Hi Jan.  Molly has really been extremely lethargic and listless, and even when she did get up to go outside she was just so wobbly and weak.  So today I got her in to see the doc.  Most of her blood work came out fine except for one of her liver enzymes which is significantly higher than it was before surgery.  Otherwise she doesn't have a fever and the doctor took her staples out.  The doctor gave me Tramadol and denamarin to give to her for pain and liver function.  I also have to get her up to walk for a few minutes every three hours.  I really hope she starts to feel more like herself soon.

I keep reminding myself that it's only been 8 days and if I had my leg amputated I doubt I'd be much into taking walks either!

My beautiful, resilient, strong and determined Molly came upstairs last night!  I was So surprised!  I was up there getting my jammies to come back down to sleep with her on the couch, and when I turned around there she was   She even hopped up into the bed.  I was really worried this morning how she would get down.  She refused to use the ramp I bought for her and just jumped down onto the ottoman and then to the floor.  She took the steps down to the 1st floor slowly, but did a really great job.  I'm so proud of her.  This is the first real change I've noticed since the surgery.  She's such a good girl!

Hi everyone.  Sorry its been so long since my last update.  It's been 15 days now since Molly's amputation.  She's very tired, but making very slow progress.  Yesterday she came to meet me at the door when I came home from work 🙂  Today when I came home, she was upstairs sleeping in my bed, which was great since she's never gone up there on her own without encouragement since surgery.  But mostly she just stays on the couch, 23 1/2 hours a day, going outside a couple times and getting up to eat when I make her dinner.  She has doggie doors so she can go outside anytime she wants, and I think she goes maybe 3 times a days or so.

I got two harnesses this weekend - a simple inexpensive one at a local store, and a Ruff Wear.  I was really hoping the cheap one would work, so I could take the other one back .... but Molly had other plans.  I put that harness on her and turned away to get the leash.  I was away from her for less than 30 seconds.  She scissored through it in record time.  So then I put the Ruff Wear one on her.  She went out the doggie door.  Came back in about a minute, and also had chewed through one of the straps!  I could have just killed her!  Well not really, but you know what I mean!  Luckily she only ruined the side where her leg is gone, so it still works.  I just can't put it on her and leave it like I was hoping.

She struggles to get down off the bed.  I have an ottoman there that she jumps down to and then to the floor.  She gets scared, but since I can't keep a harness on her it's tough to help.  Now I keep a scarf on the bed to wrap around her chest to give her a little assistance.  She does well with that.

I'm still giving her the Tramadol twice a day and the denamarin in the mornings.  I do think she has pain. When I tried to wean her from the Tramadol, she was panting and got really bad breath.  She seems better on it, but then gets really sleepy.

I hope she gets her happy bouncy confident spirit back soon.  I feel bad when is scared to do something or doesn't get up off the couch when we come home.  I hope her quality of life is not so drastically reduced to make this a bad decision.  I want her to be happy.