Ruby is a Gem of a Pug, Part 3

by Laura Richmond

Laura is “mom” to four rescued pugs and a basset hound named, Smash. She is also a talented jewelry designer and you can find her creations at http://www.richmondltd.com/ or http://www.bonanzle.com/booths/pugwa. This is the final installment in the saga of Ruby.

Wow! I just met someone who in 20 minutes convinced me that Ruby could live a normal life at home with our family, regardless whether she ever walked again! I was so excited to share all this with my family and check Ruby out of that ridiculous Emergency Animal Hospital VCA .

So we ordered all the items the therapist recommended and a child’s playpen from Target so that I could continue to keep Ruby somewhat  secure as I did my daily house work and such. Ruby absolutely became bonded to me and would scream every time I left her sight. She hated being in that playpen but it was the only way I could insure she was on a Pee pad if needed, and her food and water were right there next to her.

So after about six months of using the pet harness to take her ” body potty ” three times a day, I had trained Ruby to know that putting her in the harness meant she was going to go potty. What’s more, now when I ask if anyone needs to take their body potty, all four pugs run to the front door.

I used the muscle stimulator every morning when I woke up, placing Ruby on my bed for 20 minutes; and again at night for 20 minutes. I only used the lowest (#1) setting strength, holding her up in her harness to get used to supporting her own body weight. Now Ruby is absolutely perfect and walking and running all on her own!

Looking back, my husband and I think Ruby either suffered a small stroke or a back injury and, just like humans, needed to be laid up and immobile for a couple of weeks to heal.

We will now always trust our intuition and never take the vets’ suggestions for full face value as they are there to run a business first and foremost and they make their livelihood off distraught pet owners. Always know that the Internet is a wealth of information. Other pet owners’ stories, just like mine, can help you make decisions that are truly best for you, your pet and your family in the long run.

Thanks, Laura for bringing Ruby’s story to us and for being such a wonderful and dedicated “mom”. If only there were more people like you! If you’d like to see Ruby’s family, take a look at http://www/wrapperco.net.