You can watch a great video about Helping Paws and Service dogs on you tube on the internet. You can go too www.youtube.com and type in the search helpingpaws 2008 or go to this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gD05HuMNdk

Emma seems good today. She had a good nap this afternoon. She is noticeably better able to use her legs and seems more interested in moving about. That is a good thing.

We are going to watch the presidential debate on tv tonight. We also have to start moving things in my living room. They are going to start ripping up carpet Friday and Sat. Then painting is planned. I am excited.

I was thinking it will be weird for Emma to not be able to walk around the living area upstairs except the bedroom while they are doing some of this. We will see how it goes for her.

Tomorrow, Thursday, a member of our MS swim class is taking all of us to lunch at the Sunshine Factory after class. A nice place and her treat. She does that annually before she and her husband head to Arizona for the winter. Almost everyone is going so it should be really fun. Of course they want Emma to attend also. I can't believe how generous Jeannine is to do this for us all. It is such fun each year.

More tomorrow. Hope all is well. Mary and Emma

Emma slept a long time and is being very quiet which is good. Tomorrow the only appointment I have is with my counselor so we will be gone an hour. I could leave her home I will see what I think. The vet said the short trips would be okay this week to get her to walk a little. Emma does not seem in pain. I think the medication works well on the inflamation and pain. I will touch base with the vet again on Thursday.

Have a good evening. Mary and Emma

At water exercise today I had to leave the pool early with Emma. The first problem was there was lots of noise due to some work they are doing there. It seemed like she couldn't relax. Then they now have a diving board and someone was using it over and over again and she got startled. I also found out she had to go to the bathroom again.

I showered early and took her outside. She just wouldn't lay like usual after about 45 mn of class so i got most my work out. Once in the individual changing room she rested but I was pretty sure she needed to go outside and i was corret. Even though she had gone to the bathroom in the morning! Normally her bladder is so strong.

I don't know if she also was uncomfortable due to her back? She is laying down now and we aren't going anywhere the rest of the day. The vet called and all her blood work and tests came back normal. Yeah for that. But I did notice today she is favoring that leg a little bit.
I do think she is improving but I think the vet was accurate to take it slow and it will take a few weeks at least.

We are off for a nap. Mary and Emma

I think Emma enjoyed going a few places with me today. This will not be long as we have to get to bed. i will write more on Tuesday. The vet said by this week she could go out some so she got some walking in. Tomorrow we have water exercise and I think that is all. One thing is she likes her medication. We first hid it in food as we normally have to do. Now she just takes it and can chew it. The vet told me the dogs sometimes like the taste - boy does that make life easier.

We took a late nap after getting home and she surprised me. She jumped into bed while I was sleeping and cuddled up next to me. She seemed comfortable and let out a big sigh.

Hope all is well with you. More tomorrow. Mary and Emma

For the first time in my time with her Emma had a rough night. She kept waking me up. She went outside once to go to the bathroom (okay that couldn't wait). Then someone's dogs were barking up a storm at 2 qm. so loud. I am not sure which neighbor it was but it was so loud. It was a warmer fall night for MN so we had windows open. Emma was good about me making sure she did not join in the barking fun but she did get concerned. She kept checking to see what was going on. Even when the above was over she woke me several times.

I don't know why she could not sleep like she normally does. She usually goes to bed when i do and that is it till she wants breakfast or till I wake up. Often she does not wake up or get up at least till I do. i don't know what the deal was. She seems fine today. i bet we both will sleep a bit more today due to our night and it is a bit cloudy and rainy outside anyway.

The good news is she seems fine and comfortable this morning. It might just have been all the comotion outside. We have neighbors who seem to come to life with lots of cars coming and going in the night, and voices talking.

I am not making her work but she is enjoying retrieving things just the same. She thinks it is a game. The vet is suppose to talk to me on Monday about her lab tests and to check in on how she is doing. She acts happy and is doing well with the leg that bothered her so we are glad for that.

I appreciate the emails asking about Emma. Overall, I think things are going okay. She doesn't act like she is in pain at all now though we are extra gentle with her and keeping her as quiet as we can.

Hope you are having a good weekend. Mary and Emma