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!

 

 

 

[Lorraine Bromley]

This sounds so promising! You are lucky to have all these therapies available to you and are able to provide for Jack. I know that myself getting acupuncture that it really knocked me out after ward and I would need to sleep it off. It worked really well for me as well.  Hope Jack keeps responding well.

Lorraine

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks Lorraine, and also thanks for confirming this; I wasn't sure that it was the acupuncture that caused him to seem so tired that day.

[Becka]

This sounds like some really good and hopeful news. It must have made your heart so happy to see Jack jump in the bed. I also wanted to say that sometimes when I have acupuncture I get very sleepy afterward, and was told that was a possible side effect, so I'm not surprised to hear Jack was worn out after. It sounds like an amazing place, and that Jack has passed on some valuable lessons! Sadie says, "Glad you're feeling better Jack! Enjoy those chicken strips!"

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Becka! I wasn't told about the sleepiness. Good to know that the acupuncture definitely had some kind of effect!

[Leslie J]

So glad your mobility is improving, JD!  It sounds like you would make a doodley-good Candy Striper at your new vet's office! (I'm sure they must have boy candy stripers nowadays!)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Leslie! My mom said she was a Candy Striper when she was a teenager, and that I would not like having to wear a striped pinafore, lol!

[Camilla and Darwin]

You are a wise dog JD! I am glad that you can jump up onto your mom's bed and get into the car easier! Do you think I can visit you and get chicken strips too? - Darwin

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Darwin, I would love it if you came to visit, and I would be happy to share my chicken with you!

[Leslie and Halas]

Way to go, JD!  You're such a brave boy, trying all of these new things.  I hope they help.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Leslie! Maybe the next time you come over, I'll be able to play ball again!

[Michele, Biscuit & Mo]

Tiny moments of hope, Jackdoodle!  And I'm sorry you didn't any cheese, which would have been so yummy on the chicken!  Keep being a good boy, and know that Biscuit sends hugs to you for your bravery and for the good news about jumping on your mom's bed!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Michele!