Update: I feel like I’m failing my dog

Hi everyone,

I wanted to give an update regarding a post I made last year where I expressed feeling like I was failing my dog, Daisy. Everyone was so extremely supportive and kind in the comments, and I would like to express how grateful I am to everyone who commented and offered support or advice.

Daisy and I celebrated her ninth birthday over the weekend, and I am happy to report that we are both doing much, much better! She’s been getting stronger every day and has actually started wagging her tail again (for the first time in 9 months!!!).

I don’t know if she’ll ever overcome the need for her wheels, but she has been doing a lot better overall! She has almost no issues going up the stairs, and even manages to climb up onto the couch, as long as she doesn’t slip and her paws are on the carpet. She hasn’t had any incontinence since December, and we’re managing the UTIs with prescription food. We’ve also added a little hygiene routine for when she comes out of her wheelchair.

She’s really gotten the hang of her wheelchair and everyone we meet tells me how happy she looks. I even had someone ask me how old my puppy was 😭 I haven’t heard a comment like that since she’s become disabled! We’ve increased the length of her walks (we even go off leash) and she usually doesn’t want to go home! If I do manage to get her home, she just picks up her toys and demands we have playtime.

She really does seem much more full of life, and not to anthropomorphize, but she no longer seems depressed. She gets excited when I ask her if she wants to go for her walks and she’ll let me know if I’m taking too long to get ready. I’m so looking forward to this summer. I intend to take her swimming as much as I possibly can and we’ll even try hiking again too :)

I just want to thank everyone again for their kind words and support. Our routines may look different, and we’ve had to make a few adaptations and adjustments along the way, but I think we’ve finally found a good groove that keeps everyone happy.