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