Walter the Miracle Pug

HI EVERYBODY!

2011-12-11T00:14:00.000-08:00

Hi there! We are okay! We've been on a long hiatus due to travelling and writing, but I must give you an update. Wally-boy is doing SWELL! This is a photo I just took of his sleepinks, only 4 mins ago....He's a world class traveller now, and while he is still wearing his shoe, there has also been marked improvement in his foot since the car accident. He can "clench" his foot now, where as before it was "dead" and he couldn't feel anything.

I have to say I look back at earlier posts, at how overwhelmed I was after the car hit him...at how truly awful everything became and I'm just so grateful to be on the other side. I think I took Walter for granted before the accident. I loved him, but I didn't know how much until he came so close to not being here anymore.

By far my FAVORITE comment about Walter came from a perfect stranger in Key West. A huge lady sitting on her balcony porch, who shouted at us as we walked by...."Hey!" she said "Whats wrong with that dog?" and I explained he'd been hit by a car and now he wears a shoe, and the woman just grinned at him and said "uh-huh, but nobody can tell him nuthin' now! He got a style now!"

And so he does. Walter definitely has style...and not just because of his little shoe. I think we both understand life more now...in that we grasp how little we understand at all. The beauty of it, the strangeness, the unpredictability. How kind and wise strangers can be.
We are spending winter in Key West again...this time we left the car at home. My brother and his new wife got a bulldog (big pug) and they're using the car, as well as walters travel cage and gear. We're going to get some kind of new vehicle down here! (Golf cart)

I hope you're all well, and we miss every one of you wonderful, amazing, unbeliveable pug lovers out there! Can you believe how far we've come??

xoxoxoxoxoxo
Heather and Walter

Warhol Wally

2011-03-15T20:18:00.000-07:00

Key West is chock-a-block with artists, writers, musicians and other various creative scamps. One talented resident made this great picture of our man, Walter. Whaddya think, should I make t-shirts?

I apologize for being so woefully behind on reading your blogs, and also posting. I took a serious cyber diet there for awhile and just enjoyed human contact. no emails, facebooking or anything requiring a computer. Heaven! Still, we missed our friends and will be back around shortly to see whats new in your worlds!!

Happy Valentines Day

2011-02-14T11:07:00.000-08:00

Hello Darlings! No excuse for the length of time since the last post, an unexpected move to a new (but most excellent) location sent us into a small tumult. We are settled now and loving life in Key West. So much has happened and yet of course everything is the same. Walter is well, we had to make some adjustments to his shoe, as its so humid down here, the leather and velcro get damp, soft and shift more easily. Also, his vet thinks he needs another surgery for his knee. Of course this sends me into paroxysms of fear...but if it means he'll walk better, then maybe its not so bad. I will of course, need all of you to get through it. As of right now its unscheduled, but I will keep you posted.

For now we spend our days in lovely tranquility. We wake up, make coffee, go out onto the deck, water the plants, take a little walk and then I write for 5 hours or so. Then we break for dinner, sometimes mama goes out for a dinner party or a boat ride and then I come home and we take a night walk, which are more fun because its cooler out. Then sleepy-byes. In this manner I've managed to turn in one manuscript already, and working on another.

We just wanted to say WE LOVE YOU on this day and remind everyone reading this blog they are loved. By us. Big Time.

My darling, wonderful, most wanted, loved and adored peeps.

2010-12-18T00:42:00.000-08:00

This is a picture I took from my Key West desk, while writing (my very important) manuscript #4. I ask you - what are my chances of putting the writing first? Um....none? Pug first (note his mournful, disdainful, corrective gaze) and book - far second (even though it will be here after we're both long gone) Even my editor suspects the lineup.

So this is to say, we made it to Key West again, which as you know became out PUG HAVEN last year, when I had the movie-worthy freak-out and shouted (to no one) "ENOUGH! I CAN'T WATCH THAT PUG SLIP ONE MORE TIME ON THE FREAKING ICE! WE'RE DRIVING TO KEY WEST! WEATHER, LOGIC AND COMMON SENSE BE DAMNED!"

And then I politely, with a remarkable amount of poise, graciousness and finesse (otherwise known as fear and loathing) high-tailed it through every hideous ice storm, blizzard, freezing rain storm an un-nameable yet very real weather condition the universe saw to throw at us. It was a bad idea, coupled with a nervous driver, a for-the-moment crippled pug and an excessive amount of luggage.

NEVERTHELESS. We made it.

As we made it again this year despite a freakish throat infection that required sudden medical treatment. WHY do I look at these various challenges as taunts from a bully universe? Each unpredictable, strange and uncomfortable element appears to me as a dare. "What if we make your car emit weird noises? During an ice storm? What if we remove all non-scary hotels and chuck hail AND snow at you simultaneously? What if we put a tailgater on your butt for fifty miles, and you're in Arkansans, where you could kill him and get away with it?"

I say to each and every..."Oh yeah? Is that all you got?"

I look at the above photo - a picture of walter watching me work and I stop. I think about what a miracle, what a stupid, strange, unlikely miracle, sheer FREAKING MIRACLE it is that this dog is even alive, let alone with me. Traveled twice now all the way to Florida. Bad foot? You bet. Limps? All the time. Were we unlucky? In spades. Did a miracle happen? You God Damn bet it did. Is the shoe permanent? No. Maybe. I don't know. I don't care. He's here. We can live with a shoe. Take the look of pity somewhere else. We're the luckiest people we know.

Shoe goes on, shoe comes off. I answer concerned passerby's constantly. To the point of exhaustion.
"He got hit by a Lexus SUV. Now he wears a shoe. But he's doing really good. He's a trooper. A soldier. He's okay. He made it. We're just glad he's here. He made it. " And I see these people, strangers, who maybe now number in the thousands, and who look at him and smile. They go on, they go off. They take the idea of perseverance with them. It is always, always, always a look of recognition.

Tonight I looked at Walter and I thanked him. I said, "If we're all sentient beings here on planet earth and we're all connected,and weaving our own destinies, then thank you. For picking me. If it's all random and you're just a dog, well hell. You're still one good egg. Here's to you and me and the lemon balm plant. We rock." (I bought a lemon balm plant a few days ago, which suffered greatly in the sun, and I revived it this morning with soothing words and distilled water...identifying with it's fragile nature and weak constitution, making me absurdly attached to it.)

I'm starting to believe humans are at the bottom end of the evolutionary ladder. The self-centered rung caught up with worry. When we're done with that...when we're ready to turn our lives over to the healing of others...we become animals. Cats, dogs, canary's, pugs....creatures with an unlimited supply of unconditional love. True powerhouses. Limitless understanding, Creatures who have dedicated themselves to giving. To the rest of us. To you. To me. What else explains it?

From becoming dogs I don't know what happens. I drank some tequila to find out - and thought maybe we move to plants and then soil and then stone...and then I don't know, because it's outside my intelligence, but I believe as we progress we become more and more able to love, to care for, to heal. SO. My twitter tonight was this:

I just realized. It's all backwards. Intelligence is only ego. True power is unconditional Love. Upshot? The dogs win.

It's the best I could do, in a small effort to say thank you to you - the wonderful souls out there in the dark, Who we think of daily, and love always and who are never ever far from our thoughts. And to Walter, A spirit I can never properly thank, to whom I will always be grateful. Why I was shown such grace, I do not know. Why the universe chose to bring this odd/beautiful experience into our lives, I'll never quite grasp.
Love, love LOVE to each of you. Viva el Pug, el girl and el Lemon Balm Plant. Screw you, bad luck. You don't even know where we live anymore.

Packing the Pug

2010-11-27T19:12:00.000-08:00

Wally and I were home for Thanksgiving - and here's a shot of me packing up afterwards to go back to Key West. Walter wanted to make darn sure he didn't get left behind, so climbed into my suitcase. (and included a forlorn orphan look just in case the act of getting into the suitcase wasn't cute enough.) Oh these pugs have such remarkable strategy skills!

Loving Love

2010-11-10T20:26:00.000-08:00

I posted a blog tonight and then I took it back down. My apologies to those who left lovely comments.

I just didn't feel right about leaving it up. It contained a post made by some narcissistic and ill-mannered representative from the "Hamburger Helper" canine shoe company, (*not actual name, but should be.) They made one of Walter's original shoes.

They posted a comment on the Pug Ugg site, bizarrely and aggressively complaining about not giving them credit for the design of the Pug Ugg. Say what??

Walter has worn many different shoes, and ironically this one was one of the first and one of the worst. Now they have the audacity to assume they had something to do with the Pug Ugg? Which took me a year to build? Um...Our shoes are nothing alike. Know how I know? My shoe doesn't turn his foot into hamburger.

Let me state for the record that Walters Pug Ugg is based on the suspension gizmo the rehab center made for him, old Ojibwa moccasin stitching techniques, trail wisdom from a north woods trapper and nothing else.

The representative, A.K.A. "Cruella deVille, the Utter Genius" even left her name and her company's name on the blog. Here I went out of my way to remove any trace of their name from the Pug Ugg site, so their business wouldn't be hurt...(because um...their shoes SUCK) and then they go and shout WE MADE IT! WE MADE THAT TERRIBLE SHOE! right in the comments section. Then they want to claim some sort of proprietary rights to MY shoe?

Talk about stupid.

Not to mention self-important. Did those firecrackers at Hamburger Hamlet design the Brooklyn Bridge? The Ojibwa moccasin? The otter?

At first I decided to let Cruella hang herself and keep her petty, mean-spirited post up...but then I thought, "Why am I engaging with a clearly unhappy person?" and "Why feed this negativity?" So I've taken down her stupid comment. Why? Because I love you guys and everyone's been so wonderful and the creation of the PUG UGG is awesome. A small, solid silver lining on an otherwise very dark cloud. I will not have some venomous, vainglorious ill-mannered little crab-apple mucking up our story.

So there.

(Sorry I got a lil negative there....mama gets hot under the collar when dealing with bullies. Mama gets very much like a bully herself. xoxoxoxo)

The Pug Ugg Site is almost complete!

2010-11-03T22:22:00.000-07:00

PEEPS!

I have been so quiet, because I have been fiendishly working on my gift for the world ( rather, for anyone who wants to build a shoe for their dog...) You guys know what we've been through with these blasted orthotic shoes, and how much we LOVE the otter pelt shoe...the Pug Ugg! Well, I decided that this information needs to be out there, all the materials needed, the steps to take...where any dog owner (or cat owner, or rabbit etc..) can get it!

Nobody should have to go through what we did finding a shoe solution and NOBODY should have to put one of those cruel ouchie orthotic shoes on their dogs! SO! I give you a work in progress...but a masterpiece of insanity NONETHELESS. (...drum roll....)

THE PUG UGG WEBSITE

I was going to wait for it to be completely finished, but I realized I need your help. Can you please look at this and tell me if you think I should include not just the directions to make the shoe, but possibly tips for a recently injured dog? And if so, what tips or, what links should I post? Medical tips? Community resources? Let me know what you think. Also - SPREAD THE WORD! Anybody who needs a dog shoe...here it is!

Maybe this can be a real resource for people going through what we all have gone through. (I say we, because lets face it, y'all have been there every step of the way!) WE LOVE YOU BIG TIME!!!!

---

Oh, my friend, it's not what they take away from you that counts. It's what you do with what you have left.
~Hubert Humphrey

Defeat is not bitter unless you swallow it. ~Joe Clark

Winter's Coming...Let's Keep the wee Beloveds Warm!

2010-10-27T16:27:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, We're headed to Key West again this winter...it's so good for Wally's foot and for Mama's psyche!

This is a picture of Walter in a Kentuckiana Pug Rescue scarf, they sent it to him along with a care package filled with amazing, lovely things when he was hit last year. (He is opening that very package in the picture. Nom Nom Nom!) I really don't know what we would have done without KPR's ongoing support, love and concern. It's an amazing group of folks with families and jobs, who help pugs in multiple states in the Midwest.

They've been hit themselves recently, with a big wave of incoming pugs who need HELP, like little Lazarus here, who was found half-dead by animal control and brought to KPR. This picture might make you sad, but it shouldn't! Lazarus us alive and recovering because of the warm hearts at Kentuckia Pug Rescue.

In fact, Kentuckiana Pug Rescue has had so many new arrivals, they just announced they'll have to close their doors temporarily until they get more funds for medical treatment and foster home care.

What??!!

Kentuckiana Pug Rescue were there for us - Now, Walter and I want to be there for them. I'm sending them all the nickles and dimes I can find, and a bunch of signed books they can use for fundraising. I want our 11th hour angels to have their doors wide open and stay in flight!

Many of us would take care of additional pugs if we could, but time and obligations prevent us. We rely on pug rescues to be 11th hour angels, and so they are, but even angels get tired. We owe it to the small beloveds, we owe it to the rescue groups, we owe it to ourselves to keep these doors open. We need rescue groups. We need our angels. If you can send them any nickles and dimes, please do. Every little bit helps.

Lets use the community's pug power to get 'em up and running again! Walter and I will never forget their good works and we say THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kentuckiana Pug Rescue • PO Box 22697 • Louisville, KY 40252-0697

• 877-784-7988

Kentucky - monicalovespugs@yahoo.com
Indiana - pugcrazy3@comcast.net

Love ya Indy!

2010-10-01T16:35:00.000-07:00

We tried SO HARD to come to the Indianapolis Pug Meet up. Man! It was close, and then due to all this travelling I'm doing for the book tour, I got walloped by a bug. No way could I come, not just because I couldn't make the drive, but I couldn't bear it if anybody caught this thing!! Maybe it's the last time I'll get sick this winter! Bah-hahahahaha!!! Anyway, we love you guys and we're thinking of you!!!!

much better pug

2010-09-26T13:35:00.000-07:00

UPDATE: Smudge is doing much better. A food allergy was the most likely cause, they're monitoring her and she's doing much MUCH better. Thank you for all the great SMART suggestions!! XOXOXOXO

---------------------------------------
You guys, medical advice is needed for my friend who has an elderly pug she rescued from a mill. "Smudge." My friend is going to her regular vet in the morning, but if this reminds you of anything, or you have any ideas what she should ask the vet to look for/check/test, please let me know. I don't think a sudden change in behavior is indicative of weight trouble. I also don't think now is necessarily the time to change her diet...
xoxoxoxoxo H =

Here's what she posted:

So Smudge and I have been at the emergency vet for 3 hours. She is acting lethargic and not her usual...She kind of cowers from me at first. and won't use the stairs. The emergency vet checked her paws, hips, legs, neck for pain and said she didn't have any discomfort. Smudge weighs 20 lbs and this broad said she should weigh 14lbs! I almost s...wallowed my own tongue when she said that.
She started a new diet today so we'll see if dropping a few lbs helps her breathing. But it really doesn't address the rest of her odd behavior which started on Friday.

She ate today I fed her a 1/3 of a cup instead of a half. She won't go outside to pee. It's like while I was at work on Friday she suffered something traumatic that has her all out of sorts. She still hasn't used the stairs to get to the second floor though emergency vet checked her paws legs hips etc and said sometimes if a dog has a stiff neck they don't want to go down stairs head first which was about the only thing she said that made sense.

I'm not entirely opposed to the idea of the palette surgery but this woman was so clinical and unfeeling. Plus 20 lbs doesn't seem "MORBIDLY OBESE" I know she's a barrel but I give her diet food in measured doses and no people food and walk her everyday so wtf??

I realize when it's hot smudge gets less exercize than usual.
I'm watching her like a hawk from the corner of my eye so she won't feel observed. She's eating, drinking, peed on her pad etc it seems behavioral. But won't go outside on her own.
My god I wish she would just tell me what is wrong.

Pug in a Yurt

2010-09-19T21:21:00.000-07:00

We are off to Chicago again for a reading at Columbia. Before the big trip (driving) Wally and I got some heavenly rest in our new Writing Yurt. Now, I am patently opposed to becoming a hippie (as per walters request) BUT a Yurt, which is not a "yacht on dirt" as my ever-posh brother guessed, but a fancy tent with hardwood floors - is a very wonderful thing. In this photo it looks a bit like a wedding tent prison with the gate...but its more of a vaulted circular room, and that crossed wood gate is the wall. There's screen behind it and canvas flaps that drop down outside for bad weather. Anyway, Walter really liked the Yurt and snored away as I wrote and finished making his NEW super streamlined and utterly AWESOME new Otter Pelt shoe. It makes the old one look like a meatball. pics soon!!!

Breaking News

2010-09-12T17:24:00.000-07:00

Okay Indy Bloggers. Now it's serious. I need to know where you will be and when. Is there a schedule? How best to fit a reading in? Anyone know any cool local booksellers who'd bring books to the event? (Independents are easier to work with) also, anyone happen to know/or are able to contact members of the press? Something like: WORLDS MOST GRATEFUL PUG MOM COMES TO INDY or WALLY COMES HOME!

We got to meet Peta and Gen (but not the Foo!)

2010-09-06T17:45:00.000-07:00

Okay, nobody told me someone might bring a pug to my reading...if thats possible then maybe this reading thing isn't so awful after all. I mean, who else was there to greet us at the reading in Chicago but Peta and Gen the pug? I was so psyched/relived/happy!!!!

Heres the only pic I was able to snap of my one and only and FIRST Pug attendee.

Oh I was sooo happy! So when I read Harry Pugalicious's comment that I should come to Indy, where we basically have a big old fat pug-rampant reading, I thought YES!!!

So I'm working on it. Whaddya think Indy bloggers? Would you be up for me coming in early october? Are you ready to meet walter? To see my lip quiver, tremble and then the torrent of grateful tears when I break down thanking you all?

Where could we even h'ave a reading that would allow dogs? Actually, doesn't have to be a vookstore...could be a petstore/coffee shop/wine bar etc thats cool with dogs in the store! Any ideas?

Photo Shoot with Walter on the Stone Arch bridge!

2010-08-24T16:41:00.000-07:00

Here's what I posted on Facebook today:

Heather McElhatton Photoshoot on the stone arch bridge for MSP Mag = $5K. White couch from Ikea for Walter and I to sit on while bicyclists whiz by = $200. Slice of heavenly pink and white cake from Buttercream bakery which I hold on delicate plate and pretend to eat = $7. Dropping entire frosty slice on my lap = priceless.

I WISH you could have seen this photoshoot! It was so fun, even though it was laden with obstacles. It was a terribly hot day and we (Walter and I) were sitting on a big white IKEA couch the Msp/St. Paul Magazine crew hauled out right onto the Stone Arch Bridge (above). I was scared walter would get hot so I actually drove my car out onto the bridge (normally peds only) where I ran the AC, had battery operated fans set up in the back seat, a big bowl of drinking water with ice.

I ALSO had a "plunge tank" set up in the back of my car, a big tub filled with ice water, which I could plunge walter into in case he overheated. Everyone must have thought I was insane...but we ALL know what its like when our pugs get too hot and start "wheezing." Scary. I knew if anything happened up on that bridge, there was no where to go quickly enough, so the plunge tank, while seemingly excessive was actually an easy way to have peace of mind. I highly suggest it.

I was supposed to be eating a piece of cake from the award-winning wedding cake bakery, Buttercream but I dumped it on my shirt! Luckily the smart talented kids over there brought multiple slices. whew. After the shoot I got this gift:

This little cutie is made by "Tapas" and I named him JoJo Potato. How did I know it was a "he?"

CUTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wally likes JoJo Potato too. I think.

Introducing the Otter Pelt Shoe

2010-08-09T01:11:00.000-07:00

Hi Guys!!!!! How is everybody?

We have been super wonderful great! I am weeks behind in blogging, but I finally got this years cabin photos uploaded. Check out Wally up at the lake! It was the first time he's been back there since the accident, and I was quite worried about how he'd get around - what he'd be able to do etc... The good thing is he's very cautious these days, he knows he can't jump or climb, and doesn't try.(Did I even tell you guys we found another BIG PIG in Key West? Auntie Meredith gave it to Walter!)

On the other hand there were a few things we both thought Walter would be able to do up north, i.e. walking on the pebble beach, which turned out to be far harder than expected. You can really tell his bad leg is still quite a bit weaker than the others when he walks on the beach, sort of like jogging on sand, he got tired quickly, so we ended up having short adventures. Then a long nap on the flat rocks.

Walters shoe has been really irritating his foot lately. I don't know exactly why, but it seems we're always trying to heal a new hotspot, bloody cut or seepy pad. its been awful and it reached a new low when Walter got a little bit of moisture in his shoe on the third day at the cabin. Oh man, trouble. His poor foot looked like hamburger just after an hour. I luckily had brought antibiotics with me and materials for a portable scamperland (fencing, yoga mats) so he had a place to mend, but I was SICK of this darn shoe! Metal grommets, hard seams, unforgiving materials...the shoe, while holding his foot correctly was also causing him topical injuries and days on end incarcerated!

I showed the shoe to a local trapper and he didn't even tease me about my high maintenence pet, he just turned the shoe inside and out...hemmed, hawed and said, "What he needs, is a moccasin." He suggested I use fur turned inside out, hand-stitched with no metal parts. Specifically, waterproof fur that would stay soft even after getting wet, such as otter pelt.

It made so much sense! I spent the remainder of my north woods vacation acquiring scraps of an otter pelt and remnants of tanned deer hide (I KNOW! I have never in my life purchased fur/hide etc...shows you how far the maternal instinct will take you.) I made Walter a little moccasin. I stitched up a fur pouch, using velcro tabs to cinch the top around his ankle. Then I sewed four buttons (removed from one of my sundresses) on the toes. These are what the elastic bits on the ankle cuff (velcro backed with chamois) attach to.

It's not the most durable creation, clearly he will wear through the bottom quickly, but I have to say, I am amazed at how well it works. Walter is more sure-footed in it and he has not had ONE SINGLE cut, owie, sore spot or weeping pad the entire time he's been wearing it. Not that pretty...but miracles are packed in tiny packages these days. Some, no bigger than an otter pelt shoe.

In other news my book, Million Little Mistakes, is out Tuesday. I did my first radio interview today and the host spent the first twenty minutes talking about....Walter! He said (and I quote) "Heather, I think the thing I like about you most is...your relationship with Walter."

I laughed out loud. Sometimes that's what I like best about me too. I just posted a link in the sidebar - so you can peruse the book for free. If you have the ability/inclination to post the link anywhere, it really helps get the word out about the book...which really helps pay for otter pelts.

Glad to be back my friends. We don't always blog, but we always think of you. Every day.
xoxoxoxxo

“Sometimes you've got to let everything go - purge yourself. If you are unhappy with anything . . . whatever is bringing you down, get rid of it. Because you'll find that when you're free, your true creativity, your true self comes out.” - Tina Turner

ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY

2010-07-10T11:43:00.000-07:00

Hello all you loveable wonderful pee-po's! I am so sorry we have been out of communication. Lots of traveling and one book coming out while another is due has put blogging on the back burner. I am going to catch up with everyone's blogs now and respond, I shudder to think what I've missed!! I will attempt to load some photos here shortly, been having lots of trouble with uploading!

SO, TODAY IS THE ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY of WALTER's (little) ACCIDENT!

I feel like celebrating because he's HERE. He's inspired so many people, who can't believe his gut, determination and his love for life. He is still wearing the shoe one year later, and we still don't know if he will ever walk without it again, BUT, he's here and so are you and so, this my friends, is a good day.

May I take a moment to remind you all how much we've been through with this little one? (By WE I mean, YOU, who all have so lovingly been keeping track of our story!!!) Remember when we prayed and sent white healing light minute-by-minute, through each operation? And how I wept all the time, sure I could never make it through all this?

Now FLASH FORWARD to today! We moved to Key West, then the UK, all in search of a better life. This little guy has made me make changes in my life that were so good for me, and I made them solely b/c they were good for him! (Trickster) I've learned healing comes slow, and that it has to, or you would'nt have time to recognize the miracles. That there are more good people than bad, more love and concern in the world than darkness. Also, there is one hell of a group of people in the world called PUG PEOPLE. Bestest in the world.

Walter has helped so many people and so many people have helped him. The little bruiser has taken so many steps without his shoe...granted they are months apart and we're not sure if its nerve growth or dumb luck, but gosh darn it. He made it, I made it and you all came along with us for the ride.

We continue various forms of therapy and are always quick to try new things. Walter is not a candidate for nerve surgery at the current moment, but we have our lives down to a system now. Get up, baby powder between toesies, baby sock, new improved anklet (mom made it with velcro we got during our breakdown in Georgia!) and we're off and running! By 9pm we take shoe off, soak toesies in epsom salts/warm water than a quick massage and nighty-night.

NOT SO BAD!

So obviously I have to get this whole experience down on paper. If any of you want to contribute thoughts or observations, from the moment you learned of walter's accident to the ongoing saga to today, I would love to have your thoughts and try to include them in any manuscript I manage to put together. You can email me anything you want to at prettylittlemistakes a-t gmail. We love you all so much!!!!

2010-06-10T09:42:00.000-07:00

THE BASICS

1.) Name and Age: Walter! 3 years old.
2.) Breed: King Pug
3.) Nickname(s): Wally, Wee-wo, pickle butt, angel, kissy face, pooder-pie, peanut.
4.) Where'd ya come from? A house not too far from the one he lives in now. Mompug and Dadpug are near!

FAVORITES

1.) Toy: Stuffed Pig
2.) Snack: Chicken strips
3.) Human person: A hotly contested topic. Too politically sensitive to post (obvious to me but not to everyone else) answer here.

FUNNY STUFF

1.) Worst habit: pooping on shoe.

2.) Most embarrassing moment: When people take pictures of him whilst peeing

3.) Family dynamic (this is a question for those of you with more than one animal in the house. i.e. who is alpha? who is the cuddler? who is the naughty one? etc. I just want to know how you fit into the family!) Solos Lord and master of Universe. Thenk yoo.

4.) Your humans' FAVORITE thing about you!: Feet that smell like Fritos, Sounds he makes when sleeping, indomitable, unstoppable spirit.

Happy Birthday Anakin!

2010-05-25T02:17:00.000-07:00

It's Anakin's birthday, and the poor baby has been going through a hard time lately. He had a surgery that's been difficult and we want him to know how much we love him!!!

Goodbye for now, we love you and will be checking in!

2010-05-19T08:27:00.000-07:00

We're off across the ocean on our next great adventure! Email/internet will be tough for a bit, so I wanted to tell you all not to worry, we will be reading your blogs and keeping in touch as often as we can!

Also, Walter and I opened a big box of NEW BOOKS! My third novel, MILLION LITTLE MISTAKES will unbelievably be out Aug 1, and if any of you want to reserve a copy, just call your favorite bookstore or go to Amazon.com to preorder/buy a copy As always, your support makes me (and Walter!) incredibly grateful.

If you're able to tell a friend about Million Little Mistakes or even post a link to the book on your blog, it's always the BEST way to spread the word. A recommendation from a friend is better than anything else! These book sales will help pay for Walters ongoing treatments, which as you know are pricey, but worth it. (The vet says it will likely take a year or more, but if we're able to keep with the treatments, those nerves will keep growing in the right direction!)

MLM is a choose-your-own-adventure book for adults, just like the ones we had when we were kids with multiple endings. Only in this book, you win twenty-two million dollars in the lottery and you can spend it any way you want. You can buy a private island in the Caribbean, or an antebellum mansion in New Orleans, or an underwater hotel. You can take a luxury cruise around the world, bet on horses, give all the money to charity, and a whole bunch of other ideas that many of YOU gave me. You might remember me polling y'all for ideas! (Okay, the really crazy/naughty threads, like going to "Sex Island" and/or where you buy descend into a gluttonous pit of debauchery, those might have been more my ideas...)

The premise behind the book is that eternal question, can money buy us true happiness? Possible answer? Sometimes it can and sometimes it can't! (Does that antebellum mansion turn out to be haunted? Do pirates attempt to hijack your luxury cruise? Will a charitable organization just buy paperclips with your contribution? How will you know who loves you?)

Since I wrote Million Little Mistakes during Walter's accident, injury and treatment, there are a lot of animal thoughts/threads in the book and of course, one ending is creating the perfect animal sanctuary. My personal favorite. You also may notice a WHOLE lot of threads where strangers help each other, where uncommon grace and random acts of stunning kindness are common. What can I say? Writers write what they know, and you all have made those things a part of my daily experience.

We LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH.
xoxoxoxox
Wally and Heath

Milton

2010-05-12T09:28:00.000-07:00

Walter is so glad to be home, even though we're only staying a short while. He made a new friend, a Pembroke Corgi named MILTON!! I know he's not a pug...but wow. Cute butt award!!

Meanwhile, even though Walter still rolls on his ankle and "knuckles" when he walks without his shoe, I am noticing a definite improvement in how often he walks "correctly" too. (Not on Dorsal side.) He will stand and eat food now with leg held the right way. Could he be feeling more? His leg is still very weak and we're working on new exercises to strengthen the upper "hock" part of his leg. We've also increased his glucosamine and chondrotin, which promote joint health. I'm using "vibration therapy" on his pads, where I massage them with a vibrating massage gizmo.I also massage his hindquarters and back, by the nerve roots.

I'm also looking into a possible nerve grafting procedure using the cutaneous saphenous nerve (Yes, I've learned a little bit about neural anatomy during this time!) Basically, it's where a neurosurgeon takes a part of another, healthy nerve and grafts it to the injured site. The nerves, which grow like coral, will branch out and hopefully reconnect.

one problem, the only surgeon who has done this procedure is in England. So, naturally, I'm going to England.

Home Again

2010-05-10T12:21:00.000-07:00

So long since we last blogged! Lots has happened. Wally and I did the long drive back to MN and made it safely home, where it's cool and comfortable. Key West gets mighty hot! Walter has been keeping up with his therapy and the BIG news around here is he took another ten steps without his shoe on!

Another Star for Wallymon

2010-05-01T17:17:00.000-07:00

Jeff Baenen's Associated Press photo of me and Walter the Pug won the MN Society of Professional Journalists "Page One" award for news portrait! We all know why this photo won...and it ain't the redhead. I remember when Jeff came to my house to take this shot. I told him to make a strange noise, so walter would look at him, and he made a high-pitched sound, like a tea kettle, causing me to smile and walter to tilt his head, "ba-roo?" Way to go Jeff!

workin on it

2010-04-14T22:18:00.000-07:00

Walter has been walking a little pigeon-toed in his shoe lately. I was afraid a bone had shifted, but a second set of xrays shows that all the pins are holding, and that this difference in walking could be due to....wait for it...NERVE GROWTH! Thats what we hope anyway. That those thin strands of nerves are weaving their way down to his toes. I really hope so - even though his foot has compensated for being walked on "upside down" (On the dorsal side) in an amazing way. He has actually developed pads on the top side of his foot. While it looks weird - as though he has truffles stuck on his foot, it's brilliant, because wherever there are pads, he doesn't get scraped up or bleed. It's the body's way of counterbalancing a new behavior. (walking on topside of foot!)Nevertheless, we're maintaining water therapy and accupuncture, as well as fish oil in the food and joint supplements. Pigeon toed looks like progress!

Nothing reduces the odds against you like ignoring them. ~Robert Brault,

I am not afraid of storms for I am learning how to sail my ship. ~Louisa May Alcott

Blackouts, spring storms, spring breakers and NO INTERNET!

2010-04-08T21:57:00.000-07:00

HELLLLLLLLLLLLO! So so sorry we've been incommunicado for so long. Living on a tiny island 100 miles out to sea has it's perks, but it has its drawbacks too. Intermittent electricity for one. Also, hella ferocious storms, where torrential rain flies sideways and stings like needles and I think maybe we should lash ourselves to a palm tree, even tho everyone else takes it in stride.

The spring break kids also flood the island and careen around in rented electric golf carts, frequently banging into parked cars, and VERY frequently banging into my car, which is so uniformly dented at this point it almost looks like post modernist design. I'm told every year these youthful party people bring diseases from up north, and sure enough two weeks after spring break started, everyone in Key West started coming down with killer colds and a particularly nasty stomach bug.

The hardest part for us however has been the complete lack of internet access. Whatever dime store router we had went out, and upon calling the office for repair, we learned a little more about "island time." Many businesses here have a captive audience and little or no competition, so getting service can take weeks. I've never gone this long without connection and that combined with all the storm sponsored candlelight and old timey mustard plasters, I almost thought we'd turned Amish.

Then they fixed the internet! Back to civilization! We instantly forgot any of our piddly gripes and refocused our gaze on all things paradisey. Our tranquil backyard (see Walter above refusing to come out of palm grove), the aquamarine ocean, the fact we've made friends with people who have boats and have gotten to spend lots of time on said aquamarine water.

Not Wally tho. I don't want him trying to keep his balance on a speeding boat. He gets to bask in the air conditioning with a butcher bone whilst I play. I've adopted the Hemingway schedule, writing in the morning until 3-4 pm, then heading out for cocktails and sunset. Then I go back home and write some more. Wally gets 2 walks a day, and a long leg massage at night.

We still haven't seen the miracle walking again, but I'm convinced the nerves are growing. I can tell he feels more when I put his shoe on now, and he licks his foot intensely after a full day of wearing his shoes, which means he can feel something. Soaking his foot in warm water and epsom salts really gets the swelling down and seems to sooth the urge to lick, so we do that at least once a night now.

I have to catch up on all your blogs now, I'm terrified you've all moved on, moved away, or decided to forgo pugs for parakeets. Alas, I know I have nothing to worry about really - as it just so happens that pug people are some of the most wonderful and reliable in the world.

“When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hold on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.”
-Harriet Beecher Stowe

"The older I get, the greater power I seem to have to help the world; I am like a snowball -- the further I am rolled the more I gain."
- Susan B. Anthony

Deckboy

2010-03-21T18:34:00.001-07:00

Walter and I have been enjoying Florida. The main differences between the Sunshine State and the Land of Ten Thousand Lakes is the the presence of blooming flowers in winter, ubiquitous pastel buildings and nonstop pool parties. Also, alot more people come here for vacation. Walter has become king of the city, and my name is officially "Walter's Mom." Love it.

Looks like Wally and I will be able to enjoy our tropical oasis at least through fall. We found a great place (with a snappy deck)and wally likes to sit under the palms, while occasionally chasing a lizard. We found a great little community here and luckily our new place has central air, for when things get hot hot HOT!

miracle

2010-02-24T07:19:00.000-08:00

This is Walter sleeping after our landmark trip to the vet yesterday. I have yet to snap him in therapy down here...we do alot and I never seem to have my camera ready. I need a third arm or a personal assistant. Maybe just a roving reporter to follow us.

So I've been writing about relaxing and palm trees since we got here, but what I've not said so much about is the AWESOME vet we found down here. Dr. G is amazing. She specializes in not only veterinary medicine (studied in Switzerland/Hong kong)but she also does accupuncture therapy and therapeutic massage. (There is a miracle here...it's coming after this initial set up...)

Dr G. met Walter when we first got here (bedraggled and road worn) and mapped out the nerve growth in his foot. She was able to pinpoint just where the nerve endings were, what was missing and had to grow and what was possibly already growing. (You may remember from the prognosis after the accident that while we all hope the nerves in his damaged foot will regrow so he can walk again one day without the shoe, nobody could say for sure. It's sort of up to the nerves.)

Thank God for Dr. Julia and the staff at TC rehab, because they were the only ones who did not give up on him. His primary vet in Mpls pretty much gave up on him, as did most "traditional" vets. But because of Dr. Julias work, and the shoes they designed for him, Walter just may walk again! Everyone, including Dr G. says the shoe is 100% essential as the nerves, when they grow, will follow to meet the demand the foot is asking of them, so the foot must be held correctly if the nerves are to grow correctly. tough when Wally can't feel his foot and drags it around like a dead fish!

One big problem is keeping his poor dead-fish foot in tact while being munched in a shoe all day. He gets sore spots, smooshed toes, basically everything that would happen to you if you had to wear a pair of high heels that pinched all day, every day. His toes were getting swollen, cysts were forming between them and I didn't even know for sure if any of this nerve-growth was happening. Getting out of the snow and ice allowed his open wounds to heal (cut them on the ice, skin got soaked in the slush, tore easily etc...) Now being in the warm weather has allowed us to resume walking. Key, key key to his healing!

Dr G. prescribed soaking wally's tootsies in Epsom salts every night, which helped big time with swelling. Then she taught me how to give his legs, toes and feet deep massage (which I'm to do every morning to "wake his feet up" and each evening to stretch them out/soothe them) and she began accupuncture and infrared laser surgery on him. (We had accupuncture at TC rehab too.)

I've been so busy enjoying myself, I was not prepared for what happened yesterday. I took walter in for accupuncture, and set him down. I took off his shoe so Dr. G could have a look at him. She was across the room (big lovely room with lots of Chinese art/furniture) so naturally Wally went over to her. But here's the thing.

HE WALKED ACROSS THE ROOM WITHOUT HIS SHOE.

Fifteen paces or more, normally, like any dog - holding his foot perfectly. I stared as though seeing a mirage. A hallucination. "Did you see that?" I whispered to Dr. G. She nodded and whispered "Yes I did." Walter sat down by now, because his foot was tired from just that little bit of walking and when he stood again, he knuckled like he always does, but it is still an incredible breakthru.

Dr. G. continued with the session but my mind was reeling. I have not seen him walk in EIGHT MONTHS. Her theory is this little bits of unassisted walking will grow over time. She told me he's going to wear the shoe for a long, long time still. a year or more...but the nerves ARE growing my dear, dear friends! THAT MEANS WALTER HAS A CHANCE - A VERY SERIOUSLY REAL CHANCE - OF WALKING AGAIN!!!!!!

I think all this rest, relaxation, increased accupuncture and massage built on the solid foundation of Dr Julia's work with water therapy and designing his shoe - it's finally pushed us into the NEXT LEVEL of healing. All this of course in wrapped up in the amazing love you all send us, and how we need it and use it! You all know I wouldn't be here without you. What can we ever do to repay the world and pug lover community, which has so completely risen to meet us?

I know! I will have a margarita tonight in your honor! YAYAYAYAYAYAYAY!

Welaxing

2010-02-21T22:49:00.000-08:00

pillow boy

2010-02-16T19:23:00.000-08:00

walter seems quite comfortables here.

We're also sleeping together again! No more scamperland. We're together 24/7, just like the old days and each morning we get belly-on-belly time, which is heaven. He's also going on regular walks and I've got rugs down all over the place, so when he's sans-show he doesn't hurt his bare knuckles. he is still knuckling, like always, but I've been doing more and more research on nerve grafting and regeneration...i don't think we're out of options yet. There's a surgeon in England he's done incredible work transplanting olfactory cells (nose) into injured spinal cords and getting incredible results.

"No problem can stand the assault of sustained thinking."
-Voltaire

xoxoxoxo

Happy Valentines Day!

2010-02-14T17:36:00.000-08:00

Happy VD Day everybody's! We are settling into our new place...our car problems threw a monkey wrench in getting to the place we thought we were going in time...and whoah, was momma worried about figuring out housing, but then we found a new place with an awesome balcony! We still need to set up a play date with Eric and Louie! (hi Eric! Hi Louie!!) But really our new digs rock. Walter is wearing the purple heart sticker on his head, which the coffee place lady gave him. Everyone here is super sweet to walter and nobody can believe we drove from minnesota through all this snow to get here...but here we are! one of the only freaking cities in the united states without snow! Walter's been thru so much, dang-nabbit - he deserves it. I can't get enough of watching him walk in his shoe, unencumbered by ice as he smells flowers and pees on other flowers simultaneously. We are almost up to pre-accident length walks now. Plus we sneak on the beach and put our toesies in the ocean!
Walter loooves our new balcony. Note leafy palms and American flag waving poetically in the background...
Walter likes to squash his face up to the balcony holes and barkity-bark at passersbys...
more soon!!!!

we're HERE!

2010-02-08T14:23:00.000-08:00

After many trials and tribulations, we have ARRIVED relatively unscathed by our travels. Thank you everyone who prayed for us...man, we needed it! I will post pictures when and if I can - right now it looks like internet connection will be almost nonexistent, so stay tuned and I will update everyone when I can. Suffice to say, we have reached PARADISE!! Palm trees, green grass, tropical landscapes and lapping water. We went through hell and voila! C'est heaven. Dreams really do come true!

Break downs, tow trucks and a lost shoe.

2010-02-01T19:37:00.000-08:00

Oy. We aren't at our destination yet - we're still hotel-bound. The Gods are hurling every obstacle they can think of at us! First of all, this massive mega storm, which has meteorologists baffled because of it's endurance and erratic movements can be explained by the fact that IT IS FOLLOWING US. First an "ice pellet" storm in Kentucky then sleet and snow in Tennessee and finally, when we made it over to the Georgia border rain, rain, rain.

Then we broke down.

Yup. it happened right at the Florida border. we were so close! Just driving along when I heard a "pop" and all the warning lights in my car came on. I slowed way down, got on the shoulder and eeked off to the first exit/gas station I could find.

Luckily I have AAA (Take anything, but not my AAA membership!) and a tow truck came and got us pretty quick. I had to take everything I needed out of the car, so there's me shoving walter's stroller, bags, supplies etc... into the cab of the tow truck. Walter thought the whole thing was fantastic. barked his head off the whole time and earned the name "tuff lil buddy" from our tow guy.

This was all saturday around 5 pm, and I learned that all the mechanics in this tiny town were closed, and would be closed all day sunday. So we went to a hotel down the street from the shop and that's where we've been cooling our heels for the past two days. Of course, since I used all available cab space for wallys stuff, I only had the clothes on my back, which I have rinsed out in the sink two times.

it gets better.

to my dismay, part of walters shoe was missing. Just gone. The top part, the "ankle cuff," to which the shoe part attaches. Without this part, the shoe won't work. He can't walk. So I freaked. I searched everywhere, but it was just gone. Maybe it flew out the window. The rehab clinic ordered a new one, but it'll take a week to be made...so what do I do? I came all this way just so walter can walk on grass!!!!!!

First I wanted to cry and then I got mad. I said to myself, "Shut up Heather and JUST FIX IT!" So I got Walter settled and took a cab to Walmart. (That is a sentence I never thought I would write in my life btw...) I hunted down supplies. Big Velcro ties from the hunting department, chamois cloth from automotive, thin fishing line from the sporting section. Back at the hotel I built myself a MacGyver cuff! it works way better than the orgiinal, which slipped alot. I think because my velcro was thicker. Also, I lined it with chamois, so it doesn't rub his foot raw.

it doesn't look like much, but it took me an hour to make!

Actually, after I made the prototype, I had extra material so I made two more - for back up. I SHOULD have already had a duplicate - as it's so essential, but you know how that goes - sometimes you don't realize whats essential until it's gone.

Turns out the transmission pump blew and they had to order a part...so I'm now sure how much longer we'll be here in this tiny Georgia town, but you know what? We're having a really good time. There are PALM TREES here and a big GARDEN! I got to see my boy BOUND across the GRASS lawn on the grounds here, and sniff FLOWERS and poop right in the center of a carefully chosen GREEN PLANT. (his signature.) No ice to cut his feet, no snow, no wet soaking his shoe and causing infections between his toes. He's happy, so I'm happy. Plus we had grilled cheese sandwiches by the pool - so it's a certain sort of heaven.

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity.... It turns problems into gifts, failures into success, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow."
- Melodie Beattie

STORM HAS STOPPED US (but not for long!)

2010-01-29T20:07:00.001-08:00

This is what's happening in NASHVILLE people!

Wally and I were over half-way to our destination down south when we got blindsided by a freak storm. "Worst ice storm in a decade hits the Tennessee Valley" and THAT's where Wally and I are! I was too QUICK to say "we're almost there!" After a great start it took us 7 hours to drive a hundred miles today. We saw dozens and dozens of cars off the road. Semis, four-wheelers, trucks, state troopers...an ambulance - wham, all off the road. A combination of ice, freezing rain, snow, sleet and wind created some of the WORST driving conditions this northern girl has EVER seen.

Plus, these Tennesseans and Kentuckians, who are sweet and awesome and helpful do not know a lot about ice driving and why would they? The last time they saw a blizzard like this in the Tennessee Valley was 1996. They have no snow plows and bless their hearts, the DMV treated the roads with beet juice in preparation for the storm. Beet Juice? do beets have some naturally occurring antifreeze element? All I know is juice is liquid, and if they hosed the highways down with liquid before the storm hit - no wonder they were like skating rinks.

but FEAR NOT my dear friends! If there's anything this Minnesota Girl knows how to do - it's drive on ice. I was like a pace car on the highway today...driving "aggressively slow" with my blinkers on. We crawled the whole way from Nashville to Chattanooga at 10-12 mph and led about 20 cars, who also put their blinkers on, down the highway. The good news is we reached Chattanooga and landed one of the last hotel rooms in town. The bad news is there's a teen Christian music convention in town. Kids with guitars. Practicing. In their hotel rooms.

But Wally can sleep through anything!

This is a small set back - a trifle! We will not be stopped! We will however, be delayed. We're staying at a hotel until this ridiculousness ends. Walter has been a spectacular passenger and his backseat apartment has served as an excellent scamperland. The bad cut on his foot is almost completely healed now - it hampered rehab in a serious way - but it's almost totally better and I cannot wait for him to pee on grass!!!!! Meanwhile, anyone know of stuff to do with dogs in a blizzard in Chattanooga? Yup...looks like it's time to start the next book. :)

Eric, Steve and everyone in FL - we're coming! Hold tight!!!!!! Everyone please continue to pray for our safe travels...it's what kept us from going into the ditch today!

almost there

2010-01-27T08:08:00.000-08:00

im uploading this from my phone - hope it goes thru. We're almost at our destination!

Ocean, here we come!

2010-01-22T22:35:00.000-08:00

Has anyone ever seen this great commercial? A lady is working at her humdrum job when suddenly her little heart bursts out of her chest, goes into the bosses offices and quits. then it marches out of the building. The best part is the very end when it marches out on its little legs. AWESOME! and it reminds me of our upcoming roadtrip.

I know I told you we were going south but I didn't have time to tell you the whole story. Here it is. you all knew I was looking for a place to go - so I jumped on a plane. I had no plan or contact other than to "follow my heart." Goofy, simple, possibly stupid.

But get this.

When I flew down I met a really nice couple on the plane. I told them my story, that I was looking for a place because of Walter and we exchanged numbers in case I got near their neck of the woods near Key West. Then we all go our separate ways and I start my search, wending my way down the coast without any hotel reservations. (this is the week of New Years eve, NOT a good time to not have hotel reservations.) sure enough, by night four I was homeless. I called the nice couple from the plane, and asked if they have any friends who'd rent me a couch for the night. They called their friends and co-workers and whipped us up a little miracle.

One of their co-workers (HI STEVE!!) let me stay in the vacation cottage next to their house and right on the water for FREE. Then the next day we found a little pink house nearby that would be for rent Feb 1st and it's only one block off the beach. It is LESS (half) of the rent we pay now. And it gets better. we learned one of our soon-to-be neighbors has a pug, Louie (HI LOUIE!!!) and so when I met Louie's owners, I started explaining that I have this pug and he was hit by a car and we really need to move someplace warm...and the guy looks funny and he says:

"Is it Walter?"

I'm not kidding. I just stared. Thunderstruck.Turns out they'd been following Walter's blog and knew our whole story. I couldn't believe it. There I am, so far from home...and the people there know Walter. If that isn't faith rising to meet us, baby, I don't know what is.

So OFF WE GO into the wild blue yonder! and you're all coming with us!~!!!!! I am a bit nervous about everything, but mostly in an excited way. I am telling you all - Walter has taught me anything is possible and if you just have faith, the road will rise to meet you.

-Believe that some boundaries are meant to be crossed.
"Do not let your fire go out. The world you desire can be won, it exists, it is real, it is possible it is yours."
- Ayn Rand

-Believe there is always, always a way.
"When you have exhausted all possibilities,
remember this. You haven't."
- Thomas Edison

- These quotes are taken from this amazing little book called "Believe." I highly recommend a copy for every household. I've re-read it almost every day - or anytime I get nervous about our trip. It's lovely. We will try to keep you posted from the road. I opted to stay in hotels rather than visit with all of you on the way, only for walter's stamina's sake. He has very sleepy days, and next to no excercise right now, so the trip will be exhausting for him. Meeting new people and pugs on top of that would be too much I think. Please pray for our safe travels. It is a long way to go. (also ice-free roads and fart-free back seats if you have extra time.)

Happy Birthday WALLY BOY!

2010-01-11T06:27:00.001-08:00

My big man is THREE today! Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Thank you God/Goddess/Universe/collaborative lifeforce for letting Walter live to see this wonderful day!

A Stimulating New Year!

2010-01-05T18:08:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year everybody. 2010 has a rather auspicious ring to it, doesn't it? like this is already and important year. If 2009 taught me anything, (and lets face it, I got more lessons than a Rodeo Clown gets from a bull) I learned that life happens whether you're ready or not. It's also short (but sometimes feels long) and filled with beauty (as well as ugliness.) The most important thing is what you FOCUS on. The beauty vs. the ugly, the luck vs. the accidents.

The most amazing part of 2009 was the grace we were shown after Walter's accident. By people, by medical technology, by prayer.

Todays grace comes by way of electrodes and acupuncture. Yes! We have been waiting for this day for a long time. Walter's nerves and muscles had to get strong enough to even handle electro-stim and acupuncture needles. These hopefully help his nerves grow. Nerves, I've learned grow verrrrrrry slowly. We STILL believe walter will walk again. I know sometimes when he's putting on his shoe he flinches, and more than he used to, like maybe I'm pressing on something he can feel.

He really liked acupuncture. he didn't like sitting still, but the vet popped a "happy place" needle in his forehead and he went all melty ga-ga (for anyone unfamiliar with acupuncture, the "needles" are so fine, you can't feel them, so while these pictures make it look like we're doing something akin to medical experimentation to wally, he was actually conking out on my lap.)After the needles are placed they are hooked up to electric wires and receive a very (very) low vibration. It's like someone ringing a doorbell on wally's nerves and saying "Hello? HELLO?" We hope this will greatly improve Walters nerve growth! If you have any prayer time to spare, please pray for that nerve to grow!

The other good news is I think I found a place to stay down south. we are praying PRAYING we can work it out.

We all have the power to give away love to other people. And if we do so, we change the kind of person we are, and we change the kind of world we live in.
- Harold Kushner

You have to pick the places you don't walk away from.
- Joan Didion

WE LOVE YOU GUYS

2009-12-22T14:31:00.000-08:00

I love this picture of wally, because yes he's at therapy...but what else do we spy on those black lips? Crumbly cookie treats of course! Nummersons!

Sorry I've been missing-in-action lately. NO lack of love - it's just My third novel, Million Little Mistakes is due on January 28th...hence my woeful absence from the blogs. It's scary when your book is for sale...and it's not even fully written yet!! It's another choose-you-own-story type book. In it, you win twenty-two million dollars and you can do anything you want with the money. Give it away, gamble it, buy gold-plated toilets...and I put a special ending in it just for US PUG PEOPLE! Yes, there is a special ending where you start a dog sanctuary. My idea of heaven. If anyone wants to preorder the book, of course we are most grateful and as you know, all our pennies go to Wally's foot.

Mostly today I wanted everyone to know we love you so SO much and we are more grateful for your love and support than you can imagine. Thank you to Lise in British Columbia for the wonderful dog treats!! We are overwhelmed by everyone's love. I did not get to make Christmas Cards this year...but we will put up a special Holiday Post.

-"Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared." -- The Buddha

foot

2009-12-17T11:08:00.000-08:00

When walter goes out and gets his boot wet, it causes all hell on his feet. His little toes look like hamburger and he's on a week's orders to NOT wear his shoe...which means serious scamperland time. We got really good ointment from the doc, and an "over shoe" to go over his shoe but does anyone else have any sore paw/blistered pad treatment ideas? I am at my wit's, wit's end with all this.

“Supposing you have tried and failed again and again. You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing that we call "Failure" is not the falling down, but the staying down.”

-Mary Pickford

Snow Pug

2009-12-09T22:57:00.001-08:00

A big blustery blizzard blew in to Minneapolis today and Walter loves the snow. His boot works so well on ice...I wish I had three more to protect his other feet! I have been working on a deadline (what's new??) and unable to get to the blog in awhile, but for us that's a good thing in a way, we're in a steady (albeit intense) routine and Walter's chugging along getting stronger every day.

We're going to have to head south soon, hopefully just after Christmas. The cold weather isn't good for walter's pins, so We're looking for a place to live somewhere warm, or at least warmer. (ten degrees below zero all week here!) I wish I'd had more time to figure out where to go. Right now I feel like just packing wally up in the car, driving south. We're definitely open to suggestions, if anyone has any. We sort of need a miracle. ;)

"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion." - Unknown

Blue Stripey

2009-11-28T20:05:00.000-08:00

Just showin' off today's blue stripey soxy. Happy Thanksgiving!!!

"Come on toesies! Time to wake ups from your naps!"

2009-11-22T23:18:00.000-08:00

Let me introduce you to our new family member. Anti Monkey Butt Powder. Terrible name, terrific product. Before we put on Walter's shoe, we powder down walters foot with it and make sure it gets in between his toes and pads. It's a powder that reduces chaffing and sore spots. it also absorbs moisture and keeps the toes dry. It also gives me a chance to massage walter's toes, which many have said is very good for nerve growth. I sing to his toes and say, "Come on toesies! Time to wake ups from your naps!"

Then we get the shoe ready, make sure there's lots of anti monkey butt powder in it.

Then goes on the soxy

Then the shoe goes on (you've seen this pic before, but trying to get an action shot of wally putting on his shoe is like getting an action shot of a hummingbird in flight.

Then we walksie! (In this pic he's wearing a white baby sock, not the orange stripey, because again, getting pictures of the "putting on the shoe" process takes time. It took me about three days just to assemble this little documentary!")

The little man can walk TWO BLOCKS now in his shoe. We still have to be super careful not to overdo it and he has developed some hotspots on his poor feet, but the anti monkey butt powder does seem to help and we alternate between using the dorsi-flex and the wonderful little suspension bridge anklet walter first got awhile ago. Between them we try to keep his boot on for 6-8 hours a day. those nerves are growing a millimeter a day, (or so) and we want them to grow in the right direction. Also we dont want wally to mash his little toesies while they're napping!

Mom, if you thought leaving me to go to work was hard, just wait until I give you this look and stick my little shoe out. Now try to leave. Just try.

2009-11-21T23:27:00.000-08:00

This is the look I get when I have to go off to work. Little pout. Little shoe. Impossible to leave him behind! Wally's new shoe has doubled his impossible-to-ignorability by a hundred fold. I'm doomed.

Thank you Ace's Angels!

2009-11-17T02:12:00.000-08:00

Your prayers worked people! ACE MADE IT THRU!!!! He is recovering and will soon be transported to his foster home in Rochester. He will be sleeping soundly in Walters miracle recovery crib!
That is the adorable Boo sitting by the crib, waiting for his new foster brother to come home!

Can you believe it was just 3+ months ago that it was Walter in this crib? These portable cribs are great transition beds, they fold up and can be taken outdoors. We actually bought two for Walter (one for gramma's house, one for mine) and we're donating them to MN Pug Rescue, so after Ace is done with his beddie-bye, they'll be ready for any other pugglins in need. I'm thinking we should put together a portable pug trauma kit! We could send it anywhere in the world! (Now I'm picturing a pug trauma RV...THE PUGULANCE!)

Thank you to the amazing vets at South Hyland Pet Hospital. Ace's vet proceeded with his surgeries not knowing if funding was in place. We're still scrambling to cover all the bills, if you can help our little Ace, every dollar helps. After his surgery there will be rehab, like Walter's so the bills will keep coming.

Not only that but the vet actually took Ace home with her to care for him. Bless the vet, bless her, bless her and bless all of you for your prayers and white light.

GO ACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Went for a walk and got yogurt treats!

2009-11-07T00:15:00.000-08:00

We read all your great advice and went for a walk. It was blissful. Thank you for your support. Then Jess and Lilo sent us a Paw it forward package and we got YOGURT TREATS!!!! Oh yes we did! Plus a check for $25, which is going right to Tc rehab!! thank you so so SO much!

What now?

2009-11-04T22:50:00.000-08:00

Okay, I know this sounds crazy...but I'm still feeling it, so I'm going to put it out there so you wise ones can lead me through. The therapist wants Walter to spend more time out of scamperland and to build up as much time in the shoe as possible. She said, and I quote, "Let him out around the house."

Let him walk around the house??? it goes against my every instinct. I want to keep him in scamperland where its safe. where he's safe. I've become so robotic in our strict "routines" (medication at exact times of day, exercises and physio ball everyday, coordinated babysitting, No time outside scamperland except potty breaks, no running, jumping, rough housing, going on walks etc...) that now that walter's routines can change back...I'm having a hard time changing anything at all. I'm not ready!!!

My little man can actually go on short walks outside on a leash now! It's terrifying! what if a car...what if his leash...I can't even finish the sentence. I won't! I KNOW!! stop worrying! Walter isn't worrying!!! In fact, in an attempt to prolong the "babying" I got walter in a new stroller. a $250 contraption with all the bells and whistles. You know what happened? I put him in the new stroller, said, "Here Wally! It's your new stroll..." Then I heard, "Rrrrrrrrip!"

Walter slashed the front netting with his nails. Slashed it right out like...."I don't believe I'll be taking the stroller anymore mom! See ya!" Then he hopped out.

HOPPED OUT.

So now the stroller is going BACK to the manufacturers! Returned! Come on UPS, take the baby-mobile away! We don't need it! (But...but I need it!!) How can I possibly take this little guy on walks out in the big world unless it's in an indestructible bulletproof gerbil ball with a security envoy!?!

My question is, how do I let my dog be "normal" again when I'm so used to everything being abnormal?? Letting him walk around the house seems as sane as letting him "walk around the mouth of a volcano." What if something happens? It's started to trigger some of the old memories...some of the post traumatic stress stuff. I don't know if my heart can take letting HIM take risks again. I don't know if I can do it. I know I should, I know he's ready...even the doctor says he's ready, but so help me...I cannot go through this again. How do I make sure I never go through this again and give him any freedom at all?

Winston, Lise and many others, I know you'll point me to the positive, which makes me love you!! I'm right there with you! In fact, I am POSITIVE I want to keep walter in an inflated pug bubble-suit for protection ;) okay that might get hot...but you know what I mean. Being positive is essential, and so are fences. So where does caution remain, and faith begin???

I've been clinging to the tippy-top of a palm tree for so long during this 4 month storm...I don't know how to climb down even after the storm is over and the waters are starting to recede. How do I convince myself to step foot on dry land again? Is it safe? It seems so much safer up in the tree!

(I just know some Chinese philosopher has this all figured out already. It's so frustrating to be small.)

Walter's story will be told at AKC Convention...

2009-11-04T13:27:00.000-08:00

Dr. Tomlinson, Walter's rehab vet, is going to an American Kennel Convention to speak about therapies...and which little man made the hit parade? WALLY! We shot this short video for the people to see how dogs work in the water tank. (YOU guys have seen this already, and if you haven't b/c you can't watch quicktime, it's also on Youtube.)

I curved down and around so you could see the mirror on the side, which is how the vet tech in the tank watches to see his foot is being held correctly underwater...and I nearly dropped the camera! Still, I Can't imagine an auditorium of AKC folks not laughing at Wally's burned-muffin-face potato-noggin at the end! I think all those fancy people will stand up in their seats and shout, "I WANT TO KISSY-KISSY ON HIM!!!"

Fally Wally

2009-11-02T04:03:00.000-08:00

Here is fally-wally standing in the leaves outside the house after we got back from errands. He wasn't even tired!

Walter and I had a big day. We had a huge water therapy session and went to Petsmart and chucks and LuLu's to buy various treats all you wonderful adorable people have gotten him addicted to...(yogurt kisses! Fat free cookie monster treats! beef bites! etc...) Which reminds me, THANK YOU to Jennifer and Maxwell Sneed, who sent the cutest pug stationary and most delicious (according to walter) gourmet doggie cookies and home made cheesey treats! He quivers when he smells them...I tried to take photos while he opened the box but camera was in process of breaking down. you can see by shoddy quality of todays photo I'm still waiting to replace my camera!

Anyway, the big thing about running errands today is Walter and I went TOGETHER. First time running errands together since the accident 4 1/2 months ago! Walter wore his little shoe, and I tried to shop while every salesperson/pet store employee/passerby/dog lover/complete stranger/human with beating heart stopped and asked, "Why is he wearing that shoe?"

I tried to keep my answers brief, but I learned today you can't really say, "he got hit by a car" without causing a group of people to start forming. Wally got kisses, treats, hugs, cuddles and it took us three hours to run some errands that should have taken one, tops!

The lady at Lulu's, Laura, who hadn't seen us since the accident, and who knew me back when I would shop in the store BEFORE I even owned a dog because "I wanted a pug someday" and who has sold me Walter's weight in treats...well when she saw us she teared up, which made me tear up and there I was, weepy in a boutique pet store.

Laura proceeded to tell another customer a story about us. She said, "My favorite story about Heather is when some love interest from California was coming to stay and she was worried about how he and Walter would get along. I saw her the next day and she told me the guy'd already gone home. It didn't work out. I asked her what happened and she just shrugged and said, "He didn't want a pug sleeping in his bed, so I took him back to the airport."

I had forgotten the story...and the guy, completely! (wouldn't you?)

LONG LIVE WALLY! KING OF THE HOUSE!

Pictures soon

2009-10-28T23:08:00.000-07:00

Sorry no pics this week, My camera/phone broke and I have to grab a new one. Wally's doing good, building up time in his shoe. He has to wear it just like you'd wear a new shoe, just a bit here and there so it breaks in and doesn't rub his foot raw. That said, when he has it on, he has remarkable stability, the rubber bottom of the she even allows him to cruise around on hardwood floors. Ha! Anyone need some floor runners???

Limogesy-Wally!

2009-10-23T09:42:00.000-07:00

REDONKULOUS PRESENT ALERT! My dear friend Heather Thornswood sent me a Limoges pug with a bandaged foot. WHAT?? Have you ever??? She did such a good job with the tiny gauze bandage I thought Limoges had actually started making pugs with bandaged feet, but no, she meticulously did this part herself! This fine little porcelain hobgoblin will have to be included in the "museum exhibit" when walter and I hit the road on our "WALTER WINS THE WORLD" tour! (formerly known as "Walter Takes America Tour." Renamed for our international friends who we also need to meet!) Thank you for the gift Heather T! I was so afraid of breaking it, It took me awhile to even take it out of the box! Walter is IN LOVE with her! I think he thinks you sent him a little Geisha Pug who must do his bidding...and he's into it.

The New Shoe!

2009-10-21T14:00:00.000-07:00

The new shoe is here! I'm still learning how to get it on Wally's foot. What a wiggle worm! I was hardly able to get this one picture! But I think this will really give him alot more mobility. He was walking around really well in it! Also he did TWENTY MINUTES in the water tank today, when he started 3 mos ago, he was hardly being able to do two! the Rehab clinic measured the muscle mass in his bad leg, and it's increased so much it's only 1cm behind the good one! Can you believe how much walking in the water tank has improved his injuries? I can't!

"In this world, there is nothing softer or thinner than water. But to compel the hard and unyielding, it has no equal. The weak overcomes the strong, the hard gives way to the gentle. This everyone knows."

- Lao-Tse

Muggin Puggin!

2009-10-19T21:35:00.000-07:00

Wally and I had a good ol tum-tum wrestle today and my is he in fine form. He gets the shoe on Wednesday and we will post picks ASAP!

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”

Lao Tzu

So Much Sassafrass!

2009-10-17T04:58:00.000-07:00

Sorry for another long-time posting, I spent this week catching up from last! I tell you what guys, our pal Walter has hit a new level of health! Everyone is in unanimous agreement. He all of a sudden started eating more (He'd leave his bowl full almost all the time and just take treats, maybe nibble at his food) but now he's clearing the bowl out and its everything we can do to keep him from standing on his hind legs! Thats right!!!! I came in and walter was so busy sassing me "get me out of scamperland! Now!!" and he stood full weight on his hind legs. I nearly fell over rushing to him so he would get back off!! Also, he wants to RACE around the backyard. It's actually problematic. I tell you what, he gets that new shoe this next week and it isn't a moment too soon! I can hardly get a picture of him, he's permanently on the move. But look how well his hair is growing in!! AND, check out that back foot!! He's standing like a lil champion. He looks so good. Every day I thank God he's alive. It's just a miracle.

"My little dog -- a heartbeat at my feet." ~ Edith Wharton

"A dog is the only thing on earth that will love you more than you love yourself." ~ Josh Billings

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." ~ Anatole France

Back on our feet and dukes up!

2009-10-09T22:54:00.000-07:00

WOAH! Whatever flu/cold/infectious plague is going around side-walloped me and sent me for a LOOP! Fevers, body aches, stuffy head, the works. Of course Walter enjoyed the additional space heater laying next to him. (that would be me sweating with fever)

I'm better now but we are low on supplies since I haven't been shopping, we're out of everything! oooh is walter mad. All those treats everybody sent gave been CONSUMED by king walter and haha, jokes on me, b/c Wally is now addicted to treats I have no idea how to get! Anyone who knows where to get those yogurt-kisses, those are like crack to him now. Also the low-fat treats with cookie monster on the front? Also crack. I won't even try to replicate the venison bites from Canada. He'll just have to dream about those.

But the best news is I was able to have a good old fashioned tussle today with wally and his lil puggie here, this is post-tussle, when wally is like "Oh yeah, I beat him goood."

I hope everyone is well, I've missed you all and now that I've crawled back to my computer, I can check up on your blogs! Heavens, I'm out of date with whats happening!

MORE big news, Walter was fitted for his new shoe! He gets it in ten days and we'll see if the doc allows him out of scamperland. Either way, I think he can wear this new shoe more often and wont walk on his foot wrong. We don't know what the shoe looks like, but we're hoping it's like a wingtip oxford. Our little man's got to look sporting!

back soon!!

2009-10-08T19:17:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the delay guys! I was ill this week and busy fighting off a fever. will be back to posting soon!

Wally as a Therapy Dog?

2009-09-27T17:22:00.000-07:00

Wally loves his short jaunts outside. Only 5 mins each, per doctors orders, so it's great when there's a little sunshine!

I was wondering - Does anyone have any information on becoming a therapy dog? The programs, training etc? Otis mentioned the idea of Walter being a therapy dog in the last post and even though it'll be awhile before Walter is ready for the public, it's something I've been thinking about more and more.

A friend told me Walter might be a good match for kids who are about to undergo surgeries or starting physical therapy. He could show them hard work, patience and positivity pay off!

rug-o-rama

2009-09-25T16:00:00.000-07:00

all right, it isn't pretty, but we never thought it would be. Through carpet runners, bath mats, welcome mats, crib liners and my once-perfect green yoga mat, we have created walkways that are floppy-foot-friendly. Today was the FIRST DAY Walter got to walk about the house more (or less) like he used to! this is the trail that leads into my office. As long as the carpets are close enough together, he doesn't slip on the floor. (goal being at least two feet are on carpet at all times.) He adheres to the new rules well, only because the wood floor is like buttered ice to him now. Anyone have any experience with post-op dogs being unable to walk on hardwood floors? It's like his paws aren't sticky enough anymore. Anyway, he's getting along all right and is busy checking all his old hiding spots for stashed away loot!

15 mins later...had to post this picture - can you find the pug? this is where Wally used to sleep when I wrote...my heart did a little jump to see him there again.

repairs

2009-09-24T14:28:00.000-07:00

So Walter enjoys his stroller walks so much, he's practically torn the screening out of the lower half. I went to Pet Smart to replace it...but their "new " strollers seemed really rinky-dink and flimsy so instead I went to Home Depot (no, not happy about shopping at all these meglo-marts...) and got some new screening that was identical! it's actually called Pet Screening. ANyway, we fixed the strollie up and away we went!

2009-09-23T13:12:00.000-07:00

This is a BEFORE picture of the apartment...I have to take one with the rug runner I bought. It helps, it's a start, and I can buy the runners off rolls in any length I want, so he can have a trans-room highway of carpet tracks to trot on.

Also - to answer a few of the shoe/boot/orthotics questions, for now we are getting his legs strong enough to wear a boot. He's up to 14 minutes in the water tank (he started at 2!) and they say he IS getting stronger, so in another 4 weeks, if his foot has not regained nerve function, he will be fitted for a little shoe.

For now He's back at Nana's house, and I am working. We're going on an afternoon stroll shortly though, and I will steal kisses.

UPDATE - we took a walk and had a little stroll around the back yard. I called Wally to come inside...and this is the look he gave me. I'm excited b/c This is the look he USED to give me when I called him inside. Brooding, indolent...stubborn...WALLY!

Looking for Creative Ideas...

2009-09-20T07:07:00.000-07:00

So Walter is really REALLY getting sick of Scamperland and Pug Pen. The thing is, he can walk just fine on carpeted areas, which is one reason we keep him contained, but my place is completely hardwood floors, with some occasional rugs.

This is the first time in my life I wished the whole house was carpeted. Even if he stays in Pug Pen for 90% of the time, it's nice to let him out now and again to join the family in the living room or what have you. After all, his mind is as alert and active as ever. Picture putting your pug in a pen thats the right size for a goat and see how long the fun lasts!! Anyhow, anyone have any cheap ideas for secure-footing flooring? Looks don't matter anymore, we have a pug pen in the dining room. Maybe industrial door mats? Remnant carpet? Anybody own a remnant carpeting place? ;)

And what, what WHAT?? Walter got his first INTERNATIONAL CARE PACKAGE! Hey-O! All the way from Wonderful Mary in Canada. THE COOLEST stuff came, and it came the day we found out Walter's pin was broken, so he didn't even have a minute to feel down, he was chomping on venison treats, getting a backrub with his new groovy back rubbing thingie that he loves, and I was stunned that Mary sent me a dreamy eye pillow! How did she know sleep is my most precious thing these days?!?

Also very cool was pad balm for the pads of Walter's feet. His bad foot especially has been taking a beating despite efforts to protect it. He knuckles it like this:
So thats another major reason to figure out the flooring thing - we can't have him mashing the dorsal side of his paw on wood. Oh, my kingdom for shag carpeting!!

Acropugbat

2009-09-17T09:23:00.001-07:00

So the surgeon, who operated on Wally both times, just received Walter's new films, called me and we had a chat. Apparently one of the pins in Walter's leg, the smaller one, might have broken. The good news is it broke AFTER significant scar tissue already formed, so it hasn't shifted a lot. It does mean however Walter has another month of Scamperland, so I built him a new one. I call it "PUG PEN" Walter seems to be enjoying it...here he doing whatever it takes to gnaw on his new Pug Pen bone!

The Pins Held!

2009-09-16T10:06:00.001-07:00

GREAT NEWS! We took X-rays yesterday and Walter's Pins are right where they should be! They held! The scar tissue is forming, Walter's body has accepted his new bionic legs!

I was hoping to put up images of his before/after X-rays, but the technology is too advanced for me right now...

The only small thing is one bone is still fractured. It is floating in betwixt two bones that have healed (this is in the pelvis region where bones triangulate,) so it is something we may have to operate on in the future, as it may be a catalyst for arthritis. I am thinking I need to research bone/joint regrowth/health etc...

Also, the vet was a bit pessimistic about his foot ever healing. (This is NOT his rehab vet, this is the his primary caregiver vet.)

VET: "His back foot may never heal, you know."

ME: (locking eyes with her like Clint Eastwood) "And it may."

VET: (pauses,) "Yes, it may."

ME: (deadpan) "Well we're going with that one."

VET: (nodding, registering my compulsive-obsessive glare) "All right then. Okay."

So we're going with the foot healing. If anyone has any info on nerve regrowth, send it our way, because we're not giving up. No how, no way.

Big Time Loot and the 8-week X-ray

2009-09-15T10:10:00.000-07:00

Walter received TWO care packages this week, one from wonderful Mary in California, who sent a box of goodies hand-selected by her four darlings! Walter KNEW the box was for him and enjoyed snorfling each and every package of treats, toys and goodies. He then patiently (sort of) waited for me to allow him to taste-test the treats and gave each toy a welcome mauling. He couldn't believe how much stuff there was!
As if that were not enough, my good friend Kelley, a bookseller at Barnes and Noble sent us the SWEETEST bag of special treats. Walter was totally into the gift-wrapping! His absolute favorite was the chicken strips that have Glucosamine in them, which is good for joints/hips. He snacked on one immediately - see his lil stuffed pug buddy saying "Hey! What about me!" THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also, exciting/a little nerve-wracking news...Today we go to the vets to get Walter's 8-week xrays. This is to see if the pins are in fact where they're supposed to be, and if scar tissue has developed, and "accepted" the pins. Please send us some prayers if you have extra, for Walter's pins and for my ability to stay calm. Just walking into the vets now makes me start trembling.

Apocalypse Pug

2009-09-12T22:41:00.000-07:00

L. took this picture of Walter in the water tank, we think it looks like the movie Apocalypse Now in that scene where Martin Sheen rises up out if the water, face painted and ready for war.

My next battle? A reading at the Galleria Barnes and Noble in Southdale. Come on down my pug peeps I need a hug!

Heather McElhatton
reading from her book "Jennifer Johnson Is Sick of Being Single"
Author Reading (Fiction)
Thursday September 17, 2009 7:00 PM

Hope you can come, love to see you there!

2 Mos Anniversary

2009-09-10T15:31:00.000-07:00

Today is the the TWO MONTH anniversary of Walter's accident. On July 10th he dashed out of the house and into the street and was hit by a Lexus SUV, the entire lower half of his body got crushed under the wheels - It all happened in about 15 seconds, the longest 15 seconds of my life. I rushed him to the emergency room where I was told that because of his extensive internal injuries and severe state of shock, he would not live through the night.

But this little guy fought and hour by hour he improved just the littlest bit. I would not leave the emergency room not even after they said I should, even after friends and family came. I stayed and wept in the waiting room barefoot because there hadn't been time to put on shoes.

I told the doctor, that she had to save him. That my life did not make sense without him. I told her to go back in there because he was going to make it. He had to or I wouldn't. I fought, she fought and most of all, little Walter fought and he survived.

He spent an entire week in critical care and finally came home drugged up and in terrible pain.I wept every day thinking this marvelous animal was taken down so young and I was powerless to help. I had horrible flashbacks, the sound of him getting hit would flash in my head, the picture of him laying bloody on the road replaying over and over until I thought I'd lose my mind.

Then I asked you all for your prayers, and they came. Not just a few, thousands. Thousands of people prayed for him, sent good wishes, emailed kind words, sent healing blankets and big boxes of gifts. People sent checks. 5-yr-old twins drew him pictures and hoped he came home soon from "the Vegetarians." You all bought copies of my books, which boosted sales and we were lifted, supported and propped up by strangers.

My family rallied and set up a nursery for walter just like you would for a newborn. They sacrificed time, money, and countless backbreaking hours, especially in those beginning days when he needed round-the-clock-care. He had no control of his bladder and couldn't sit up. We fed him water with an eyedropper, changed urine-soaked bedding every half hour, slept in shifts so he got his pain meds on time no matter what. Mom helping me was the reason he made it out of that horrible, dark, critical time when the doctors had done what they could do and we hovered over his crushed, broken body to see if he'd make it.

He still didn't sit up. He howled in pain if we shifted him the wrong way. It was my mother that insisted a second set of Xrays be taken and sent to the orthopedic surgeon because something "just wasn't right." It turned out that hunch of hers is what led to the second surgery. Three days later he got up and walked. Not far, not easily, much like a newborn deer unable to steer his body, but he WALKED.

Then he was unstoppable. We had to build a pen like you would for a foal just to keep him from charging around the house on his still-healing legs. We started physical therapy and landed at a clinic with dedicated, clever people and walter worked harder than ever to show off.

Now, a mere 8 weeks from the accident,we are somewhere I never expected to arrive. There is still a long road ahead of us and we don't know where it leads. He walks, but his rear foot still drags and it is unknown if it will heal. If it does, it will take a long time and alot of clinic visits and a lot of homework and hardest of all alot of patience and endurance on my part to stay the course.

That's why I wanted to thank all of you. Everyone. My loved ones, my friends, and all of you who have followed our story. You are part of why he is alive and I will never be able to thank you but I will promise you this. I will stay with Walter's recovery no matter what. I will see this through regardless of cost, pressure or fatigue. I will not give up, I will never give up and your love combined with Walter's indomitable spirit, is the reason why. Blessings to you and thank you for saving us.

Lil outdoorsy time

2009-09-09T00:33:00.000-07:00

Check out how much Walters hair has grown in...and the WEEDS IN THE YARD! This is absolute proof of how hard we're working over here, the whole place is going to hell in as handbasket, but Walter is good and I am better since I relocated my computer set up to work beside walter. (If you can't beat em...) Plus, with his handsome concenred face, no one can stay away....

No Sunshine - Getting Pale without him.

2009-09-05T10:38:00.000-07:00

Ugh. No pictures today, no cute Wally story - because Here I am once again strapped to my desk as one might be in a slaveship galley, hurrying to churn out my latest, most urgent the-world-will-end-if-I-don't-get-it-done deadline. I can handle big work loads. I know being a working writer is a privilege these days and I'm lucky to have this deadline in the first place...but The part I can't deal with is being apart from Walter. He's at mom's, safe and sound, being loved and pampered, but when he's not here it's like there's no sunshine and I wilt.

I worry that things will never be the same again. Walter used to sleep on the chair with me when I wrote (sorry...tearing up) and snuggle in bed with me and go everywhere with me. Now he's trapped in that damn Scamperland and I'm trapped at my desk and I hate it. It's painful and I need to believe one day we'll be back together. If I don't hang on to that thought...I'll collapse. Sorry to be such a drama queen. it's a DQ day.

We can rebuild him...using the Brooklyn Bridge

2009-09-02T13:59:00.000-07:00

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!

Good Boy? YOU be the judge!

2009-09-01T17:03:00.000-07:00

This is just a little video I shot in the back yard before my battery died, but look at Walter's response when I ask him if he's a good boy!
DEES-GUS-TED!!!!

WOO-HOO!

2009-08-30T14:19:00.000-07:00

Super ultra pug-butt thanks to Loren Boyce in Medford, Mass who sent Walter the COOLEST presents! A little Booda pig with a serious squeaker toy in it and a whole bunch of little perfect colorful pug-sized balls that are hard enough to bounce, but soft enough for a lil pug mouth to maw on them and make them squeak too! Wally loved them and we had our first quazi-game of catch!

There was also the smallest Kong ball I've ever seen, also perfect pug size and a jar of peanut butter. This photo makes me smile - look how worried wally is! I'm spreading peanut butter in the Kong, but with how many medications Wally has gotten, pills, salves creams etc...he wasn't sure it was a treat he was getting, not at first! He's looking up, saying "WHAT is she doing? Is anyone going to get me out of this or not??"

I can't believe how many people - perfect strangers- have sent Walter the kindest most thoughtful gifts. Every single gift he's gotten has become essential somehow. The healing blanket he sleeps on, the Indy blogger treats he lives for! Pug people are the best people on the whole earth. We will conduct a scientific study to prove this as soon as Wally is well enough for his trip across America to meet his fans!

Spa Pug

2009-08-28T13:05:00.000-07:00

Walter did TWELVE minutes in in the water tank today and afterward, they turn on a spa whirlpool to relax his muscles. Jenny, the nice vet tech feeds him dried chicken liver treats whilst the jets massage his nether regions. Pretty nice set up if you ask me Wally!!!

We then did pimple ball and peanut ball before heading home for a nice long nap where we will dream of our pal, Little Miss Pearl, making a full recovery like we are!

Also, we toss our cap in the air for Winston, who with the help of his pug mom installed a FANTASTIC looking new gate out front of their home! I can hardly believe how fancy it looks and how SAFE! Plus, they call it WALLY GATE! can you believe it! Walter is helping make other pugs safer! wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooot!

Happy Friday everybody!!

Sentry Wally

2009-08-27T15:30:00.000-07:00

Here's a fine pose of Walter as he was being annoyed by neighbor dogs. This is where he listens closely to the various infractions occurring nearby and soon he will respond with a bark-back retort worthy of earplugs. GO WALLY! Doesn't he look wise and thoughtful?

Cafe Wally

2009-08-26T12:58:00.000-07:00

Walter and I took the sage advise a blogger left yesterday - take time to kiss and relax! I loaded wally up in the strollie, and we went to a nearby cafe. I read the new IKEA catalog and had a cafe latte and he had a bowl of H2O deluxe.

We got to watch the workmen building a new playground across the street, and kids walking by with their parents. We were just like anyone else then. Just a girl and her dog watching the world go by.

We weren't thinking of rehab or medical bills or that winter is coming and we don't know where to go. All that will solve itself in time. This lovely mess we're in all has to work out somehow - and I can't wait to see what the universe comes up with.

A BIG PUG HUG and prayer to Little Miss Pearl, who underwent emergency bladder surgery today! Her momma had a funny feeling about how she was acting, and dropped her off at the vet before work, only to discover Pearl needed emergency bladder surgery! We are so grateful she made it to the vets and she will recover beautifully!

Balancing Act

2009-08-25T12:39:00.000-07:00

Walter and I went to TC rehab today, where things got spiced up with some new acts to the routine. He did nine minutes in the water tank, two minutes on the trampoline and then he stood on the big ball (stimulates nerve growth in back leg) and then rolled back and forth on another, smaller ball while his back legs were on a red disk that had red "nipples" on it. The nipples are quite hard and the points also stimulate nerve growth, like kindergartner acupuncture! Dr. Tomlinson says water's making definite improvement. The whole staff there is really excellent and engaged. I spoke with another dog owner who takes her rescued Min Pin there and she said "Dr. Julia is a miracle worker." (Dr. Julia is the same person as Dr. Tomlinson btw!)

I just have to be patient. Slow and steady will win this race. I think thats been the challenge from the beginning, fighting the desperate urge to make "all this all better" right NOW. From the moment he was hit to today at the tank, I fight my anxiety to right the wrong as fast as I can. I think one of the life lessons here (did I need more?) is that life unfolds. We want to be finished fast, to get all the changes over with, but things take time. It reminds me of one of my favorite poems:

The Purpose of Time is to Prevent Everything from Happening at Once
by X.J. Kennedy, from The Lords of Misrule.

Suppose your life a folded telescope
Durationless, collapsed in just a flash
As from your mother’s womb you, bawling, drop
Into a nursing home. Suppose you crash
Your car, your marriage—toddler laying waste
A field of daisies, schoolkid, zit-faced teen
With lover zipping up your pants in haste
Hearing your parents’ tread downstairs—all one.

Einstein was right. That would be too intense.
You need a chance to preen, to give a dull
Recital before an indifferent audience
Equally slow in jeering you and clapping.
Time takes its time unraveling. But, still,
You’ll wonder when your life ends: Huh? What happened?

Pee Boy

2009-08-23T20:57:00.000-07:00

It gives me great comfort that even though Walter can't walk well yet, and I imagine it is stiff and painful to raise his leg, he is still picky about where he pees. I was trying to get a picture of how he raises his leg now (He used to raise it high up like a ballerina and now its more of a little "Ehn!" sound as he raises leg a half inch or so...) but look at him disgusted with me for snapping his picture whilst peeing! I'm sorry wally! I find you adorable no matter what you do. But fairs fair. No more indignities that aren't strictly medically related.

Walter's best time in the water tank!

2009-08-21T14:36:00.000-07:00

Wally did 8 minutes in the water tank at TC rehab today! You can see him walking on the underground treadmill as the water supports his body and keeps him from tipping over. Also a vet tech in the back works his back legs so the nerves get used to the motion and grow to suit whats being required of them (Another reason it's important to keep in physio recovery, repetition is everything.)

Before all this, Walter had a morning romp in the back yard (only a couple of minutes, he's still on restricted movement) then a Strollie ride, (he's all yappertons at the poor neighbor dogs, who don't understand why Walter has to dish out such justice from inside a stroller) and then a nap before Physical therapy.

At the vet Walter's patient file says
WEIGHT: 22 lbs
BREED: Pug
AGE: 2 1/2 yrs
STATUS: TENTATIVE (Unknown if he will be crippled or recovered)

(I however feel it should say STATUS: SUPER PUG!)

22 smackers?

2009-08-20T09:20:00.000-07:00

It makes me so happy to hear you guys are buying, reading and even enjoying my books! It makes it easier to pay down Walters emergency room bill AND all your comments are making me work twice as hard on my current novel. (due in mere weeks! First page of next book is actually printed on the LAST page of PLM)

So - What would you do with 22 million dollars? Its another choose your own adventure type book and on the first page you win the lottery. So, just curious, what WOULD you guys do with 22 million biscuits? Walter here would buy a full-time pug Geisha, a lot more stuffies and an unlimited supply of beef bones. He'd also pay off all mommas bills so she would stop abandoning him to work! Blech!

Dominate the tank and beat the tornado!

2009-08-19T15:03:00.001-07:00

We had quite an adventure on the way to Twin Cities Animal Rehab today! It hammered rain and we got to the clinic at what looked like midnight, even though it was 1 pm. Walter dominated the water tank with 7 whole minutes of walking on the submerged treadmill.
Then Walter did the trampoline like a regular aerobics instructor (Just needs a Flashdance tank top) and had his toenails clipped before we headed home. When we got back on the highway (clinic is about half an hour from home) we thought the sky looked worse and it was raining hard. We decided to get off the highway so we could get something to eat and let it stop storming. Good thing too, There were tornado touchdowns all along the I-35 corridor, unbeknownst to us! We went through a fast food drive thru (horrible, but we wouldn't leave walter in the car. No way!) We all had chicken sandwiches and finally decided to take surface streets home (an hour!)

When we got home, alll the sirens were blaring and we found out a tornado had gone thru our neighborhood and were running up and down I-35! We missed it by getting chicken sammies!! Go wally! Saving the tall people again!!!

Wally Walks!

2009-08-18T08:49:00.000-07:00

It's clear we don't know what we're doing, but here's walter, fresh out of the laundry basket, giving it his all! It's only when he lifts his leg to pee he topples over, poor lil guy! It;s hard to see but his right rear leg is ankled under as he walks, so he's walking on the top pf his foot, rather than the pads. Still, he can get around short distances pretty good huh? Not bad for having an Escalade-size SUV roll over him a mere five weeks ago!!!

Thanks for the good advice yesterday everybody. Hurray Monday is over.

Stress

2009-08-17T15:18:00.000-07:00

Is it Monday or is it me? Everything seems big again today. I can't work for more than a couple hours without doing physio ball or taking him out to pee or getting him fresh water. All things I want to do, but then whoops, HOW far behind am I with work? gulp. Go back to work, then back to the crib, then back to friends I haven't seen or let down b/c I'm swamped. I can't stick with any one thing, I keep getting pulled from one direction to the next. So many things and people need my attention, I feel I'm doing everything poorly. Today I am bad at this. Today lacks any rhythm. This is the long haul of the accident. This is the endurance run. Can I sustain it? can I keep going? Today I want to lay down and sleep, and never get up again. But I will, right? I will.

Bones and Sun

2009-08-16T16:41:00.000-07:00

I set up Walters portable crib in the backyard so he could let the neighbor dogs know who's boss. (Walter, as proven by big-boy barking) It was quite the setup to get outside, including the Eddie Bauer mattress pad he's on. Very fleecey. (Where did we get an Eddie Bauer mattress pad for our pug? I couldn't even hazard a guess.) I also gave Wallington a bone to gnaw on, which he did, even after I took him inside.

The air conditioning pixies dropped off a surprize air conditioner at our house today. The generous Bob Thompson had offered to lend us his, but we thought we'd try this unexpected one first. Bob, we will call you with the cooling-factor report ASAP! And thank you for the offer. really wonderful.

His right foot is still "ankling" or curling under, but we continue to religiously do his physio therapy on the peanut baall and we lift or "correct" his foot every time he starts walking on the top of his foot instead of the bottom. We say "Foot!" when we do this, hoping to train him to correct himself when we say "foot!" from across the room. We think he's learning, he's terribly brilliant.

I hope everyone had a weekend spent with loved ones. Today I really felt for the first time, a real and deep sense of out-of-the-woods-ness.We still have a long way to go, but the road doesn't seem terrifying right now. Thank you everyone for your loving kindness.

Frilly Pig, Donation Button, Water tank, Ahoy!

2009-08-14T09:02:00.000-07:00

Updated: Home from Water World...

We went to physical therapy, and carting walter around in Laundry tubs just isn't cutting it anymore, so we had to get some serious hardware for the car.

In the tank he went, sans pamper, and he was much less weirded out this time, as was I. He went for 5 straight minutes, walking on a treadmill against a current.

Then it was spa time, when they turn the jets on and Walter sort of floats in place. He really likes this part, now that he's getting used to the loud clanking noises.

Also, after the water tank, Wally got his stitches out! The nurse was sooo good. It was one long thread, looped through his skin twenty-five times and I held walter as she patiently worked the entire thread out without cutting it. Think about that a minute...backing a stitch out 25 times without cutting it? I was amazed and grateful. We got another lesson on the physio peanut ball, and they gently (really gently) bounced walter on a trampoline, which is meant to help build back the severed nerves in his ankles so he can walk again. Best news? The vet said he looked better. THERE IS IMPROVEMENT. I want to do the "Improvement Dance" shuffle-shuffle-kick! shuffle-shuffle-kick!

Today when I had "the flashback" (the flashback of him getting hit by the car) I literally held my hand up and said, "NO!" out loud. Then I out loud listed all your names, mom, Meesh, harry Pugalicious, Pearl, Tweedles, Indy Bloggers etc...etc... until the flashback backed off and left me alone. I just have to drown out the bad thing with the good things...and there are many, many more good things (people) than bad.

Harry Pugalicious & Heather sent walter a Big Pig lookalike! WHAT? (if you read way back to the first blog posts, you'll find Big Pig was walters first love, until he destroyed the poor thing in a fit of "agressive pug love." ) and Walter has it tucked beside him now as he's sleeping. Thank you Heather and Harry! He loves the treats too! (He looks a little forlorn in this photo because I had just put my shoes on, and shoes are very bad to wally, they mean momma is going OUT, and that is not cool. After I ran out to the car, took them off again, he was oh yessssssss. Big Pig!)

Hero Alert **Bob Thompson is letting us use his AC!***

Also, to all of you who have been buying books, thank you so much. it continues to help us pay medical bills. Too those of you who have sent checks, we send you the sloppiest pug kisses aver, and to all of you who hit the donate button the day I had it up, we just ran into a little snag with Pay pal. The donations are there waiting for us, but they say we have to prove we're non-profit, not pirates etc...so I took the button down until we get ourselves sorted out. Rest assured your donations are (very!) safe, and we will work it out and let you know when we do.

Until then, if you want to send Walter anything at all to aid in his recovery, just email me at relativematter at yahoo and I will send you a good old-fashion snail mail address. We're sort of snail mail people. Not too fancy, just all pug.

thank you for your love and kindness, it is what we are all using to get through this very, very, very long ordeal. I re-read your posts all the time when I'm feeling low, and even quote them to Walter when he seems down.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Foot Dragging and thread for Pohlee-Bear

2009-08-13T09:04:00.001-07:00

Sorry about the break there everybody, I was dragging myself up the mountain work-wise, trying to get this ship to keep from sinking. I am back in the saddle, that is, quite literally sleeping in Scamperland with Walter. I've curled up in there with him a few times, only to wake an hour later, both of us snoring.

Walter walks a little, but is unable to feel his right foot. The therapist hopes this can be corrected over time, but I wish we could see more improvement now. I think of all the beds he's jumped on, all the rough-housing in the dog ark, I just can't see him crippled. Yet it seems he is. But they say it could improve...so I will just take one day, one step - at a time.

I took him outside to pee and he actually lifted his leg, just a little bit, 1/4 inch maybe off the ground, but I heard a bone pop and panicked. but in the end his movement was the same, I guess it was just a regular bone pop, like when you do something you haven't done in awhile. So he's okay.

He has shredded and re-shredded poh-lee bear, as you can see in the picture, the brown stuff is the other stuffed animal I sewed inside him for form. Walter keeps splitting the stitches and I'm wondering if we sewed him up with something stronger, even fishing line, would that hold better? I keep teasing Walter saying, "Stop ruining Pohlee Bear! We don't have money for thread!"

Thursday is THANKFUL THURSDAY and I am so thankful for all of you, and to those of you who have sent checks, care packages, well wishes, I hope we can one day repay you with the kindness you've shown us. We are humbled and grateful.

Tomorrow is the water tank!

Alls well

2009-08-08T09:53:00.000-07:00

We are having a quiet weekend. I have a big proposal due monday so Walter is chillin in Scamperland while I speed-write. This is a picture of the first time I took walter to the vets. first time ever. see all the stuff I thought I needed to bring with? It's only gotten more complicated since then!

He has started to get wise to the marshmallows, (but we got a whole WEEK out of them! Problem is he's too smart.) So we're looking for other pill camouflaging ideas if anyone has them.

I took Walter out in the Popemobile last night. (Stoller) It's all zipped up and enclosed, and I think he liked it...but he was scratching at the zippers (no idea why, there's tons of room in there, I think he just wanted out!) and barking his fool head off the whole time at potential threats, wherever they were, like the fire hydrant, a tree...a squirrel...anyway it looked like we had a Tasmanian Devil locked up in a rolling cart. Every time we passed someone I just had to say, "He got hit by a car, we really want to let him out but we can't...He got hit by a car, we really want to let him out but we can't..."

Oh wally. Disturbing the peace, just like a good pug should.

How I LOVE you!

Then we did physical therapy, where Walter has to lay over a ball and we rock him gently to stimulate nerve growth in his feet. Will get pictures but I dont' think Wally likes it at all. Then wrestled with pain pills and he finally went to sleep. He is really getting strong, relatively speaking, and it is getting harder to entertain him. He's like LET ME OUT OF THIS DAMN PEN!

Hope you're all doing great...

EXCELLENT!!

2009-08-06T15:07:00.000-07:00

Thank you for your kind words yesterday. I used them to float on to get today - and today was EXCELLENT! Walter had his first physical therapy water-tank treatment today AND HE WAS A STAR! Special thanks to mom who once again handled all the paperwork. without you....nope, not even picturing it.

Walter freaking swam!!!

Not only did the vet say Walter's dragging foot had a good chance of healing with time and patience, (and therapies and so on...) this treatment is specifically good for rebuilding those damaged nerves. Here is Walter looking unsure about going into the water tank:

Then he goes into the tank with a GREEN PAMPER on. Indignities!

He was not at all sure about the tank at first. The water fills to just under his chin so 80% of his bodyweight is supported. But can you imagine going in a big scary black tank and water fills to your chin?

but then he really started to get going! This is just after he swam (hard to get pics during because I am helping at the front of the tank.) but he swims for 2 minutes and then gets a 5 minute "spa" or whirlpoool bath and the vet tech massages his ears! oh yes she does!

when we got home, he was so tired, and conked out on Polie bear right away. I could not believe how strong he was or how far he swam. THIS BOY HAS A SHATTERED PELVIS, FRACTURED LEGS AND A BRUISED HEART! But he swam! He was exhausted and shaking a little afterwards, but mama scooped him up and rushed him home and now he's sleepinks the sleeps of champions!
I don't want to forget to give Thanks to the driver, Sarah, who has really been supportive and who's going through her own healing process.

Everyone else - Please continue to send us all your good thoughts everybody. It is friends, family and the love of complete strangers getting him through this. Your good will/thoughts/prayers are what we're using to get him healing. Once he's strong enough we plan WALTER TAKES AMERICA!!

determined okayness

2009-08-05T13:16:00.000-07:00

Wally isn't sad, he just sometimes looks sad when he looks at me because he can tell I'm worried. This is what I mean to work on. I don't know how, I don't know with what, but I need to put the anxiety on the shelf. It isn't helping anyone, especially him. His right leg is trailing a bit more, we're not sure why. We go to Physical therapy tomorrow and hopefully she'll know why. Also scheduled an Xray at westgate pet clinic for Saturday at 11:30 to make sure that new screw is where it should be. Pray we can keep up all the payments! Thank you to everyone buying books btw. It is really helping. Jason is coming over to put up a donate button.

I have to re-commit myself to having a good time with him, on his terms. A good afternoon before the accident was going to the lake on a walk, well - now it's sitting in the pen and giving Walter a massage, then okay. I have to stop comparing now to then. I have to accept now for now. This is what it is. This is what we have and I have to learn to enjoy his company without fretting.

any tips on loving life even when it's filled more flaws than a glass engagement ring??

- okay Heather, stop mewling and list the miracles-

Walter is alive - against all odds
mom
Everyone who sends messages
Everyone buying books
enough $$ - for the time being - for his care
sunshine
cool weather (he doesn't overheat)
great doctors
strength to go on one more day
dreams dreams dreams. I dream we will run together again....
;)

Oh! FYI I am on 107.1 Fm today at 4:30ish pm you may be able to listen live here:
http://www.fm1071.com/showpage.php?show=5

waterworks

2009-08-03T15:47:00.000-07:00

Hard day. Not for Walter, he's taking all this in stride. I seemed to cry at the drop of any hat today. I cried if there was good news, cried if there was bad. I just couldn't stop. Maybe it's just a bad day, but everything seems overwhelming today. I am going to make some tea, light an Indy Blogger candle and try to work while wally sleeps. Must remember all I am grateful for, including, especially those darn mini marshmallows.

I wanted to stop feeling sorry for myself for one second and give a special shout out to Tweedles, we have tried to comment on your blog and the log-in is weird for us, but we will keep trying. We love you!

Also, Annie from INdiana, who sent Walter the BIGGEST bag of rawhides, he was num-num-numming them all day and didn't even notice his mama falling apart because he was in heaven! I hear you helped put this box together, and we thank you so SO much. It was and is a thing of beauty and so are you.
Heather and Walter

THANK YOU INDY BLOGGERS - AMAZING!

2009-08-01T23:11:00.001-07:00

Indy Bloggers sent Walter and me the most AMAZING and sweet gift. An entire box of goodies! Walter was SO SO excited! He helped me open the box, and I tried to get pictures, but he was moving fast!

I haven't seen him so happy since he came home. He KNEW the box was for him! I set it down in the pen and as he nosed through things we opened them, and the cool stuff would not end! it was the best care package EVER. Walter stood up for the whole unveiling! Stood on all four feet and wagged his tail!

The care package had stuffed animals, marshmallows, rawhides, and chew toys for Walter, and Candles and hand lotion for me. There was a pug calendar and address book! It was the biggest box and it was packed with love. I have to admit, halfway thru I burst into (happy) tears. I was so touched...and Walter, he wanted to try everything! all the delicious snacks! and the toys!
He loved his Kentuckian bandana! He gave every toy the once over, licking them on the head, shaking them, the sheep got it good and the little tiny stuffed pug? He held it in his mouth on and off for hours like a baby. He LOVES it. Indy Bloggers, I am so astounded with the stuff you sent. The angel pin! The protection charm! The wet wipes - which we needed at that moment desperately! The calendar is now his central vet appointment calendar...we transferred the dates and we put the cards up on his supply station by his bed. You have touched us and we are beyond grateful. We are amazed and Walter is snuggled in bed on top of his new Healing Blanket with all his new loot. In all this it never occurred to me to go get him new toys and stuff. We've been buying pain medications and pee pads - today we got the funnest stuff ever!!! Indy Bloggers, we can never repay you for your amazing grace. Thank you - thank you - thank you. I can see now that we need to get a PUG MOBILE and load up to come meet all you extraordinary people and pugs. We have never met, but you are all family.

Thank You for the Healing Blanket!

2009-08-01T14:19:00.001-07:00

Nettie (blogger NASRENE) - who's been following Walter's blog, but who we've never even met - had her grandmother knit Walter a blanket! This blanket is amazing. Not only is it hand-knit with love, it's from a special line of blankets made just for people who need healing. Nasrene's grandmother has made them for cancer patients and other people who are trying to recover from something. When we unfolded it from the tissue paper, even though it was heavy and thick it felt cool and soothing, a healing blanket for sure! Such fun colors and AMAZING stitch work. Walter loves the different textures and the fact it was made in big-boy blue! I have never seen a blanket like it, and when I put it in Walters pen (SCAMPERLAND!) he immediately curled up on it and fell asleep. I mean like zonked out. Peaceful and snoring, which is the most heavenly sound to me, I can hear his bones healing when he does this.

I was so touched by this gift, I told Walter how important his recovery is, how so many people love him and are watching out for him. I told him there are more good things in this world than bad, more Miracles than we can count, and that there are angels all around us, disguised as friends and neighbors.

thank you for this priceless gift. we will treasure it always.

also to Kent Stemen, CONGRATULATIONS on adopting pug #3 - BUSTER!!!!!!!! We are so thrilled, and this experience has made me want to get another pug for sure. My heart is twice as big now!

Heather and Walter

THANK YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!

2009-07-31T21:01:00.000-07:00

To everybody who bought a book or is going to buy a book, thank you! This is the photo the Associated Press took of Walter and I for my latest book, "Jennifer Johnson is Sick of Being Single" (by fabulous reporter Jeff Baenen, google him - his stories are awesome!)

Anyway, this photo has been around the world - Walter is so much a part of my writing career. I got him when I embarked on my author journey because I knew I would be alone alot - and I wanted a companion. Little did I know my life would start to orbit his - An easy mistake for a first-time pug owner!

Anyway, I am on deadline for the next book, (nice way to say behind) and the sales of JJISOBS and my first book, Pretty Little Mistakes, well honestly they are really helping. I am working on the straight donate button. it's tricky with the IRS and everything, and I don't have much time to figure new things out - its all I can do to keep the pee pads clean, so THANK YOU again for everyone who's supporting us. It really breaks my heart every minute of the day - in a good way.

love

heather (and WALTER!)

(Look at Walter in the Chinese newspaper!)

POOP UPDATE:

Walter went poop on his own TWICE yesterday. Squatted like a regular dog! I didn't think that was possible, and because he hasn't gone in so long they were Great Dane size! Still, anything he can do now that is similar to "before" is a miracle. I spoke to my neighbor who had jumped in the car with me the night of the accident and she confessed the vet had pulled her over that night and told her Walter was NOT going to make it. She hadn't wanted to tell me before...the vet told me it didn't look good but still let me have some hope, which was all I needed. Which is all any of us need.

Whatever you are going through, I hope you'll use the story of Walter as proof that amazing things can happen anywhere.

Scamper Land

2009-07-31T14:20:00.000-07:00

Scamper Land is built! Walter loves it! The accident was three weeks ago TODAY and they said he wouldn't make the night - now Wally has SCAMPERLAND!

Fence me in!

2009-07-31T08:36:00.000-07:00

Walters PT routine is gentle at first. I'm to buy one of these physio balls which he will rock back and forth on, gently, so the pads of his feet get used to touching the ground, and muscles build as he rocks (he is fully supported by human whilst doing this)

He also starts the water treadmill soon. weeeeeeeeee! Look at that little Doxie go!

Okay, today I need to build walter a new pen. 5'x5' is the largest area they want him in. NO scooting, nothing that could damage the screw. I looked online and saw lots of baby gates, pet fences...but they're all so ugly! I am thinking of making a picket fence pen. after all we'll need to look at it for months...shouldn't it be pretty?

PT was great

2009-07-30T21:07:00.000-07:00

We went to our Physical therapist and she was really lovely. Smart, calm, knowledgeable and she thought Walter was doing well, and could also do better. I will put a donate button up, Promise! you are all lovely people for wanting to help!! Now he's asleep whilst chomping pohlie Bear!!

HALP

2009-07-30T07:36:00.000-07:00

I slept! Lovely, sweet sleep. Now we go to physical therapy today, and we're hoping it doesn't cost as much as multiple orthopedic surgeries. I have been reluctant to put up a "donate" button or anything, but if anyone wants to help out and is able, buying my books will help deflate our medical bills.

As you can imagine, Sir Walter with-shirt-and-socks is going to need a-lot-o cash to get his legs working properly. Water treadmills, nerve reconstruction, physical therapy at the hospital, means we are facing a very long comittment, and if you can help by buying a book or two,(or 20!!) we KISSES your face!

You can see the books on the sidebar here or see/buy them here. There are two titles available, "Pretty Little Mistakes," and "Jennifer Johnson is Sick of Being Single."They're only about ten bucks and we really really appreciate it.

Exhausted/Elated

2009-07-29T09:44:00.000-07:00

I have never known exhaustion like this. I have some post traumatic stress sleep thing going where I wake at the slightest noise. Nothing can knock me out. I woke up this morning for the hundredth time, gave walter meds, he wanted out of playpen/didnt want to be alone so I made a fort out of pee pads and furniture on the living room floor and slept with him till 11 am. I am still exhausted but then Walter stood to pee -on the living room floor, somehow managing to get the one small spot without a pee pad - and then he stood to drink water!

Walter can stand. Pins are holding. PINS ARE HOLDING!
Bones are healing.

Walter the pug = 3
Truck from hell = OUT OF LUCK!

STEPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-07-28T09:35:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of walter having a long drink of water AFTER perfoming another miracle. The little shiny specks are drops of water as Walter laps up his filtered (of course!) H20.

Late last night, well after the whole butt-scooting event, Walter walked.

HE WALKED!

Not far, not easily, but he took four steps, where he was up on all four legs! He was favoring the right leg, which the surgeon thought he might due to possible nerve damage on the right foot, but there was no question - they were steps.

I woke him up for his medicines, he shot me a "why do you keep harassing me" look, he got up all wobbly, much like a newborn deer would when taking first steps, and wobbled his way to the other side of the playpen.

I was breathless. He flopped down and got comfortable like nothing happened. I called the physical therapist first thing this a.m. and they scheduled a "rush" appointment, because our little guy is moving faster than we are!

I need to find out whats the right amount of exercise for him, whats too much etc...I don't want to fence him in but I don't want anything to jostle that new screw until the scar tissue forms around it and holds it tight.

HE WALKED!!!!!!!!!! WALTER TOOK FOUR STEPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Walter the Pug = 2
Truck from hell= 0!

(NOTE: Changing the slogan from "SUV from hell" to "Truck from hell" for all our friends from other countries. I don't know if you call a truck an SUV in Australia...it means Sports Utility Vehicle here which just means it's just an enclosed-cab truck

ALSO, Sarah the driver, if you're reading this, the "from hell" part is just for fun. The truck was from hell, but you are not!!! You have been very thoughtful and I hope you're feeling better. It just gives us something to celebrate when we say "from hell" so hope thats okay.)

Upwardly Mobile??

2009-07-27T19:49:00.000-07:00

OMG. Freaking out/happy/worried/mostly happy.....

Here's what happened. I had left walter on his "play mat" ( as pictured above) which is just some big blankets on the floor for him to stretch on, sleep in front of the fan etc... it gives him a break from his playpen and lets us change the bedding thoroughly.

I often put Walter on his play Mat, then run to the kitchen to get him a treat, water, whatever and when I come back he's right where I left him - Lots of time sound asleep.

Tonight though? Something unbelievable happened.

I put Walter on play Mat, and then halfway to kitchen stopped to talk to my mom. A friend of hers had also stopped by, so the three of us were exchanging updates etc... when all of a sudden, my moms friend says, "Well Hello Walter."

I look down...and Walter is right there at my foot. He has scooted himself all the way from the sunporch to the front hall on his front paws. He had to cross the entire living room on his own to get there! This is a dog that has not moved much more than to shift himself, and he just freaking traversed half the house because he wanted to be where the action was! It is the length of a schoolbus at least! (sorry, not good with math or measurements and rely on metaphor)

Okay, true - he didn't walk, he dragged himself like a little orangutan with front paws slightly turned inward for better traction, but we think, we think maybe he was using those back legs just a little to push himself and that tail was WAGGING. definitely certain the second surgery improved him. SOUND THE MIRACLE BELLS! Three days ago we didn't know if he'd make it thru a second surgery!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So my munchkin is cruising around! We all had heart attacks! I was terrified he]d hurt himself, hurt his stitches, but No! not a scratch on him and no yelps or panting- just more tail wagging. I scooped him up and rushed him back to the play mat, where he seemed quite satisfied with himself and ate an entire hamburger. Oh Walter. We love you so darn much.

Tomorrow moms got a big day working, I'm on my own again, but this has given me a huge surge of energy/optimism. Thank you for your prayers everybody. Tomorrow I speak with the physical therapist and I'll give you an update.

YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!

Third Day after (2nd) Surgery

2009-07-27T10:49:00.000-07:00

Walter's stitches look yucky, but actually they're doing very good. This is his second surgery on this side, the incision is much bigger, buy they used sutures instead of staples, which I think are more comfortable for him.

Also, his poor little balls had gotten run over and were very BIG and swollen before. We iced them continually (1o mins on 15 mins off) until they became regular size. I never knew I would be a pug ball-icing expert, but I am and even developed a sort of ball-icing device from a balloon and a bag of frozen peas. The vet says the swelling is down and the abrasions are all better there.

I wonder how long his coat will take to grow in? One thing is for sure, we cannot spend the winter in Minnesota. we have to move for the winter. All the hardware in his leg, plus limited (if we're lucky!) movement plus NO HAIR does not work with icy streets. so - any warm pug communities out there?

Me and Walter when he was a behbeh

2009-07-27T01:08:00.000-07:00

This was one of wallys first pictures after he moved in with me. About June 2007. I had no idea what life with Walter would be like in this picture. How much I'd love him, How demanding he'd be, how okay with his demands I would become.

I had no idea in this picture that a year and a half later he'd be run over. If I'd known then what I know now, I prolly would have been too scared to take him on.

Maybe thats what life is filled with "surprises." We underestimate our strength, our abilities to cope and the miracles that will accompany the challenges...so we would never willingly walk thru these troubled doors...only beyond the trouble is something else. Something we need. I'm not sure what that is yet, but I'll keep you posted. ;)

A little sunshine

2009-07-26T10:32:00.000-07:00

Walter got a dappled sunbath today. Note the laundry basket in the corner, thats how we transport him around, there's a pillow, and blankets and pee pads inside.

The blue syringe is actually his preferred way to get water. We fill it with drinking water and let him lick it as he wants it. Sometimes he uses a bowl. This picture above is of him barking at the neighbor dog...a sound I like to hear. I like to know he still has sassafras.

He is still reluctant to use back legs. he uses front legs to drag himself around, which is hard to watch, I want to help him, but think part of the outdoor outing is to get him to strengthen his muscles.

Better!

2009-07-25T12:08:00.000-07:00

I didn't have my phone/camera with me today so no new picture of Walter, but I will get some for tomorrow. I have to say, even though he is sore, Walter looks better to me. His body holds together better. He shifts himself more easily and no yelping

Also, he wagged his tail today...not seen that since the accident. He is sleeping comfortably and I am taking the day to rest with him. He ate THREE hamburger patties and drank lots of water since he's been home. His sutures look black and ugly, but not as awful as the metal staples. All in all, I'd say he looks better than could be expected.

We were wondering what we could do to celebrate, considering we won't leave his side for more than an hour and a half. Maybe we will just walk around the lake. That will be nice. Mom will watch him while we go, I will have my phone on and in my hand...it might even be relaxing. Oh how Walter and I used to relax! I can't wait to return to "Belly Time" Which is when we lay belly-to-belly in the morning and snorkle-kiss.

Soon. Soon!