Ziggy the Cardigan IVDD update - clinical trial complete

In the spring, Ziggy completed his trial in the Clinical Trial for Paralyzed dogs at ISU.  It turns out that Ziggy was in the control group, meaning that he did NOT receive the chondroitinase injection.

If a dog is in the control group, after the dog has completed the trial, the team at ISU offers to administer the injection of chondroitinase.  We decided to take them up on the offer, with hope that the drug might help Ziggy regain some hind-end function.

Unfortunately, Ziggy had too much scar tissue at the injection site for them to administer the drug. They did offer to have him come back so they could try again a few months later.  We dropped him off at ISU in mid-August in out last-ditch effort to help Ziggy.  Once again, though, they found too much scar tissue and were not able to give the injection.  On the up side, Ziggy really seemed to enjoy being back at ISU, and the students there loved him.  So I guess it was like a spa week for Ziggy...?

Ziggy is now back home and has settled into his routine of barking, napping, and snuggling.

Wagmore Summer days 1-3: Happy dogs!

To say that the Cardi boys like it here at Wagmore is an understatement.  Ziggy in particular seems a much happier dog here than he is Iowa.  He seems to have more energy.  He's playing more, he's more active, and as a result he's lost some weight.

The C*ts love it here, too.  More places to explore, more projects to hamper.

Here are some happy pack pictures.

Gloria finds the afternoon sun

Blossom "helps" to build The Small Human's new bed

 A yard with no plantings is great for frapping!

Basking in the sun is nice, too

Then a corgi needs to come in and rest using a human pillow

Ziggy the Cardigan Corgi IVDD: Cart Dog in the Snow

Since it seems that Snowmageddon is taking over much of the country, I thought I'd share what happens to a cart dog in the snow.

The cart wheels will most assuredly get snowy.

When standing outside and gazing around the yard,

the cart dog gets snowy.

When the snow isn't too deep, the cart dog can run around the whole yard,

making tracks in the snow. 

In this case, running to the tree that contains the vexatious squirrel.

When the snow gets deeper, the cart dog can follow the 

paths the humans have carved through the snow.

If the cart dog deviates from this path,

 and tries to follow the path made by the other dog, 

the going can get a bit slow.

Especially when the other dog's path gets really narrow.

Rendering a cart dog unable to move.

So then the cart dog must bark for the humans.

And give them this look when they come to rescue him.

To me this says, "It's about time!"

And in case you'd like a little live action feature (taken today!), click below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrEzLWC0qQs&list=UUNnAITYiTywLRfrdbpmwIAQ&feature=share