The furry one is fine, thank you all for so kindly asking. In fact, I think he is totally maxing out on his week of disability. He sleeps all day anyway, so if you throw in the extra TLC and the expensive canned food that I’ve been using to camouflage his twice-daily antibiotic, he’s really on some sort of all inclusive dog spa vacation. Oh, and today, he gets a new pair of hiking boots from REI. I know. I do not own something so luxe as hiking boots from REI, but that was the Rx from the vet and by golly, we’re filling it.
After months – or are we into years now? – of walking funny because of neurological impairments (he rolls over his paws and has absolutely no idea he’s doing it), the sweet gimpy thing has worn down his middle toenails to the point of hemorrhaging, a la Monday night’s trauma fest. The vet warned us that this would become chronic if we didn’t get him some new shoes. Dudes. If I’d have known how that worked, I’d have developed a limp much sooner. SEE HOW I WALK FUNNY? TAKE ME TO DSW.
I do have to give him credit, though, that clumsy dog. On Thursday, after my second trip to the doc ( where I learned I had strep. In my nose. Because of course I did), I woke up from a nap and started gearing myself up for a trip back to the vet to have his bandage removed. I’d tried myself earlier that morning and my efforts were met with a yelp and a headbutt. Knocked me right on my ass. I think any other dog would have nipped at me, but this dog is not like real dogs. He’s sort of mushy on the inside. Anyway, as I prepped his dinner, I noticed that wonder of wonders, his bandage was conspicuously absent. I found it later caught on the edge of his dog bed and thought, “That had to hurt” and though I can’t really speak for him, I’m guessing that being spared the trauma of the vet trip was worth the sting.
Did I mention I slept IN the dog bed after the last vet visit? Oh, yeah. He was sufficiently freaked out (see also: mushy) and kept crying and crying, and pacing and so I got a pillow, a comforter and crawled onto his bed and held onto him until he fell asleep. I’m thinking if ANYONE in this scenario deserves some new shoes it’s the HUMAN. Who can write me an Rx for that? Anyone?
I am a total dog lover, so this post made me tear up! He sounds like such a good pup [aside from constant shedding]. You are the sweetest person ever and you definitely deserve some new shoes, ha ha!
yes, you deserve new shoes STAT. i think they should be a partial gift from the co-dog owner.
You totally deserve new shoes. You’re good people.
Although I didn’t get any when I slept on the floor with my year-old pup after he had knee surgery. Did I mention I was pregnant at the time?
Finn,
You deserve TWO new pairs of shoes!
RX: for Heather “This Fish”
Take two pairs of new (i.e., this season’s; none of this DSW nonsense!) shoes of choice and call me in the morning.
Dr. Lawyerchik1
P.S.: If you have any trouble filling this, let me know. Although, I’m not sure most health care plans will cover it – even the new one.
You are turning into a terrific fur-mom, BTW – not that there was any doubt (Sir Hal gave an excellent reference). But dogs ARE different from cats, so this is good. Transitioning to actual human children (should you decide to do so) should be a piece of cake!!
I think that the Dork Lord really owes you some fancy shoes!
On the subject of looking after pets, my fiance still owes me a pair of shoes from the day HE knocked over our dog and broke his leg and I ended up at the vet for hours looking after him. And then cleaning out his kennel for the next week… and I’m a cat person! To be fair, at first we just though the dog had bruised his leg as he ran off but later in the day, it started to swell so off to the vet it was… by which point fiance was at the other end of the island.
And that doesn’t make him a bad person who takes advantage of me – it’s just the way the chips fall sometimes – like Dork Lord being on holiday. And in a mature relationship, we accept those things and deal with it.
Yea, sleeping in (or next to) the dog’s bed after a traumatic event at the vet office. I am familiar with this activity. You are doing a great job and deserve all the shoes you desire. See also, relaxing beverages.
Bless your heart, you’re such a good doggie mommy! You deserve AT LEAST one new pair of shoes
I slept on the couch a good portion of the first few days our pup had knee surgery. I wanted to cry every time I looked at him for about a month, he was so laid up.
Really? Strep in your nose? I had no idea that was even possible.
Rebecca,
Me. Either. And then I woke up with blisters inside my nose and holy hell did that hurt and the doctor said, “Well, THIS is very rare, but it looks like Strep.” And lo and behold, it was. The healing process is NOT pretty.
H
Sounds miserable. Hope you’re feeling better soon. Anyway, if you believe in karma, you’re due for some major good stuff coming your way after the care you provided to your dog, on top of the rest of your crappy week.
You are truly a wonderful mom to the furkid. You know what our doggie loves when she’s feeling a bit down in the dumps (like if no one has expressed great love for her for 2 minutes)? Scrambled eggs. Make enough for both of you, since it’s good sick person food, too. You can eat yours hot; let doggie’s go a little cool before serving. Nom nom nom!
Yup. Definitely deserve new shoes, at the LEAST!
You are an AWESOME doggie mom!
Again, I must comment. My admiration for you has multiplied over the way you are caring for this dog. I had the same neuropathy situation and when she couldn’t jump on the bed anymore, I slept with her on the floor many nights as I knew her time with me was short (she had cancer). I tried the booties and well… all I can say is good luck with that, I hope it works. Since my dog’s problem manifested in her walking on the bent-over top of one back foot, I ended up buying tons of baby socks at Target and putting two on that foot at one time. It lessened the harmful effects of pavement scraping the top of the knuckle/toe area. I did not have a yard at that time, so we had to walk to the grass for her to do her business. Keep it in mind if the booties are a bust. Give that baby a kiss on his snout for me?
Aw, that is just precious!
Our furbaby is the same – we do all sorts of undignified things to him (ie cleaning, brushing, removal of prickles, ear drops etc) and not a peep. We say to him ‘You ARE allowed to growl you know’ but not once has it happened.
Hope you both feel better soon
ps: it was a fateful night after Sir Fuzzy Guts got the snip that he, in his dozy, pathetic state was allowed on the bed…..
So glad that the dog is alright. And you’ve got a good heart, comforting the dog in his bed.
Are you sure you don’t want to have kids now?…because you would be an amazing Mom. xo
Barbara E. – Ewww. We have a little, 9-pound dog. I once dropped a bite-sized portion of scrambled egg on the floor and she ate it. The gas that night was AWFUL, and she NEVER has stinky farts. Beware, Heather!
Sarah – We have a gassy Saint Bernard and, as such, are immune to a slight uptick due to egg consumption. We do provide gas masks and respirators when company comes over. :>)
Oh, Heather! Hope that your strep is zapped quickly by the antibiotics and that your furchild is feeling better now, too. I’m sure that you’re counting the days until the DL is home.
On a splurge-y subject – I love my REI Oboz boots. I tried a different (more-expensive) pair and had to take them back after two hikes. (Gotta love that REI return policy.)
The Oboz didn’t jam my toes and made they it up (and down) the Inca Trail last week. They were so comfortable and lightweight. They were perfect.
Feel better soon!
Hahahaaa. I chuckled several times.
You do deserve a new pair of shoes, and a scarf.
PS_ Haven’t heard about Sir Hal in a while…
Never get tired of this blog.
~From Tokyo
Wow. I had strep in my nose/sinuses twice last winter. I feel for you. I wanted to cut my nose off and sinuses out but then decided that wouldn’t look very pretty. The first strep infection was in my finger. MY FINGER. The flesh eating bacteria kind. I had cut my cuticles and that’s where it came into my body. They thought it was MRSA but nope, strep. And 6 rounds of antibiotics and 2 times of having it lanced and a December full of pain (wrapping Christmas presents with a finger swollen twice it’s normal size is awesome.) the strep finger got all better then a month later I had it in my sinuses. It was great fun!
I am glad the dog had you there to take care of him. The picture is so pathetic and sad it makes me want to cry then rub his belly. Poor guy.
You deserve some awesome shoes. Two pairs. And a make up vacation.
I am so glad the pup is better. You are a wonderful furkid mom. The things we do for our animals! I have spant many a night curled up with Chloe and just stroking her to go to sleep. I have also spent many $ at the bird vet to keep my cockatiel alive. Stupid? Maybe. But to just let her die after all our years together was not an option. She did eventually die but I felt better knowing I did what I had to do.
I know you’ve said before – but what kind of dog is he? He definitely resembles my furry child and she is a mutt who I got from the shelter so I have no idea what breed(s) she is. Anyway, you are very good dog-mommy and hopefully you know the furry child appreciates it
He is a German Shepherd/Lab mix. I also think there’s some Muppet in there, but I have no proof.