Clyde's new Fence

Well i know we have not written in a while, but that is because we have been busy. So no further delay in letting everyone know that clyde is loving life as a dog again. We put chain link around the property, so to keep him protected. He has been running, laying, rolling in the grass and loving every minute of it. He helps mom in the garden and loves hanging out with his grampa on the back patio. I have taken him several times to the brook for swim therapy, but water lately has been a little low, so we are glad to be getting rain.

We celebrated his one year anniversary, and bday on Aug 8th with a barbecue in the back yard with 4 other of his dog friends and 20 plus of his human friends. Good time was shared by all... The dogs all shared a dog bone cake made with love from aunt bonnie, yummy hamburger, turkey veggies and topped with yogurt frosting. We humans also had a dog bone cake but with choc frosting, van cake and choc chips in the bottom. Thanks to everyone who came, it was an awesome day.

Molly is quite glad to have her brother back to share in the fun outside. Hope everyone is enjoying their summer and looking foward to a beautiful fall.

God Bless! Jo ,Molly and Clyde

The Heart Lifted

Clyde had his second swim therapy today, and he did so well. They bumped up his exercise, because he was not as tired as they thought he would be. My heart was lifted to see him do so well, and enjoy himself. I stood on the side of the pool and cheered him on each time he passed, he would look at me with those big brown eyes, as if to say look at me now mom.

We are walking 3 times a day in the back yard, and each time he wants to go farther. The energy he has is so amazing, but I have to realize he has been down for 8 mos. Their was a photographer from animal life their today, to take pictures of the dogs going thru swim therapy. Yep looks like he will be in pictures again for the next issue, all relating to fitter critters and the work they do. Thanks to Jodi and her staff, they are able to help so many dogs that have had various issue's.

We are blessed to have him still in our lives, and to see how well he is doing is just so amazing. We thank everyone who has followed his journey with their prayers, and to all the Dr's who have helped in along the way. God Bless everyone! My prayers are with my neighbors who had to put their dog buster down, he will be missed, but lived a good long life.

Love Clyde, Molly & Jo

Clyde's On the Cover

Cecilia the editor from animal life dropped off copies of the march issue. They did a wonderful job on writing the story about clyde's journey. I was sorry to miss her, as I was helping one of my mom's friends, that just happens to have been my 3rd grade teacher. One of these days her & lisa will meet clyde in person. Well the weather has changed a little from our sunshine days to being a bit nippier. Clyde is continuing to do well and is a very happy dog with a little bit more of freedom. I allow him to hang with us in the kitchen while I cook dinner, and have moved his bed closer to us in the living room. I also have given him some exercise with the extension of a walk or 2 in the back yard.

His legs look good, and he has that twinkle back in his eyes. I am hoping for saturday for his first swim. Molly is very happy and is so....wanting to play with him, but listens well to mom as he is not quite ready yet for the roughness.

I read an article this morning on the Golden's rescued from a man who claims to be a breeder, and was appalled at how anyone could treat any animal with such disregard for it's well being. Clyde, molly & I are happy to know that some of them are going to be adopted, and as for him he should never be allowed to own any animal(WE ARE THEIR VOICES) hear us roar!

Please Pray that all will get adopted and those left in his care will be taken away also. God Bless all who helped in this rescue for these wonderful creatures of god. Remember dog is god spelled backwards.

God Bless Sunshine

We were totally blessed to have so many beautiful days that helped clyde in his recovery. I was able to walk him some in the back yard and the fresh air really helped in the healing of the wounds. The area on his thigh is almost gone, and the toes and pads are looking good also. He has been eating and drinking great and wanting to get back into the mix of our routine again. Clyde's last antibiotic baytril was wednesday night, and it just feels good not to give him anymore.

I called fitter critters to setup his swim therapy for SATURDAY the 27th of march. The next Dr.'s appointment will be the 31st of march, and at that time we will take an xray and see how the bone looks. I know once we get him in that pool, we will really start to make progress on the muscle's and joints.

I know we need moisture too, for all living creatures to survive, but you just can't beat that vitamin D. Clyde watched from the sidelines as his Boys High school Baseball Team had a scrimmage on sunday. You see before the accident, clyde was the boys cheering mascot kinda. Have you ever watched the movie sandlot? Clyde would run the fence line barking and when the balls got hit over the fence, no one wanted to get them. They soon learned that his bark was just him cheering and that he wanted in on the play. He never once ate the baseballs, but would try & catch them though. I look forward to the expressions on their face when they see clyde for the first time since the accident.

Clyde, Molly and I send our best wishes to you all! Happy Spring............

What's next?

Well the last time I wrote I was getting ready for the interview on wednesday with Cecilia from animal life. The interview went very well and I look forward to the article. We made it until saturday and I was going to change his bandage with my sister in laws help, but I needed him to be sedated after looking at what was underneath the bandage. So off we went to the ER of the berkshires. They were able to get him sedated and clean the wounds. I brought him home with a wrap on the ulcer by his toes, and up to the start of the ankle since it opened up and was bleeding before we left the ER.

I had clyde wearing a cone off and on since before the last bandage change. Looks like the Best thing for the toes and the area on the inner thigh was to have left it unwrapped, hum. I am not sure why it was wrapped than. I brought Clyde home and he slept well for a while. I put a cotton sock over the toes so the air could still get to them, but clyde would not be able too. Someone in the ER said he was flexible with the cone, and saw him lick at the toes. Well I figured that out just put a little duck tape on the bottom part of the cone where it connects, seemed to work. I cut down a ziploc bag and used that to go over the sock, than used my hair tie to keep it up, so he could keep his paw dry, while going outside. The other one we had been using was not feasible at this time.

Clyde did well saturday night, was groggy, but ate and had ice cubes. Sunday he ate a good breakfast and the Dr. said I could remove his bandage. Well when I went to do this his toes were so swollen, because the gauze & vet wrap were way to tight. I paniced and started to cry, but began to cut away the wrap and started massaging his toes. Thank god he allowed me to do this, I know he was so...glad. It continued to go down and off & on I still massaged his toes.

Today is Monday and Clyde has not had any pain meds, only his baytril for infection. He woke up with a bright look in those big brown eyes and I knew today we would turn another corner. He ate well and drank lots of water and went out to pee several times. Both the toes and the inner thigh look so...much better. I cannot tell you enough how good a dog he is and how well he has handled all that has come his way through this journey. I on the other hand am not to sure how I have held it together. The stress and the emotions of the worst rollercoaster ride I have ever been on make me feel like I am hanging on by a thread. I hope and pray that no pet owner has to go through this. We are their voices and I believe some things could have been prevented.

I look forward to an even better day tomorrow and the light at the end of the tunnel, closer to the end of our journey (swimming @ fitter critters). God Bless to all! Love Clyde, Molly & Jo

No more splint

Well I took clyde for his vet appointment, and well we were their decided to take an xray a week earlier. The xray looked very good from a month ago, and could see the area of the bone that had really filled in well. They cleaned the leg and I decided after talking with Dr. Stanclift that we would not put the splint back on. It had caused two area's to be affected and he does not need that. They wrapped it with extra padding and covered it with vet wrap. Clyde was as excited to leave as he was to go.

The plan is to keep him in the pen so he has minimal movement. I will continue to allow him to go potty in the small fenced area. The next checkup will be the 17th of march, unless otherwise needed. I will continue to use the baytril for another week and if needed give pain meds.

Clyde was happy to get home and last night was a good one. He has to have the head cone on periodically through out the day, so as to not attempt to lick the new bandage. All in all he has been so amazing in this journey.

Today I meet with Cecilia the editor of Animal Life and discuss Clyde's story for the march issue. I hope it will give insight for all of the Great work that the Dr.'s and staff throughout clyde's journey have done to save his life. I will let you all know how it goes, and don't forget to pick up a copy at your vets office or at your local pet store. God Bless from Clyde, Molly and I.

Something not right

Well we had to go back to the vets sooner than expected. Wednesday clyde was fine after stitches removal, but thursday was a whole different story. Clyde would not stand to eat or drink, and the look on his face was so sad. Since they had not sedated him to remove the stitches, I thought he might be uncomfortable the day after, but realized it had to be more than that.

I took clyde first thing friday morning and found out his splint had been cutting into his leg, and that is why he was not wanting to move. They had to cut down the split and rebandage the leg. He came out of the room a much happier boy. He had many bathroom trips on friday, since he was backed up. The new bandage was wrapped just a little above the sore, and they had treated the wound, so I thought all would be well.

I have tried to clean around as best I can, but feel we need to have the vet look at it again on Monday. He has wanted to stand to eat & drink, but I think the wrap needs to be higher for it seems to be rubbing on his sore now.
From the beginning of this journey clyde has been a trooper through it all, and my heart aches for him even having to endure all that he has. When I do not see those big brown eyes happy I just know something is not right with my boy.

I speak for the both of us, we cannot wait to get this all behind us and get to swimming and clyde getting to run in the fenced in back yard. Thanks to everyone for all of the support we have had from the beginning. God Bless! Love Clyde, Molly & Jo

Stitches No Longer

Well yesterday clyde had his vet appointment to remove his stitches. As usual he was very excited to go for a ride and was even more excited when we got their. They took him in to remove the stitches, and than allowed me to take a look at what his leg was looking like now. It was nice and pink and Dr. Stanclift was happy at how it looked. She was also impressed on how he was bearing weight on it. It took 4 girls to hold him down, and each one said he was a mighty strong boy.

I loaded clyde for the trip home, and he tried hard to get comfy. They had not given him any pain meds, but i think he was so excited from it all, that he was just restless. Finally found the right spot and took a nap while I went into the grocery store. When we arrived home he wanted to walk, probably to go potty, so he took a stroll around the back yard and was very happy to be out their again. I can walk him again for 10 minutes or so to give more exercise, YEAH!

We go back on St. patrick's day to remove bandage and take an xray to see how things are going with the bone development and if we need to do a bone graph. I believe we will not have to do this. He ate well at dinner time and drank lots of water and even went to grampa, so he could scratch his butt. Clyde settled down, but was a little whiny so I gave him some metacam to help him get a good nights sleep.

Today he woke and ate good, but was not interested in drinking, and looked like he was uncomfortable. Molly had gone out 2 times already, and he wanted nothing to do with getting up. I let him rest and tried several times to get him to drink some water, which he finally did. I gave him some tramadol to help with his discomfort. Tomorrow will be a new day and I probably will not have to give him anything for pain. We look forward to a great day, sun is going to shine and all will be beautiful.

Thanks to everyone for their continued support, we love you all. God Bless! Clyde, Molly and I.

Keeping the paths clear

Well things have been going good with clyde. We have had a large amount of snow, so keeping up with clearing his potty area has been quite alot of work. I kept a circle open and piled all the wet snow in the middle. Clyde of course did not want the cleared area he wanted to go into the big stuff and lay down. His boot is great at keeping his bandage dry, except when you get more snow than the height of your dog. We have a metal roof, so when it started to come off I had to make sure that I would be able to get him back inside before it hit him.

Several times I could not get the door open, so I had to go around the house an come in from another angle. He has been such an awesome dog through all of this, and i see such a difference in him since the removal of all the metal. He likes to gallop back inside after he has done his business, and i have to hold him back. He is eating great and I have taken him off all but one pain med that actually helps with inflamation. He is still on antibiotics until the 3rd, when his stitches get removed. Molly has been a very patient sister and cannot wait for her play pal to get up and going. She gives him kisses everyday and he gives them right back.

Bye for now.. Love from the Doggies and Me.

Happy to be Home

I called tues night to check in on Clyde and he was doing well. UVS called me wednesday morning to report how he did overnite, and that he had wanted food at 4:00 am. I picked up Clyde at 10:00 am and he was very excited to see me. We loaded him into the vehicle and he found his comfy zone and off we went to go home. Clyde slept all the way home and when I unloaded him he came in after a pee and settled right down in his bed and fell asleep.

He was hungry by 2 and ate very well, drank lots of water and went outside several times. The meds seem to make him have dry mouth, which results in lots of water intake also and lots of pee breaks. I felt good that he went #2 and it looked good also. He was hungry again by 6 and overall he did great. Clyde's demeanor through all of this journey has been so amazing. No one could ask for a better patient than what he has been.

A friend of mine lost her gramma and I was preparing food at my house, but also up the street at my cousin's house. I had taken clyde out before I left for about an hour, and left my dad with clyde. I told him to call me if it looked like clyde needed to go again. I got home and my dad said Wow some challenge that was to get his boot on and take him out. My dad decided not to call and try & take clyde out, except that we had a good amount of snow and he forgot to take his slippers off and about landed on his butt. All in all no accidents, thank god.
The night went well last pee at midnight and first one at 4:30 am, not bad. So far we are off to a great start.

Looking forward to another great day! God Bless everyone. Love Clyde, Jo & Molly.

Removal of all metal

I do apologize for not keeping up with the blog as of lately. I took clyde to upstate vet in latham so Dr. Stanclift could operate and remove all the metal. Clyde's body was rejecting the metal and his drainage tract's were not closing. He has been on antibiotics for more than a month, so this was the next step to take. I dropped him off at 7:30 this morning, kissed him goodbye with tears in my eyes, but not a heavy heart. I knew he would be in good hands and he is a champion with surgeries. It was just the fact of leaving him overnite, and that he had to endure another surgery.

I got the call around 12 noon from Dr. stanclift and all went well. The bone looked good and all metal has been removed. She believes that Clyde will recover well. He will have a 1/2 cast for 2 weeks before stitches are removed. They will change bandage at that time if not before. At 3 weeks he will have an xray to see how things are going and if we need to do bone graph at that time. In between we wait for the culture to come back to make sure the antibiotic he has been on is doing it's job or we need to change.

I thank everyone for their continued support of Clyde and I. Molly was upset when I came home but no clyde. I explained he was at a sleepover and she had to go outside to clyde's potty area just to check. Dogs are so smart and attentive and always know something is going on. I have setup his area that he will have to be contained in, just like back in the beginning. He will probably not care for the first week, but will want his freedom back soon after. I found his bear from the first surgery and had a stitch or 2 for repair, now a good wash and it will go with me for pickup in the morning.

Love to you all!

Happy New Year!

Hello everyone...sorry for not updating for a while. Clyde had a great christmas and all of us did too. Time sure does fly by the older we get. Clyde received some wonderful gifts, which included some swim gift certificates, chew toys & towels for his swim classes. A beautiful gesture by a great family who loves dogs. We hope to connect in the spring so clyde & molly can meet some new friends.

Everything was going well after the rod was removed, and the pin holes were healing nicely. Of course right before xmas a new sore appeared on clyde's leg. Well I held off taking him to the vets, and continued to treat it myself. He was doing everything normal and that was the only change, and yes it was holiday time. I finally decided to take him in to pittsfield so they could do and xray. We are waiting for the final prognosis. It is believed to be the foreign object wire used to secure the metal in his leg. They tell me sometimes this can happen, but for precausion we have him on antiobiotics again. That was monday and unfortunately another holiday was coming, and someone forgot to send the xrays to deerfield for Dr. McCarthy so that he could confirm this since he was in the office tues - thurs. So now we wait a week until he is back.

Clyde is doing great walking fine eating lots and giving us lots of love. Sunday we go to fitter critters for his evaluation, and have them show me some things i can do at home with him. This little setback will figure itself out as did everything else. I am just blessed to have him with us and how far he has come for what he went through. Thanks to everyone for all their continued support of prayers and help. We wish everyone a blessed 2010...Hugs from me kisses from clyde.