Well it has been almost a month since Bonzai had his amputation. A month this Friday to be exact. WOW…. It seems like it has been years lol.. Those first few weeks were very tough. Nowadays things are a lot more back to normal. I do not worry about harnesses around the house anymore or in the yard for that matter. He goes to the door and I open it and he goes out and does what he always does. He walks around and finds a spot and lays down. He does not wear T-shirts for drainage anymore. Though he looked darn cute in them. For the MOST part he is back to him.
I have found that he is more hesitant of walks. He wants to go out. I take all the other dogs first. He pretends he doesn’t hear me but by the time I get the other three walked Bonz decides he can’t resist the opportunity. He is eager to get to the front door but once out he starts to panic a little. He gets on the street and hops along. He is labored and he thuds so much I can’t begin to imagine at his age it does hurt him some. We do not go far. Maybe 200 or 300 feet. He would go farther but he tires out so fast that I have to carry him back home. So the short walks I think are more the limitation of me carrying him back to the house and right now 200 to 300 feet is my limit. I do take him for a short car ride when he gets back. I really need to get him a wagon or a stroller. Amazon had sold out of the BOOYAH stroller that I finally decided would work best for him. I think he would jump out of a wagon. I dunno. UGH! should of bought one before it sold out. It was just expensive. A wagon is cheaper but might not work. I know there are no wrong answers but the right one is sure hard to find sometimes.
Other than that I think he is better. He has pooped on the carpet twice if I do not get home at lunch. He did the same thing after he went blind as well. I think he will adjust.
I hope he is happy. I know the alternative was to put him to rest and give him his wings. To me that makes this time with him extra special time. He gets fresh fried hamburger patties to take his pills with.. He gets extra loves and kisses. I try my best to get him out on his short walks everyday. I bring him water so he doesn’t have to trump around as much. These are precious days that I can’t waste with him. I do not know what the future holds. I will admit that yes even though I know he is a puppy and puppys don’t live forever. It was not until the vet and the diagnosis that I truly felt it sink in that our time with our loved ones is not infinite. So make the best of it folks. Not that I have to tell anyone reading this that though 😉
I just love this dog! Bonzai is such an inspirational story! Talk about overcoming challenges…WOW!
And talk about devoted pawrents…WOW!! This dog KNOWS how loved he is and he feels so secure and happy as a result! I’m sure Bonzai is thoroughly enjoying all the loving and spoiling! He has made sooo much progress in such a short time!!
You might want to check the site in the gear section for strollers, etc. You may find some help there. Also, you might want to see if you can contact the manufacturer direct through Amazon about the Booyah Stroller. I bet when they hear the story they’ll figure out how to get one to you!!
Thank you for giving us an update on Bonzai…and YOU!! Sounds like you both are doing an excellent job of “Being More Dog”! Good job! Two very strong souls…what a team!!
Hugs and love to all!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
Although Bonzai isn’t walking too far yet it sounds like he still has the desire, which says a lot for his spirit.
Mona, my cat, who is a front leg amputee also heavily thudded for the first while. After the first month I took her for a chiropractic treatment and learned some massage and strengthened exercises and now she is much lighter on her feet. Perhaps it will take a bit longer to build up the strength needed. Perhaps you could check out some of the conditioning videos on this site?
I agree with Sally, you and Bonzai are a great team and inspirational. Go Team Bonzai!
Kerren and Trikitty Mona
Woohoo! I can’t believe it has been a month already! Sounds like you guys are settling in to the “new normal” just fine. I expect Bonzai is happy as a clam with the hamburger on a regular basis, extra hugs and kisses, being waited on hand and foot, and now that he can get back to the serious business of laying around the yard. It must definitely be harder for an older (and blind!) dog to adjust but hopefully he will be able to increase his walking distance and enjoy his walks again.
You have probably figured this out already but the Booyah folks are (gasp) on vacation until Feb 19 so that explains why Amazon is sold out. What about a wagon with higher sides like this one–http://bit.ly/1EKEh55? You could get him used to it in the back yard where your wife and you can both work to keep him in there as you begin to move. I can see how that might be kind of freaky for a blind dog but it seems doable if you ease him into it. But you know the Bonz and what might work for him waaaay better than I 😉
xoxo to you and Bonzai,
Martha and the OP