The onset was very quick. One day Boomer was fine, the next
he yelped a little when he jumped up on to my bed. Then he yelped when he tried
to lie down. Then he shrieked when he jumped into my truck. My very tough Red
Heeler was in considerable pain. Was it a pulled muscle? Was it his aging
joints? Was it the back injury he got 9 years ago finally coming to call? When
it got to the point where he'd cry every time he got up from lying down, or wouldn't
even get up to greet me when I came home, I knew it was definitely time for
veterinary intervention.
Naturally, x-rays would be in order. Boomer would need to go
under anesthesia. I was worried about the risk, and winced at the thought of a several
hundred dollar bill just to determine what was wrong, not to mention the cost
of whatever treatment or rehabilitation might follow. But of course, I'd pay
whatever was necessary to ensure my beloved pup was comfortable again.
Then Shelley suggested I give her dog's
chiropractor here on the North Shore - Dr. Steven Weller - a call.
Yes. Her
dog's chiropractor.
I've
long been a believer in the benefits of chiropractic, having been healed of
numerous injuries and ailments over the years through my own skilled practitioner - so why not
do the same for Boomer? We both have spines after all. It stands to reason
that what works for me could possibly work for Boomer. That said, I was still
skeptical. I'd never seen my dog debilitated by this much pain and had this
overwhelming sense of dread that this might be "it". But I did the math and
figured that I'd try out the $40 per session treatment and if nothing happened -
quickly - then I'd proceed with Plan A and get those x-rays.
So, with equal shares of doubt and hope, off to the
chiropractor Boomer and I went. Dr. Weller made no promises. He acknowledged
Boomer's advancing age and his previous injury and agreed that x-rays and
veterinary intervention might still be the only workable avenue. But nonetheless,
we gave it a go.
Three sessions. That was all it took.
After the first
session there was mild improvement, but within two weeks, Boomer was FULLY
recovered. No needles. No anesthesia. Hundreds of dollars saved. I was a skeptic
no more.
Of course, it could just have easily gone the other way.
Boomer could have had a generative or medical condition that could have proved impossible
to cure via chiropractic. As with we humans, the chiropractor is not a
replacement for a doctor - or a vet. They are, however, a wonderful, non-invasive and affordable addition to the team
that works to keep us - and our pups - healthy and happy.
As an epilogue, last month a friend of mine came to me
deeply concerned about his beloved 10-yr old Rhodie cross who was in
tremendous pain and unable to move, and asked if I had any suggestions. I
told him my story and passed along Dr. Weller's information. Though he was skeptical, he took Simon
in.
Three sessions. That was all it took.
Dr. Weller's Contact Info:Weller Chiropractic
130 14th St E
North Vancouver BC, V7L 2N3
Phone #: 604-988-4810
Fax #: 604-988-4708
The end of summer brings a start to school and sadly, for Wag Zone, school beckons one of our best and brightest team members. 
In addition, long-time Wag Zone team member 