Ruby is on the mend

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23
Feb
2010

Ruby enjoys the snow as part of her recovery

Julie Cozze-Young first volunteered as a Puppy Socialiser for Dogs for the Disabled, the assistance dog training charity, in April 2007. She wanted to be involved in the work that helped disabled people live fuller, more independent lives with the help of their trained assistance dogs. Recently, Julie welcomed Ruby, her second Dogs for the Disabled puppy into her home, and in her blog we follow her progress as she socialises and trains Ruby.

“I am very happy to report that Ruby is on the mend, gradually resuming her training and extending the length of walk she can undertake. But not without a minor set-back soon after the previous blog was posted.

I was very hopeful that Ruby would be back to her usual healthy self a week ago, but she continued to limp and, with the agreement of Dogs for the Disabled, we took Ruby to the vets for a scan to fully check her paw.

The concern was that there may have been some blackthorn left in her paw, or that there may have been slight bone damage. However, I was relieved to hear that the result was clear, and that a short course of antibiotics was all she needed to address some soft tissue damage and act against potential infection.

For the first evening home, Ruby slept and slept, only rising to eat some food and have a few drinks of water. But the following day she was fully bright and alert, and within three days she was back to being her usual energetic self!

Four days after Ruby’s trip to the Vets, I had an arranged visit from Claire Lush, our Dogs for the Disabled Puppy Co-ordinator. Usually, we would take Ruby to town for training, but, given Ruby’s recent injuries, Claire just wanted to check on her recovery.

Claire also used the opportunity to see how well Ruby settled after greeting a visitor. An important part of the puppy’s training and development which Ruby handled well – although our own two dogs were less keen to let Claire sit in peace!

For the last two days, Ruby has been on training walks on lead around the village, and I will gradually build up the distance over the next week. I am also working on the “Go to bed” command with her, and the next stage is for her to go to her basket on the verbal cue - at the moment she will get into her basked when rewarded with a treat, but is not yet familiar with the verbal cue.

So, with training resumed, Ruby is definitely on the mend, ending today’s walk just in time to enjoy the brief flurry of snow - back to her usual playful puppy self!”