Olaf's Story
Written by Olaf, July 1999
Hi, my name is Olaf Hill. I am a 13 years old 60 LB
lab/hound/???, and have just started walking again. About 5 months
ago my back got so painful that I could not walk. My Mom was real
worried, we first went to the emergency vet then to many other
helpful persons. This web page is to tell our story in case it could
help others.
First I have to tell you my history. I was found as a puppy and
someone took me to the PAWS animal shelter where my Mom found me,
that's why we do not really know what my parents are. Then I grew up
on 2 acres with horses and got to go riding many miles each week on
the logging roads behind our house. This keep me in great shape, but
it might have stressed my back too. When I was around 3 years old I
ran out in the road (where I was not supposed to be) and got hit by
a car, breaking my hip. It was a clean break and I just needed some
rest, but it might have added some stress. Anyway the years went
past and my back started hurting some. The normal vets really did
not have any suggestions but my mom gave me high quality, low
protein food and things went ok for a while. When I was about 9
years old my back got worse and that was when our horse was having
problems with his foot so my mom found a person, Jim, that
communicates to animals to come to our place.
As it turned out he also does chiropractic so I got my back
adjusted. This really helped me a lot. Soon my Mom got a book on dog
chiropractic to help with adjustments between when I got to see Jim.
I was feeling pretty good but going for horse rides started causing
me too much pain so my mom made me stay home, this was really sad
but I guess that's what happens when you get old. I started slowing
down, but was moving around just fine until just after the first of
1999. I went outside in the morning and came back in the house for a
nap and just could not put any weight on my back two legs, boy was
that scary.
As it turned out he also does chiropractic so I got my back
adjusted. This really helped me a lot. Soon my Mom got a book on dog
chiropractic to help with adjustments between when I got to see Jim.
I was feeling pretty good but going for horse rides started causing
me too much pain so my mom made me stay home, this was really sad
but I guess that's what happens when you get old. I started slowing
down, but was moving around just fine until just after the first of
1999. I went outside in the morning and came back in the house for a
nap and just could not put any weight on my back two legs, boy was
that scary.
Olaf
in his walker
Herman, Zim & Olaf
Like I said we went to the emergency vet (of course it was a
Sunday) and they took x-rays. It did not show anything really just
that my back was stressed from age and all the spine was kind of
fuzzy. They were really impressed with how much muscle tone I had
for being almost 13, but they could only give me steroids and sent
us home. Boy did the steroids make me sick! I had to go to the
bathroom every 2 hours, which was not real easy when your legs don't
work! Thanks to my Mom we made it through that time. We went to the
local vet who also did not have any suggestions, he just said wait
and see, even though I don't think he thought I would last very
long.
My Mom has been using Naturopathic alternative's for many years
so I was already getting "Traumed" (Arnica, + lots more) and "Hypericum"
homeopathic medicines, herbal topicals, and pendulum energy healing.
These helped but my body was just too much out of whack so the next
step was to go see Jim (about 100 miles north). He aligned my spine
which was way out and did some energy work (QI QONG). Jim, my Mom,
and Aunt worked out a supplement plan that I had to eat 2 times a
day! It included lots of MSM, Yucca, Cats Claw, Devils Claw,
Glucosamine and Chondroitin. Jim also showed my mom how to use a
laser pen on my acupressure points for my spine, how to do QI QONG
and suggested using a magnetic bed. Lots of new ideas!
I was feeling lots better but not walking any better so we went
to our Naturopathic Vet (40 miles South), he approved what I was
eating and added some vit E, Chinese supplements and started me on
acupuncture every two weeks. One of my Uncles even gave me Reiki
every week or so and I kept getting better but I think I was
forgetting how to use my body so the Natural Vet recommended Water
Therapy. We are very lucky to have someone doing this type of
treatment in our area as most people think that water therapy for
dogs is not normal. Kind of weird as humans go into Therapy after
any type of surgery and dogs are just ignored. Anyway we drove (30
miles east) every Sunday to La Paw Spa for over 2 months and my Mom
took me out in our pond one day a week. This helped get my muscles
working and getting my brain to work with my legs again. Soon I was
walking, not real far, and I needed help getting up, but I could go
on my own a little bit more and more. Its been about 6 weeks since I
started walking and I only have to get acupuncture every 6 weeks,
water therapy every 2 weeks and seeing Jim for Energy/Chiropractic
every 4 weeks. Maybe soon I will be able to do steps, but for now I
have to use the ramp Mom and Dad made for me and then I still need
help getting up it. I am walking all over the house by myself (even
the slick floors!) and my Mom has to fence me in to make sure I
don't go anywhere I can get hurt.
Hope this helps others, just remember it takes a long time to get
your body working again if it took a long time getting it out of
shape!
Olaf Hill (July 99)
Update from Cindy Hill, Olaf's Mom: Olaf
was able to walk on and off with help from his many therapies up
until his passing the spring of 2006 at the age of 15. He was able
to go without any aids, pain free, while I slept next to him during
the night. The last 2 years of Olaf's life taught me many new
healing techniques and showed that our animal friends can have a
happy and dignified life even when their bodies are not working
100%. The experience was amazing and I truly appreciated it.