Fly's Story
My dog Fly has had numerous health problems throughout his nine years of life. He was born with a hernia, suffered twice with ruptured anal glands, had a corneal ulcer which resulted in blindness in one eye, has iris atrophy in the other eye which will inevitably result in blindness, has a loose knee cap, has a poor gait due to improper breeding, had too many teeth for his little mouth (resulting in tooth decay and subsequent removal of many of his teeth) and has a touch of arthritis.Several years ago, I noticed that Fly constantly licked at his front paws. I asked my vet if Fly had an allergy and he just dismissed it as nothing serious. I also consulted with my mentor, an animal behaviorist, to determine if it was a behavioral issue and she suggested that it wasn't. I took him for a visit to a new vet, and she suggested that I change Fly's food to rule out whether the licking was a result of his diet - which it wasn't. She also said that he needed to have several teeth removed - he now has only seven teeth. Lastly, she suggested that Fly be put on pain medication. I administered the pain medication, and to my surprise Fly stopped licking his paws. Therefore he was licking due to pain. However, not that long after, Fly began licking his paws yet again, possibly building up a tolerance to the pain meds.
Additionally, Fly has never really cared for the great outdoors. He prefers to remain indoors and let's me know in no uncertain terms. When I let him outside off leash, he will quickly do his business and run back to the front door. When I walk him on leash, when he is done walking, he will simply stop and turn his bottom to me indicating that he would like to be picked up. Case in point:
Fly at the Pets on Wheels Dog-A-Thon
Even at home, Fly never seems to get comfortable. He will lay down, and change positions repeatedly, whereas my other dog will simply pick a spot and stay there for hours at a time. Lastly, Fly doesn't like to be petted, touched or held. If I try to hold and pet him, as soon as I stop petting, he will jump out of my hands and walk away. Certainly not what I had imagined with having a "lap dog".
In mid-November, I took Fly to see Lillian Cooperman to have an acupuncture treatment. I noticed the results in him almost immediately when we returned home: he laid down in one spot and fell asleep rather than getting up and moving around; he allowed me to hold him and pet him, and when I "let go", he stuck around for more; and he was not licking his paws nearly as much. This behavior lasted for more than three weeks. I then took Fly back for a second treatment less than two weeks ago, and he has improved even further, which I didn't even know was possible. Fly is now walking farther than he has in years. He actually wants to keep walking even when we get to the spot where we normally turn around and go home. Not only that, I let both Fly and Attila go to a little wooded area by my home and instead of sitting in one spot, waiting for Attila and I to be finished and waiting for the "magic" words: "inside", Fly actually romped around in the leaves! It was a sight to be seen, Fly acting like a frolicking puppy!
My experience with animal acupuncture has been a blessing, and I am truly grateful to have had Lillian Cooperman work with my dog Fly. It has made all the difference in the world to the both of us. If your animal has a medical issue that cannot be resolved through traditional medicine, I highly suggest you give Lillian a call and set up an appointment today! She can be reached at 410-926-8008. (She also works on people too!)
Alisa Mills
December 21, 2006
