Karyn, Is this usually such a difficult diagnosis, and is I hope a full recovery to be expected? It sounds like yes to my second question. Sheila Styron 816-896-6552 sheilastyron@xxxxxxxxxxxxx -----Original Message----- From: vi-clicker-trainers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:vi-clicker-trainers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Karyn Sent: Thursday, July 07, 2011 8:51 PM To: Vi-clicker Subject: (VICT) Re: Thane and I- the Fun Continues (NOT) Thanks Ann and Christy for your support on this hard-knock we are dealing with. I was hit right between the eyes today on just how little Thane really can do presently when we did more than he could handle. I won't be doing that again. It was quite hard seeing the reality of what has happened to him. He'll be back but in the interim I feel rather unsteady about taking trips solo. He has saved me from idiot drivers more times than I can count over the past couple months and making crossings without him is well- downright scarey. There are places where it is definitely better and ways to prevent having to cross by taking an extra bus, but if this is teaching me anything, its just how fortunate I am to have him and to have found what is wrong. We chased various symptoms for over a year in trying to figure out what was wrong. I only wish we found it before it went neurological. I guess I have plenty of neuro experience though after Met's journey. My friend Sharon at After Gadget blog wrote a great piece on tick checking a dog recently. She teaches to become aware of your dogs normal bumps and lumps so when there is something out of the ordinary, you know it. I thinned Thane's pantaloons and tail to make it easier as well. We are learning the tick-check process. Since I don't have full sensation, I have to just hope my best will be good enough. Thane still wants to work indoors in between his numerous nap needs and for now- thats just where he will work. I hate that we are missing out on what little beautiful dry weather there is here for adventuring but thems the breaks. grin Thanks for the tip on the gut issues with the meds Ann. Thane is on probiotics and will probably be dosed higher to get through this without triggering a relapse in gut issues, but we will do that only if its warranted. For now we will just enjoy each others presence and sooner than I realize, he will be back at my side once the meds begin to make an impact on his stamina and fatigue issues. Karyn and Thane