MIRACLE WITH PAWS; FISHING DOG'S RECOVERY

AngleThis · 07-31-2002, 07:18 PM

I am encouraged!

Pretty much, he just wants to sleep. But I wake him every few hours for his meds, and a trip outside to pee, and a
few minutes of therapy. One of the medication makes him drink lots of water and need to urinate frequently.

Titan is remembering more and more! I'm now seeing some expression on one side of his face when I say "treat".
He will shake with his half shaven needle stuck right foreleg, sit, and laydown, although I can tell he is working
real hard and taking a long time to think about it and perform, after being commanded several times. But his desire
to please me, remembering the layout of the house, back yard, and his tricks, as well as his appitite being in tact,
shows he has the potential to feel joy agian.

I also see him learning how to get around with one eye, looking to the left often as he has no vision there unless
he turns his head to use his right eye. It's astounding...10% of a brain, badly impared only four days after major
trauma, and yet it is learning new things and remembering old ones.

He is exhausted, labors hard to walk, but whenever I wake him, he refuses to sit still. He keeps walking all over
the house, and back yard when I go out with him, seeing and sniffing familiar things. He staggers through the
brush in the back yard, walking the parimeter of the fence; trying to fullfill his guard dog duties. He still circles to
the right, but sooner and sooner figures out he's not going anywhwere, then peels off and gets to where he
wants to go.

This dog has always had a will of steel, like no dog I have ever known, and I see it still. Since the first time I heard
his defiant 'let me he he**outta here' puppy barks from the carrier at Alaska air frieght when I picked him up, he
had repeatedly demonstrated infinite stubbornness. Without a doubt he is as focused an animal as there has ever
been, on whatever it is that has his attenton. His first vet said "this is a dog that needs a job". Now, he is
obviously fighting with all he has left to come back keep and living his life instead of succuming to the exhaustion
and laying down to vege out and die. That's my boy! That's why I named him Titan. I'm so proud of this critter... he
just might make it and I am reconsidering letting him go if his left eye vision does not return.

07-31-2002, 07:44 PM

:smile: :smile: !!!Go Titan Go!!! :smile: :smile:

Otolith · 07-31-2002, 07:55 PM

... and to top it all off, scientists today revealed that dogs are actually smarter than most kids (they can count!)

Angle's dog is smarter than your ugly little kid :-)

husker · 07-31-2002, 07:57 PM

good for u AT!....u have been through a ruff time

Smily · 07-31-2002, 08:02 PM

Great news *********, Hoping for a speedy recovery for your buddy.

:smile: Smily :smile:

AngleThis · 07-31-2002, 08:33 PM

YES they can count...I have seen Titan frantically look for that fourth missing cat.

Titan is now waking up on his own. It takes him a couple of minutes before he's read to stand and walk, but he is getting stronger by the minute. Soon his body will be uninjured. That is when I'll be able to accurately gauge the condition and recovery of his brain.

He's trying so hard. Sometimes he just stands there gorked, but refuses to lay down and go back to sleep. Even with 10% of a brain, he's 110% determined, strong, male hearding dog.

ampersat · 07-31-2002, 08:45 PM

atta boy!!

dogs and kids, in fact, are a lot alike: they're very adaptable. i think even if titan can't see out of one eye, he'll get used to it and live around it. in fact, he's already doing it. according to conventional wisdom, most folks only use 10% of their brains and get along just fine, for the most part, sort of. it sounds like titan will make a mostly full recovery and live a long and full life, although a little adapted to his new "situation". regardless of what his life is like in the future, love him for what he is, remember fondly what he was and understand what he has been through. you're lucky to still have him in your life.

AngleThis · 07-31-2002, 09:04 PM

You are right. I am lucky. Even if he is never the dog he was, and ages 10 years, relateively speaking, he still responds to me. As long as I can make him happy in some ways, he deserves to be with me. He's trying hard enough where I have to believe he will get there.

Actually, most folks use less than 2% of their brain. They say Eienstien hit 3%. Given that Titan has been reasoning/problem solving smart with only 10% of a brain, supports that. I don't know what his potential for recovery is, given his birth defect. But I will see to it that he reaches it, whateve it is.

Reel Livin' · 07-31-2002, 09:05 PM

Wise words Ampersat...

*********, it's great news to hear about Titan's positive gains towards recovery. I sincerely hope that I get a chance to say hi to both of you together out on the water sometime soon!

No Wishin Just Fishin · 07-31-2002, 09:26 PM

Dino
This is great news!!! TITAN is definitely a dogof stature and character. Anyoone or Dog that goes as much as you on the big blue has to have heart. Hope it is just a short time before the two of you are again on the water in Big Blue!!

AngleThis · 07-31-2002, 09:33 PM

So do I... So do I.

Wild Bill · 07-31-2002, 09:50 PM

Angle:

It doesn't sound like Titan will lack any love, it will probally be the best medicine he could get!

GET BETTER TITAN :smile: :smile: :smile:

ps Ifish member are the best

AngleThis · 07-31-2002, 10:25 PM

You betcha. I am there...on his right side where he can see me, every time he wakes up. I walk him every few hours from right side where he can follow me. I praise him big time every time he does something right. He is going through my hard earned stash of smoked salmon in record time. I drill him and stimulate him whenever he is awake. I keep falling asleep on the floor beside him. He is my best friend and I will protect him from everything, including himself, as much as I can.

I am designing a foam helmet for him. If he does recover, except for his vision, it may save him every time he runs into something at high speed. In any case, I am "stacking the odds" in his favor as much as I possibly can, just as I do for myself when I go out to sea. I will do whatever I can think of, preparing to protect him from himself, his greatest threat, without taking away his joys, ...if he gets to that point.

[ 07-31-2002, 11:32 PM: Message edited by: ********* ]

steelheadslayer · 08-01-2002, 06:52 AM

Congrats Angle, you and Titan have been through a tought time. Glad to hear things are looking better.

AngleThis · 08-01-2002, 06:57 AM

That tough time is just begining. Basically, he's like a stroke victem...requiring constant care and therapy. But I work from my home so can give him what he needs and we'll just have to see where the chips fall. I'm not a patient man and as dogs go Titan is pretty demanding too, but we have each other.

This morning after he did his business, he scrached hard at the ground like he used to and then looked up at me for approval. I never thought I'd say this, but I cannot wait to hear him bark again. So far he has not had the strength.

[ 08-01-2002, 08:29 AM: Message edited by: ********* ]

AngleThis · 08-01-2002, 08:51 AM

Tail wag! Tail wag!...I do believe I saw a little tail wag! Also, Titan has reclaimed his favorite duty station..the cool ground between the gait and the front of my boat....Not that he could do anything about an intruder in his present condition, or even bark or growl a warning, but he is surely trying and heading in that direction......goooood boy!

Sturgeon 42 · 08-01-2002, 09:03 AM

He knows he is hurt but is getting better and he knows you are there.. Yahooooooo.....go Titan.....

FM2 · 08-01-2002, 09:48 AM

Great news Angle, a close call with a happy outcome. :smile:

Now do like the hospitals do, whenever there is a recovery a feast is served, how about a 10lb T-bone for Titan :grin:

Cool Texan · 08-01-2002, 09:59 AM

Still fulfilling his duties, wagging his tail, and responding to you.... I rank Dogs above mankind on the decency scales of life and the definition of unquestioned love.

Mark Twain put it best... The principle difference between a dog and a man is that a dog will never bite the hand that feeds it.

Go Titan!!!!! :grin:

AngleThis · 08-01-2002, 10:09 AM

I think we're still a ways from a happy outcome. He is gorked, blind in one eye, can barely walk, feels lousy, and one good bump on the head and he's a gonner. But he remembers, he's trying, and I am seeing slow but steady improvements....I think.

As for the T-bone, believe it or not this dog is not real big on red meat. His favorite food is smoked salmon (impecable taistes, of course), and he is fortunate that I have a good stockpile in the freezer. He gobbles it so fast, I can hide his pills in a chunk and he won't even notice, as apposed to cramming them down his throat. So now when I go fishing, its not just for the meat, the challenge, or the fun, its for my dog. Hence, I have a feeling my head bonking bad salmon stick is going to have a lot of new dents on it in the upcoming weeks.

[ 08-01-2002, 11:42 AM: Message edited by: ********* ]

AngleThis · 08-01-2002, 12:13 PM

Today he reared up on his hind quarter and put both paws in my hand for a piece of medicated smoked salmon. Haven't seen that since before the accident. Lights are still out on the left side but he still has time to get it back.

Sturgeon 42 · 08-01-2002, 12:27 PM

Titans on the road to recovery, You are Lucky

:tongue: :smile:

[img]graemlins/lurk.gif[/img]

FM2 · 08-01-2002, 12:50 PM

A dog that likes smoked salmon, that cracks me up :grin: :smile: :shocked: :shocked: :smile: :grin:

AngleThis · 08-01-2002, 12:59 PM

Likes it? Before he got nailed, if had a piece of smoked salmon in my hand, and pointed at the ground (or said "down"), he would instantly throw both front legs out into mid air and hit the cround with a thud. Give him a thumps up or say "sit", and he'd snap back up with both legs coming back under him simultaneously. Tell him to stay and then back off, snap my fingers and he'd rush me so fast he'd skid into my legs if on a hard floor and then start sitting, laying down, and pawing at me in rapid succession, anticipating my next command....yea...he likes it alright. I'm in awe at how fast he learned all this with so little grey matter.. maybe two hours total. I sure hope he gets some of that intensity back.

[ 08-01-2002, 02:02 PM: Message edited by: ********* ]

fishinfool · 08-01-2002, 01:26 PM

*********,
I know we have had our disagreements in the past but I read every single post on your thread about Titan and you and it was heart wrenching to say the least. I have a dog to that I couldn't imagine being without right now especially by the means Titan was almost taken from you. I am so happy for you and Titan that he is showing the progress that he is and I wish the best for both of you. Hope to see you out on Big Blue again sometime soon with Titan by your side. Best wishes. Tim :grin:

Fishinfool out...

[ 08-01-2002, 02:28 PM: Message edited by: fishinfool ]

AngleThis · 08-01-2002, 01:52 PM

Thanks Tim! You know what they say... some of the people some of the time. Dissagreement is a bad thing but often has good results.

I just showed Titan his escape proof chain leash and asked him if he wanted to go for a walk. He got up, still groggy staggered over to me and stopped. I hooked him up and we went about a half block before I could see him running out of steam. I did get him to trot for a few secs, but he's not definitely not ready to run yet. I wish I could chart some timelined goals for him, but I just don't now what we're working with. He can't tell me where it hurts so he'll have to set his own pace.

GutZ · 08-01-2002, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by *********:
It takes him a couple of minutes before he's read to stand ...

Sometimes he just stands there gorked...

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">Thats how I feel every morning! :grin:

GO! Titan GO!

Jennie@ifish · 08-01-2002, 02:55 PM

We've permitted this off topic discussion for some time. But now Titan is headed towards some sort of recovery and the rest of us are going back to fishing. My hopes are that Titan can join us soon!
Good luck, Angle and Titan on your continued adventures!
This is being moved to General discussion. Just use your drop down menu and push GO FISH!
Jen

[ 08-01-2002, 03:57 PM: Message edited by: Jennie@ifish ]

AngleThis · 08-02-2002, 10:51 AM

Titan appears to be feeling a little better. He is walking faster and stumbling less. I am finally seeing some facial expression when I offer him a treat. But I have not seen any major progress... left eye is still blind, and whenever he wakes up, and looks at the world through his good eye, I see terror in it.

I think the big challenge now is to keep his spirits up. His is soooo bummed out. He doesn't care if a beta dog eats from his dish. He sleeps through activity on the street that would normally have him going bonkers. He won't lick my face, bark, or growl. He has no interest in playing games. He is no longer interested in smoked salmon, which I can't believe; he now gets his meds in sweets. Hopefully he is just getting bored with it and I guess maybe that indicates in tact intelligence.

AngleThis · 08-03-2002, 10:17 AM

Yesterday afternoon saw some real improvement. He is more alert, sleeping less, his appetite is ravenous, and he insists on doing his rounds several times a day. He is getting some facial expression back...when I ask him a question, he ears perk up and I can tell he is thinking about it. Before, whenever I asked him a question he would **** his head with ears perked, and lift one lip...his "thinking about it look" (see pic). He's doing that a little bit now. We went for three walks yesterday, and each time he trotted toward the door. He has zero stamina, but he sure is trying to fight the gork factor. He shakes hands now with enthusiasm. Loan application now...gotta go.. more later.

AngleThis · 08-03-2002, 01:39 PM

Titan is going to make it!!! Today he braved the steep back porch stairs to come and meet the clients that came over. He immediately ascertained the monthly status of my female guest with a rude but revealing crotch sniff. I am not certain yet, but I think I am getting some threat response (blinking) out of his left eye...I'll keep checking. Most important, he is happy today...felling better and getting involved in his surroundings. His expressions of wonder and micheif are now somewhat apparent. No barking or growling or running yet, but he's now well enough for me to start pushing him... I expect I'll be getting in better shape running beside him in the near future. If the ocean is real nice tomorrow, I'll let him come out to sea with me. Incredible... 6 days ago he was almost dead. Today, he is almost normal...What a superb animal. I am ELATED!!!!!!!!!!!!! Time to get serious about that helmet so he can do all that he wants to with minimal risk.

ryleysmom · 08-03-2002, 02:58 PM

That is great Im sooooo glad to hear that Titan [img]graemlins/hearton.gif[/img] is doing better and getting around.....
Angle thank you on keep us informed on your best a buddy... As you know we all care about him..... :smile:

AngleThis · 08-05-2002, 09:19 AM

Thanks again for careing.

Titan really rounded the corner on Saturday. His stamina is slowly but steadily coming back, and one by one his characteristics are coming back, including his stubborn streak. For a few days, it was kind of nice to be able to walk him without a leash, but those days are now over. I let him accompany me to the ice machine at the hotel this weekend. He decided that wasn't enough of an outing, and I ended up chasing him down and then back up three flights of stairs.

I have him trained to heel on both sides. But now that he can't see me on his left side, he refuses to walk on my right, always falling back and picking up position on my left where he can see me. He figured it out on his own and this constitutes learning. Evidently that "very low reserve" grey matter is not yet exhausted.

AngleThis · 08-07-2002, 06:26 AM

Titan continues to improve. Yesterday, I got him running for the first time since the accident. We played on the floor together for a few moments. This morning, he jumped up on my bed to greet me. His appetite has been ravenous; he's been eating like a wolf and I think his weight is already back up where it should be. His stamina is still poor, but improving, and he now doing that head tilted "I'm thinking about it" thing when I ask him a question. But alas, his left eye is still unreactive, and I am still waiting for him to lick my face again. He goes back to the neurologist next week, who is going to be suprised when Titan excectutes hand signal commands with rapid precision.

AngleThis · 08-07-2002, 01:45 PM

Guard dog hoooooo! TodayTtitan resumed his active guard dog role. He is once again running back and forth inside of the fence, barking at passers by with great concern. With the exception of his left eye, his stamina (which is rapidly coming back), and his now voracous appetite, I'd say he is about 90% recovered!

I promised a party if this happened, and a party there shall be. But first, I will wait a few days for Chris to get the situation with his wife behind him, then I will post for invitations.

Miss B Haven · 08-07-2002, 01:52 PM

Glad to hear it. Hope to meet him guarding your boat while your crankin in that big hog. Does he run the net too? - Mel

ryleysmom · 08-07-2002, 08:04 PM

OH Angle Im so glad to hear that Titan is coming back to the ol' Titan you are use to.. That is GREAT!!!
I came on here tonight for the first time in awhile as I have been busy at work tied down with millions wanting to buy homes and anyways I wanted to check up on Titan and Im so glad to hear he is well............... :smile:

AngleThis · 08-09-2002, 01:42 PM

I just saw Titan staulking flies in front of the trash can. "That must be hard to do with no depth perception" .I thought. (Depth perception requires two working eyes). So I checked his left eye agian; there was nothing yesterday. The treat response is not as pronounced as the right eye, but it is now DEFINITELY present. I am thrilled and amazed.... Titan's left eye vision is returning!!!

I also see that the circling has stopped altogether. He made a down right intimidating rush at the fence today in response to a teenager on a skateboard..barked and snarled like a rabid attack animal. I think he hates skateboards because the kid that was BB shooting him had one. I also noticed that when I give him a treat, he is no longer nailing my hand on accident.... further evidence of the presense of some depth perception.

He has been eating far far more than he ever was interested in before, I think because his body is healing and requires extra calories. He was thin and sickly looking when I brought him home, but now his weight is all back on. In fact, I am returning him to normal feeding as I think he is getting a little fat. Of course, I'll still have to keep giving him smoked salmon as this is how I smuggle the meds into his system without tramatizing him. I wonder if the high fish diet helped with his vision.

The neurologist is going to be in disbelieve next week!