Goodness me Bugsy has been an imp all day. OK he did rest for a little bit but he sure let me know that he was bored and he is lucky that I have a good sense of humor.
After dinner I took him for an additional walk and he has now been sound asleep for over an hour. He is so deeply asleep that I cannot imagine how I will wake him.
He is either really on
or really off.
But it is wonderful to have my boy back
Monday, February 22, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
a busy week
Bugsy had a very fun and busy week. My sister came to visit and brought her children ages 6 & 9. I cannot express how joyful Bugsy was to have his own children 24/7. His over-excitement made him difficult to deal with at times so he did have crate timeouts but it was all good until the morning they left. Bugsy stole the younger child's hat and gloves and wouldn't give them back. There were tears and I felt terrible.
Sometimes it isn't easy to be 105lbs of excited energy.
Here is a typical grin:
I wish there was a way to help him be more relaxed and normal when we have guests but he just doesn't seem to be able to. At 4.5 yrs old I am not holding out much hope for it to change. He is so anxious and overstimulated that it stresses everyone. He winds up exhausted afterwards.
After having a good rest yesterday he returned to his norm today.
He had the longest walk of his recovery, helped his Dad human with yard work, and supervised Mom human doing housework.
And got a bath
And watched his crate get moved from the living room to the family room.
Whew - a busy day to end a busy week.
Sometimes it isn't easy to be 105lbs of excited energy.
Here is a typical grin:
I wish there was a way to help him be more relaxed and normal when we have guests but he just doesn't seem to be able to. At 4.5 yrs old I am not holding out much hope for it to change. He is so anxious and overstimulated that it stresses everyone. He winds up exhausted afterwards.
After having a good rest yesterday he returned to his norm today.
He had the longest walk of his recovery, helped his Dad human with yard work, and supervised Mom human doing housework.
And got a bath
And watched his crate get moved from the living room to the family room.
Whew - a busy day to end a busy week.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
what am I going to do with this boy?
Yesterday we awoke to more snow - this pleased Bugsy immensely and I have the photos to prove it!
In light of yesterday's insanity I tried to take a nice slow walk with him today and then have him rest. The walk wasn't as slow as I hoped and the resting well...........
he did hang out inside and watch the world go by while baking in the sun for some time.
However at about 6pm he asked to go out. There are a few ice patches so DH went out to observe him.
DH then came to tell me that he feared Bugsy would make a break for it as 6 deer were across the cul-de-sac. I said OK I'll go out the front door and keep an eye on him.
Well I did and we watched the deer enter the woods.
Then all hell broke loose.
Bugsy launched into major zoomies with DH & I stood statue still and telling him to slow down. Not a chance.
He ran and spun and turned and ran, eyes bulging, tail tucked, butt on fire.
Not sure how long it went on or what it happened or why it stopped. I went in at some point thinking, "Oh dear I didn't want this to happen today!"
When the boys came back inside Bugsy had a huge drink and then I told DH to get a certain treat out - this treat prompts Bugsy to do into his crate.
Worked like a charm and several hours later he is still asleep in his crate.
I suppose we simple humans will never understand why dogs run zoomies or why they stop. I just wish he would stop for a while and wait until he was definitely healthy enough to do this.
In light of yesterday's insanity I tried to take a nice slow walk with him today and then have him rest. The walk wasn't as slow as I hoped and the resting well...........
he did hang out inside and watch the world go by while baking in the sun for some time.
However at about 6pm he asked to go out. There are a few ice patches so DH went out to observe him.
DH then came to tell me that he feared Bugsy would make a break for it as 6 deer were across the cul-de-sac. I said OK I'll go out the front door and keep an eye on him.
Well I did and we watched the deer enter the woods.
Then all hell broke loose.
Bugsy launched into major zoomies with DH & I stood statue still and telling him to slow down. Not a chance.
He ran and spun and turned and ran, eyes bulging, tail tucked, butt on fire.
Not sure how long it went on or what it happened or why it stopped. I went in at some point thinking, "Oh dear I didn't want this to happen today!"
When the boys came back inside Bugsy had a huge drink and then I told DH to get a certain treat out - this treat prompts Bugsy to do into his crate.
Worked like a charm and several hours later he is still asleep in his crate.
I suppose we simple humans will never understand why dogs run zoomies or why they stop. I just wish he would stop for a while and wait until he was definitely healthy enough to do this.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Turning a corner
Earlier this week I was worried enough about Bugsy limping each evening that I spoke to the surgeon who said, "fairly normal, try more anti-inflammatories." But we can't take Rimadyl or other NSAIDs so I tried walking him less. Still limped at night. Did more stretching, did more cavalettis, still limping. Then I added Traumeel (the holistic anti-inflammatory) in the morning as well as at night and wala!!
Since starting that regime, two things have occurred, he isn't as stiff at night, and he is ready to fly instead of walk.
The last two days have been FUN! He wants to trot most of the walk and I just do what I can to keep up. He sets the pace, he stops when he wants, etc. This has led to him being downright joyful. He has picked up large branches and chewed and carried them as he is trotting, bringing smiles once again to passersby, and causing me to laugh hysterically as I try to keep up.
Then today when we got home he launched into the craziest, wildest, silliest zoomies we have experienced in a very long time. He was leaping over shrubs, turning tight corners, running with an even gait, tail tucked and eyes wide open.
That's my boy!
That's my Bugsy doing his daily zoomie.
We have turned a corner..........
Join us in our relief
Since starting that regime, two things have occurred, he isn't as stiff at night, and he is ready to fly instead of walk.
The last two days have been FUN! He wants to trot most of the walk and I just do what I can to keep up. He sets the pace, he stops when he wants, etc. This has led to him being downright joyful. He has picked up large branches and chewed and carried them as he is trotting, bringing smiles once again to passersby, and causing me to laugh hysterically as I try to keep up.
Then today when we got home he launched into the craziest, wildest, silliest zoomies we have experienced in a very long time. He was leaping over shrubs, turning tight corners, running with an even gait, tail tucked and eyes wide open.
That's my boy!
That's my Bugsy doing his daily zoomie.
We have turned a corner..........
Join us in our relief
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Help write the legislation - dogs on the patio!
Way back in August some fool decided to re-interpret the laws giving eateries the right to allow well-behaved dogs to accompany their owners on outside patios.
Finally it is coming to the crucial time of writing the legislation.
Locals if you can attend the meeting at 10 am on Feb. 16 in room 1A-201 in the DENR building at 2728 Capital Blvd, Raleigh
If you can't attend, please voice your support here:
www.oah.state.nc.us/rules/register
which will accept comments through April 5th
Help keep dogs on the patio!
Thanks
Here's my previous post
Finally it is coming to the crucial time of writing the legislation.
Locals if you can attend the meeting at 10 am on Feb. 16 in room 1A-201 in the DENR building at 2728 Capital Blvd, Raleigh
If you can't attend, please voice your support here:
www.oah.state.nc.us/rules/register
which will accept comments through April 5th
Help keep dogs on the patio!
Thanks
Here's my previous post
Thursday, February 4, 2010
A little hint of Spring
Today we walked 2 miles.
The snow & ice have mostly melted and the birds were very active.
Bugsy was walking like old times, we were relaxed as we enjoyed the sounds of nature. At one point he stopped to sniff something and right next to his foot was the early shoots of someone's iris plants starting to emerge.
I couldn't help but feel like we too are starting to emerge from this healing process and the hint of our joyful walks, hikes and runs was evident as we strolled.
Good golly 13 weeks later I can finally really see that light at the end of the tunnel.
Here's to continued, uninterrupted progress so that in Spring we will be really be back.
The snow & ice have mostly melted and the birds were very active.
Bugsy was walking like old times, we were relaxed as we enjoyed the sounds of nature. At one point he stopped to sniff something and right next to his foot was the early shoots of someone's iris plants starting to emerge.
I couldn't help but feel like we too are starting to emerge from this healing process and the hint of our joyful walks, hikes and runs was evident as we strolled.
Good golly 13 weeks later I can finally really see that light at the end of the tunnel.
Here's to continued, uninterrupted progress so that in Spring we will be really be back.
Monday, February 1, 2010
a day of rest, may be two
I am happy to say that Bugsy's day of snow zooming concluded without injury to his leg, he was however very fatigued yesterday and still seems to be a bit tired today. Stamina just isn't what it used to be, not yet anyway.
It is very icy out now so although I hope to walk him today it won't happen unless we get some significant melting.
We did some Cavaletti's (walking over hock high hurdles) and will do some more later to reinforce proper lifting of his legs.
Only other thing to add is that apparently 3 inches of snow and 2 inches of ice do not protect moles from beastie. I took him out for a wander of the yard and he stopped suddenly. his tail went up and started twitching.
And then he pounced, dug a bit and walla, a mole.
Extraordinary!
I'm sure that someday they will learn to underground tunnel in someone else's yard LOL Until then he will catch them with joy and vigor.
It is very icy out now so although I hope to walk him today it won't happen unless we get some significant melting.
We did some Cavaletti's (walking over hock high hurdles) and will do some more later to reinforce proper lifting of his legs.
Only other thing to add is that apparently 3 inches of snow and 2 inches of ice do not protect moles from beastie. I took him out for a wander of the yard and he stopped suddenly. his tail went up and started twitching.
And then he pounced, dug a bit and walla, a mole.
Extraordinary!
I'm sure that someday they will learn to underground tunnel in someone else's yard LOL Until then he will catch them with joy and vigor.
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