In the early days, one of the biggest challenges was Duke couldn’t urinate on his own. We found ourselves learning skills we never imagined we’d need. Bladder expression became part of our daily routine and Duke is a big boy, so this was no easy feat. With physiotherapy exercises, medications, and helping him move around safely, the journey was hard.

It was so emotional. We worried constantly. Were we doing enough? Was he improving? Would he ever walk normally again? Some nights felt endless as we checked on him, adjusted his bedding, and tried to keep him comfortable. Honestly, with Duke’s size it was so very difficult to help Duke through such an ordeal.

Our home changed almost overnight. Non-slip mats appeared throughout the house, furniture was rearranged to create safe walking paths, and a support harness became one of our most important tools. Every day revolved around helping Duke recover.

For weeks, improvements were almost impossible to see. Then one day we noticed a slight movement in his affected leg. It was only a small twitch, but it felt enormous. That tiny sign gave us hope and renewed determination to keep going.

Over the following weeks, we celebrated every milestone. A stronger step. Better balance. A little more confidence. Things that would have seemed insignificant before suddenly became major victories.

One of the most memorable moments of Duke’s recovery came when he was finally able to pee by himself again. After weeks of managing his bladder, it felt like a huge breakthrough. The weeks had certainly taken their toll on our own backs as well, as I am sure you can imagine. We probably celebrated more than most people would understand, but anyone who has cared for a dog with FCE knows exactly how important those moments are.