Rudy's journey

It’s been three weeks since Rudy joined the tripawd pack and I’m happy to report that he’s been feeling good! Those first few weeks that everyone talks about seemed to go so slowly and it made me over analyze everything. Now I’m trying to think more like Rudy and embrace the little things that make life so good:)

Me and my hubby have since gone back to work, we’ve gotten back into somewhat of a routine and things now seem to be in fast forward. How does that happen?! In the evenings we drive Rudy to the park. He hops around, sniffs around to find any scent of critters that had been there before him and has even tried to roll around on his back. But mostly we just hang out in the grass and hope that a doggie buddy will come by to say hi.  Rudy had a blast the first day we saw some neighbors and their doggies! Rudy showed everyone his moves by showing off his three legged gallop!

I don’t know if it was the lack of sleep that caught up to me, but this past weekend I broke down and cried.  I cried tears of relief, joy, gratitude and I’m sure there were several other emotions mixed in there. I feel so lucky that my Rudy has been such a trooper through all of this change. I was so scared, I didn’t know how he would do, I didn’t know how I would do! I feel so lucky to have such a great dog who loves everybody and everyone loves him just as much. I feel so lucky to have found the support from other tripawds parents who have shared their stories of the dogs they love.

Rudy has made me laugh more than I imagined during this time. The day he got his stitches removed he seemed to be showing everyone at the vets office.  He decided that he had to go hopping around the whole office to make sure he didn’t miss anyone! Yea he knows he’s a rock star!

Today was day twelve after Rudy’s surgery. I’m happy to report that he’s doing great:) Yeah! Although we are still riding the waves to recovery, we’re all adjusting in a positive way. My Rudy dog I love so much has progressed a little more with each day.  From going up and down the stairs like a champ, to just getting up to go bark at the mailman! All the medication did a number on Rudy’s tummy.  My chow hound is now very selective in what he eats. But he’s eating chicken (his favorite) again with no problem. Go figure! As the protective momma, I’m still sleeping on the couch to be near my goofy, just in case! I know, to much right?!

Rudy in the morning sunlight

So a few days ago I decided to buy a product called ‘comfy cone’ kinda like a cone of shame only flexible. I though it would be more comfortable for Rudy.  And besides he doesn’t seem to be interested in the incision anyway. He leaves his incision alone when we are around because I think he knows that he’s not allowed to lick and pick at the stitches.

So here I thought I was doing my Rudy a favor by making him more comfortable.  Not so fast. Well this is where our dogs are smarter than us! We come home from work to find that he figured out how to take this ‘comfy cone’ off so that he could pull out a small piece of the stitches and lick the area clean of all the dried up stuff on his incision! I could see in Rudy’s face that he knew he’d done something naughty, but how could I get mad at him?! It’s certainly not his fault! We know who’s fault it is!! I’m sure that this is a wonderful product for doggies that aren’t as determined to remove it as mine!

We have an appointment this week to remove Rudy’s stitches. We’re all happy about that milestone, one of many:)

Rudy is sound asleep.  Poor guy has had a hard time finding a comfortable position the last few days. I hope he takes advantage of today, since I go back to work. I am so grateful that I was able to take a week off of work to be with Rudy during this time.  It’s probably not the smartest financial decision but it’s the smarted decision I could have made for my big goofy. He looks at me with those amber eyes and I can see in his soul that he’s thankful that I’ve been here helping him adjust to this new life. This past week I don’t think I’ve slept thought the night once since his surgery, but neither has he.

Today is Rudy’s day to recharge.  He’s getting so good on his three legs! He’s such a champ on the stairs and I was so worried about that silly stairs. Food is still kinda a challenge, but I know that will change. Lots of love and attention seems to go a long way. I’m so proud at how far my Rudy’s come in this short time:)

Have a good day!

~J

Today is day 5 since surgery, we had been staying with my parents since they don’t have stairs to navigate.  We came home yesterday and had to figure out how to use the stairs.  I wasn’t so sure how this was going to work. Rudy decided to take things into his own hands, he told his dad he was ready to take the stairs, but don’t tell mom because she worries to much….

There they went using the stairs without consulting me! Hopping start up, up, up and hop, hop, hop down the stairs (with some assistance of course!) Rudy’s face was beaming and smiling like it was a game! Amazing! So determined! I can’t believe how he just went for it! I noticed he’d been eyeing the stairs that we blocked off, my big goofy was probably thinking, what’s the big deal with the stairs?!

Today Rudy seems to be tired and sleeping more. He needs his rest to grow stronger. He keeps waking up trying to find a comfortable position. His appetite is so-so.  He must think we’re hiding medicine in everything! I know it’s a lot of medication his body is not used to.  I want him to eat something so that he doesn’t get an upset stomach when we give him medication. Rudy will usually eat whatever you give him, so It’s weird to me to see him turn down chicken. This morning he heard me open a bag of treats and he hopped over to see what I had. I thought to myself, Ok he’s ready to eat a snack. Then he saw me pick up a bottle of medication and he turned right around, so smart. I bought some ‘pill pocket’ treats to hide the medication in and he was onto our trickery after a few times!

It makes me so happy to have such an intelligent loving doggie that is working so hard through this transition.  Like I’ve said before I have a lot to learn from him. I have to give my thanks again to everyone here for their support:)

Rudy smiling

Rudy after surgery

Today was day three since surgery on Wednesday. Every day Rudy seems to be getting better:) He’s really amazing me! Today he seemed more relaxed and I could see that his facial expressions seemed more like the ‘normal’ Rudy roo. I know he’s feeling much better since today was the second day he got up to go bark at the mail man and look out the window! He’s been eating a bit but he’s caught on to how I was giving him his meds.  So now he moves the food around before he decides it’s ok to eat!

It seems so weird to me to see such a large (franken-roo) incision on his hind, but he doesn’t seem to really notice it. I never thought that I would have a tripawd dog and I’m so grateful that this wonderful dog of mine has taught me not to be so afraid. I am definitely the worrisome mom though and have not been sleeping well because I’m up at every move or sound he makes. I don’t want him to slip or fall but so far he seems to be figuring it out, slowing but surely.

 Today one of us said the word p-a-r-k and he looked as us with his wide open eyes and his ears perked with that ‘I’m ready to go when ever you are!’ look. Not yet goofy! So the next best thing was to go out to the back yard and  just hang out in the grass. Oh and I never thought I would be reporting that I was so happy to see him poop without any help!

It’s been slow and a bit challenging but I have to say that we are going to be all right.

Rudy and I have to thank everyone again for all the encouragement and well wishes:) 

~J

First day after surgery and we have a tripawd Rudy dog!  We’re so exhausted but doing good. Yesterday morning Rudy went in for surgery to remove his little rear leg (he wasn’t using it much anyway!). When we went to pick him up I was excited to see him and nervous not knowing what to expect. When we walked in he was just hanging out getting some fluids in an IV.  His tail was wagging and he had a groggy medicated smile on his face, he was feeling good.  

Rudy didn’t seem to have to much of a problem getting up and wanted to go hopping out the nearest door! I’m sure he thought, OK my parents are here time to go! He seemed to have a little bit of trouble when he realized he didn’t have a fourth leg balance on. Rudy was walking on three legs! Amazing! My heart filled with joy! It wasn’t easy for him to be walking/hopping, his good rear leg seemed to tire easily and we had to make him stop and take a break. At one point I tried to help him balance and without thinking touched the area near his amputation! Ouch!! Rudy yelped and my heart jumped! Ok lesson one, don’t do that again!  Next it was time to get into the car, we had that carrier thing to but under his chest and help him up the ramp.  Oh man we did it again, the carrier slipped and rubbed against his tender area! Another yelp! Oh man I was getting nervous and I could see a flicker of uncertainty in my husbands eyes.  My heart sank.  All this in a matter of minutes. Rudy just sat waiting, looking at us like we were making it a bigger deal of all this than it really was, silly humans.  Alright lets get Rudy up the ramp, 3,2,1 go!  Yeah we did it!

Driving home my husband and I began discussing how we were going to get Rudy up the stairs, let alone up and down to go out to go potty.  This was not an easy discussion, we both had trouble coming up with a game plan of what would work.  Emotions running high.  Phone call to my mom. Can we come stay with you and pa? Your house doesn’t have stairs to negotiate….

We arrive home and decide to leave Rudy in the car while we run in to pack up our stuff. We didn’t want to got through the whole ramp ordeal if we didn’t have to.  On the way to my mom and pops we hear Rudy crying in the back.  Oh no, what’s wrong is he ok?  I pull off the freeway and into a parking lot. Rudy needs to get out and pee.  Here we go again with the ramp!  Out he comes no problem, but his rear leg is tired and wobbly. Rudy does his business in an awkward stance and smiles at us. Ok back up the ramp. yeah! Rudy gives his all and with some assistance from us he’s back in the car. Wow! Now back on the road….

We arrive at my parents house and set up Rudy’s bed.  Rudy gets yummy treats and takes a nap.  We are all exhausted. I’m so happy that Rudy still his his same spirit and goofy smile.  This past evening took so much strength, but we’re going to be ok.  We had a few speed bumps and I’m sure we’ll have some more. 

I have to thank everyone here again for their support.  We couldn’t have come this far with out all of you.  I will keep everyone updated and post pictures later.  Rudy’s officially a tripawd.

Riley’s mom if your reading this, I know you go in for surgery today. We are thinking of you and Riley, sending positive loving energy.

Normally we go on walks twice a day. Since Rudy has slowed down with his ‘cancer’ leg we’ve been taking it slow and going on walks just in the evening time.  He gets double the fun because we now go to the park in the car! So Rudy gets to hang his head out the back window on the way to the park. Yippee! 

So this evening was no different, we loaded up in the car and off to the park.  We met up with a doggie friend and just relaxed in the grass.  When it was time to go back to the car Rudy decided it was time to take a little sprint around the park for one last hoorah on four legs!  I couldn’t stop laughing, he had a big smile on his face. I think he was trying to tell me not to worry so much. I know my big goofy will be a champ running around the park on three good legs!

This morning we had to go in to have fentanyl(?) patch put on for pain. Tomorrow we go in for surgery.  I’m trying to take it day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute.

I am so thankful to have such a wonderful and loving dog in my life.

Hi everyone,

First of all I have to thank every one here for being so open and sharing their experience. I’ve been on an emotional roller coaster since finding out that our Rudy, 11yr old german shepard/lab/(rottie?) mix, has bone cancer.  It felt like a ton of bricks hit me when I heard my vet say those words.  How could that be?  We thought that limp in his back leg, was arthritis.  He had hurt this same leg a few years ago running around like a crazy man at the beach.  We were just going to the vet for a checkup and yearly shots.  I wanted to get his back leg checked out too since he had recently started limping.  I thought maybe he hurt it again by playing and running with a dog friend and maybe overextended himself.

We had x-rays and a bone biopsy done and we were faced with making a decision. We’ve decided to amputate his affected leg.  I’m scared and I pray every day for the strength to get through this.  Rudy is one of those dogs that just smiles and has a great attitude.  I’m trying to learn from him!  My husband has learned very quickly from Rudy.  Me on the other hand is another story.  Like I said it’s been an emotional roller coaster.  I think now I’m doing better since we made the decision to take his little leg off.  Reading several entries on tripawds have helped me immensely!

Rudy is scheduled for surgery this wednesday (please send your positive energy!).  He’s not going to be happy when we leave him at the vets office! But this will help relieve the pain he’s been in and that will make us all happy.  I know Rudy will recover fine, he’s already been walking on three legs so that should be an easier transition.  As far as the surgery and getting around the house I’m trying to stay level headed.  I have so many questions and thoughts!  How are we going to get him in the car when we pick him up after surgery? Rudy weighs about 95 lbs. How are we going to get him up the stairs when we get home?  I ordered a carrier type thing from fosters and smith, so that should help. What if he thinks he still has his leg and tries to balance himself and falls!  My husband keeps telling me not to worry, we’re all in this together. I know after reading other entries that we’ve all had these same questions.  Rudy is such a lover and such a happy dog. He’s been through a lot with me over the years.  Rudy is like my son, I know everyone can relate to that, and I just want him to be ok.

Thanks tripawds for this outlet.

~J

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