BEHAF'S
Special Friends:

HUGO'S story:
Hugo as a happy, carefree puppy "Hugo was a happy, healthy Bernese Mt. Dog until April of 2002 (7 years old) when he suddenly collapsed and couldn't move his legs. He had a successful neck disc surgery for a ruptured disc. The surgeon said don't worry as it never happens twice with large breed dogs. When Hugo came home he didn't use his legs for a week, a long week until the happy day when he used his back leg to scratch his ear! After a while of being an invalid, with acupuncture and massage therapy, he was walking again and had a 95% recovery, enjoying his life completely. Nursing him back was hard on all of us but well worth it to have him back again.

Then in December he starting falling again...

Our vet rushed Hugo to the orthopedic surgeon and they operated on a bulging disc. Poor Hugo had to go through it all over again in less than 8 months! But he didn't come back like before. When he wasn't able to stand yet after 6 weeks post-surgery, the surgeon said the cause may have been a spinal stroke. But Hugo was getting better, using his back legs a lot and able to change sides by himself until the beginning of Feb when he had some unknown setback that two vets couldn't determine. He now cannot move from side to side, isn't using his legs and can't lift himself up to sit in a sphinx position.

Otherwise he is healthy, bloodwork is fine, and he's eager to have his life back to normal. He has feeling in his feet, he just has to make the connection to move them. He has had one hydro-therapy session and he can now hold his head and shoulders up when propped up into position and can relax his front legs.

Hugo is hoping very much to be able to move and stand and walk again. By Valentine's Day it will be 8 weeks since the surgery and I've been told dogs can take longer than that to recover from a stroke. Please think positive thoughts for Hugie's recovery. He is a dog with a lot of heart, attitude and courage - and to know him is to adore him.

UPDATES:

H ugo's started hydrotherapy. Here are some photos of his first visit:

We took Hugo off the stretcher and put him on this hydralic lift. Bald spot part of hospital stay.
It's raining - Hugo thinks we are crazy.

Hydro-therapist working his right paw. He had expressions like he realized that was his leg moving. A good step. relaxing
On 1/30/03, before his mysterious setback, Hugie was down but able to move back legs. He's trying to re-learn now, brave boy.

Feb 18, 2003:

We had to postpone Hugo's second hydro-therapy session due to diarrhea and a possible infection. Today with the vet's blessing we returned to San Diego with high hopes. My friend Dawn was sure that he'd move his front paws this time because he has been moving them slightly, on command, when lying down this past week.

The therapist first used an electromagnetic impulse machine on him and we got the contraction reaction we had hoped for. But in the water he was like last time, just letting his legs hang down lifelessly. My heart sunk. I was completely in the pool this time helping and holding Hugo's head up when suddenly I hear a scream from behind me. Dawn was beside the pool with her back to the water, squatting to pick up the treats when she lost her balance. She tried to throw her weight forward but went up in the air and -- fully clothed-flipped backwards and landed head first in the pool. I didn't see any of this, I turned to see her tennis shoes on her feet sticking out of the water like some cartoon. Surprisingly she didn't resurface immediately. It was that horrible moment, the moment that's often the subject of jokes or conjecture, where you have to choose between your dog and your friend. I confess, I hung onto Hugo, keeping his head out of water while the therapist grabbed Dawn by her legs. She came up smiling, thank goodness, and proceeded to stay in the pool with us, fully dressed, cheering Hugo on.

Maybe it was the shock of all this but for whatever reason Hugo started kicking his back legs! It was beautiful, you can imagine, a lovely swimming motion which he repeated for several little "laps" while the therapist held and moved him along. On his last lap he added the right front paw to the thrill of all of us. By now there were several other dog owners there as well as the wonderful person who had originally recommended this therapist, and a host of dogs all marveling at Hugo's first baby swimming steps.

To help Hugo, you can send your donation to:

BEHAF
25421 Wagner Rd
Caldwell ID 83607

(Please note "Hugo" somewhere on your check.)

TO LOVE ONE BERNER IS TO LOVE THEM ALL!

BEHAF'SSpecial Friends:

BEHAF'S
Special Friends: