DELILAH

@scootiepatootie.delilah

Today we talk with Amanda from Keyser, USA about life with her paralyzed pooch, Delilah. Delilah suffered a spinal cord injury when she was hit by a car in September 2016 which left her paralyzed. Amanda describes what life is like with a paralyzed dog including bladder management and the tips and tricks that she's picked up along the way.

Could you describe a regular day with Delilah?

​Delilah sleeps beside me and occasionally climbs into our bed (its on the floor). She generally sleeps in most mornings and I have to get her up. I take her to pee on her puppy pad and then change her diaper.

Unless her dad is home, she comes to work with me. We put her harness on so that I can buckle her in to her doggy seat belt and she gets in her car seat (a laundry basket). My morning routine is basically the same as before, I just leave some extra time for diaper changes now.

It is great that I am able to take care of Delilah throughout the day. When we get home, she is so excited she zooms around the house. Then she eats dinner, plays with her big brother, and gets on the couch for naps. Delilah loves when its time to go to bed. She jumps off the couch and runs into the bedroom.

On the weekends we usually take her to Tractor Supply to run around. Sometimes we visit my Dad & stepmom, and Delilah plays with my 1.5 year old niece. Other than that we stay home! Delilah plays with all her toys, naps, and eats treats, she seems to like being home too.

What products, tips or tricks make your life with Delilah easier?

We use a Drag bag and Pampers Easy Ups. They are elastic so they don't cut into her skin or open up on the sides when she's active. They are a little big around her waist, so I use headbands as a belt, or diaper covers with velcro to keep up her diaper.

We made the decision to slowly let Delilah walk (aka scoot around) little by little without socks on to build up calluses. This has helped protect her feet and stops her getting injured as easily. It took a long time, but at home she can play around and doesn't need to wear socks now.

Delilah can only be at home for two hours by herself but it is important to still have a life outside of caring for a paralyzed pup. Thankfully, we have family members and friends who know how to take care of Delilah, which means we can still go out without her.

What advice would you offer someone facing life with a paralyzed dog?

​Don't be too hard on yourself if your pup gets rug burns, a UTI, anything like that. It will happen. Delilah got urine burn on her legs and feet when I first got her (I didn't even know that was a thing). I cried because I was so frustrated and thought she would never heal. 

Check in with Delilah on Instagram to see how she’s doing.

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