Month: April 2018

Hello again!

I had the best weekend ever! I told you all last time that I heard rumour that I was going to be having a sleepover with my Blair… and it actually happened! But lets start from the beginning…

On Friday, my Mommy and Eddy both took the day off of work. We had a good long sleep in in the morning. We then packed up all my favourite things and my crate, and they packed up a few of their things too. We then all hopped our way to the car, and we were off.

First, we stopped in at the Dr for a short visit. I am not really sure what happened. All I know is I was the most calm I have ever been at the Dr (I even slept in the Dr.’s office before he came in!). He took out some pointy things where my leg used to be, which relieved a lot of pressure. Eddy says I got half of my staples removed. Whatever it was, it felt great. Then, after a quick re-bandage, we were out of there, back in the car, and on the road again. Next stop, my Blair’s house!

Now, I am a city dog, so when I visit my Blair it is really exciting, because he lives in the country and has a big yard to run around in. Today was the first really warm day of the year, so I loved being out in his backyard soaking up the sun. Not long after we got there, and my pawrents got all of my things in the right spot, and my crate all set up, they got back in the car and left me to have my sleepover.

Over that afternoon, evening, and into the next day my Blair and I did had so much fun. I was completely beginning to feel like my old self again, so we did all of my favourite things. We went on little walks, played with an old soccer ball, listened to ducks quaking in the distance, looked out for deer, and even had naps on the couch again (I haven’t slept in anything but my crate in ages). I made sure that my Blair took lots of photos and videos to give my pawrents pupdates while they were away.

Saturday afternoon my pawrents came back and ended up staying the night  so that I could have another sleepover. They were so amazed at how good I was feeling. I could tell they were just as happy as I was to be back to my old routine. I felt so great I even went on a little bit of a longer walk with them around the neighbourhood.

On Sunday we packed everything up again and headed back home. I was so tired from my sleepovers in the country, that I was ready to pass out on my bed after a few chews on my bone. But the excitement of my weekend didn’t stop there! After a two hour nap the doorbell rang and 5 more of the best hoomans came to visit! They all came over to play a game with my pawrents. They all paid particular attention to me and gave me lots of pats and love. My friend Kora’s mom even brushed some of my winter coat out of my bum while I was getting a head massage from my Auntie H. Ruff life eh?

The rest of my Sunday I was been daydreaming about my amazing weekend. I am so happy to be back to my normal self and routine. I can’t wait for the rest of my staples to come out and my fur to grow back so I can truly look like my old self too.

Lots of love, Hudson.

Hi Again!

I have not been posting as frequently lately because I have been conserving my energy by making sure to get plenty of rest in the comfort of my big cozy crate.

Yesterday, I was home with my Eddy again. While he worked from home I slept the day away. When I went for my afternoon walk I saw the Tripawd man again! He is the best. He always gives me the best treats.

That night, my uncle Derek came over again (loving all these visits). While he was over I laid down in the living room with everyone, but left to go back to my crate when all their shouts of both excitement and anger at the big bright box got too loud for me (they were watching something about hoomans with sticks fighting over a flat ball…not sure what thats all about).

And that was pretty much it for yesterday. Super lazy day.

Today started out pretty much the same, except that Mommy was home with me. Oh, and also, it was raining so hard today. Mommy and Eddy outfitted me in something they called a “poncho”… but I could tell it was just a garbage bag with holes. Anyways, I guess they must have knew what they were doing because I stayed dry as could be where my bandages were. After my exciting excursion outside in the rain, I spent the rest of Mommy’s work day sleeping, refusing food, and being kinda grumpy (I think it might be this medicine that is throwing me off).

Later that day, when Eddy got home, I finally decided it was time to dig out my favourite balls and have a little play. I was a bit hesitant at first to go after the balls, even though Mommy and Eddy were only gently rolling them towards me. But, after a while, I got my footing under me, and I was determined to stop any ball headed in my direction. My pawrents were so pleased to see me playing again. I will have to make sure to do it more often. It IS super fun!

Nothing much more to report from me lately. I have mostly just been lying down in my crate day dreaming about when I can run, hike, swim, and jump again.

Oh, one last thing. My Mommy and Eddy briefly mentioned that I might see my Blair tomorrow! I am so excited!!! I think it may even be for a sleep over. So stay tuned! I am pumped!

Love, Hudson.

Hi Everyone!

The last few days have continued to be very restful ones for me. When I am not getting up for a bowl full of kibbies, a slurp of water, or a short walk in the fresh air, I am tucking myself in to my comforting crate, my den. I mostly just go in there to lie down, to allow my body to rest. My mind, on the other hand, remains awake the majority of the time, which I think may be because of those white pills I see in the little peanut butter balls I get at distinct time intervals. But, regardless, I am giving my body time to get back to tip top Huddy shape, which is the whole goal! Mommy and Eddy have been commenting on how well everything is healing up when they change my bandages. Thats certainly reassuring!

But enough about my sleeps… I had some visitors yesterday!

Yesterday my Eddy worked from home to keep me company. In the afternoon, after my lunchtime walk, I was surprised to find out that my Eddy would be leaving me for a little bit to go to work, and in replacement I got to see my hooman friend Erin! My bum was super wiggly to see someone other than my pawrents at home. I was still super sleepy for her visit, so I mostly lay in my crate. But, it was still so awesome to see another familiar friendly face.

And thats not all! Not long after my Eddy got back from work, my Blair came for a short visit! I was so pumped to see him again. I think he was amazed by how well I was getting around as a Tripawd so quick after surgery (trick is saving up all that energy from the naps I was getting!).

Shortly after my Blair left, Mommy came home, and I visited her at the front door, my tail wagging, for the first time in a few days. She said she was so happy to see my “sparkle” coming back. I even attempted to play with my favourite ball toys for a bit with my pawrents. They were pretty happy. My Eddy even filled my little treat ball with kibbies, and I had some fun tossing/nudging/pawing at the ball to get the kibbies out.

My evening ended with one last visitor, my uncle Derek! I couldn’t believe that I had another visitor today. I don’t think the day could have gotten any better. I felt so great, and more like myself, that I even lay down on the carpet in our living room, for the first time since Friday, so I could hang out with everyone.

And that was pretty much it for my Monday. Not to shabby of a day, eh?

Today was a lot more restful. My Mommy was working from home today. She made sure to come and give me occasional pats and passing words of love as I lay in my crate while she worked.

When my Eddy came home we all went for a car ride to go see my Dr. again. This time he mostly just talked to my pawrents. He did briefly look me over to see how I was healing, and he didn’t give me any pokes or concerned looks, so I think I must be doing okay! My incision spot started getting real itchy, so he gave me a gentle scratch over my stitches. It felt so good! Him and my Mommy then bandaged me up again, put me in my Batman shirt, and I was out of there.

The rest of my day has been pretty restful, just chillen in my crate (Literally chillen. My pawrents got me one of those self cooling mats for my crate!). I get worked up when I go to the Dr. sometimes, so I have been very sleepy since then.

Until next time!

Love, Hudson.

Hudson:

Hi Everyone,

Sleep, eat, poop, repeat. That was the rhythm of my day. After Mommy and Eddy figured out that the only place I would settle from all my restlessness was in my crate, thats where I got the much needed rest my body so desperately desired.

By far the highlights of my day was spending time in the (finally) warmer sun. We didn’t walk too much. I mostly hopped a few metres then would plop my bum down and take in all the sights and smells. But, I made sure to make these times in the sun last. A walk that would usually take me only 5 minutes I could now stretch into 30. I really liked the cool grass under my paws, and watching all the birds fly overhead. On one of my ventures I even saw a man who had a leg missing. He was super cool (and not just because he gave me treats)!

Other than that my day was spent in the bedroom in my crate while my Mommy and Eddy either read, slept or watched movies. Not the most exciting day of my life, but certainly one of the more restful days! I cannot wait for this recovery to hurry up so I can get back to my normal hyper self.

Love, Hudson.

Hudson’s Mommy:

I am very thankful that Hudson has been able to calm down and get lots of rest today. Heck, even Hudson’s Eddy and I got to rest almost all day too. Double bonus!

I don’t have much more to report on the day than Hudson did, except to add a little spice of nerdiness. While Hudson was sleeping we watched “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring”. I hadn’t watched that movie in ages. I was very surprised to find that I could draw many similarities in that movie to what we are all going through right now together.

Firstly, there is a conversation between Frodo and Gandalf that really struck home with what we are going through. It is as follows:

Frodo Baggins: I wish the ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened.

Gandalf: So do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.

This quote hit me because I feel like Frodo does. I wish Hudson’s cancer had never happened. That he was still his happy 4-legged self, who doesn’t have to be in pain right now, or go through chemo later. But, as Gandalf suggests, this is not something to dwell on. We need to continue to make the most of our time together and be as positive as possible.

The second similarity I found in the movie is the unwavering bond between Frodo and Sam. Frodo is tasked to destroy the ring of evil, and Sam is by his side no matter what. To support his friend through this incredibly difficult time.

In this example Frodo is Hudson, who has been given the task of attempting to beat (or at least delay) his cancer. And Eddy and I are his faithful Samwise, there for him through the thick and thin. Never to leave his side, even when the going gets tough.

Love, Hudson’s Mommy

Hudson:

Hello again!

I am not going to lie, today was rough. I haven’t been able to sleep much. I was up several times throughout the night. I would yelp out in pain. Sometimes I don’t even know why. I wouldn’t even be doing anything that would make me hurt. Mommy and Eddy think I might have phantom limb pain. Sounds pretty spooky to me, so maybe thats it?

In addition to these yelps, I was restless nearly all night/day after 3:00am. I could barely sleep a wink all day. I kept pacing back and forth on the kitchen floor. When I did sit, it was only for a few seconds, then I would be back to my pacing. When I was finally able to lie down, it was only for a maximum of 30 minutes.

The only joy I had today was going outside to use the bathroom. I enjoyed the warmer spring day, taking frequent sits in the sun and people/puppy watching. Inside, not even brand new chews would cheer me up.

I hope tomorrow will be a better day. I will let Mommy post a little bit today, as I don’t have much to report today.

Love, Hudson.

Hudson’s Mommy:

It has been a very tiring and stressful day today for myself and Hudson’s Eddy. We woke up several hours of the night trying to get him to calm down and settle. We finally gave up around 5:00am and took him outside. He seemed much happier to be out in the cold morning air.

The rest of the day was much the same for Hudson. Pacing, yelps, excessive panting, inability to sit still or lie down. He had seemed to be doing so well with his recovery up to this point, that today was really discouraging. As the day progressed his tail was down between his legs. It made us so sad to think that today high quality of life was not very high. But, doing some research on the Tripawds forum showed us that this is an all too common occurrence for resent amputees and their pawrents.

We called the vet several times to ask for advice. From those talks he was prescribed to have Tramadol given more frequently at a slightly higher dose to help manage his pain better. We are really hoping this change will help him get back to the bed rest he so desperately needs.

We got really nervous tonight when we saw that his front right paw that is supporting the front of his body seemed to be bent at a more severe angle than usual. But, this is probably due to being on this paw all day long, as well as him not having the strength he needs to fully support himself.

I called the vet again tonight to ask for some tips for getting Hudson to settle tonight, and they suggested we bring his big crate into the bedroom to confine him more and hopefully force him to lie down. Voila, it has worked… for now.

Here’s hoping we have a happier pup tomorrow… as well as two more well rested pawrents.

Love, Huddy’s Mommy.