Our 2023-2024 Southern Migration Trip

[sheridany]

I second that as well @Jim. I assure you don’t want start over learning another coach especially of another manufacturer. Don’t ask me how I know.

 

[Jim]

About 3 months ago, Ryker jumped a ditch and ended up over extending the carpal tendon in his right leg. He has been virtually crippled since it happened and we’ve been trying different therapies and treatments, but we haven’t made much progress.

Today we visited with a veterinarian who does some pretty advanced treatment for damaged tendons, and he feels he can help Ryker with a combination of stem cell injections, shock wave therapy, possible PRP (platelet-rich-plasma injections) and some frequent rehabilitation exercises.

He didn’t sugar coat it though, and said that even if it works, it’s going to be a very long rehab process. One that will most likely last the rest of the dog’s life. And even then, he’s never going to be 100%. But it’s the best we’ve heard so far and we’re going to take a shot at it.

So armed with this new diagnosis, we called to cancel our 2-week stay at Motorcoach Resort Saint Lucy West. And in their gracious approach to humanitarianism, they’re keeping all of our $2,500.00. It is-what-it-is I guess, but it does seem a little harsh. First Key West, now St. Lucy West, man, their dropping like flies.

It’s been one hell of a trip so far, but if we can keep Ryker from being a cripple, then it’s worth every bit of the overall costs. So onward and upward, right?

 

[Neemer]

Best of luck, Jim. We had similar treatments administered to one of our previous labs with excellent results, but it is a long slog.

Sorry your trip has been so snake-bitten.

 

[team bradfield]

Keeping positive for Ryker @Jim, we have a GSD also, she is the smartest and most loving dog we've ever had.

Yes, onward and upward!

 

[ARD]

It’s been one hell of a trip so far, but if we can keep Ryker from being a cripple, then it’s worth every bit of the overall costs. So onward and upward,

Anything for our family! But it is still a bummer when they don't refund. I hope it goes well for handsome Ryker Boy!

 

[sheridany]

That happened to me at at an rv park that I’ll leave nameless BUT one thing you can do is just move the reservation out to a date where you get all your deposit back and thank them profusely for finding another date. Call in a week or two and say sorry I have to cancel. Now @Jim i would never do that to you just to be clear! But the high dollar places are fair game as far as I am concerned.

 

[John&Andrea]

I wish the best for Ryker. I hope you can enjoy some of your trip. We will be heading out in March and our oldest girl (15 in April) We hope she does ok on this trip. Our October trip was cut short due to Cooper’s illness. Two years ago we traveled with three little girls, now one.

 

[GlampDaddy]

You and Trish are true gems of humanity, and Ryker has the very good fortune of being yours. Of course, you get the benefit of his unconditional love. It's too bad that everyone else doesn't share y'alls awesome qualities!

 

[purring along]

Buddy your string of bad luck will end, because your heart is in the right place. Animals in our life are more than just family.

 

[J&JD]

Whatever it takes $ wise to get Ryker back to a good quality of life @Jim. They’re worth every penny. We spent $25k on Dusty last year for what started out as an unnoticeable infection. Would do it again in a heartbeat.
As for the Motorcoach Resort keeping your money, @sheridany idea sounds great. At the least give them a nasty review on Google, Yelp and Campground reviews If that doesn’t work.
Get well Ryker, get well!

 

[Neal]

Nothing more important than the pup. Maybe you can make it work so you can proceed with your travel and enjoy the stay there and Ryker will like it too. I've been there done that, lab 2 with 5 surgeries for hip replacements and then handling the incompetence of the vet surgeon who couldn't even get the right ball size for the joint and it kept separating. Other than having to put her down, no regret in what I put out for that pup. Wishing Ryker all the best and many more hides ahead and peaking around trees and bushes

 

[Buster]

Hoping for the best possible outcome for Ryker. He's got a lot of good years left.

 

[Jim]

You and Trish are true gems of humanity, and Ryker has the very good fortune of being yours. Of course, you get the benefit of his unconditional love. It's too bad that everyone else doesn't share y'alls awesome qualities!

Gems of humanity? lol, well I don't know about that now! But we do love the little guy and it breaks our heart to see him want to go out and do the things that make him Ryker, but we can't let him for fear of furthering the damage. But hopefully this vet, who actually owns a horse rehab facility in Ocala, will be able to pull a rabbit out of his hat and get him running again. Sure hope so.

 

[Jim]

Here is a link to the Equine Performance Center, which is the place we hope to get our help at. The center was originally designed and built for the care and rehab of horses, but they take canines as well. Extremally forward thinking doctors and high tech results.

 

[purring along]

Jim keep us updated on Ryker's progress with the Equine Center, hopefully a good outcome. Because we own horses, it's a good place to keep in mind for us.

 

[Jim]

Today the weather was everything that we bought this place for. Perfect 70's, no wind, no humidity, just awesome. I cleaned up the engine compartment, the wet bay and the chassis battery compartment. You can eat off two of the three.

 

[Rich W.]

…which two…?

 

[Jim]

…which two…?

lol @Rich W., toss a coin!

 

[GlampDaddy]

lol @Rich W., toss a coin!

No coin needed here…I’m not eating in the company of a sewer hose. But, nice work Jim!

 

[J&JD]

Things always seem to perform better when they’re clean.