Yes, yes. I know it's been all about dogs for weeks. Welcome to my reality. Four long weeks have gone by with Peanut Butter in lockdown. He has been exceptionally good about it, and for that I am thankful. Besides the initial vet and specialist costs, there have been laser treatments and an amazing amount of gear that has been necessary to keep him safe and non-bouncing. I expect him to require private school at any moment.
There is the ramp. When I pulled it out of the box, Slimbo shot out of the living room like a cannonball. Peanut Butter has had the same reaction - like it's radioactive. Lovey just looked worried, which has become her permanent state of mind. There is the booster seat. It is strapped onto the front passenger seat of the car and it allows PB to ride to his countless laser treatments firmly and safely clipped in place. It also allows me to tuck a large fleece blanket around him and it's high enough that he can see out of the window. I tried putting it in the back seat, thinking it would be safer - I am mimicking child seats, as I have no experience in momhood - but there ensued much howling and yipping as 'mom' was further than six inches away. Then there is the sling. Since I have to carry him everywhere and he is a chunky monkey, this has saved me some wear and tear. However, the sling is made for a maximum of 15lbs. and he's 19lbs. We manage with a little staggering on my part.
Monday morning was his evaluation with the new vet and I was there, rose-colored glasses firmly in place, babbling on about how great he was doing, how hard it was to 'keep him down', blah, blah, blah. We have been there so often, that PB has his own fan club. The vet smiled, nodded and then took him for a walk. Without me. At first I was bothered by this, but, in the instance of PB, it is better to get his 'mom' out of view. He is very protective of me and will carry on if strangers get near or between us. Unless they have treats. When she came back, the verdict was that he still has a way to go. I removed the rose-colored glasses and pulled out my checkbook. Six more weeks of treatments (mercifully, only one a week), Cosequin daily ($special$...of course), and a very tightly managed schedule of physical therapy to bring him back up to normal function. I hope he/we can maintain his/our patience with this extension. He longs to be Peanut "Full Speed Ahead" Butter again. We all long for that.
Meanwhile, there are the other kids to consider. Lovey should be renamed Velcro, as she is curled in a tight bundle next to me at every opportunity (when Slimbo is not in possession of the spot), her little brow creased with worry lines. Lovey misses her playmate and I am a sorry substitute. She keeps trying to get Slimbo interested, but he's having none of it.
Me? I'm running on Plan Bs.
23 comments:
"I expect him to require private school at any moment" -- hahahahaha, great line!
Those vets are good at managing humans. PB may have a serious case of entitlement when this is over. Hugs to Lovey.
Great post, you writer extraordinaire!
P.S. The only thing bothering Lovey is that she doesn't have her own "please-carry-me,Mommy" sling like PB. (Omg, that would put you in traction in short order!)
NINETEEN POUNDS?!? He's either a standard, or, um, er, well, THAT would explain the back trouble!
It might be cheaper... :)
I will give your hugs to Lovey, who is feeling neglected. She is so true to her name.
LOL! If Lovey could fit in that sling, she would be there like heat on lightning. She would crawl under my shirt, if she could. Poor girl.
Nope. He's a miniature and the vet didn't think he was fat. But he is solid. Very solid.
Oh you're a mom alright. Just not of the two-legged species. Hope everything goes well in the weeks to come. Give Lovey and Slimbo an extra hug. This sounds like its hard on everyone. Will keep you and PB in prayer.
Well, lord knows from one dog mom with a dwindling bank account to another, it may not be private school but it sure costs like it. Here's hope Mr. Butters comes back so strong you won't need those rose colored glasses.
19 pound mini eh....are we sure he isn't a standard throw back in that mini line? And here I am worrying if Mandy is too ....ample at 9 lbs.
Smoochie at the hospital today, dental issue. I knew it was coming, I paid my vet bill in full two weeks ago. The universe hates a void I guess.
Thank you, Theresa. We can use all the good vibes we can get.
According to my vet (who does not claim to be a dachshund expert and ditto, here), he is too 'small' to be a standard but he is longer than usual. Ergo, a looming wonky back. I'll have to get a pic of him in full glory. He is extremely muscular - I mean, he is Mr. Muscle Butt. Isn't it true about voids, vis a vis the Universe? It's like my Midas credit card - once I pay off the car repairs, something else goes south on it. I am (wo)maning up for Slimbo's next visit. Dental issues are on his horizon, for sure.
poor pb! i hope he is better soon.
Gosh, it's a wonder you don't have to take out a second mortgage. I know the horrid costs of vet bills, and like you Susan, I'll do what it takes. I've taken out loans before, borrowed money from my employer against my salary...sold stuff...all for the sake of my loving innocent little pooches. I think you're wonderful for helping PB and getting him the best treatment. Poor little Lovey...I think that our Marlene feels alone lately, she's also velcroing to us...I hope PB continues to heal. Nothing wrong with doggie posts! :)
Daughter had a Dachshunds and 3 back surgeries later there were ramps, and diet big time diet diet diet. He was a rescue dog and overweight and beaten. Sweet dachshunds they want to eat all the time. It is so hard.
Laser treatment was not around when Waldie had his many surgeries. Finger crossed it works.
cheers, parsnip
Oh my, you are such a good Mom. Those dogs are so spoiled and loved. Sorry to hear about the costs involved. I sure hope he continues to get better (and quickly).
Boy, oh, boy. That makes two of us.
I can't even imagine - and now you have five! I hope your 'friend' at least ponies up some support for his two pups. Those dogs are darn lucky to have you and Alex providing them with a home. Poor Marlene. I bet it takes some getting used to for the dogs, too.
OY! I know what you mean by diet - those little Hoovers will suck down anything that doesn't move faster than they do! And it's hard not to want to reward them for just being their adorable selves.
News Flash! After some in depth research (Google), it seems that Mr. Butters is somewhere between a mini and a standard. Which makes him a Tweenie Weenie. And, as we decided, that would make Mandy a Teenie Tweenie Weenie. Dumplings, both of them.
He has been sending food money every month, but that doesn't cover all the costs at all. It's wearing on us, but we are trying to think of Stella and Pavlov first.
I think Marlene has "middle child" syndrome...poor gal. Charlie is Alex's first dog so she's his favourite, you know how I feel about Jack...then S&P stick together and Marlene feels left out maybe...we're giving her extra attention lately and it helps! They're just like non-fur kids lol...
I've been pretty lucky in the past, but this was a humdinger. Hopefully, the continued laser treatments will do the trick, along with careful PT.
When you have critters, life mostly is all about them! Especially dealing with problems, but it has to be done. Hopefully normalcy is somewhere in your near future!
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