Baby the Mastiff

We’ve been reading all the wonderful posts about the benefit of water therapy, so when a friend of ours invited us to her house to swim with the dogs we were super excited.  We pictured supporting Baby in the water and doing some stretching and dog paddling with her.  We pictured Monkey Butt Giant Toby jumping in and loving it – he is largely (no pun intended) Newfie after all. Such a lovely, heartwarming picture.

Reality?   Roger and I relaxed in the pool while Baby hid and took her medicinal nap in a shady corner by the house and Toby sniffed around and watched us from afar.   Oh, well.

I don’t really care if they love to swim, but I did hope it would help strengthen Baby.  She seems to be getting weaker in her remaining rear leg and we can’t afford physical therapy, acupuncture, etc.

My question for all of you.  Should we just take her in the water regardless of her fear, or wait for her to warm up to the idea?  I would love to know what you all would do.

Hugs and Slobbers

Judy and Baby

Another first since amp… Baby’s tearing up toys to find the squeaker again!!  Yay!  She is an expert in the field of squeaker removal.  Notice MB Giant Toby sulking with his back toward her – he kinda liked that toy… he says ‘darn that tripawd, and she won’t even get in trouble! ‘  Sorry Toby, sad but true.

Baby is also an expert in looking innocent and loving a toy even after squeaker removal.

Last night we were all sitting in the family room (dogs room) and suddenly Baby jumped on the couch for a cuddle!  She used to do that all the time, but it’s a few weeks since she had tried.  So normal – so wonderful!

Later, when she was on the floor she rolled over and squirmed and grabbed a toy away from MB Toby!  They actually rough played for a couple of minutes.   She hadn’t done this since surgery.   So normal – so wonderful!

Between the mushrooms, the muscle relaxant shot and the new pain med., she back to being Baby!

We’re on the good side of the roller coaster right now and loving it

Wags and Slobbers to all!

Judy and Baby

Baby is having pain in her front leg.  We’ve been hoping she was just sore and rest would take care of it, but it’s not getting better.  She doesn’t even get up to greet us at the door.  She stretches on her tummy and wags her tail and lets us know she’s happy to see us, but doesn’t even try to get up.  She’ll still get up to eat and go out, but it’s not good.

We see the vet tomorrow – wish us luck.  It would be terrible if we put her and ourselves through all this for nothing.

Judy

Baby has had a couple of ‘down days’.  Instead of relaxing and letting her have her extra Med naps I start to worry.  My imagination is way to active.  I can picture all kinds of awful things.  I know it’s a waste of time and it’s putting negative thoughts to the universe, but I just get so stuck sometimes.  She’s been slower, not walking as far and she won’t let us know if she’s hurting.  It’s been 6 weeks since her surgery.  We’re not pushing her too hard , and we don’t expect her to suddenly be very active (she was never very active), but I don’t expect her to backslide.   Oy, this is hard.   Just had to vent to my tripawd community.

Judy

Baby doesn’t know what she thinks about her new stroller yet, but Grandhuman loves it!

Bennett loves the stroller!

Some of you may remember that Baby got a secondary cut from skin tearing that had nothing to do with the amputation – the when it rains it pours concept.  Now those stitches are out and she is finally incision free!  Yay!

Every step’s a big one when you’re a tripawd!

Wags and Slobbers

Judy and Baby

Baby & Bennett kissing

When I look at this I am so grateful that we didn’t listen to the first vet or Baby wouldn’t have been here for this special moment of true love!

 

Baby's favorite walk

Smart girl – she just sits and waits for Toby and Dad to get around the block.  She seems to feel like she’s joining in on the walk this way.  I hope she gets stronger, but at least she’s happy!