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Saving our Noodle Horse

  • 6 months and feeling good - final update

      9 September 2024
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    Today marks 6 months since the accident and the closure of this page. Thank you all for your incredible support. The progress this far is just incredible. Lady has, in the last month, started running again. She is nowhere near as fast as she was and doesn't run more than a few meters but she is enjoying being able to move more freely again. She is still a little prone to falling over if she does go too fast but is getting much much more steady as her muscles grow again and is self managing her speed for the most part. Her stamina is possibly even better than the accident and she seems to have a new lease on life. Today she has done 2 walks and spent a good couple of hours exploring the farm!

    Words can not express how very grateful we are to everyone who has supported us in this journey. Thank you all!

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    • 10/09/2024 by Georgia Mycroft

      Well that has absolutely made my day! Love a wee miracle to shine light into my world. All our love. Xena, Tyson, Poppy, Pippa and Molly.... Oh and their loyal humans XXXXX

    • 11/09/2024 by Maureen Irvine

      I am so happy for you and for lovely Lady. I know how stressful this whole experience must have been, but what a trooper Lady has been throughout it all, showing such resilience and perseverance. Sending much. ❤

  • 13 weeks

      12 June 2024
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    It has now been 13 weeks since Lady's accident and surgery. She continues to grow stronger and more coordinated. We have spent the last 3 weeks or so concentrating on increasing strength and stamina. She now walks similar distances to what she did prior to the accident. We have been using drift wood obstacles at the beach to encourage her to pick up her feet properly. We now include hills into our walks several times a week. She is just loving being able to roam about again although that front right paw still rolls a little when she gets tired for on bigger hills. At this stage she is still on the lead 99.9% of the time because she gets the speed wobbles and we do not want another accident. Slowly letting her off for short periods on the beach though when there are not many people there to over excite her. We were booked in for a hydrotherapy sessions but the pool is currently out of order so still waiting on that front.

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  • 8 weeks on

      7 May 2024
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    8 weeks ago today Lady had her surgery. The difference between then and now is just incredible. Her one stubborn paw is now playing ball around 95% of the time. In fact she is getting so good at walking that we now have to put her on a lead as she has decided it is time to start running again. Unfortunately her legs don't quite keep up with her brain yet which results in a tumble. We definitely can't afford another surgery so just slowing her down for a little bit longer! This week she has demonstrated the ability to get on and off the beds safely so she is now allowed to sleep on Madi's bed again. They are both incredibly happy about this! She has even jumped in the car once this week although that is a skill we are still working on. We have also reduced her meds again and we are so close to being medication free now which will be a huge relief when it happens.

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    • 08/05/2024 by Elizabeth

      Go Lady. Lots of love from Bruce, Spider, Lass, Nui, Poppy and Bruce#2

  • So proud!

      30 April 2024
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    Can you guess what we have spent the whole week practicing? Walking! And she is doing so well. She often looks like she is drunk but she is now managing 10 minute walkies each day. She is enjoying being able to interact with other dogs again and does a little happy dance after emptying her bowels without being held up. She usually falls over during this happy dance but it is great to watch. We have reduced her meds right down which has made all the difference to her balance and that one stubborn paw is even playing ball about 1/3 of the time now! And the couch ninja is well and truly back. Blink and she is back on there!

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    • 01/05/2024 by Maika

      This is amazing! I love to see this progress and I'm so happy for you all. She's such a sweet girl.

    • 02/05/2024 by Maureen Irvine

      Amazing! She's doing so well and looking so happy. <3 Lovely to see. <3

  • What a week!

      21 April 2024
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    Well this week has certainly had it's ups and downs! Firstly a massive thank you to everyone who has helped us get this far. Words can not express how very grateful we are.

    At the beginning of the week we were again reminded of the amazing kindness that can be found in humanity. Lady was in need of coats/pjs to stay warm and the wonderful greyhound community came to our rescue with some donations. These could not have come at a better time as just a few days later Lady got an upset tummy and had some rather nasty diarrhea which include a lot of blood. This landed her in hospital again on a drip for the day on Friday. She came home that night feeling a bit better only to wake up the next day with a UTI. Needless to say the washing machine has been going full time this week!

    On a far more positive note, in between these set backs she has managed to find the time and motivation to learn how to 'walk' on 3 legs as one is still not playing ball. She only takes a few steps and is prone to falling over but it is amazing to see her starting to move around again! Oh and she is starting to want to take her meals standing again although we currently raise them up to her so she isn't straining.

    All in all a big week!

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    • 21/04/2024 by Maureen Irvine

      Oh wow! I hope the bloody diarrhoea and UTI are not too serious and can be cleared up quickly. The standing and walking attempts are wonderful, though. Such good news! One of our girls had a spinal cord stroke last year and was completely paralysed on her back end for several weeks, so I know about the worry, the hard work and never-ending cleaning and washing that goes into nursing a paralysed hound. Your girl is doing amazingly well and you must be so proud of her. <3

    • 23/04/2024 by Jan

      What a week for you! I hope that she is coming right from those setbacks and having a better time of it this week. It is a joy to watch the video and see her taking those wee steps. An amazing reward for all the love and hard work you are pouring in to her.

  • Getting stronger

      12 April 2024
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    Look what Lady can do now! She has been practicing this all week. She still has one paw that just rolls away on her so she can't walk yet but is working on it. Her medication has been reduced over the last couple of days which may well help with her balance and limb weakness. Time will tell. She has also enjoyed a walk on the beach from the luxury of the beach trolley. Boy was that a good work out for the humans!

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    • 12/04/2024 by mary

      looking good Lady......one day at a time.....are you having any hydrotherapy ???? love and peace xox

    • 12/04/2024 by Maureen Irvine

      This is so heartwarming to see. ❤ Keep it up, Lady, you've got this! xxx

  • Out and About

      4 April 2024
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    Yesterday we met our new, more local, physio which was great. I floated the idea of taking Lady on 'walkies' just without the walking which she was all on board with. So we did. We headed down to the scenic for out first post accident walkies...or maybe more of a standies? She loved it. She insisted on standing (still very much with support) for almost the whole 25min and just watched people as they past or sniffed around the air. Think she was pretty mad at me when I insisted on putting her back in the car to go home!

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    • 05/04/2024 by mary

      Standies is greyt progress Lady....well done to you and your fab family xoxo

    • 05/04/2024 by Maureen Irvine

      That's fantastic! Go, Lady! ❤

  • Sneaky!

      2 April 2024
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    Lady's kennel name of Sneak is bang on! She may not be able to walk yet but she sure managed to get up on the sofa bed when Madi forgot to put the gate across last night!

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    • 02/04/2024 by Maureen Irvine

      Yay! Such determination! Go, Lady! ❤

    • 02/04/2024 by Elizabeth

      Great to see the improvement. Yeah Lady

  • Happy Easter from Ladybug, AKA Noodle Horse

      31 March 2024
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    Lady has been very busy these past few days. She is keen to spend as much time on her feet as she can but it really does tire her out! She is now holding her own weight for a minute or two at a time but her balance is way off so she needs constant support. She is also just learning how to get back down to the floor without flopping! Her paws on one side haven't quite got the message yet that she is back in charge but she is slowly regaining control. Yesterday she was even allowed a wee nap on the couch (with Madi planted firmly next to her), a place she has been eyeing up all week! Picture is of Lady yumming up her doggy chocs today. We just couldn't leave her out!

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    • 02/04/2024 by Maureen Irvine

      So pleased to see your lovely girl's steady improvement ❤

  • Playing and kisses

      27 March 2024
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    So Lady is not big on playing at the best of times, not entirely sure she really knows how. Every now and then though she would jump around and try to hit me with her paw. Today when I arrived home ( I was only gone for 30min) she was so excited that I got kisses and she tried to play from her laying down position. As usual it only lasted a few seconds but it was wonderful to see her looking happy and comfortable. She is camera shy though and the moment she realises you are trying to get a picture she lays still and looks sulky!

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    • 28/03/2024 by Maureen Irvine

      That's so lovely to hear. Sending positive thoughts for your lovely girl's continued good progress. ❤

  • Weekend update

      24 March 2024
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    This weekend we have seen a few small positive achievements. We have attempted to wag our tail when a visitor came, we have (with human support) had our first wee in a more natural upright position, and also learned to communicate that we want to go outside for a toilet, we started grooming our hind quarters again and regained our appetite to pre injury level. In between these achievements there has been a lot of sleeping. Oh and the humans discovered they had a little tube that went with the syringe so med time became a whole lot more efficient much to Lady's disgust!

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    • 25/03/2024 by Maika

      Great work again Lady!

      You may already be doing this but with the toileting, holding her up with a towel under the chest & waist is really helpful. And a bit of a workout for the family.

  • Exciting progress!

      21 March 2024
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    Lady spent some time in the sun today and obviously it motivated her to get moving. She spent quite some time trying to stand up. Whilst non of her attempts today were successful I am sure they will be soon.

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    • 22/03/2024 by Maika

      Awesome stuff Lady! Keep it up.

  • A big thank you

      20 March 2024
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    Me and Lady (Madi was at school but I know she feels it too!) saying a big thank you for all the support both financial and emotional

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  • Wiggling and dark humour

      20 March 2024
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    The good news is that Lady continues to grow stronger. She is currently laying in the middle of the living room floor because that is where she decided she wanted to wiggle to (under my watchful eye of course). She has been prescribed Carprofen and it would see that my teenagers have a dark sense of humour. They find this hilarious as they agree that she needs Car Proofin' following the crash! Well I guess sometimes you just have to laugh or you just might cry!

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  • Happy to be home

      17 March 2024
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    We are happy to report that Lady is feeling a bit stronger today. She is eating a bit more and trying to move about a bit more. She even attempted a commando crawl towards the back door. Think she needs the loo and doesn't want to go inside. She is still pretty sad that she can't do all the things she likes but if she keeps this up maybe it won't be too long until she can!

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    • 18/03/2024 by Elizabeth

      Best news...lots of love from Bruce, Spider, Lass, Nui and Poppy

    • 18/03/2024 by Maika

      What a beautiful face! I'm glad to hear she's on the mend. Our girl recently had karaka berry poisoning so it's been slow going from paralysis to (fairly awkward) zoomies, but she's getting there. They're resilient animals and I'm sure Lady will get there soon enough.

    • 18/03/2024 by mary

      such good news Lady...one day at a time sweetheart...xox

  • Home Time!

      15 March 2024
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    Today was a big day. The Noodle horse came home. She can't walk yet and gets tired very easily but she does seem to be pleased to be home. She has eaten some meat, shared Madi's dinner and done her physio exercises. Now she is all tucked up ready for sleep. Think she might be mad at us for making her take her meds though! There is obviously a long way to go but we are hoping to see her grow stronger each and every day.

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    • 16/03/2024 by Maureen Irvine

      So happy to see she's making progress. Hopefully being home will certainly help her psychologically. You're doing a wonderful job! Sending hugs to you and your lovely girl.

    • 16/03/2024 by Elizabeth

      Yeah Noodle. You go girl

  • Rehab

      14 March 2024
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    Lady has been doing well over the last day. She is now off the IV pain relief and they are hoping she can come home tomorrow. This is a little dependent on her feeding as she isn't keen on eating at present. This does not surprise me though as she is a private eater and doesn't like to be watched! Once she gets home it will be a long road to recovery still. She will need turning regularly until she is able to move about herself. We hope she will keep on getting stronger every day and that being home will give her the motivation to get going again. We all know that she can be a stubborn little sausage and doesn't like change!

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    • 15/03/2024 by Maika

      You're doing great Lady (and whānau)! I bet you can't wait to get home.

    • 15/03/2024 by Jan

      Thank you for the progress update. Here's hoping for small steps toward full recovery every day.

    • 15/03/2024 by mary

      cute earrings Lady........i am sure your humans will have some yummy morsels to tempt you with.....maybe some bone broth and cooked chook...sending healing love and peace....xoxo

  • Lady's recovery journey begins

      13 March 2024
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    Yesterday the vets performed the much needed surgery. Lady now has a stable spine. Shortly after surgery however she suffered a slight setback as she experienced a heart arrhythmia and a shortness of breath. This left her on a ventilator and anesthetics over night. The good news is that she has now been awake and breathing by herself for around 3hrs. She is apparently looking rather moody but has been on her feet and is slowly waking up more as the anesthetics leave her body. Fingers crossed for a smoother night tonight!

    Picture of Lady in her bed prior to surgery.

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    • 13/03/2024 by Georgia Mycroft

      You can do this Lady, we are all behind you every wobbly step of the way XXXX Pip, Pop, Xena, Tyson, Molly and Lottie XXXXX oh and their humans X

    • 15/03/2024 by Katrina Lukaszewicz

      So pleased to hear the news! Hopefully once home she may feel like eating, drinking is probably more important at this stage. Thank you for the update and keep ‘em coming! Hugs xx