It’s been 10 weeks since Brock’s stroke, but some days feel more like 10 years. 🙂 Over the past 2-3 weeks his physical progression has plateaued, which I think is to be expected. He’s made great progress so far and at some point it’ll peak. I don’t think he’s hit that point, but it’s also highly unlikely he’ll ever make a full recovery. I’m hoping with summer approaching, bringing the warmer weather, it’ll help him build endurance and strength in that right leg. Brock loves being outside lounging in the sunshine and chasing the occasional squirrel insane enough to taunt him. He couldn’t get around the block, but it’s possible if I dangled a rabbit in front of him like a greyhound race. What’s really important is his ability to get around gives us both some independence. He can get to his water bowl and I can open the backdoor and just let him go. It’s nice not to have to carry him around all the time.

Brock has also gotten his first UTI! I know it sounds crazy but I wanted to try some home remedies before going to the vet. His care isn’t exactly cheap and I didn’t want to spend a bunch of money at the vet if I could maybe take care of it myself. Well, the home remedies didn’t work. I tried organic cranberry juice over  his food but that just made him not eat. Soaking in a warm bath with apple cider vinegar was another option we tried. He needs frequent baths anyway since he can’t control peeing all over himself, but in the end going to the vet is what he needed. It also gave me the chance to get him a general check-up. He did pee all over the vet tech. I should have been embarrassed, but I wasn’t. I laughed instead. He’s healthy overall, but the crap part is these UTI’s are likely going to be part of life for him now. The unfortunate side effect of his trauma is that it’s aged him and puts him at a higher risk for bladder infections. There is good news though. He pees enough on his own I don’t catheter him daily anymore. That’s a HUGE win!!!

Poop is a whole other story. There’s zero change in his ability to control that function, but I’ve apparently become nose blind while I’m sleeping. Jury’s still out on how I feel about that revelation. I appreciate sleeping all night, but not waking up to that smell is a bit concerning.

I got him a ramp so he could get on and off the couch, but treats won’t get him to try it. The pictures on the box make it look so easy but dude wants nothing to do with it. The biggest change we’re making is switching out the back doors for a slider and doggie door. I’ll put up some fencing around the deck too. I’ve never allowed him to have the run of the backyard while I’m gone, but this could be really great. I’m super nervous about it though. He’s going to start staying at home three days a week and needs to be able to get outside. He knows he’s supposed to go to the bathroom outside but cannot hold it all day. The deck will be easier to clean than the carpets. The challenge is to find a door that will work for him. I might have to fabricate something, but we’ll certainly figure it out.