I am Walter and this is my World.

I am Walter and this is my World.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

We can rebuild him...using the Brooklyn Bridge

So we went to rehab today and the ingenious folks at Twin Cities rehab devised a setup for Walter that not only had I never seen before, NO ONE has ever seen before, because it has never been done before. Using some orthotic designs for bigger dogs, they came up with this sling, that puts absolutely no weight on Walter's little chicken foot ankle, but acts almost like the spring on your back door, using light tension to life his foot correctly whenever he lifts it. I think it looks like a little Brooklyn Bridge.
It's a piece of light velcro around his ankle to which is sewn a small silver ring. Elastic loops are tied to the ring, and each one is measured carefully and then slips over Walters toenails. It LOOKS uncomfortable, but he actually had no idea it was there. The only part he could feel was the velcro around his ankle, and it didn't seem to bother him a bit. Isn't it ingenious? He only wears it for 2 hours a day as we fiddle with the mechanisms, and see how he responds but I have to say, I think TC rehab is genius.

Here he is walking in his ankle sling. Dr. Julia had him walking over little PVC pipes to practice lifting his leg. You can see, even when he gets excited by another dog and tries to jump (Thats our wally!) the sling helps keep the foot placed correctly. Normally this amount of excitement would mean he landed butt-on-the-floor. but he stays up! Amazing!

29 comments:

Kathy said...

Love the pug spirit!! Pug hugs to Walter!!

agent99 said...

I think it looks a little bit more like the bridge in Boston.....but it's GENIUS. Wally has "drop paw"...and I think this might be the first PFO (pug-foot-orthosis) ever. BTW, his ankle seems much more stablethan in earlier videos. This is just wonderful!!

Oakley and Swisher said...

That is pawsitively amazing. We love it! You are an inspiration Walter keep up the good work recovering.

Lots of Licks--
Oak and Swish

Dutch the Pug said...

Wally you truly are a fighter! That orthopedic thingy on your foot is amazing! I haven't seen anything like it.

BRUTUS said...

That is fantastic!! What a simple, yet eloquent little device. Those rehab folks should wind some sort of award for being genius enough to come up with that! Wally is lookin' good!!

Michelle & Brutus

Stubby said...

Hi Heather & Walter! Those doctors sure are amazing. How do they think of these things?

I started barking when I heard Walter barking. I told him that I would have his back if he needed me with those big dogs.

Great to see that you are doing better Wally!

Stubby xoxo

Sequoia & Petunia & Emma said...

That little brace is magical....thinking of getting Tuni one when her foot gets super bad (as she gets older it will). This is so great for Walter!

Freya's Human said...

Oh wow that is some progress he's made! He's got some attitude too:D. That's so great:D. Those people at the rehab site needs cake in celebration!

Unknown said...

I don't think you get them anywhere quite yet, the clinic made this one by hand for walter, but I am sure that they would make one for you if you called and spoke with them. They measured his toes, ankle etc but then adapted it quite quickly. I told them "you're going to need to make more of these for other pugs" They are perfect because add no weight.

Anyway TC rehab is at http://www.tcrehab.com/
and tell em walter sent you!

Pug Posse said...

Walter is so amazing! He is making such great progress and he shows his pug spirit by barking at the other dogs! Great job with the "bridge" :-)
Pug hugs and kisses,
The Pug Posse

Salinger The Pug said...

Oh Wally! You look so great in this video! You have improved so much in such a short time and we're so proud of you!

Keep up the great work!

Your sling is GENIUS!

Love,
S-Dog (and Laura)

Mia said...

That's great!!!!! It absolutly made my day to watch that video and see Walter go. We are all you proud of him and inspired by you both!!!

Jess & Lilo

Loren said...

How ingenious!

Unknown said...

Wow Walter! You are starting a new fashion trend! You are getting stronger every day! Bruno and Maggie are so excited watching you improve daily! Keep up the good work!

Tweedles -- that's me said...

Oh Walter
Look at you!
What an inspiration you are!
And an inspiration for other little dogs that need help!
Go Walter go.
Those therapist folks are genius people! You must have the best in the world!
xoxoxo
tweedles

Asta said...

I'm soo excitewed Waltew
This is fantastic!!1
You have so much spiwit and thank dog the best mommi and an ingenious thewapist!
Huwwah!
smoochie kisses
ASTA

The Devil Dog said...

That is sooooo cool. And yes, mom agrees that it looks more like the Zakim bridge in Boston. Sorry Brooklyn. But seriously, those people at TC deserve something special. Maybe lots and lots of sloppy pug kisses? I can send Lucky for the job if you would like.

Roxy

Kelly said...

Oh my goshhh!!!

Our Wally just looks like a normal puggy- trotting around being sassy! I love it! He is almost unrecognizable from before!

What a talented group of people that are helping him. I am SO thankful for their skills.

Harry Pugalicious said...

What a wonderful place with such talented people! We're so happy Walter is moving around so well. Love that he's barking at the other dogs too! Go, Wally, Go!

Rosie said...

Really great work on Wally and the doctor's part!!

Archie and Melissa said...

oh my gosh heather!

your pt team are geniuses! that is a work of art and creativity at its best!

wally will be running around in no time!

i think that could be a patented product!

wow! magic!

Anonymous said...

Oh wow that is incredible!!!
The improvement over that one video of him in the backyard is amazing. :) Your rehab dr's are geniuses.

How are you doing Heather?

Boo Bear said...

OMPugness!! It just doesn't end with this little miracle monkey does it?? LOVE LOVE LOVE this little invention, YES genius!! ALL of you are!!! And Wally, well, he is ONE in a million trillion and is giving us ALL reason to shout with JOY and GRATITUDE!! He IS an angel and super star, EVERY SINGLE DAY!!! Wow, the miracles and adorability doesn't stop, we love it!!! SOOO PROUD of YOU Wally boy and Momma Heather!! Love you.. Dreaming of the day we get to some see you!!! Waiting for the word.. No worries no hurries, know you still have so much going on, including trying to get some needed rest.. Just know we are ALWAYS THINKING about you and praying, sending positive energy to YOU!! XOXO

Emily said...

Its RoboPug!

Brutus, Ellie, Pippa and Otto said...

Walter's got some spunk! Great to see him navigate over that pvc pipe and not fall down. It is amazing what a little ingenuity can do!

Pugs & Kisses!

Yoda & Brutus

Winston Wilbur said...

wally things are looking great, look at you go, barking and telling them who is boss. What a miracle has happened here, an SUV and now look at you! You have come a long way. Go Wally Go!

Woodrow, Luna, MJ Campanella said...

looks great and even better ti seems to work

Woodrow - Sweetie - MJ

Joe Stains said...

What an ingenious little contraption!! Go Wally!! Mom started the Jennifer Johnson is Sick Of Being Single book last night and already is hooked. It is clever and funny, just like little Wally :)

Molly the Airedale said...

You're really hanging in there, Wally! We're so happy to see all of the progress you're making! Hugs to you and your mom!

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch