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!

 

 

 

[Pam and Ginger Snap]

Glad things seem a little better.  I just have a visual of the dog swimming in a tank, licking cheese off the glass!  Keep up the good work.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It was brilliant! The dog was actually just walking on the treadmill, not swimming, but it was a great way to keep him moving forward. I would hate to be the one who has to clean that glass, though!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

This is the best news EVER!  I'm so glad you posted this Jack.  Your Mom must have been doing a big happy dance when you jumped up on her bed!  I'm actually doing that happy dance right now and Guinness & Murph think I'm "losing it".  Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing these "life lessons".....important to always remember.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Aunt Jane!

My human sister was on the bed trying to get me to walk up these little stairs my mom bought, but I don't like them, so I just jumped!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Jackdoodle, This all sounds pretty good to me. I am so glad nothing hurt and it seems like you are in very good hands. This is the best news we have heard in a long time about one of our favorite Doods. YAY!!! Loved your life lessons, too!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Laurie!

[Diane, Baker & Oskar]

So glad to hear that things are moving in the right direction :)  Jumping on the bed is a big accomplishment!  

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Diane!

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Wow, you are having some very interesting therapies. I would love to have seen that dog licking all the cheese while in a tank of water!!!! It's good that you jumped on Moms bed and I'm guessing you wouldn't have done that if you thought it would hurt.  I know that when I visit hospitals and clinics I always leave thinking (in yiddish) mizol nintz visin which means 'we shouldn't see such things'.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Nicky, you took the Yiddish right out of my mouth.

[Donna K & Quincy]

Hey JD, I am so happy to hear you are feeling better. My mom says she might walk on our treadmill too if someone sprayed something yummy on the wall in front of it. It is sad to hear and see other doodles that are sick and it does make us thankful that even though we have some problems they could be so much worse. Here is a litttle quote that will remind us of this every day.  

If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.

We just got a visit from hurricane Leslie but she's leaving now and the sun is shining, so Mom and I are going for a walk. Dad is gone to his work to see how much damage is done because greenhouses don't do well in hurricanes. We lost a couple of trees and the our power was gone for a few hours but we are all fine and that's what counts.

Hope you feel better and better untill you don't hurt anymore.   Your Pal Quincy

 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Quincy. That thing about taking back your own problems is one of my mom's favorite sayings.

I am sorry about the lost trees; I hope the greenhouses are all okay. But you and your mom and dad are all fine, and yep, that's definitely what counts!