A very merry Christmas, and Lulu's remarkable recovery

An update on our very brave little dog's progress since the car accident in July. Many thanks to our veterinarian, Dr. Lee, and to the makers of the Thera-Paw Dorsi-Flex Assist foot wrap. He put her back together, and the device helped Lulu become a fully four-legged creature again.

Recovery timeline

July 30 - Lulu is run over by a car, suffering a broken hip and pelvis, plus smaller fractures and abrasions.

August - Dr. Lee is unsure whether Lulu's left hind leg can be saved, due to nerve damage. He lets the dog rest for a week and monitors the leg for response to stimuli. On the 7th day, there is still no response and we are faced with the decision of whether to amputate the leg. But Dr. Lee makes the crucial decision to wait a few more days. On the 10th day, the leg finally responds. Lulu undergoes multiple surgeries to rebuild her hip and pelvis, but the vet warns she may never walk on that leg again. Lulu's hospital stay lasts for three weeks.

September through October - Her hind legs in an atrophied state, Lulu can only get around with her front legs, plus a carrying device wrapped around her belly and lifted by hand. Eventually, she regains muscle in the uninjured right leg and starts trotting on three legs. Mom patiently does daily massage treatments on the injured left leg. After some time, Lulu starts to put pressure on the left paw, but in an upside-down "knuckling" position. She has to wear a rubber shoe at all times to protect the soft top of her foot.

November - Lulu gets a Thera-Paw Dorsi-Flex shoe, which corrects the knuckling. She likes it at first and tolerates wearing it. But after two weeks, she resists putting on the shoe and hides it in the ivy several times. Amazingly, her muscles have regrown to such an extent that she now steps on the injured paw mostly right-side up. But she still finds it easier to lift that paw and run on her three good legs.

December 25 - She runs easily on the injured paw (see video shot today), only occasionally lifting it. Merry Christmas, Lulu!