Being away from Bubba has been one of the hardest parts of this ordeal for me. And, I don’t mean the times that he had to stay at the hospital.
Before Bubba came home, I built him a “recovery suite” in the middle of the kitchen. I put a lot of thought into this and wanted it to be as comfortable and safe as it possibly could be. I also thought this was a better option than putting him behind a closed door in the laundry room or bathroom. This design allowed him to lay in the sun, look into the yard and be a part of the family while he heals. I pulled scraps of carpeting from the basement and even taped them down to the floor so he wouldn’t slide. Bubba is used to sleeping on the sofa, but when he is annoyed with us, he sleeps on Matthew’s spiderman couch. To keep it clean, I wrapped it in garbage bags and covered it in a fleece blanket. I put the couch in his “suite.” I also set up the pen next to the doorwall so he could go outside conveniently, without negotiating the toys and chaos of the house. My husband spent an entire day constructing a custom ramp from the deck to the patio. We had it all figured out!
Bubba was not happy with this AT ALL! His first night home, he cried all night. It was a good thing that his room had space for me too. I curled up next to him on the kitchen floor and spent the night in his suite!
His first time outside….he refused the ramp. (However, the kids LOVE it!)
When he had his first set-back and spent a few days at the hospital, we wondered if doggie depression was part of the problem. Of course! We took his leg, his couch, his family…life as he knew it was changed. Who wouldn’t be depressed? The next time he came home, we made some changes in this arrangement. He needed freedom.
Knowing that it might be a messy transition back to the living room, I made a trip to a medical supply store and purchased some supplies. I bought abdominal drain sponges (thick, large, non-stick, sterile pads) and some awesome material called “tubular netting” to hold the pad in place. I was advised to keep the area open, but I am (sometimes) non-compliant with instructions. But…I have good reasons and did tell my vet about it! I thought it was doing him no justice to healing by laying on blankets soaked with drainage. I thought a good compromise would be material that allowed the area to breathe while containing some of the nasty ooze from spilling onto him and his blankee’s.
One more thing…this modified bandaging would give him back the freedom to get back into the living room without me scrubbing carpets or furniture. Yes! I cannot believe the difference in his spirit. He slept soundly, snoring the whole night. He got up on the couch without assistance. I really believe that getting back to his old routines has helped him turn the corner in overcoming the challenges of this new life on 3 legs. I still put him in his suite during the work day to keep him safe. But, when we’re home, he is with us. How stupid of me to think that he wouldn’t miss the same things that we did!
I’m so glad Bubba is home and adjusting. I bet you just lay there enjoying the sound of his snoring keeping you awake! Once upon a time it was probably irritating but now it would be welcome proof that he is comfortable. Please keep us posted on his recovery.
wow, this is just so funny, i can just visualize you guys going to the ‘nth’ degree to make everything perfect, and having bubba give you the raspberry!!! sounds like you’ve found a great compromise, and all parties are finding their ‘new normal’. great pictures…i can only imagine some skateboards flying off of that ramp!!
charon & spirit gayle
Hooray for a good update! Sounds like he’s doing really well!
Hope he continues to improve.
Jackie, Angel Abby’s mom
Over the course of Maggie’s tripawdness I built two different ramps, and two little stair cases up to the furniture so she could get up herself (she was a little pug). She diligently avoided all of them!
You are so right- the sooner they get back to the normal routine the happier they are. And the more we act like everything is normal- the happier they are, I learned that one the hard way!
Sounds like Bubba is on the right healing track now.
Karen and the pugapalooza
I can so relate to your relationship with your beloved Bubba-the pizza, how he melts your heart and will with just one glance, the way you tend to his every need because he IS your son, and how you will go to any length to provide him with what he needs simply because he has always given you what you need. I get it. I’m right there with you.
I am glad he is getting back into the groove of things. My Bruno’s spirit has come alive again, he is most confidant, and as ornery as ever.
I look forward to more updates on Bubba’s recovery. He and your family will be in our thoughts & prayers.
Bruiser Bruno & Maricela
Thank-you for all the uplifting comments! These have been the hardest 3 weeks I’ve had since I brought home newborn babies!
I’m sure you all can relate, but I keep saying that Bubba does not realize that he is a dog…part of this is because we treat him like a human! He participates in ALL family activities, birthday parties, etc. It has been really hard for him over the past few weeks to step back from some of his favorite stuff. I think he might be realizing that he is a dog…we’re trying to keep that a secret! We like his human-like behavior 🙂