Yesterday Fortis was really struggling with using the bathroom. It's not uncommon for him to only go once in the evening but he hadn't gone since early Wednesday. That is unusual. So it's about 10pm last night and he still had not gone. He was acting like he really wanted go. I was wearing my petzl, keeping an eye out for anything that might drop while making sure I was supporting his back end as well. Nothing was happening. He really seemed frustrated. I mean he was big time straining!!! I felt so sorry for him. It's hard enough on him as it is with his remaining leg being so weak and all. I finally got him to stay in one place long enough for me to pull his stub of a tail up and get a better look at what was going on. The harness I'm using has a pelvic pad that attaches via Velcro to two parallel straps and rest between his testicles and anal opening. OMG, this pad had slid up to where it was completely covering his anus and restricting his ability to go to the bathroom. (edited 10/21, I want to point out that the pad sliding up was not the fault of the harness. The pad is actually designed to be placed below the testicles but in Fortis' case there is no room. I place it here because it seems to help support the pelvis when I do. So one might say Fortis' constipation was caused by me or user error! 🙂 ) No sooner did I rip the pad off and out came well let's just say he's a big boy!!!! I felt awful. I can't express how happy he was. As soon as he was done he took off across the yard and back and of course brought me the rear of the wheel barrel with him. Man can he move for a 2.5 legged dog. What's funny is I think he really thought that I had helped him. He seemed sothankful like I had done him a favor or something…I'm not going to tell him the truth that's for sure. Another dumb story by Fortis'Dad who you can tell doesn't get to leave the house all that often.

FYI–I found this link to "The Rainbow Bridge" I thought it was nice.

http://precious.....e_Page.php

Fortis & Fortis'Dad