don't want to overdo it.  Sounds like maybe these therapies are making you feel a little better.  Keep up the good work and don't let them forget the chicken!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Sheri! You are right about not overdoing it, today they told my mom not to let me jump or run, even if I feel up to it.

[Marnie, Stanlee's Mom]

Laser treatments did wonders for my older dog with knee problems.  I'd do those again in a heartbeat as I love the non-invasive treatments when available.  Here's Cooper with Adam and Shane the tech's; he used to LOVE going in for "karaoke" treatments

 

So very happy for you all that the treatments are going well and I bet....if you are really good.....your mom would buy you your very own can of "skwirty" cheese!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Marnie. Cheese is not on my diet plan, but I did get a new package of Sam's Yams sweet potato fries.