Fishing Forum

First off I guess I need to apologize for boring many folks. This is for those who know Sparky, so please bear with me, ok?
Anyway, last Thurs. I took him to the park in the evening to throw some tennis balls for him. The last throw, getting dark, in the parking lot, threw the ball, ran to get it and all of a sudden heard him screaming! [shocked] Came back dragging his hind legs and feet all skinned up. [frown][frown] Took him to the vet the next day and knew something serious happened. X ray's didn't show much. Hind quarters completely paralyzed/immobile!!!
Had mostly decided I was going to lose him by putting him down. [frown] Decided, along with the vet to hold him there at the vets over the weekend holidays and have a neurologist see him when the vet could find one, Everyone was gone over the holiday. In hind sight, this might have been the best thing to happen.
Wow ------ today, he was much improved and walking, although very weakly. The neuro. guy looked at him and concluded. a herniated disk.
Prognosis, rest, slow exercise/rehab and he very well could be back to the old Sparkinator that some of us know. Will take a long time but, ----------------, he'll be back and I won't lose him. [][][][]
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Don't know Sparky, but I do know what it's like to lose a friend, glad he's recovering! I hope all goes well for him.
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That's terrible Leaky....that dog holds a special place in my and several other anglers hearts. That old pup was more full of life than my 2 year old still puppy when I met him. Knowing him....he is still eager to push himself to the absolute limit in order to get a fish, stick or tennis ball....I truely hope, pray, wish and chant the best for your best friend in the whole wide world. Keep us updated and keep your hopes up high my friend!
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My heart and sentiments go out to you and your beat up dog. My 2 savages mean a lot to my family as well. My hunting dog has had her ups and downs as well. Skin conditions to cancer. Here's a pic of some happy healthy ones. They both look fine, but hey have looked pretty scary and sick at the vets office. Hope sparky gets better.[]
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Been there with the original riverdog. Take it easy with him, big dogs with disc aren't that treatable if it becomes chronic. Steroids and tramadol is what mine got when she eventually got bad. However dogs will go into liver failure pretty easy on steroids so if the need ever becomes chronic the battle is ultimately over. Not sure were you live but someone with a dog that looks like Sparky drives up to the church in my neighborhood and uses the park right below. Hang in there my dog got quite a few good years in before it got bad.
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Leaky-
My lab had a similar but different problem about 5 years ago. He's been on Rimadyl since then and he still hunts and plays and goes with me everywhere, we just can't over do it. So lets hope Sparky has the same luck and heals quickly. One pill a day is all he asks.
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I know how you feel. I got a 13 almost 14 years old golden retriever and she has been getting all the treatment. Last month I was lucky to see that something was wrong with her and if I didn't notice that she wasn't feeling so well she could of developed kidney disease and not live for a long time. I took here to vet get all the x rays and know she need to be on a special food diet to live longer. We are lucky that we could treat the infection she had that was bad because if it went up to her kidney she could of died this year. For my dog and I we love to go to the 5748 South Redwood Road
Taylorsville, UT 84123. They have treated her well and completed the surgeries that she had through her life the right way and never messed up comparing to other places they tried surgery but didn't fix her up.

NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DOG NOT EVEN IF IT COST A LOT. I know dogs can get expensive but its worth every penny because you get to see a from them the next day []
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Best wishes for a full recovery.

Even if the wife gets mad at me I still say that dogs are truly mans best friend.
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Good to hear Sparky is on his way back.. I lost all three of my dogs between Feb, and July.. One to cancer, one to ????.. Both were older dogs.. Then a younger one to a car.
No cat chasin for the first time in 20+ years
Take care of man's best friend.. He'll be hard to replace when the time comes.
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No appologies needed Leaky, Over the years many of us have gotten to know Sparky through your posts. Our prayers are with you and your old relable friend. Best of luck to both of you.
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Hang in there, and God Bless you both!
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[cool][#0000ff]Leaky, my friend, I probably realize more than most the emotions you are going through right now. I remember the terrible trauma you lived through when you lost your former best friend, Bud. Took you a long time to work through it enough to consider getting another golden. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Sparky seemed to be a reincarnation of Bud, but with some extra energy and attitude. Didn't take long for you guys to train each other to be each others' best friends forever...hopefully.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I am one of the fortunate few who has had a first hand chance to "experience" the Sparkster. In fact, I am the guy who took the picture you use in your avatar...on a trip we shared at Mantua. And here's a pic from our meetup at Blue Lake. Sorry. It was taken facing south and the light was not good.[/#0000ff]

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[#0000ff]I have long believed that dogs are better than people. They will love you unconditionally. They don't care about all the silly stuff like people do. The only downside is that they don't live as long and we have to be able to let go when they reach the end of their years. Never easy to do. Even harder than it is to lose a human friend sometimes.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]In Sparky's relatively short time with you he has really experienced a whole lot of love and good times. But he has also had his share of problems too. Through it all he has always been ready for a romp and some new adventure. And you always feel guilty when you go someplace without him. But, being a dog, he doesn't sulk and complain about it. He is just that more ready for the next trip.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]We all extend our heartfelt best wishes for both you and Sparky to get through these next days. Of course we hope for the best but we need to be prepared for the bad news...if that is the way it turns out. Nobody can tell you what decisions you must make. That will be between you and your furry buddy. We can only hope that Sparky's proven ability to heal will somehow help him through this so that you guys can share the few years you each have left. Maybe he will never again be able to chase moose, retrieve birds or grab your fish...but sometimes just being with you will be enough.[/#0000ff]
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I'm sorry to hear that Leaky. I'm glad to hear that the prognosis is hopeful though. Best wishes to you guys.
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Glad to hear he'll be out after your trout again in the future. Hope his recovery is fast and complete!
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[quote fish_fear_me2]No apologies needed Leaky, Over the years many of us have gotten to know Sparky through your posts. Our prayers are with you and your old reliable friend. Best of luck to both of you.[/quote]

I'll second that notion. Feel for ya Leaky, and hope and prayers for Sparky. Been through my share of tragic animal happenings. I have a hard time spending more on vet bills than my boat cost, but sometimes you just have to try. Other times - I think we've dragged some of our critters beyond their comfort/quality of life.

My Mrs get's very attached to her pets (good for me, otherwise she might have had ME put down long ago!)

Your adventures with Sparky are an inspiration. I cracked the ice and brought my little gal on her first fishing trip - and she did great! LOVED it - even got to kiss a fish. Didn't catch much that day, but she sure had a riot. Still need to put a puppy platform in the boat.

GRs have that "never quit" mentality. No off switch! My pups got some of that will - LOVEs the ball! Kinda like that Jack Russel from Dr. Doolittle (throw the ball, throw the ball, throw the ball!!!)

Ok, gotta close before I get all choked up! Best of luck, hope for recovery! Go easy on the pooch!

Hope your fishing partner gets back on his feet in no time.
I know fishing wouldn't be the same without my cat,so I know how you feel
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Hey Leaky just want to add my best wishes as well keep us up to date with the recovery. Later J
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Just thought I'd add this to clarify what I miss; hopefully he'll be back at it in time. [frown]

Guess I'm amongst the very, very many that have a strong/unique attachment to their fellow dogs or animal companions. I just post my feelings.

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Sparky and I are overwhelmed with the responses and want to thank everyone. Didn't realize how popular my best friend was. He's doing better.
Attached a pic. of his favorite "recovery" position.

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Hey leaky, I feel your pain. My best friend and 10 year companion Buddy has the exact same thing but he also will have small seizures that only last for 30 seconds or so. The vet told us the same thing execise but also to start giving him Cosiquin DS, This is a pill that will help with his joints and losen him up. Just don't get it from the vet. Go online and you can get it for half. Since Buddy started taking this we have seen a 100% improvement in just 2 week. He will probably need to be on it the rest of his life but it is worth it. Just Google Cosiquin DS and it will tell you all about it. We buy ours from Petco's web sight. Its way more expensive at the store. Best luck and wishes for Sparky I know how you feel.

Bodine
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