We had, such a better night last night! We did another camp out in the family room and we all finally got a few hours of sleep. At 10:30pm, after watching the Tampa Bay Rays make an incredible come back, I gave Belle her pain meds and turn off the lights. She slept soundly even snoring like a bear until 12:30 when she got up, paced and panted a little and finally settled back down. To help calm her down, I applied a cold compress for about 10 minutes. The compress have really helped! Tomorrow, as per the surgeon’s instruction, we switch to warm compresses. She moved around a little after that but had no more of the pacing and the panting.
We have finally begun to see signs of our adoraBELLE back. When the alarm went off at 5:30am, she got up and gave her daddy his morning kisses. You just can’t imagine how much that warmed my heart and reassured me that we did the right thing! Gordy sat with her out front while I took Apollo for a short stroll, he still does not want to venture far from his sister. When we came back, Belle was tapping her tail, so happy to see her mom and brother! We all sat out front for a while in the grass and finally she went potty! I know, it is the little things in life that make us happy. It is not a pretty sight to watch a 3 legged dog poop for the first time, but she will get the hang of it! Now she is laying at my feet, sound asleep having a wonderful dream. She is chasing something in her dream and doing it on 3 legs! I am still a little concerned how much a trip outside exhausts her, but I have to keep reminding myself she is less than 72 hours out of surgery.
We have a big day planned, a very dear friend is coming for lunch, minus her lab Molly. I know if Molly comes, the wild woman will be back and it would be too hard to keep her calm and OUT of the pool. We plan to have Molly come out for a short play date once Belle is cleared by her surgeon Oct 2.
We have a quite weekend planned, our son Brett plans to come up from Naples to see Belle. She will be so happy to see her boy!
September 21st, 2012 at 12:39 pm
This is terrific progress. Just three days out of surgery and already giving kisses? Yay! Many dogs are still very groggy so soon after their amp, sounds like Belle will be back to herself and ready to swim in no time. She’ll gain strength as the days go by, I”m betting you’ll see a remarkable difference in two weeks. Hang in there!
September 21st, 2012 at 2:23 pm
Yeah for Belle! So happy to hear a good report. How relieved you all must feel that she’s on the upswing of the healing process. I know the worrisome feeling all to well of watching a 3-legged dog learn to go poo for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd time. It takes a lot of balance. Ours still has troubles sometimes but he’s patient. And if we had a pool our labs would always be in it! Best of luck to you all on your upcoming vet visit.
September 21st, 2012 at 6:27 pm
Looking good! When William first went number 2 after the surgery (which took four days or so due to the meds), I have never been so happy to pick up doggie doo doo in my life. Keep it up Belle!
September 22nd, 2012 at 11:49 am
Oh Belle, you are fabulous. So brave, and so sweet (kisses already??)
Keep up all the hard work, and make Mama and Dad proud. Enjoy the beautiful weather, and the visit from your people.
Remember to tell Mama not to worry, getting tired is to be expected…but soon, very soon, you will be doing circles around her .
best of luck sweet Belle, we are routing for you.
Hugs and sloppy golden kisses,
Fenway and Mama Sue