Buttons' Recovery from a Paralyzing Stroke

Buttons' Recovery from a Paralyzing Stroke

The white miniature poodle lay quietly on her quilt, her eyes closed. As I knelt alongside her, her owners, Clare and Frank, filled me in on the details. Buttons, 15 years old, had barely moved since awakening from general anesthesia ten days ago. Although the surgery to remove her spleen had been uneventful, when Buttons awoke she could no longer bear any weight on her left legs. They remained stick-straight, unable to bend. Her neck and back were severely restricted in movement and radiographs revealed extensive deterioration of the vertebrae. The veterinarian had suggested euthanasia, as no hope was given for her recovery.

Clare and Frank loved their little girl and were coping as best they could. They hand-fed her baby food and water and her quilt was covered with soft towels and a plastic backing, since Buttons was unable to relieve herself outside. They wanted what was best for her, even if that meant letting her go. But they were prepared to make that choice only if they were certain that there was no chance that Buttons would ever walk again.

Upon hearing Buttons' plight, a mutual friend has given them my number and Clare asked if I would see the poodle immediately, as a decision had to be made soon.

So there I was, on a rainy Sunday evening, with a weak but strong-willed little poodle and two anxious owners hovering close by. I knew that this was Buttons' last chance and I fervently hoped that she would respond to my touch.

I asked that I be given three sessions to work with Buttons, one every other day. Her owners agreed, and I began to work with this wonderful little dog.

As my Feldenkrais® training taught me, I knew that I had to help Buttons develop new neurological pathways between her nervous system and muscles if she was to ever walk again.

That first session I spent about forty-five minutes with Buttons. I worked very gently, checking for the subtlest sign that Buttons was responding to my touch. In a short while, I noticed that her breathing became deeper. We were connecting! She was developing more awareness of her body and awakening areas that had been "turned off." When I left Buttons that night, she was resting peacefully.

Clare greeted me enthusiastically on Tuesday, saying that Buttons had gotten up on her own after Sunday's session! This intelligent little dog had begun to use their large circular sofa as a crutch, allowing it to support her left side as her functioning right legs slowly motored her around.

Buttons' responses at our second session were clearer and I knew we were making progress. How much she would improve, however, was still an unknown. As I brought the session to a close, Buttons got up and, once more leaning against the sofa, slowly walked around. Gradually she moved away from the sofa's support and took three steps. Although she remained stiff-legged and weak, it was quite an accomplishment!

Thursday's session produced dramatic results. I was able to gently flex and extend the joints in Buttons' left legs and they regained their weight-bearing capability. Buttons, as if on cue, got up and walked independently just as Clare entered the room. Clare and I were both teary-eyed as we watched Buttons walk tentatively around the room.

Speaking with Clare months later, Buttons was still doing well and required no further sessions. She enjoys using her doggy-door and meandering about in her spacious yard.

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