2/11/13 A New Letter from Our Hercules

2/11/13  Here’s a new letter from our Hercules:
Hello everyone!
Sorry to be away for so long.  We have been very busy at my house.  My folks took a little vacation which meant that I got to get away with lots of stuff with the pet sitter!  My new tricks include stealing things off the kitchen counter and climbing up onto them too (rear legs completely off the floor with elbows up – better for checking things out).  I wouldn’t want anyone to think that I can’t get into as much trouble as the next pup just because I have some minor rear leg issues!  Lately there haven’t been too many goodies on the counter though, which is a bummer!  They must be figuring this trick out.  I will have to come up with another new one soon.
The new Pawsitive Steps Rehab office is apparently coming along well and mom says that I will soon get to go to work with her everyday, which will mean lots of car rides and play time for me.  It sounds like lots of fun, so I am looking forward to that.  In the meantime, I have been going to the mall and obedience school and spending lots of time playing in the snow.
Stay pawsitive!
Hercules (& Dr. K)
Dr. Tari Kern
Certified Veterinary Medical Acupuncturist
Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner

Tari Kern, DVM, CVMA, CCRP

A Message from Our Big Boy ~ Hercules

A MESSAGE FROM OUR BIG BOY — HERCULES ~ diana

Hello from Hercules!
I have discovered lots of very cool things about Michigan in the winter. Snow is fun! It is wet and cold and disappears when I chew it. I can hide in it – that’s why I have my own jacket! I can run and play in it! I get to go for long walks in the woods when it snows and track new scents and paw prints. It is especially nice when I can go to Partridge Creek and visit friends with the colorful lights on while it is snowing. I miss the snow!
See you soon!
Hercules (& Dr. K)

Dr. Tari Kern
Certified Veterinary Medical Acupuncturist
Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner

Tari Kern, DVM, CVMA, CCRP
Pawsitive Steps Rehabilitation & Therapy for Pets

Hercules with Santa

HERCULES UPDATE from one of our favorite doctors, Dr. Tari Kern ~ diana

“Hello everyone!
Hope that you all enjoyed your Christmas festivities. I had a great holiday. I got to see Santa a few weeks ago, so I am sharing my photo today with all of you. There was a long line to see him, but it was worth it! I got to catch up with old friends and also met lots of new dogs and people while we waited. It seems that the humans get very busy at this time of year and spend lots of time in the kitchen cooking and eating. This usually means good things for me, so I can’t complain! We had lots of company on Christmas so I was sure to be on my best behavior. There were presents for me too – a new cushy orthopedic bed, a new squeaky toy and some special yummy treats from the bakery. I am enjoying the snow…boy what fun! I love to run through it and eat it too. My folks say that I am hard to see outside with all the white stuff on the ground, but it makes hide and seek more exciting. Hope you have the chance to play in the snow too.
Wishing you all a happy new year!
Hercules (and Dr. K)”

Dr. Tari Kern
Certified Veterinary Medical Acupuncturist
Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner

Tari Kern, DVM, CVMA, CCRP
Pawsitive Steps Rehabilitation & Therapy for Pets
248-906-5987
www.pawsitivestepsrehab.com

Hercules First Snowfall 2012

An update from Hercules…


Hi everyone! So much has happened since my last update. I got to play in a pile of raked leaves and then it snowed! I don’t know which was more fun. Maybe the snow – I can hide in it and it’s fun to eat and slide in too. Plus, I got to wear my new jacket. I met Santa last weekend and had my picture taken, which I will share it when it comes back. Most importantly, I got my certificate for graduating from Basic Obedience this week. The class was tough – especially the sitting still part! I just don’t see why sitting still for 2 minutes is so important to everyone, but I did it just to make them happy. I start my next class later this week. Hope that you are all having fun and we will catch up again soon.
Paws and kisses,
Hercules (and Dr. K)

Dr. Tari Kern
Certified Veterinary Medical Acupuncturist
Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner

Hercules Update

Hi everyone!

Boy, have I had a fun week!  I got to go school and hydrotherapy and went for lots of walks too.  Today, I competed in my very first CHU (Canines & Humans United) Rally event at Dog Zone, which was very exciting.  There were so many new things in the ring because it was decorated for Halloween, so I was a little distracted.  Plus, there were more people and dogs than usual for when I work out.  I didn’t pay as much attention to mom in the ring, but we got it done anyhow and everyone said that I got good marks!  I qualified in both my runs and got ribbons for this — I only missed 4th place by 1 point in the 1st run (although I walked better in the 2nd run).  I also got a ribbon for Best Halloween costume in the costume contest today — I wore my skeleton outfit that you saw last week.

Don’t forget to come visit me at People, Pets & Vets this Saturday, November 3rd from 11am-3pm at Macomb Community College at M-59/Garfield!  I heard that it is a great place for kids and I love kids!

Hercules (& Dr. K)

Dr. Tari Kern
Certified Veterinary Medical Acupuncturist
Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner

Tari Kern, DVM, CVMA, CCRP
Pawsitive Steps Rehabilitation & Therapy for Pets
248-906-5987
www.pawsitivestepsrehab.com

Hercules Update — Doing Great!

Hi everyone!
I just wanted to give you an update.  I am doing great!  I had a very busy week this week and it started at Red Oaks Dog Park & Waterpark in Madison Heights on Sunday.  At the end of the summer, they open the place up for dogs!  It was so much fun!  I met many new friends there too.  We ran together in the dog park.  Later on, we got to go into the wave pool to swim and play there.  The pool time was for dogs only – the people just got to watch!  A couple people noticed my handicap, but mostly they saw how happy I am and how well I can get around and play.  I asked my folks to provide some photos for you to see too.  This week also included my rally class, hydrotherapy and rehab exercises too.  I am very excited about being a guest tomorrow night at the Angels Supporting  Animals event benefiting 4 Paws 1 Heart Rescue.  I will get to see old friends there and meet new ones too.  Maybe you can come by to say hi also!
Many kisses,
Hercules (and Dr. K)
Tari Kern, DVM, CVMA, CCRP
Pawsitive Steps Rehabilitation & Therapy for Pets
248-906-5987
www.pawsitivestepsrehab.com

Hercules Update from Dr. Tari Kern

HERCULES UPDATE FROM DR. TARI KERN (also of Pawsitive Steps Rehabilitation & Therapy for Pets): Hercules wanted to say hi to everyone. He has become quite the personality over the last month and is enjoying all the silly puppy things that

 he should have several months back. He pesters the cats at home and stole a treat from the counter (which means he was up on his rear legs to do it!). He is much stronger for his walks and is up to 1 mile daily for the long one! He also did his 1st trip up a complete flight of stairs (we haven’t gone down yet though). His rehab continues to progress and I have to get more creative to challenge him with exercises. The farmer’s market visits this month have been really fun for him because there is food everyone and lots of people. He is really looking forward to the big fundraiser next weekend for 4 Paws 1 Heart because he wants to show everyone how well his is doing!
More next week !Dr. Kern and Hercules

Hercules at Partidge Creek

Hello, Just a quick update on Hercules for his fans!  Hercules has been very busy with his rehab exercises and walks, but there is always time for play too.  He is doing quite well with his balance exercises, which we use different size peanuts to challenge him (see photo).  He also is doing better walking over his cavaletti rails.  He now walks 1/2 mile daily on one of his regular walks (the others are shorter).  He is learning all his basic obedience commands and enjoys his rally sessions too.  We have been going to Partridge Creek for some of his walks to incorporate distractions, learn good puppy manners and to meet the public too.  He is a big hit with the kids every time we go!
More next week!
Dr. Kern and Hercules

Tari Kern, DVM, CVMA, CCRP
Pawsitive Steps Rehabilitation & Therapy for Pets
248-906-5987
www.pawsitivestepsrehab.com