Can Atrophy be Reversed? Shetland Dog Tails

"Your legs and arms have atrophied. No, there is nothing you can do about it, no, you can not reverse it."

Leaving my neurologist's office that day was like leaving a cage with no where to go. I had multiple sclerosis. I was secondary progressive. I was done for, there was no turning back.

That day was a real downer. A caregiver went with me and she reported to my partner that it looked dire and I should consider a catheter. (This notion was derived from my neurologists assuming I had one in.) Then I got really angry. What about astronauts? They come back all wobbly-legged, yet in a year they are running. Was it a time thing?

Then I thought of Ali. Ali was a Shetland Sheepdog that my mom and I spotted in the back of a pet store. I drug mom into pet stores, even though I didn't have a pet. I loved pet supplies, so much so that even into my 40s I would buy some and give them away to passing dogs, wild birds, meandering cats. There were always a few doggy treats in my pockets.

Ali was a pedigree dog and had been kept for over a year in a wire crate tow sizes too small. She was horribly skittish and when the store clerk let her out, she couldn't stand for more than a minute, slumping like a rag doll to the dirty linoleum floor.

Neither mom nor I wanted a long-haired dog, and these are like miniature collies; I never liked Lassie. But without discussing it, we were on the same page: we couldn't leave this dog to die after living so abused. The clerk even told us they were waiting to put her down. Ali would go home with us that day. Our hearts over took our good sense, neither of us could care for such a dog.

Her pedigree was long and Love Story was my favorite book then, so I named her Wee Lorelei of Shetland, nickname: Ali (for Ali McGraw, star of the Love Story movie.) The clerk warned us that she would never walk again. Once home she scooted around on the carpet. After some time, she stood, then walked, then ran...just like any normal dog.

As I continue my attempt to walk again, there are good days and bad days. On the bad days I think of Ali and I know I will walk again. My life, this moment is so rich with all before, during, and after. Why do people give up? Don't ever, EVER, give up. Anything is possible.