Month: March 2017

When I was in the hospital they gave me a compression shirt, but I ended up needing a body bandage because my incision kept bleeding when I hopped along. So my nurse washed my special shirt and gave it to mommy in case I needed it later, but I never did. Well mommy came across the shirt a couple months ago; she definitely didn’t want to keep it, but also couldn’t imagine throwing away an expensive medical item that some other puppy might need. So she went on this rescue network page that she’s always on and asked if someone might need it that had a doggy who was close to my size… and guess what?! Someone knew about a sweet doggy named Champ in a rural shelter in West Virginia, that didn’t have a lot of resources, and was going to need an amputation in a few days.

Champ was even younger than me only 2! Mommy couldn’t imagine Champ having to go through what I did WHILE being in a shelter, so she sent him my compression shirt, some treats, and a special teddy bear to help him not be afraid. I also have a special bear that kind of looks like Champ’s that mommy brought when she gave me my freedom ride from the shelter and it’s the only toy I’ve never ripped up- it brings me comfort, so I knew it would help Champ!

Mommy went to the post office and mailed everything and hoped for the best. She said lots of affirmations for Champ and sent positive thoughts and energy to him. A couple weeks later mommy was driving to work thinking about him and wondering how he was when she got a message that contained the best news ever! Champ was getting great use out of his shirt, he loved his treats & teddy bear and… he didn’t have to recover in the shelter because he found a family! She got a video of him running like the wind wearing my shirt with his new mommy. We would love to post the video, but we don’t have an upgraded blog yet, so below is a screen shot.  

Mommy said this is why we should always think of others because sometimes something that seems so small can make a big difference! We could have just thrown out my shirt because it reminded mommy of bad times when I was diagnosed with cancer and after surgery, but now we have great memories associated with it! I’m so happy Champ has a family! Mommy said this is called paying it forward, good karma, putting positive energy into the universe… I don’t know what all that means, but I think it means just be nice and think about helping other doggies.

So I have these things called 6 week check-ups where mommy takes me all the way back to the doggy hospital in another state (it’s almost an hour!). I still get the shakes in the waiting room because I remember when I had to stay overnight  for my amputation without mommy or daddy for 2 whole nights! So anyway, they always tell me how cute and strong I am and steal my blood and sometimes make me get x-rays! This time they told me to go pee and I said are you kidding me? I’m a grown man (5 next month to be exact) I only pee in my own yard! So mommy had to do that part and take it to my regular vet  (sorry mommy for the extra trips). They said my labwork was great, but that I have a UTI so I have to take some more medicine this week to make it go away. Sheesh all these pills!

So mommy also found out that my paw sores are from my allergies too! Guess I’m just a sensitive guy or something. The vet said I need some medicine and antihistamines to help them get better. She also told mommy to alternate soaking my feet in epsom salt and chlorhexidine solution with water. The first time mommy thought it would be noooo problem because I walk right into the treadmill at water therapy. She was WRONG. I fought her and refused to step inside the stupid bin she filled with water! I backed up and dropped all 96 pounds so I was one big heavy weight. I totally thought I won that battle. Well… she remembered a trick a vet tech told her and whipped out a ziplock (mommies are TOO resourceful)! But at least I get to lay down while she soaks me (so I guess this is what they call a compromise). My “tootsies” are already looking better according to mom and now I’m curled up tightly like a snail sleeping soundly and she can’t get to my feet if she tried! Bet nobody thought a mastiff could curl up this small, but I CAN!

Yesterday I went to physical therapy and met a new therapist! I had both of them eating out of my paw- I mean just look! Therapist Jenn thought she was going to get a kiss, but I can’t look like a softie- I have to save them all year and only give them out sparingly to mommy for things like seeing her after my amputation at the hospital. But I don’t blame Jenn; I’m pretty hard to resist! 

Today we went back to my new vet. It’s like a puppy spa! They even have special floors with a path that has grip on them for pups like me!

I met this person called a chiropractor and I was a little scared, but then I laid there like okay- chiropract me! I only had a few spots that needed adjustment and unlike people I don’t make big popping noises. You can barely hear a thing! Mommy said she hopes this helps me with my walking because I have sores between my paws from rubbing when I hop around. I’m not sure if it helped yet, but I hope so!

My best friend in the whole world came to visit me! She lives next door and remembers when I was scared of the whole world when I was first adopted. She said I am a completely different dog now. As if that wasn’t cool enough, mommy told me that I was also going to see one of my other favorite friends- my physical therapist Jenn!

We went, but after a week 1/2 off of hydrotherapy I said NO WAY! I sat down in the treadmill, took lots of breaks, and made mommy and Jenn be my cheerleaders or else I stuck my foot on the edge so I didn’t have to tread (I still took all the treats though). I just didn’t want to, you know? Sometimes you just don’t feel like going to the gym! This photo is from a day I felt like treading.

Afterwards, we went to this place called Healing Paws where I met my new integrative vet. At first I was a little whiny so they sprayed something on a bandana to help calm me and had mommy put it on me. I like her office- there are waterfalls, lots of windows, and they have comfy doggy beds with fresh blankies on the floor so it’s not scary like a regular vet office.

She talked with mommy FOREVER about lots of stuff and I eventually started dozing off (mommy talks a lot- she has so many questions). Then after filing my nails she gave mommy a Chinese herbal blend to help my immune system keep fighting cancer, along with my chemo pills, a joint supplement, and some special oil for my paw and chin sores. My new food Royal Canin prescription has already really helped with my allergies- I used to be pink and scratch myself until I bled sometimes, but now I’m not itchy anymore and no more allergy shots! I am going to see a chiropractor next week and will let you know what I think.

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