Hi everyone! 

Sorry it took me so long to update, but you probably all know from experience that the last 24 hours have been kind of crazy! So I'm just gonna tell you guys all about my day yesterday, because HOW I was able to stay up all night after being sooooo emotionally drained is beyond me. You guys definitely were not kidding when you said I probably wouldn't get any sleep the first night. I think about 4am I broke down crying from being so tired and he couldn't get comfortable and he was so drugged up and whining the entire night it just made my heart ache. In hindsight I *think* it would have been better to take him to a 24 hour emergency vet to be monitored over night, but I do think he got some sort of relief and comfort from me being right by his side, he seemed to get substantially calmer while I was petting him - not sure he would have gotten that sort of comfort from a 24 hour vet stay (but I don't know?). I also forgot what its like to sleep on the floor, haha. But my boy is worth it.

Anyways, back to the main story.

I got to the vet at about 6:15 last night, he was due to be picked up at 6:45, so I had 30 minutes to kill at a Petsmart before picking him up. I decided to get some puppy pads, just in case he pee'd the bed, I was terrified of over exerting him, luckily him peeing the bed never happened (hes always been reallllllyyy good about no accidents, I think even on pain meds he knew he shouldn't just pee on himself - I love my smart boy <3) I also decided to ask an employee walking by if they had any harnesses with a handle, I mentioned my dog just had his leg amputated and needed something to assist him - she directed to me another lady who pointed out some HUGE life jacket that was just SILLY to even think of putting him in that, it was bulky, probably would have rubbed his incision and he for sure would have looked at me like "WTF IS THIS MOM?!?" - Thankfully my roommate was with me and he just walked away and found one that will suffice for the time being while he is recovering until I can get a better one. But while the lady was helping me she asked "How old is he?" - "10" - "Oh. He is going to have a REALLY tough time adapting since hes 10" .....Oh man. I politely thanked her for her help and went to the cash register where the other lady proceeded to ask me every single question about how he lost his leg, how old, big...etc. I know its human nature to be curious, but man...that was tough. No pun intended, but talk about pouring salt into a very fresh wound. I ended up waiting for 2 hours to pick Forrest up due to an emergency that popped up for another pet owner in the building. At points I thought I was going to pass out (that might be super dramatic but I haven't felt nerves like that in FOREVER). Then I see them bring my boy out on a stretcher and put him in a room and the vet calls me into the room, for lack of a better term, I lost my shit on that very short walk to the room. But with happiness. To see him. Out of surgery. Wagging his tail. Even if he WASN'T walking on it right away (they did say he had already stood on his own though). But when I got into the room with the doctor, everything changed, I wasn't crying anymore, I went into momma-bear mode and somehow pulled myself together more than I have this entire journey the last month. I'm REALLY glad I prepared myself with photos of the incision, although, even in person it didn't bother me as much as I anticipated. Honestly seeing him drugged up was the hardest part of it all, he was biting his tongue -which was hanging out the side of his mouth - and his lip, I mean, they insured me he could not feel a thing but it didn't make it any less hard to see. And the way he looked around the room, I just wish I could know what he was seeing with his eyes. The best news, guys, in that room with him, waiting for his medicine and to take him home, I had an overwhelming feeling that I made the right decision. I had no doubts at that point. I can't say that wont change over the next couple weeks and that doubt wont sneak back in, but at that moment I was AT PEACE with my decision. And that was an incredible feeling (especially since I have had some negative responses to my decision to amputate Forrest's leg). Now lets fast forward a little bit, after the very, very long night, around 6am Forrest looked..."normal" - he didn't look like he was seeing unicorns flying around the room. And he started to really want to try and get up. So I helped him hop out the door to the yard to take a potty break. And he went! Almost all by himself, he was definitely weak but he did it (he HATES having help to go to the bathroom) I was soooo proud. Tears. Tears were shed. Then he was able to hop by myself. Tears again. So moral of this very, very long story is: He is adapting so well already. Im trying to let him guide me, if he's not moving with my help but will move without my help I am giving him the (minimal) freedom to do so (but also making sure im close enough to catch him just in case). My friends and family are so surprised at how happy he looks and all the tail wags. Some respond with "Awww....how sad" - Which I reply - NO SAD FACES HE IS DOING AMAZING :). Leg schmeg. Who needs it? Not Forr. <3

I will keep you all posted through out the recovery, I'm sure more difficult times are ahead, but I think we are both ready for them. I find out in 2 weeks if the MCT in his leg is aggressive or not. But as a lot of you have suggested to Be More Dog ...I am not worrying about that right now! Just embracing our new three legged journey together with lots of love, treats and kisses.

Hi everyone!

Last night went much better for him and me, I think we BOTH got a loooooottttt more rest last night than the night before, although anytime I heard him move I would wake up, which was probably every 2-3 hours. At one point early in the morning (like 2am) he got up and fell 🙁 and that definitely hurt him but he seems to be unphased by it now. I was actually in the dining room putting a new bag of food in his food container while he was on his spot in the living room, I turn around and he's standing there staring at me thinking it was time for dinner haha - my parents were amazed...and chuckled because that is true Labrador fashion - All about the food! He also had his first poop today. All by himself. Another extremely proud moment for me. Dogs are so incredible, I can't believe how amazing he is doing at everything. 

Also, do you guys recommend getting an orthopedic bed ? Right now I have him on his normal bed, which isn't super soft but its definitely not as firm as an orthopedic bed . For his size theyre definitely spendy (I guess all dog beds are expensive though) so Im just curious if anyone thinks its definitely worth it or if normal beds are good too. 

Donna - They sent me home with Rimadyl, Tramadol and Simplicef AND they want him to keep taking Benadryl until we find out more about the MCT in the leg they took.

Do you guys have any tips to distinguish between panting from the tramadol vs panting from pain? In the middle of the night last night he was panting and I *assumed* it was from pain since it had been a little bit since his last dose of pain meds. That's all I really had to go off of tho. If only they could talk. 

<3