Throughout the day she started to put more weight on the leg so we relaxed a bit, but we did have a frank discussion about FB. And to be honest, it was a hard one. She is 9.5 years old which is getting up there for a big breed dog. She has had two surgeries in six months (one for bloat, one for her ACL). I am 23 weeks pregnant as of yesterday. If there is something wrong with her ACL, we would choose not to do the surgery again.
It has been a tough three months. She has spent the entire time in our sunroom, which is the only fully carpeted room in our house. We figured that it would be the safest place for her because the worst thing for her to do would be to slip on the hardwood floor and tear the replaced ACL again. Every time we (or the dog walker) took her out to the backyard, we had to put a towel underneath her belly near her back legs and help her up and down three stairs. This was getting to be more of a problem for me the more pregnant I became because while I wasn't carrying all 75 pounds of her, I was carrying a lot....something that I really shouldn't be doing.
We had a few scares where she pushed the chairs that were keeping her in the sunroom away because she got nervous at a thunderstorm and/or lightning and tried to tear around the house looking for a safe place (in her mind). Overall, it's been a big change for both CP and I and the dogs. We are used to having the dogs sleep in the room with us every night and to have them downstairs instead depresses all of us.
Thankfully, we got good news at her three month post-surgery appointment on Wednesday. The repaired ACL looks like it is doing well, but we have to work on building her muscles back up. We may need to help her a little with the stairs going outside still (she is okay at going up the stairs- albeit slowly, but going down is still a mess), but we can finally let her roam the first floor free to do whatever she wants. (We have decided that she will be a first floor-only dog for the rest of her life and for now, Buster will be as well to keep her company.) She will also never be a dog that runs after balls in the backyard, which she still isn't comprehending.
She still seems like a happy dog but the past three months have been hard on her. She doesn't understand why she can't come upstairs to sleep with us at night. She doesn't understand why she can't run after balls in the backyard. She doesn't understand why Buster gets to go on long walks and she doesn't. She doesn't understand why we are constantly giving her the command "slowly" as she walks on the hardwood floor. *sigh*
It's just really hard to think of her mortality.
9 comments:
Sorry you are dealing with this stress :(
As I continue to deal with a lot of cat drama and lifestyle changes when it applies to them (i.e. they are only on our lower level now due to the urinary problems...which means we interact less...which leads to so much guilt for me) I can very much understand the pain that comes with making health decisions while balancing real life. It's not easy at all.
Hope Fuzzy Britches decides very soon that being a very chill and loungey dog is the way to go in his golden years!
Dealing with a loved one's mortality is hard. Really hard. But, you and CP seem to be taking a thoughtful and reasonable stance on FB's mortality. I hope everyone becomes more comfortable with her new normal.
Awww I thought I had it hard work our sick dog. I'm really hoping she just worked out a muscle too much and she's fine. After that surgery and rehab I'm sure she has at least a few more good years in her! I'm so sorry you're thinking about this now. I know how hard it is. Hugs.
Yea Im not looking forward to our dogs morality either... I hope FB continues to heal with no further trouble.
We had that same conversation a few weeks bak when our Lab Yukon had her issues. It is never an easy one to have but its necessary. Why can't they just live forever?
It just sucks that we have to think this way about our pets and realize that they won't be with us forever. Sounds like you guys are doing all you can to make Fuzzy Britches happy despite the changes, and that's the sign of great dog parents!
I'm so sorry you have to have these conversations. It's so hard to know when to stop treatment on a pet. They are family!
As you know...I understand all too well what you are going through with the post ACL recovery. Lainey had 3 ACL surgeries in a matter of only 5 months. And the recovery...it's so hard! She just turned 2 in July and like FB, doesn't understand why she can't chase balls in the yard anymore. Our doctors have told us that it is harder on us than it is on the dog and I try to remind myself of that almost daily.
You are great pet parents and I know the decisions you have to make are hard and gut-wrenching. But, I also know you will do what is right for you and most of all for FB.
I'm glad she was given a good report at her check up. Sounds like some hard changes that you've all had to make.
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