FINALLY!!!  We are 36 days post op and Charlie really started showing his true self around the end of last week!  We never thought we'd see him again.  How scary and guilt-ridden and angry and confused we were!  Very emotional! 

He had his right front leg amputated on 10/31 – soft tissue sarcoma. 

He is begging at our table…who knew we'd hate to see that day end.  He is sleeping upstairs with us again and I think that has really lifted his spirits.  We just had our stairs carpeted yesterday which is helpful.  We've been going upstairs for about a week and using the RuffWear Harness…I cannot sing that enough praises.  Very helpful and stays clear of his scar.  His hair is coming in nicely.  He jumped into my car the other day.  He gets his toys out at night and wants to play!  He runs around the yard….fast!!!

WHAT A RELIEF!!!  For anyone that is going through a post-surgical period…keep your chins up and know that better days are yet to come!!!  We had our doubts but, remember what a major surgery this is and that every dog is different in their recoveries.   We also met a 4 year old golden retriever on the day of Charlie's surgery that was one month out and was doing things two weeks post-op so, kept comparing Charlie to him.  He is 4 years his junior and again…every dog is different!

Only problem we're having is still with the pads being a little raw on his left back foot.  They are healing and we are wrapping them 2x a day and putting lamb's wool in between his toes.

So great to see our Charlie again!

That's fantastic!  And he likely will continue to improve – my recollection is that every time I thought my pup was "back" things got even a little better and even a little more "back" in the next couple of weeks.  So glad you've been able to have some relief from worrying – now enjoy!

Three paws up for Charlie So glad he is getting back to normal.

Getting to sleep upstairs with him pawrents is the best :-)

Thanks for all the love!  We just received Charlie's special-ordered boots today.  He does so well with them and they stay on really well!!!  I ordered them through Tammy & Teddy's…found on Tripawds (gear?).  They took a couple weeks to get here but, well worth the wait!  We were using one of my husband's winter gloves when Charlie went outside…it never stayed on.

His new boots are fleece lines, velcro, and have a non-schaffing top that goes up pretty high (approx. 7 inches).  WE LOVE THEM!!!  The pads of the boot and leather and dipped in something to provide further traction.  We live in Maine and the cold weather is here!  We have always battled with snow balls between his toes so, are anxious to have them for the winter.  I wish I had my video camera out when he zipped around with them on this afternoon…what a riot!

He had been having issues with the pads on his back left leg (right front amp.)  These will really do the trick.  We ordered 3 boots as the snow is on it's way!  Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!