Wiley Update: The addition of a puppy seems to be a positive move for the big guy; there is almost a hint of prancing and dancing when he really wants something (like food, or he knows he’s about to go on a car ride). In the car he has jumped down off the chair onto the floor to snack on some crumbs and made his way back up to hang his head out the window; that behavior would have been impossible two months ago. So, all is good news here.
Bailey: Not so good news here…..fractured right tibia. How did that happen you ask?
Holly has been religious about making sure that Bailey knows exactly who is boss. One of the more, uh, nasty, moves is to any moment that Bailey picks up any kind of speed (running in the house, running across the yard, etc) she swoops in and ‘tackles’ her. Bailey, for the most part, has come to a dead stop and seems to get the message.
Last Saturday night I’m taking Bailey out….she darts away from the door in pursuit of ‘something’….leaf, wind, who the heck knows…and like always, Holly is on top of her. But this time is different, Bailey starts screaming bloody murder! Race over, I think she must be caught up in the leash and pinched somehow. Pick her up and she sinks her teeth into my hands and will not let up (I have quite the collection of bite marks on two hands). Get her back inside and figure out that it isn’t the leash…she flat out refuses to put any weight on the right leg. So, off to the MSU small animal clinic (and 24-hour emergency room) we go.
There are worse places to spend a Saturday night. Jail. That might be it though. What a crappy night. It took forever….and all that time I’m thinking of what could be the worst case. Ligament damage that needs surgery. Broken bones that need surgery. Anything that needs surgery.
Finally get the news, it is a fracture; it is low, just above the ankle but everything looks to be right where it should be and the only treatment needed is a splint (and time). Whew!
(This boy wanted to come along. He regretted it as we waited…and waited…and waited. Good thing we had the internet! Streamed the latest episode of “The Flash”.)
(sigh)
But there is nothing sadder than a puppy with a splint that can’t get around and do all those puppy things. She is pretty good at it though!
(it is a good thing that Wiley is here. I don’t think Holly, without Wiley, would have found a way to be warm, or patient, or anything like that. Wiley has been the almost perfect big brother. He has let Bailey chew on various body parts without too much growling and snapping. If Bailey tries to sit next to Holly at any time Holly is up and out of there after a growl or two. Wiley lets Bailey sleep anywhere. Near his back. On his head. On top of him.)
(the whole Wiley/Bailey thing has made this rash decision to enter the puppy business worth it. But I’ll be glad to be rid of this damned cast!)
I should mention that Bailey has been great about crate-training. Makes it through most nights (10 to 6) without a peep. Potty training is about a 8 on a scale of 1 to 10. Mistakes now are when we are stupid, not her….and they have all been on the hardwood floor! The mistakes now are near the front door, so, we are almost there I think.
