Hi everyone, I've been stalking this awesome website since our dog's accident and the options of repair vs. amputation were presented to us (accident happened on 12/18, amputation on 12/19). I've been reading the articles and forums and random blog posts for the first week and thought it was time to introduce myself and join the tripawd party.

Colt is an Australian Cattle Dog, or Red Heeler. We got him as a puppy from a coworker of mine whose husband was a local cattle rancher. His parents were working cattle dogs, although the first time Colt saw my sister's horse he barked and hid behind me, and has never herded a thing in his life (so much for instincts, haha). He is a little over 2 years old and as a heeler, he is 200% all the time. He loves to jump and catch balls and play soccer with his human brother. He is all personality and makes us laugh all the time. Unfortunately, this high level of energy and excitement towards everything in life led to his amputation. Earlier this year we were walking around the neighborhood with our friends and the kids were kicking a soccer ball around to each other. Suddenly, when the ball wizzed by Colt, he leapt up and attempted to get the ball. It was way too high though, and he did not stick the landing. He ended up fracturing one of his left metatarsals. Hairline fracture. He didn't yelp or anything, just stopped walking on it. He was able to heal with just a splint. He did not learn from this experience, and last week was playing in the yard with his big red exercise ball. We usually roll it across the yard and he chases it, but he knocked it up in the air and jumped up high again to get it, only to land incorrectly and completely shatter his left tibia and fibula in an open fracture. The terrible pain he was in broke my heart. We immediately took him to the emergency vet, and the X-rays they showed us were absolutely horrible. They said we could attempt repair, but there was a high rate of failure after a long recovery, and if it failed and he broke it again, it would be require amputation. As he had already fractured the same hindleg this year, his failure rate was even higher. We decided that amputation would provide him with the best chance of a long, happy life.

I am a human critical care nurse and I understood the pros and cons, but it was still a difficult choice. I completely understand the difficulty in making a decision like this, and I empathize with the stories I've read about those struggling with the same choice. Ever since the accident I've been basically obsessing over how to make his life as close to normal as possible. He's such a sweet, kind, happy boy. I love him so much, as I'm sure you all understand. I've been a big advocate for his pain control, as I worked with human amputees post-surgery for years and understand how painful it can be, even though dogs may not have the same psychological attachment as we do. He is so far adapting well. He did outsmart the inflatable donut collar after the first week and chewed some sutures out, but he is otherwise healing well and getting back to himself (despite getting himself back in the cone of shame , which is most certainly not his favorite). I found his old interactive treat games and have been doing that with him. He enjoys hopping around the yard on leash with us and has been extra cuddly. He's become quite the momma's boy as well and loves to lay with his big cone head on me when the medications take hold and he needs a nap.

I'm looking forward to his Monday appointment and getting the sutures out. He will appreciate getting out of the cone! We don't have any certified therapists in my area, but my sister is a human PTA, so we are researching exercises to help strengthen his remaining legs. He was incredibly strong and muscular prior to the amputation (as evidenced by every vet he's seen commenting on how ripped his booty is, lol), so I'm hoping he was handle the change like he handles everything else-like a champ.

Thank you all for this supportive community! Reading the forums has been really helpful in comparing his recovery with others, and answering some of the questions that have popped up. I look forward to being an active member and sharing in everyone's recovery as well.