Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

The patch came off this morning! The tramadol is being "cut back". And there is only 3 more days of both antibiotics. Not sure how much longer of the Metacam (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory).

This evening she also sat down on the side with the amputation. Think that other hind leg is happy for the rest, and now I can give that side some good and needed rubbing and petting. I still have the towel around her, but can tell she is getting stronger and her balance is finding the way.

Think everyone at the camp ground (we are still living in our camping trailer) heard me yell with happiness this morning as she did "pee". I know this sounds silly, but in the medical field it is just a great sign of healing.

I do believe we could be in trouble with the appetite thing, as this was one thing which was never a problem. Even before she was released drinking and eating was something she did with out any trouble. Now in the long run, we know we do have to watch her weight. But, hay, I am right there with her, we both will watch our weight.

She has happily greeted the people who have come to visit her. Her total face just lights up, she has always been a people dog. Bailey is receiving more company than we are. We have her in a great place where she can easily see what is going on, and can even see the T.V. I do continue to sleep on the couch next to her. She still looks long and hard at the steps to the bedroom. When she comes back in she even turns towards that direction. I just reassure her that one day again, and soon.

Just to sit on the floor next to her with our other dog Buttons is just such a great feeling for all of us. There is nothing else as important, and I am lucky for this. Today her tail also picked up so much more.

This is to all who are about to face this in their future, as my husband and I observe her, it is like she is saying thank you. Her facial expressions are still there, she likes to watch us and what is happening, and then there are the smiles.

No living creature knows how long we have, but to still see Bailey's smiles and her famous goofy facial expressions, and today to see that tail pick up (almost to full speed) well, maybe Bailey is saying thank you. Just like all dogs, they are always thankful for what we can do for them.

O, and please listen to Jerry, he is so very helpful, as well as the others in his family. His purpose in life was to teach and reassure the rest of us.

So what do you do when you have to hold a towel in one hand to help with support and the lesh in the other and it is dark and you can't hold a flashlight? The answer, use a head lamp. It works great, just keep your mouth closed just in case the bug count is high.