1 Month and 1 Day After Surgery!

It's been 1 month since my surgery and I'm healing up great! Mom noticed a week ago that the middle of my boo boo was red and thought I'd been licking or scratching behind her back :-$ I was :-$ She asked the docs and they said the new skin was probably itchy and my hair growing back wasn't helping so they told her to use coca butter on me! Tee hee!!!! I loooove her buttering me all up, and it tastes even better than it smells! Well the redness went away except for one pea-sized spot and it got purple yesterday. Mama brought me to work and the vet said I look GREAT, better than he'd hoped for so soon. The bump is a reaction to a suture knot under the skin and apparently it's ok... well today my bump popped! bol it doesn't hurt but it's leaking a little and I wonder if it's done festering or if it'll heal and pop again like Penny's suture bump did?
We'll have to wait and see. :)

EDDIE'S HOME!

EDDIE'S HOOOOOOME!!!!

Omd I have never been so scared to come to work in the morning! I was soooo afraid he hadn't made it through it night since I'd left him there. I was kicking myself for it on the drive over. I opened to door to his room and it was dead silent. I turned on the light bracing for the worst possible and there was Eddie SMILING at me, little tail wagging! I think that was the closest I'd ever come to tears of joy. He wasn't up and around really still so I let him lay on his blankie and got him his usual breakfast. He decided to pout and didn't eat it so I got some yummy canned Hill's Canine CD. All I did was walk in the room with the open can and omd he popped up on his feet dancing around and sniffy sniffy sniffy! I set it on the ground and let him out, he cautiously came out and licked the food quite ravenously. That got him eating and then I was able to give him his pain meds. He whined all day and it bothered me thinking he was super painful but he had to poop! I leashed him up and he tore outta that hospital like he hadn't gone #2 in a week. no pottie problems here I let him hop around during lunch hour and WOW I didn't think he'd have to adapt much but he looks like he's always not had that leg! hopping around, sitting, rolling over for belly rubs, and he started JUMPING for table scraps. (my lord, slow down dog!) He jumped in and out of the car and does steps really well too. Right now he's fast asleep in his bed with towels keeping him warm. He's really tuckered out. Phew the amount of relief I'm feeling is incredible. My baby boy is home safe and sound with his little sister there to protect him and shoo away the kitty. ;o)

Surgery Status Update from Mom!

The surgery was an overall success! The doctor operating said every muscle in Eddie's leg had turned to fat and was completely useless. Also, the damaged nerve had not lost feeling, but instead was over sensitive! Eddie's not a wimp, his leg really hurt! My poor boy. He's doing pretty well right now... but earlier he didn't breathe on his own at ALL during the surgery (for 45min!) and his color was crap so we had to breathe manually for him. That about gave me a heart attack. He didn't look good at all and I wanted to cry, thinking I was going to loose him on the table. As soon as we took him off of the isoflourine gas he started coming back around and breathing very well again. (YES!!!!) He's hopped up on pain meds so waking up will be slower than usual. The procedure was finished at 9:20 and Eddie was just becoming aware of his surroundings when I left around 1:30. I talked to him and petted his head and told him he was a very good brave boy and he gave me a little tail wag with his eyes barely open! That was the best thing ever after the rocky surgery. It makes me sad he's hurthing right now but it's smooth sailing for him from here. He'll either come home with me tonight at 7pm or tomorrow morning after my shift at 1-ish. I will breathe a sigh of relief when he's home and out of the woods all together. What a day, what a day.

A Decision.

Thursday will be "A" Day. Amputaion, that is. Both Mom and my doctor figure it's not worth such a fight with me to put a boot that might not work on my flimsy little leg. *Phew* no more boot 'till then but I'm not too clear about what's gonna happen on Thursday- Mama said somethin' about calling me a tripod afterwards. Hmmm I like going to work wiff Mom, just as long as I don't have to get up on the big metal exam table!
Today I got a real real good brushing and a *grimace* bath and brushed again. Ma said we haven't done that enough and we're getting all caught up before I gotta stay calm for a while (whatever than means) Until then- I'm enjoying my bootless week!

luv Sketti

Spills 'n Non-Thrills

I took a nasty tumble today and it wasn't even because of the boot! :)) Dad was walking me and we went the same way we always go but there's this old lady's house and I like to pee in her ivy on the ground under this tree.... well she hasn't taken her Christmas lights down and they fell off the tree into the vines and as I was runnin' to leave I got caught and before I knew it I was kissin' the sidewalk! I got up right away although a little dazed and continued on our stroll. When I got home we ran in the neighbor's yard and Penny was real interested in my face and after romping a while Penny had my chin blood all smeared on her white body! It was troubling to say the least :))!:))!:))! Mom washed my chin with a cool washcloth.

Things are kinda uncertain with my boot right now, wearing it's been pretty much the same but Mom or Dad trying to take it off has been much worse and I tried to :rbite:r Mama today. She ended up having to hold my mouth shut with one hand and undo velcro with the other hand... She'll be talking to my doctor tomorrow.

Mom here- I wishfully want to just have the leg removed but that's because it would be much more practical for me... hate to say it but on the other hand I REFUSE to keep doing this if it bothers Eddie enough to put his teeth on me. No blood drawn thank dog but for him to be so upset that I didn't trust him today was not good at all. I don't care if it's behavioral or not. That's pushing it and isn't good for anyone involved. :-/

A Weary Mom Hoping For Progress

Progress is what I'm looking for. Any glimpse of notable, measurable improvement that tells me I'm doing the right thing putting this boot on and off of Eddie's leg every day. I knew Eddie would have to make some adaptations in walking with this new supportive device but I was nieve to think he'd take to wearing easily. Even after finally getting used to me wrapping his foot with light bandages this new brace wraps past the wrist and limits the "bad" mobility that's developed in the wrist joint. The difficulty that has come along with using this device has not subsided. Putting the brace on hasn't been too too terrible, he does not actively fight me but the fear and uncertianty is there. I do NOT enjoy being the "bad guy" on such a repeated basis. I also do not enjoy watching Eddie freak out randomly during the day, whining, yelping, and looking to me to make it stop. Sometimes he chews his foot trying to take it off himself. I've talked extensively with the vet and he's assured me Eddie's not in any pain, that this is purely behavioral but the stress is still there and very real to both of us. I don't like to see him this way. Somtimes he sits on the couch and slightly shivers nervously. I wish I could talk to him and have him understand. I want him to know why I do these things, that I'm not doing it "to" him, but rather "for" him. I wonder if this is the right thing for Eddie, I keep telling myself that just amputating his leg without giving this approach a trial would be jumping to conclusions senselessly. I can't help but wonder what is better for Eddie emotionally. To make matters even more stressful still is when it is time to take his boot OFF.... oh Lord if you've never heard a small dog scream come to our house. I muster every calm and unemotional nerve I have, giving purely positive re-enforcement as I remove it in slow methodic motions, the same way each and every time. The reaction from Eddie is so entirely varied it's a bit baffeling. Occasionally he'll moan to voice his displeasure or purely put his chin insistently over the boot making his wishes for me to leave it alone known! Other times he screams franticly like he did years ago during the very first days of our friendship, me changing his bed in his hospital crate after the accident. I'm sorry if this is upsetting to some who read this. This entry is intended (yes) as information to close friends but also and a sounding board for myself. I need to get these feelings out in hopes it will calm my feelings and keep me focused at the task at hand each time there's an "issue" dealing with Eddie and the boot. *sigh* It's only been a week or so, it has been decided to give Eddie 1 month to get over this frantic, nervous and sometimes erratic behavior. We need to give it enough time to see if the boot will work but also keep in mind when enough is enough for Eddie's mental sake. Please keep us in your thoughts. We could use the support to give us strength through this difficult time.
Thank you,
Kristen (Eddie's Mom)

Shrieks of Uncertianty

Today Daddy and I were playing with my 'puss- I think he was trying to distract me from that dumb ol' boot on my foot and I started shrieking and crying and trying to bite it off. Dad kept Penny away who was standing by ready to pounce on me and assert her dominance in my time of distress. If it continues Mom's gonna call the doctor about what to do, I used to freak out like that when Mom first started wrapping my foot to protect it back in the day.... it took a loooong time to get over that. I don't LIKE it!

My Boot.

I have a new boot, it came in the mail yesterday at Mom's work. She came home and let Me n Penny sniff the odd looking little thing which was fine but thens she started putting it on my foot????!!! Woa woah hold on a minute..... that little thing is kinda BIG if it's supposed to go on ME! Protesting and pulling my foot away didn't deter Mama very much. She left me and shortly came back wiff oatmeal PEOPLE COOKIESSSSS!!!!! Ok for a piece of cookie you can put that hideous thing on my leg. Would you wear a funny shoe for a cookie?? Heck yeah! Well that was yesterday afternoon and she's made me wear it 3 more times since then. I am beyond flabbergasted! Why is she putting this thing on me? I can't fling my leg around right with all those straps on it n stuff. hmmph.

Eight Shimmery, Sparkley, Fluffy, White Inches!

It snowed. LOTS! Mama was not too keen on taking me for an extended romp in the park after me havin' so much trouble wiff my front leg but Daddy talked me into it and I'm suuuuure glad he did!! Mom suited me up with my harness and x-long retractable leash. I wished she wouldn't have but she put two layers os CYRAN WRAP over my already bandaged foot, and taped a baby sock on top of that so I wouldn't tear the plastic. Finally we were off! Ma and I trekked the 4 blocks to the park and had a blast! I do wish my waterproof winter coat still fit, we might've been able to play longer but alas I finally bulked up to what I should weigh and it just won't close. *sigh* It fits Penny great now who outgrew her matching pink coat so go figure. Mom walked around while I porpused through the snow drifts, happily panting. The new snow was sent flying with my every leap and bound- I even had some ice formed on my chin and whiskers! I drew a lot of attenion from passing kids and parents alike at how cute I was and how much fun I was having. What can I say? They must be jealous they don't have a pup as cool as me! Towards the end Mama noticed me taking the easier routes and running on paths made by kids pulling sleds as we headed back through the park towards home. At the edge of the park Ma could tell that my legs had had enough and noticed that I was soaking wet. She gave me a ride stuffed inside her coat (SO glad she wore her oversized jacket, I BARELY fit!) and carried me the 4 blocks back home. As she carried me I nestled in content to be warm and thankful for the plastic wrap keeping my foot dry. Maybe next time Mama will drive me there so we can play longer and warm up faster! I now am basking in the sun in my bed on top of a plush blanket. *sigh* What a great day!

Enough Measurements Already!

After talking with my doctor at work, Mama looked online for something that will support my wrist and keep it from moving abnormally left and right. The result of her search is a company called Thera-Paw. They make custom therapy and support devices for pups like me! They have a carpal (wrist) wrap and special padded booties for knuckle draggers which isn't quite me but will serve our purpose. Mama called them to make sure it wouldn't be an issue using the two products together and instead she ended up with the very person that created all their products and designs custom things. I've never been measured and re-measured so much in my whole LIFE! I think Mom might need to get a life... my skinny leg was measured in some way or another all afternoon! A guy can only take so much. *phew* I'm supposed to be getting somthing that will help me do more standing and less flopping and flailing all while protecting my toes from scrapes and bruises. (Yes, I do put about 1/2 to 1/3 of a normal weight load on it, the faster I'm going the wilder it flings and flops lol! I can stand on it) You see I do have control of my elbow but it doesn't extend all the way. I do not have control of my wrist and it does not straighten completely. I've figured out how to put my leg forward and pull it back slightly so my pad is down when I'm standing or WALKING (what terrier wants to just walk?!?) but that's more work and I have to stoop a little for it to touch the ground since it stays a little bent. When I use it to stand it reminds Mom of a bike's kickstand- it props me up and gives my other front leg a break a little. It should be ready and mailed to us on Tuesday. The true test will be putting the wrap/boot on and watching how I move and run with it. Mama hopes it really stabilizes my "Poor Wittle Foot" as it's been called at our house for 3 years. :o)

Eddie