Molly's 1st Week HOME !! 8/18/11

Molly has been home for a week now, and we couldn't be happier to have her in our lives! She is adjusting very well. She found a close buddy in Freya and enjoys playing and chewing on her...


Molly has been doing well with her potty training so far. She seems to be very capable of holding her bladder and bowls. After the first two nights, she now holds it all though a 7 hour night! I also go to work and come home at lunch to let her out. About 80% of the time she has held it while I was gone and about 60% of the time she actually makes it outside! Sometimes she gets very excited to see me and does not quite make it out the door... but we are working hard at it, and she is doing so well!

Molly is still pretty frightened of her cart. We put her in it for only a few minutes at a time but she does not seem to want to move forward. We thinking it might be because her feet are still dragging(?) and they seem to get in the way of the wheels when we can get her to take a step. We are hoping once she gets more flexibility in her legs we can put them back in the straps and she might feel more comfortable moving...



We have been working on her physical therapy when we can at home. She has much better flexibility in her paws and tends to stand with her feet in the right direction about 60% of the time. The flexibility in her legs is the hardest part. She gets agitated when you try to bend them... I am not sure if she is feeling pain (which could be a good thing I guess) or if she just thinks nothing good comes from me messing around back there. We will keep at it though! and hopefully we can start her soon in physical therapy at Smoketown.





We are just so lucky to have so many wonderful people willing to help us out with Molly. We are so thankful for all the hard work that Karen and her foster families have put into her. I give them so much credit... Molly is amazing, but she is a hand-full!!!! We appreciate the continued support from them and from those who have been following Molly's story.

We are also so lucky to have family that are so supportive of Molly and fell in love with her just as quickly as we have... and I am very lucky to have friends who come over on my lunch break with me to let the girls out and are more then willing to help us whenever we need them. We couldn't be more blessed. :)



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Friday, 08/12/11 Molly goes HOME

Friday was bittersweet for Jason, Amber and the girls. I picked up Molly around 2:30 to meet Caitlin at Sun Hill Kennels. With my three goldens in the back of the mini van in their seat belts and Molly nestled on the floor of the front passenger's side, we made the drive to Sun Hill. Nancy H and Gilly were there too for our weekly swim with the kids. We were excited to have Molly join us!

All pups and people ventured to the pool area and the boys (Sam, Max, Zeke & Gilly) took off for their usual swim. Don from Sun Hill got Molly a vest just her size to use for the adventure. So puppy in arms, I ventured into the cold water. It was cold for this old lady, too! I held Molly as I submerged into the chill. Letting her get used to the water gradually, her little front legs started going. She was swimming her little heart out. Rehab had told us the have her do figure 8's in the water, so we tried that for a very short time. We wanted this to be fun for her.

We swam a couple minutes and then out to the grass for a while. As Molly watched the boys playing and romping all around, she tried so hard to catch them. I think this was the most heart-breaking thing to see. But she didn't see to care. She bounce as close as she could before they scamper away. She's just such a happy little girl.

When our half-hour swim was up, we made the trek to our cars with five wet pups. Swapping all Molly's belongings into Caitlin's car was the beginning of her new life. I hope I can be her Dog Mother :) She's gotten into my heart very deeply in the short amount of time I've known her.

Reassuring Caitlin we have not deserted her, I asked she keep me posted on progress and made myself available should she have any questions or needs.

So, when I got home, I checked my email later that evening, I found a status report and pic! "YEAH, They are perfect together" - referring to Freya, Caitlin's dog and Molly.

Then, later that same evening it got "They haven't stopped playing all night!! I thought Molly would be tired out fro  Swimming! Guess not!"

I''m so elated this is working out for Molly. Now it's just a matter of supporting this wonderful couple for taking on the special special girl. More on that in days to come.... as well as more video and pics!

8/12/11 - Molly's cart arrives

Molly's temporary cart arrived and  we all met her and her foster family at the Ephrata Park along with Caitlin and Freya (Molly's new home as of Friday if all goes well).

Just standing Molly in the cart was tiring and a little stressful for the growing pup, but cheese and some yummy salmon treats helped her along. No steps were taken; it was just to get her used to the cart and make it a positive experience.

After being in the cart a bit, it was fun-time with all the kids, and Freya, Molly's new canine sissy:) Freya had been ignoring Molly but that evening she wanted to play with Molly and visa vesa. I think they're gonna be just fine.

Friday will be the switch for Molly to her new home. I"ll be bringing Molly to Sun Hill Kennels and meeting Caitlin there. I have a swimming appointment for my dogs and we'll be taking Molly in for a 'quick dip'! They have life vests and we're going to see how that goes for a very short period of time. Since Molly loves other dogs, we felt it may be more comforting for her to see other dogs in the pool too. Just a few minutes  unless she absolutely loves it :)

Say a prayer this weekend goes will with Molly and Freya. Then I'll have to turn this blog over to Caitlin:)

8/9/11 Rehab Assessment ! !

Helping Molly stand (fix those piggy toes;)

Much more later but here's a start... Molly went to Smoketown for a Rehab assessment. Kris and I along

with Caitlin (hopefully Molly's forever home) went to observe the very long thorough impressive appointment. Here's a clip of little Molly on the water treadmill. So much good stuff after this appointment. Molly was  a real trooper!

One tired pooch on the ride home

08/08/11

Molly was at vet for rest of puppy and rabies shots and a check up today. Lookin' good. She's feeling more than she had when she was there previously. So we called the neurologist. Said that can happen, good sign. Got our hopes up a bit. Tomorrow we go for Rehab Assessment. Hope to hear more good news that therapy will help her. All advise swim, swim, smim! 

Molly is standing more!

 

Molly shares so nicely:)



Molly Standing!

08/03/11 Molly Update

Busy, busy we've been busy. Molly's stay with Gretchen has come to an end. It was just too much for a single Mom with a sweet little boy who needed her and two other rescue dogs, for her to give Molly the attention she needed.

So Molly is now back with Jason and Amber and the girls temporarily. Molly adjusts so well. Both homes have given her so much socialization and attention. She's going to make  a great therapy dog someday. She's just so happy all the time, what a beautiful attitude!

We met with two potential forever homes this week and one looks like it may pan out. The young couple, along with their dog,  met Molly on Monday night at the Akron Park. All went well. They seemed to really fall for little precious Molly and asked all the right questions and had all the concerns we'd expect a loving home to have. They will be taking Molly next weekend to make sure all is fine with their dog, and if that seems to be ok, I think we'll be set. So say a little prayer that Freya and Molly become fast buddies!

We have also found a cart for Molly and more details on that coming up.

Molly is off to the vet this week for final puppy shots and just an over-all check up. She seems to drink a lot so we want to be sure everything is ok.

Here's a video of the little princess back with her first foster home. I think she's adjusted just fine! :)