Month: January 2013

Life has been busy…husband in law school, me in graduate school, one in 3rd grade, one in first grade and one in pre-Kindergarten….there has been little time for blogging about my sweet Bubba.

I looked to Tripawds last May when my boxer, Bubba, faced an amputation of the left front leg.  He had some post-surgery complications but made it through!

I am happy to say that Bubba is doing fantastic.  He is now 7 months post amputation and is enjoying life better than he has in years!  His thyroid problem is controlled by 1/2 pill per day.  Other than that, he is on NO medications!  He still has the remains of a post-surgical infection in a small area of the incision.  It’s non-threatening to his health and just oozes some nasty stuff from time to time.  The only antibiotic to work on this trouble area proved to be toxic to his kidneys and we’ve decided to just observe this for now.  It is a good thing that this area drains as needed….it will keep the infection from moving deeper into the tissue.

I feel truly blessed that this animal is still in my life. Last year at this time (as he was casted from shoulder to paw), I thought for sure it was our last Christmas together.  I really thought the amputation was the beginning to the end for him.  I was so wrong.  It was the beginning to a whole new adventure for us!

He has lost 20 pounds, down to a slim and healthy 84 pounds.  He moves better on 3 legs than he did on 4…still gets up on the kitchen table to finish dinner…he hops up on the couch and steals my heated blanket…etc!  This year, he opened all his own presents and even tried to steal some from the kids!  He is non-stop joy and shows no intent for leaving this world.

I have been so moved and touched by this experience with Bubba.  The connection I have with him has been strengthened by this experience…strange, but it’s like he knows how much I want him to be well and stay with us.  Every now and then, he’ll just come over to me and go nuts, demanding petting, giving kisses, and jumping around in excitement.  It’s like he’s telling me “thanks for keeping me around and not giving up on me!”  He is going on 11 years old, which is more time than I ever expected to have with him.  Everyday, I thank him for sticking around and promise him good treats and lots of attention!

Happy New Year to all and best wishes for a safe, happy and healthy new year!