Poko's Adventures

Well, Poko is about 2 1/2 months out from his surgery (Nov 11, 2011).  We are back to a normal routine.  We’re walking once or twice a day, no more than 30 minutes at a time, even though Poko would like to go longer.  After his walks he’s tired, but he loves it so much he’d keep going if I let him.

He’s re-learned to walk on “heal” again.  In the beginning I was slack, and let Poko go ahead of me on  a retractable leash.  I let him sniff, and lag behind, run ahead…all the bad habits I didn’t let him do before.  He quickly figured out he could go faster and pull me along.  I’d trot along with him   Mistake.  I put him back on a regular leash, and regained the calmer way of walking.  I make sure Poko gets some off leash time on a trail near our house, but he has to be on heal until we get there.  Here’s a pick of the trail:

Poko’s mood has also improved tremendously.  I didn’t really get how much pain he had with his torn ACL.  He smiles a lot more now, and he wags his tail a lot more too!  He’s less man-shy, and even lets guys at the dog park pet him!  At doggy-day care, he’s back to hanging out with his friend, Jax, and a new friend Lucy…who likes to run back and forth with Poko.

I worried about the snow and ice (in Washington state, we don’t get a lot, but we had 4 days so far this year).  Poko did better than I did!

I’ve also gotten over the pity feeling when someone asks how he lost his leg.  He acts so normal about it (how else can he act?), so that’s what I started to do.  I just proudly say that he had a torn ACL and he’s fully recovered and happy again!  If they say poor guy…I say “Three legs and a spare, he just lost the spare”.  Smile   People take their lead from you, and so does the dog…so I just say it how it is, and I’m happy to have my dog back in action!  No guilt, no pity.

The tripawds website has been a saving grace throughout this time.  Learning from others, support from others and having a understanding community has been the greatest gift to me.  Thanks to everyone!

Well, we tried it!  Poko and I went to the dog park on Friday, Saturday and Sunday!  The dog park near our house is not very crowded, in fact, sometimes you’re the only one there, and waiting for someone to show up.

On Friday, Poko got his feet wet by playing with Gracie, a 1 year old shepard mix.  She was a great introduction back to the dog park.  We only stayed a short time, as I didn’t want Poko to over do it.  But he got a chance to run a little, and to sniff a lot!  A couple of huskies showed up just as we were leaving.  All the meet and greets went well.  Everyone was amazed at how mobile and active Poko was with only 3 legs.

Saturday we went back, and Poko got to play with Suede, a 1 year old Australian Shepard, and then we were joined by a golden retriever.  Poko was trying to hump poor Suede, and would fall.  It was really pathetic, and you could see Poko’s confusion.  So, between my embarassment and Poko’s confusion, we didn’t stay too long then either.

Sunday Poko played with Trooper, a young German Shepard, and another black lab.  After a while of running, the other lab got jealous over the ball, the Shepard came running to the rescue, bumping into Poko and then Poko started to growl.  He hasn’t behaved like this before, so we wrapped it up, and headed home.  All in all, it was good.  Definetely true about getting tired quickly.  We didn’t stay more than 15 minutes each time, and of that less than 5 minutes of running.

Last night, Poko fell in our yard, when trying to play fetch.  He tried to turn quickly and landed flat on his side.  He kind of laid there for a second, stunned, and then got up, wimpered a little.  He came over to me without a problem, and was seemingly normal after that.  Guess we still have a little ways to go before he’s completely used to being tri-pawd.

Next time I’m going to take pictures at the dog park….  and the hair is starting to grow back!

Poko got his staples out on Monday, and is doing well!  He went back to doggie daycare on Tuesday – without any troubles.  I was a little nervous, but wanted/needed to get back to our routine.  Poko of course was looking forward to going back, and was excited to see Frank again (owner, that greats us each morning).  Poko also got to hang out with his friend, Jax, and came home happy

I’ve noticed that Poko sleeps a little more, and isn’t as perky in the mornings.  Once I get him up, get the paper, feed him, he’s fine….but then he curls up and sleeps again.  He’s happy while he’s up and about, but likes his ortho bed!

We’ve started going on walks again.  Starting with about 7-8 minutes (around the block) and now going about 15 minutes.  It feels great to be on the walks again.  Poko and I, both, grin from ear to ear.  It’s always been our bonding time.

I’m thinking of going to the dog park this weekend.  I’m going to keep it short, and make sure there’s not too much running.  Any advise on the dog park?  When is a good time to go back?  Is 3 weeks too soon?

I was reading another tripawds post, and have also had the experience of someone being surprised by the fact that your dog has 3 legs.  So this weekend my family came up with MANY replies, retorts and ribs.  Some of them are a little dark…we probably could never say some of them, but we all had a great laugh!  Enjoy!

What’s wrong with your dog? / Your dog has 3 legs?

• Nothing.  This one didn’t come with a spare.
• OMG!  He’s missing a leg!!!!
• We’re just waiting for it to grow back.
• Nothing.  But why does your dog have so many legs?
• S**t, he dropped it again!
• He had a little fight, but man, you should have seen the other dog!
• I’m a magician…this is my greatest illusion!
• Kids’ science experiment gone bad.

Then, there’s the truth:

• Lawn mower
• Torn ACL/broken knee
• Cancer
• Car accident
• Hunting accident
• Transporter accident
• Shark attack
• Organ donor (ok…the last 3 are pushing it…)

And a little on the darker side:

• Closed the car door too fast.
• We BBQ’d last weekend
• Had to make good on a gambling debt
• He lost his leg in the war
• Blender accident
• Traded it for a KIA
• He’s in the process of becoming human (turning into a bi-ped!)…He really wants to learn to ride a bike
• He’s Poko the Pirate!
• That D**n black bunny!!!!
• Well, what do you do when they get a bad sliver?
• Dropped the knife!  Ooops!
• Got a little too close to the black hole.
• Rift in the space time continuum.
• Sewing accident
• We went a little overboard on his Halloween costume last year.
• The CROWS, the CROWS…..
• It’s just a bad haircut!  They took a little too much off the back.
• Shhh…Act normal, he doesn’t know yet.
• Didn’t pay vet bill
• 3 regular and 1 “lite”
• This is ”Limp-Tin-Tin”, his favorite song is “I want to break free!”
• I forgot to feed him
• Elevator accident
• Yeah, 3, but thank god he’s not a horse, if you know what I mean!

Keep laughing, and keep your spirits high.  It really is the best medicine (for you and your pup!)

Apparently not all wet dog food is created equal.  Poko was eating his dry food while on his pain meds.  Then, I got nervous (and guilty), and when he stopped the pain meds, I added wet dog food to the dry.  Poko slowly stopped eating it.  Last night I picked up some different wet dog food, and Poko devoured it!  Like he hadn’t been eating for 3 days!  (Because he hadn’t!)  I gave him some dry food, and he ate that too!  So, Benifuls…good, and the other canned food in gravy…bad.  Poko also ate well this morning   Mystery solved!

Poko will get his staples out on Monday (a little late because of Thanksgiving), but everything is on track!  Yippee!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

Last couple mornings have been a little off for Poko.  Usually he’s been wagging his tail in the mornings, and hungry.  Yesterday and today he’s a little more subdued (laying in bed, staring at the wall?!?) - and has to be coaxed out of bed.  He also hasn’t had as much of an appetite.  He’s still eating some, but not with as much gusto, or as much volume.  I’m thinking he’s a little sore without any pain meds.  As soon as we go outside, and he gets to sniff around, he seems to be fine.

Must be some of the ups and downs of healing.  If he stops eating, I’ll check with the vet about more pain meds, or a visit.

Poko - 1 week post op

Yesterday, Poko came outside with me, and relaxed in the sun, while I worked in the garden.

Gardening with Poko

Last night was the first night I slept upstairs!  Poko did great.  He slept through the night, and didn’t cry at all.  Although he did get up at 6:30 am…he doesn’t know what Saturday is!  I was worried he would get used to me sleeping on the couch, but he did great on his own.

Poko is also coming off his pain meds.  No complaints from him so far!

Poko was a little ansy during the day, but still slept a lot.  It was a beautiful sunny day, so Jennifer took him outside for a little sunbathing.  She said he was so happy, rolled over and enjoyed the warmth.  It’s strange that a black dog would like to sunbath but he does!  He basks in it!  Here’s one of his old pics:

We also had another breakthrough!  Poko slept through the night!  I bought him a firmer bed (an orthopedic foam bed, as suggested) and it helped a lot.  He didn’t have to reposition himself so much, and settle in much faster.  Thanks for the tip!

Lucas and Poko 2011

It’s the morning of Day 4, but I didn’t recap yesterday’s acheivements.  Things are going well.  Poko is moving around a little more.  He’s happy to go outside, sniff around, and do his business.  I was worried about how he was going to do, but he figured things out easily, although he needed to be off leash for #2.

I put out a couple extra floor mats, because the transition between carpet and hardwood is a little tricky.  Poko does fine on either, but it’s hard to go from carpet to hardwood.

I’m still sleeping on the couch and Poko wakes up to go outside once in the night.  He wakes a couple of times to reposition himself and sometimes has a little trouble laying down again.  Seems like he turns in the wrong direction, and can’t break the habit.  So I try to help him out by telling him sit, and then down, rather than tucking his bum under.

I haven’t been making him do anything for his treats the last few days (usually it’s sit, shake a paw, down, etc), but yesterday while waiting for his treat, he sat down on his own   He’s wagging his tail when I get home, and the bruising is improving quickly.  In a week he’ll look a lot better!  Just wait til the hair comes back!

3 days post op - much less bruising

Thanks to everyone for the calls, emails, and well wishes!

Mira and Poko

Things are plugging along.  Last night went ok.  Poko had a little bit of a hard time settling in for the evening- mostly my fault though.  I moved his bed next to the couch but he is a creature of habit, and wanted it at the bottom of the stairs.  The recommendations are to keep him pretty contained, but he wants his regular sleep spot.  Once we moved things back, he layed down and slept most of the night.  Just woke once to go outside.

Poko woke up this morning and was wagging his tail!  He’s still pretty tired and a little weak.  He’s eating his dry food, with a little wet food mixed in to stimulate his appetite.  He had a little more trouble as the day progressed with the back step (there’s only one step, but it’s the only way out of the house!).  He looked at it, and mustered some energy to make it.  He’s a tough dog!

Poko is also trying some weird maneuvers to pee.  He wants to lift his left hind leg, but then can only balance on his front legs for a couple of seconds.  The rest of the time, he tilts and pees just fine.  He’s figuring it all out.

Mira