There are times that I’m so bummed I can’t do the things I’ve done all my life as easy as I used to or do them at all 🙁 My Mom and me and my sister were out tonight and I ran into the barn to grab a toy…then I shake it for all it’s worth to KILL IT…well, due to the snow on the ground now, I lost my grip and balance and down I went again…I think I’ve fallen almost everyday for four days now! Soooooooooooooooo depressing…hurts my pride…I’m a VERY proud dog and used to be sooooo AGILE. I often wonder what happened to me? Why can’t I be like I used to be? My little sister was busy barking and trying to chase the distant deer herd away(we have electronic fence so we can’t get at them!) and usually I would join in…but not now, not after I fell..I knew better then…to just stand and watch her do it on her own…that was one of my favorite things to do…. Makes my Mom sad to see me not be able to do the things I used to do and it makes me sad and confused at times. 🙁
So true Maggie. But this life you have now has so many good things. After all, you are more spoiled now! 🙂 And that is worth way more than chasing those darn deer! Live for the moments because moments are all we have! 🙂
Dang, Maggie, that does sound discouraging!! I remember the first time I gave Jack a bone after his amputation…he tried to hold it with 2 paws like he always did and then was confused because it kept sliding away from him 🙁 However, with more practice, he now chews a bone like a pro! He even roots through the toy box, empties the whole thing, squeaks every one, and every once in a while will shake the toy just like you did! You are still pretty new to this amputation thing, so I’m sure you will get the hang of it and be back to killing toys in no time!
<3 Laura and Captain Jack
Hey Maggie’s Mom,
Don’t give up yet on what your Mag will be able to do. I read lots of posts about how tripawds were up and around and back to their old selves in no time.
Well not my Maggie- she is (and was then) a stubborn, obstinate pug who didn’t like any changes in her routine. She seemed down to me for quite awhile after the amp, of course the chemo didn’t help. But when she would fall she would just sit with this pained expression on her face, and she wouldn’t try to go up stairs, even one or two, or up hills. I had to coax her out of bed in the morning, and I had to really coax her to play with me. But little by little she came around. When she was done with chemo she really became her old self again (6 months after her amp). Of course there are a few things she can’t do anymore, but now if she falls she gets right back up (see rolly polly pug in her blog).
I know its hard not to focus on what you have lost, but once your Mag gets her strength and balance she won’t worry about it anymore- we as parents get to carry that load!
Karen and the pug girls
You will do those things again, when your mom least expects it. You will even do things she has not seen since your puppy days. Did you see the 3-legged agility dog? If not, do a websearch. She is amazing but moves so fast you can’t tell if she has 3, 4 or 5 legs!
Maggie, I know what you mean. The first time I tried to shake a toy, I almost busted my stitches open. It hurt so bad. But you know, I think it hurt my Mom more than it did me.
The best thing you can do is to take things easy for a while, and gradually find those things that you used to do that you can still do, that make you hoppy. Yes, there will be things that you have do to in moderation, and a few, not at all. But give it time, you’ll see how with just a little adjustment, you can have the great life you had before, I promise. I used to love to swim, and you know what? It wasn’t until about 4 months after my amp when my parents relaxed enough to see if I could still do it. And I DID!!!!
So keep the faith my friend. For now, focus on what you CAN do, not what you can’t, and life will be a whole lot brigher.
Thanks to everyone…you make me and my Mom feel better. To Maggie the Pug…I, too, had a REALLY tough time right after surgery…everyone told me before surgery, in no time at all I’d spring right back…but I didn’t:-( I had a fever and off my food for two weeks and no vets could figure out why!
To those dogs that this 3 legged stuff never seems to bother ya’…my hat’s off to ya’….it sure blows the steam out of my sails at times when I fall 🙁
But me and my Mom will hang in there…just a yucky few days as I keep falling due to the snow…I really hate falling…
Oh Maggie… Don’t worry… you’ll get the hang of it soon… At least you get to fall on the soft snow… Things will get better… really! 🙂
Angel Jake’s Mom
Hey girl…voice of reality coming in….you know I love you both so so much…but think like agility..when she falls, don’t act or make disappointment noises! She will feed off that and think she is wrong….dogs are WAY tougher than we are and are WAY more resilliant! when we think they are sad, depressed etc, it is usually just US projecting it on to them! SO hang in there and when she falls, try to be upbeat and supportive and not react too much…That is what I do with Kody and she is easily as proud as Mags… I don’t want her to feel like being old and disabled is bad, I try to pump her up !
Hey Maureen…and I know you are right ….thanks for your ‘voice of reality’…cause you are sooooooooooo right!
I Love You Mags! Can’t wait to see you and your mom in Dummerston….you must make her come this year!