August
2012
Update5
Just wanted to post an update on my handsome man, Bailey. He is still doing quite well. So many people who see him can’t believe how well he has adjusted. I find myself repeating one of the doctor’s regularly that was involved with his amputation, “Dogs were born with three legs and a spare”.
One of my biggest fears after amputation was Bailey sleeping on the bed and jumping off – same with the couch. He doesn’t seem overly interested with the couch, however when I do pick him up to sit with me he jumps off pretty easily (we have area rugs around the couches so not as big as a concern as the bed). As for the bed, he has a whole routine. When he sees I am getting ready for bed he follows me in the room and waits on his bed. When I am ready we go outside for our last restroom break and then inside for a treat. Once his treat is done he waits for me to pick him up and put him in the bed. In the morning I help him up a little (more my need than his) and then he heads right into my arms almost at a jump to get off the bed.
I did see him once manage to get his two front paws on the ottoman standing on his back leg. Of course his motivation was the chocolate pudding cup my daughter let there. Yum for him. Mom was not happy with him, but I was excited to see he could do it.
His eyesight seems to really be on the decline, but frankly watching him run around the yard you can’t really tell. I notice it most when I am near him and he is looking all around the room for me. If he knows I am in the house he must know where I am before he settles into a spot.
The only concern I have is he does fall down quite a bit on his amputated side right on the bone. It seems like it would hurt and I feel so bad for him. Anyone know anything about that? It does not seem to bother him when I pet or touch him there.
My handsome man
- A sleeping boy
Bailey is doing so incredibly well.
Magnum also tended to fall a bit on her amputated side, mostly when chasing the ball or playing with other dogs. It didn’t seem to bother her either. She seemed to fall so gracefully that I figured she did it deliberately if she felt she was losing her balance.
So glad to hear your man is doing well! Bailey is an inspiration to Tripawds and senior pups everywhere!!
I am so happy to hear that Bailey is doing well. It has been a little over a month for My Guinness (front limb) and he’s fallen a few times but mainly just playing catch or on uneven foundation. Such as the outside on the lawn.
Thank you for the udpate and sending you good thoughts. Dani
Bailey, you are a rock star to Tripawds everywhere. It’s GREAT to hear you’re doing so well!
Whenever I would fall down, my Momma would freak out. But you know what, it hurt her more than it hurt me. Like you, I fell on the side with the missing limb, but it really never did any damage to me and almost as soon as I fell, I was over it. It took Mom a long time though, until my Dad finally convinced her, “Let him be a dog! Stop worrying!” and after that, she would repeat it whenever I played hard. So when I fell, it didn’t make her cry.
Keep on rockin’ and rollin’ Bailey, we love to hear how you’re doing!
Thank you all for the information. I have been stressing about it more since I noticed his eyesight appears to be declining and he seems to get startled more easier and then falls. He is just so sweet and never complains. 🙂