I can't believe they put me in socks!

We're trying out some traction socks for Ruby now that she's back in New York. So far we can report one thing: she hates them.

Ruby's back in New York & going for walks outside daily!  She still stumbles but we are well on our way!

Check out our updated ChipIn to continue to make donations.  

Thank you everyone for your interest & generosity!

She can do it!

Ruby's walks in the yard in Delaware! 

Thanks everyone for making this summer so special!  I wouldn't be where I am without you!!

Ruby's Summer Vacation

We haven't updated in awhile but that doesn't mean nothing's happening!  We had a rough start to the summer but with all of your help we really managed to get back on our feet... literally!

Just after my back surgery, May 2012

Here I am in Delaware! 

I spent most of July & August here getting my balance back.

Good morning!  I got to sleep in bed A LOT this summer!

This is my cart.  It helps keep my back legs steady so I can steal toys from Ezme! 

 

Helping Mom make curtains!

 

A snooze after hydrotherapy!

 

Me & Ezme being porch dogs!  

She did a great job keeping me company all summer long!

Hi Mom!

What! I'm just helping Grandpa!

An Update, Finally

We've been working very hard with Ruby lately. So hard that we have had little to no time to update! So here's a good one!!

Ruby has gained movement in her back legs again! Unfortunately, she is still struggling with lifting her hind end up.

But we're working on additional strength training for her. In fact, Little Ruby Roo is going on vacation for the first time since the accident.

We bought her a cart and she's mobile now. We have been lowering the wheels in order to promote her using her own strength to lift herself up. The cart acts as a support now.

She is doing very well, got her stitches out, and is back to the same sneaky hotdog she used to be (with a smaller physique, and just that much lazier)

She scoots around all over the house and is able to lift herself up a bit when getting back onto her dog bed - which is great considering she's not getting stuck in the folds anymore! Yippee!

We expect her to start walking by the fall time. We're being very patient with her, and giving her about 100x more love than before (as if it were even possible!)

Here are a few pictures of Roo and some of the things she's been doing!:



"Mom's been coming over a lot lately to spend time with me and a sewing machine. I help make sure the extra thread doesn't get all over the floor.. and I keep her feet and fabric warm."





"My aunt lets me watch tv with her and that boy I like a lot. They give me my own personal side of the sofa, with my own pillow and plenty of kisses. Like they have a choice..."





Although this entire experience was heartbreaking in the beginning, we are so incredibly fortunate to have such a sweet and mild mannered dog like Ruby in our lives. Since her mother can't always be around, I have made sure that she gets everything she needs. Seeing her progress from day-to-day is the most rewarding thing I've ever done. She has gone from completely sedentary - not moving her legs or even her tail  - to being able to stand herself up and walk a few steps and most importantly wiggling that tail of hers. She's a great dog and has a great number of people that care about her (that's you guys!!).

Thank you so much for all of the contributions you've all made. Words cannot even begin to describe how lucky Ruby and we are to be able to make a better life for this dog. We are 10% of the way to our goal and we are still blown away by everyone's generosity!

If you have a moment, please share this blog with people you know who want to read a great story and look at some really cute pictures.



Thank you Everybody! I'm almost a walkin' dog!



We're going to learn how to embed this so we don't have to keep posting the ChipIn site but since so many people have asked for it again, here you go!

Ruby Can Walk (underwater)!

 

Ruby's hydrotherapy is working!  She can now walk underwater with BOTH legs!

The donations are still pouring in.  We remain astounded by everyone's generosity & kindness!

Check back soon! 

Check Up!

Ruby had her follow up appointment earlier this week.  Even though she's not walking yet, the doctor's seem pretty optimistic that she will within the next month.  We've started more physical therapy with her at home & she'll have to attend some in the doctors office as well.  Ruby's Aunt & Grandpa bought her a swimming pool to start therapy at home & so far, it's wet, wild &, best of all, seems to be working!

Ruby still has a little ways to go but we're making sure she stays relaxed & doesn't move around too much.  The good news is her best friend Ezme is more than happy to keep her company.

 

Our whole family would like to extend a giant THANK YOU to everyone who's donated money & has shared the link to the website.  We are absolutely flabbergasted by the support we've received.  It really goes to show you how great people can be & how truly special Ruby is. 

We've raised 4% of our goal in under a week!  We cannot believe the amount of generosity we've received so far! We still have along way to go! Help us by donating or sharing the link to this site! Thanks so much!! 

 

Once I'm able to jump down off the couch again my Mom & Aunt will stop dressing me up in these ridiculous outfits!

Hopefully the weekly baths will cease once I'm able to walk outside to use the bathroom!

These wooden floors do nothing for my traction!

Missing life in a pre-roll world! 

Ruby had to have emergency surgery, a procedure called a hemilacminectomy for intervetebral disc extrusion.

This is a fancy way of saying she misplaced a bunch of discs in her back!

Here's what she's going through nowadays!

Make Donations via ChipIn

Hi! I’m Ruby!

2 weeks ago, I was rolling on the top of a hill, having a great time when suddenly I lost my balance & started to tumble down the hill! I may look like I’m designed to barrel roll but I’m really not.

I made the mistake of trying to stop myself from falling & ended up rupturing several discs in my spinal cord! I had to have emergency surgery in order to save my ability to walk on all four legs, control my urine & bowel movements, &, generally, keep my quality of life at the level it should be.

 If you’ve never met me, ask anyone who has & they’ll tell you I’m the light of a lot of people’s lives. This surgery really saved my ability to live a normal life & we've had to sacrifice a lot to pay for it.

 

 Any amount you're able to contribute is appreciated! Check back for pictures, updates & video!