Day 1

If you don't enjoy being licked in the face by a dog, you probably never loved one and you probably won't "get" my blog.

This is the story of Lulu and what's become of her and what will happen next. Wednesday night, Lulu was an energetic do-or-die type of crazy dog with a lot of heart and a more fans than I can mention in a simple blog. But this past Thursday morning she just wasn't herself; she vomited, had no energy and offered lack-luster interest. We (my husband Bill and I) worried that she ate something amiss at the farmer's market or perhaps pulled a muscle. Anyway, we assumed she'd be fine, but Friday she was walking strangely and behaving even less like herself. By Saturday morning, she had no use of her hind legs and we were rocked by the sharp decline.

Let me back up. I can't start a story like this without you knowing more about my girl. I've been a dog lover since I can remember and my family always had Labs: big black clumsy Labs with swinging tails and slobbery kisses. They were good, faithful family dogs but I longed for the stubby nosed, compactly packaged persona that is the French Bulldog, AKA the Frenchie or Frog Dog. We did our research and Bill was as interested in the breed as me. We found a great local breeder, met her dogs and were in LOVE. We picked Lu from the litter when she was only weeks old. Waiting for the day we could take her home was agony for us, especially Bill because I wouldn't stop talking Lulu this and Lulu that.

That's only the beginning of the story and I plan to fill it in as we go. A little about Lulu herself before I continue, Lulu, despite her name, is first and foremost a willful little beast who will not listen to a word you say should she not agree. But, it's charming because she's Lu. She also very playful, very funny and very cuddly, but typically not at the same time. She's smart, and understands more words that any dog I've met previously. The food words alone she recognizes include but are not limited to: eat, treat, cookie, hungry, breakfast, dinner, bone, food. Which brings me to another point, Lulu is very much food motivated. She tells us when it's mealtime and does a little dance to commemorate the occasion. She loves to sleep as much as she loves to eat and puts herself to bed when she sees fit.

Lu's biggest downfall is that she's a spaz. She jumps off the bed on the bed. She jumps at the door. She pounces when she plays with her little Frog Dog brother, Gus. She leaps and hops and runs and barks and basically goes ballistic when she sees people and dogs on the street. This behavior coupled with the recent diagnosis of disc disease has left our little Lu in very serious condition at a specialized clinic in the area that treats neurological issues. The rupture of her disc has been repaired. She's still in ICU but doing well considering. I hope to document Lulu's journey from maniac to paraplegic and with all luck back to maniac or preferably a calmer version. She's likely coming home tomorrow which means lots of nursing and mothering and worrying. Stay tuned.