Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Float Coat saves the day!

After much advice on getting a float coat for the dogs, we finally found one online!
And it's true. It really helps the dogs by making them more stable in the water, and they still move their legs, which is good.
With Mika, I finally can give my arms a rest. They have been hurting, along with my back, because I had to hold Mika up in the water everyday. 
Now, with the float coat, I can just use a leash! 


Mika's leg has improved tremendously after the daily swim. Even in the water, you can see it kicking and extending more than it was previously.

Whenever Mika has his swims, Eva is insanely jealous. Wherever she is in the house, she always knows when Mika is swimming and she'll bark non-stop!
We only let her swim on weekends because sheltie fur takes much longer to dry up!!


Here she is enjoying her swim with her float coat. Doesn't she look like a lifeguard?

22 comments:

ocmist said...

Mercy's nose is almost healed up now. Don't know about scar tissue yet. We hope she doesn't have much if any so we don't have to keep sunblock or something on there as she would tend to lick it off like she does the herbal ointment.

That "Float Coat" is wonderful... especially for your handicapped dog. I am so glad that the swimming is helping him. I don't know if that would work for OC because we'd probably have to have a way to heat the pool since her problem is arthritis an cold water might cause her more problems. Did you just Google that name to find them?

Remington said...

Oh yes! A very stylish lifeguard, I might add....

Patti and DeBoys said...

Oh, I am the biggest advocate of swimming for rehabilitation. I wouldn't be doing as good as I am without it - Brutus

With OC being a short legged friend, your bathtub could be deep enough? He only needs to clear the bottom by an inch or so. You could then fill it with luke warm water. Give it a try. -- Patti

Patti and DeBoys said...

Mika keep up the great work, you look fabulous and a bit more comfortable. Before you know it you will be a swimming pro.

And, Pricilla be careful it sounds as if EVA is going to be a dock diver like Tytus. Are you sure they aren't related. LOL

Elizabeth Bergesen said...

What a neat idea! Very stylish too! :)

Elizabeth & Luna

Sagira said...

What a great idea. Glad to hear that things are improving. Eva swimming is so cute. :)

Lola and also Franklin, too said...

Great idea and I'm so glad that Mika's healing. Swimming is definitely great physical therapy.

lotsa licks, Lola

Chris and Ricky said...

It's wonderful that Mika is improving so much with the water therapy! The float coat was a great idea and it looks like it works well!

houndstooth said...

I think you both look great in the pool with your float coats on! Mika, we're glad to hear things are getting better for you!

Bunny

Amanda said...

So glad it's working well for you and Mika!

jen said...

The float coat is a great idea!
They both look great in it!
So glad to hear that Mika's leg is getting better

MadameMoiselle said...

We are so glad to know Mika is healing well.. Hopefully he will continue to swim after the full recovery..

Eva is so cute ! I can't believe she gets jealous when she doesnt get to swim. Such an adorable sweetie.

katie, Maizey and Magnus said...

I know maizey loves her life jacket, and I feel much safer with her having it. Now I just need to find out if Magnus will love the water as much as Maizey. Maybe he will be more like Mika and not like it too much.:)

Glad Mika is getting better, hope he continues to do so!

Pico the Sheltie said...

Great idea to use the float coat! So clever you are. :) Be careful of your back ya, Priscilla. Now life is much easier, isn't it?

What a lovely lifeguard Eva is. LOL

koko said...

Ooh, now we can have matching float coats :)... this will come in handy on your next trip to Ruby's.

Licks, hero

Sara said...

That is just the best therapy for both dogs' legs. I'm so pleased they are both doing so well.

They look so cute in their life vests!

Diana said...

The dogs looks so happy swimming. I hope your arms and back start to feel better. Diana

Cat and DOG Chat With Caren said...

The float coat looks like a genius idea! I am so glad it is helping you because yes that had to have been hard holding Mika up every time she swam.

I chuckled about Eva being "insanely jealous"...and "barking non-stop"...I am thinking that jealousy might be a Sheltie trait because Dakota gets jealous whenever Cody is being petted and he isn't!

Yes Eva DOES look like a lifeguard!

Piappies World said...

We are so happy to hear about Mika's improving condition. The floater sure helps a lot. We hope that the rehab continues to make Mika's leg better.

Eva is indeed a lifeguard in the photo. =) Swimming sure looks exciting! Weeeeee

Love,
Piappies Fudgie, Princess, Frappie, Mocha, Sugar, Wai-Pai & Wai-Max

Kathy Mocharnuk said...

Good job!!!!! I have float coats for all my dogs and I really think it lets them exercise for longer sessions and my one dog had trouble keeping her back end up and not having it sink, which puts a lot of pressure on her back, using the float coat she strengthened muscles and did not hurt herself. Glad it is helping your back ;-). ----Kathy

the booker man said...

that float coat thingie is really cool! mama had not seen one of those before. i'm glad it helps out with mika and his swimmies, and i'm glad to hear that he is gettin' more and more strong with his leggie! miss eva does look like a lifeguard! teehee. all she needs is a whistle and one of those rescue floatation thingies to carry! :)

*woof*
the booker man

Scout and Freyja said...

Our momma says that she needs one of those coats for her! Of course, we'd need to get a pool, too!

 
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