Hori and Oslo - some of my best buds! Thanks for greeting us on our arrival home. Sadly, Tazzie is downstairs as I type (and order Thai food), with the stairs blocked off by chairs or else he'd be here. I'm not sure where I will sleep. The couch is way too small and Tazzie does not like to be crowded. Maybe in the dining room, on the table.

Overall, things look okay. He could not sit on the car seat and had legs and one arm splayed in all directions (it looked horribly painful but thank goodnesss he did not screech), so I ran back into the vet to ask for help to hoist him into the car with the seats flat. Then again, his surgery was only this afternoon. He just looks so WIDE AWAKE AND READY TO GO when he is inside at the vet clinic that I did not expect him to be clumsy in the car.

The incision is longer than I expected, about 5" (10 cm), okay that is a lot smaller than the amputation but I expected about 2 cm! But the vet was very nice and made the smallest possible haircut possible. It is not ugly. It is surprising to see Tazzie's skin - almost everyone comments on his "Dalmation" skin. The big black spots of fur have black skin. But the white fur has dappled dalmation type skin, so even his skin seems to meet with good reviews (not quite the same enthusiasm as his fur, but it is better than all pink skin, hmm, like most of us). My neighbour asked what colour the skin is under the brown head, and started to pull back that fur. I said I do not know and I hope we never find out!!!!!

He is definitely sore to walk, and walks like he did when re-learning post-amp. I certainly hope he will be back running in another week or two, so I can get it on video for you (okay, and for HIS sake!). He was always a fast 4-legged and he was pretty damn fast the other night at the park playing with a young boxer pup. He'd be there tonight if it was not for this surgery. Currently I am happy that we took the darn lump off, even if it does not make a difference in his overall survival. But, this is going to be the last surgery he ever faces (I am almost certain that it true). I can't really see making decisions about his treatment when there is reasonable doubt.

When I was at the vet just now, sadly a dog was there with torsion. It was in the back being x-rayed, but a woman was standing around waiting, just as I did on June 1, 5 weeks prior to bone cancer and then amputation. Gosh, deja vu all over again. I had to bite my tongue because I didn't think she would appreciate me saying how she would probably get through the torsion just fine, and then see my 3-legged and dopey dog hop out of the clinic.

Officially, he is not allowed any "rowdy play-time" for two weeks. We'll see how it goes. Cross your 15 toes.

Did everyone see Bull's story? They definitely need some moral support and advice! Well, I better get back downstairs. Night everyone!

Susan

There seem to be lots of posts without very good news this morning. So I thought I'd write to say that Tazzie seems to be doing well, considering the small surgery he had yesterday. He is not running or jumping, but he did walk slowly outside this morning and I eventually coaxed him with food to get far enough from the stairs to pee. I'm sure it hurts and he is slow to adjust position, but I bet the pain will pass within a few days.

I might resort to the dreaded cone for about 5 hours today. I have never used it for Tazzie (he freaks when you put it on and I don't want to give him a heart attack), but I just want to make certain that he does not touch those stitches. He had shown no interest in them, and I usually only use a t-shirt, but I want to be sure.

Susan & Tazzie 2

Hi Everyone

I'm not sure how Tazzie and I can inspire anyone, but that is nice of you to say. I tend to be an excessive worrier as most of the tripawd veterans know.

But Tazzie seems to have recovered quickly from this minor surgery, far more than quickly than I feared when I heard the vet say "tramadol". I even let him climb up the stairs last night (don't tell the vet). Plus the dog park is coming to us today (three people and one dog arriving within the hour just to see Tazzie) since we can't go to the dog park. This particular doggy visitor is friendly but does not rough house, which is good - I will be careful to make sure Tazzie does not bust his stitches.

He did take me by surprise when he chased a squirrel in the yard yesterday - that is when I realized he was feeling fine. Our good thoughts and Tazzie's excess energy goes out to everyone in need this week: Yoda, Tika, and lots of newbies!

Susan & Tazzie 2