Herro Twipawd Famiwy!!

It’s Bruce here! I just had to come and see what all the fuss is about. Mom says that she gets all sorts of little tidbits, and advice from all you awesome people! AND she said that she’s showing off my pictures!! Ugh … Mom, no more please!!

Guess what I did today???!! I had a surprise for Mom, and she didn’t even know I had a trick up my sleeve! Just so everyone is aware, I used to have 4 legs … well, now I only have 3. One of my favorite things to do is to get up on the couch, and roll upside down on my back and fall asleep. And most times I would roll over on my Momma! It’s been over three weeks since I did that. I was practicing in my brain as to how I was gonna do it. I usually need my other arm to propel my big ol’ body over on it’s back. Well, tonight I rolled over on my back!!! All by myself! With only 3 legs! Ha! I saw my Mom cry (I hope it was a happy cry). I think it was, because she was smiling the whole time! (And then she took a lot of pictures of me!! Oh, that flash!) And, just so everyone knows, a Rotti sleeping on their back is a standard among our breed. And, well, I’m a Rotti, so I’ve got to try, and I did it!! (AND my Mom says I have to post a picture of me sleeping on my back from tonight, so it’s below)

Ooo, Ooo!! Guess what else!! Mom snuck a hot dog in my dinner tonight!!! Yayayay! I LOVE hot dogs sooooooo much!!!! Nom, nom!!

Since my Mom says this is a great place to get advice, can I ask a question?? My Mom started giving me a new medicine for my phantom pain … I think it has something to do with my nerves. Well, exactly how long do you think I will need to stay on this medicine?? I think it’s called Gabapentin?? Yep, that’s it … (But, just between me and you, I like getting the little slippery pills, because Momma puts them in peanut butter!!!! Mmmmmm!!!)

I had an itch tonight, behind my right ear. Well, I haven’t figured out a way to balance yet without my left leg to do this sort of thing. But! Mom was to the rescue! Wooo-whooo!! She saw me struggling, and new EXACTLY what to do! Oh my goodness, when she started scratching behind my ear I beat my right back foot to the ground like a bunny rabbit! Ha! My Dad laughed at us! He thought it was the funniest thing!

Ok, ok, ok … I know what you all really came here for. My mom is making me post pictures below, so have it! Mom will add a caption below each one to tell you exactly what I was thinking!

Slobbery Kisses from Me!!

OK .. TIME FOR PICTURE OVERLOAD!!!!!!

*Sigh* “Mom … are you done with the pictures yet??”

Zzzzzzz ……..

Silly Me!!!

“Can I go on a walk to the park already?!”

“Momma … you know you want to give me one of those socks.”

And here’s one of Tinkerbelle … just because! Lol.

Hi Everyone!!

Oh my goodness, it has been a LONG time since I have posted anything about my Mighty Bruce! Just been busy, busy, busy …

Ok, here’s the down-low …. Bruce is doing GREAT! He seems to be back to his normal self almost. Since I last posted he was being treated for a mild dermatitis. This is almost cleared up. The area under his chin is clear, but the area closer to his surgery scar has just a little bit more to go, and then all better! He is totally over the allergic reaction! Bruce is being playful in the house and in the yard. He even wants to get Tinkerbelle involved (but she is 5 years older, and she’s like, “Whatever Bruce! Go away!” LOL!)

Oh, I do have something to share that sort of hurt my feelings a little. Our next door neighbors have two small young girls. They saw Bruce in the backyard recently and made silly comments about our new tripawd. For Example: “He’s only got 3 legs! Ooooo … we are SO scared!” Of course they said this sarcastically, but what can I say, the kids are younger than 6 years old … Well, my husband spoke with their dad, and explained to them what happened to Bruce (about having cancer), and they felt bad.

Here’s a funny story, this happened just two days ago. Before Bruce had his surgery, he and I would get up on the couch and have cuddle time. He would get on the cushion next to me and plant his big ol’ body into my left side while I was sitting on the couch. Then he’d drape his front legs over my lap, and we would just sit … sometimes for even an hour at a time. Well, since his surgery, we have not been letting him get on the couch, as we didn’t want to take any chances of hurting his surgery site. So, a couple of days ago I was sitting on the couch, and he was eye-balling me … I think he was saying, “OK mom, I want to cuddle now! It’s been 3 weeks already!” Well, he started climbing on the couch. He stood with his 1 front leg on the cushion, still not sure about it … When he lifted his rear end to lift his back legs on the couch he lost his balance and face-planted into the back couch cushion! It really was a sight to see, and I couldn’t help but laugh!! He corrected himself quickly, and hoped on over to me, and he just collapsed into my side! He was so cute doing that! And we cuddled!! I was so excited. I just hugged him so tightly!!

Well, I’m headed off to work. I will try and post some pictures tomorrow!

Love from Sabre and Bruce!

If you have a few minutes to read, buckle down … I’ve got a lot to say on this post! 🙂

I’ve got some good news about Bruce! We took him to see Dr. O’Keefe this afternoon. (There is a picture below of Bruce in the car on the way there) It has been determined that Bruce has a mild dermatitis that is just topical. This goo is not coming from Bruce’s surgery site! And there is no pocket of fluid anywhere that it could be coming from. Dr. O’Keefe gave us some topical powder to apply to the area 2-3 times a day. Our vet is not concerned, and is very confident that this should clear up in a few days. I am optimistic about the prognosis.

While we were at the vet’s I got a refill on the tramadol. Many of you suggested I do that, so I did. And, you all are right. It’s better to have some on hand just in case. In addition Bruce still has about a week’s worth of anti-biotic to finish up with.

While we were at the vet’s Dr. O’Keefe suggested we shave Bruce! And, my husband agreed! The conversation started out as just a joke, but I think my husband is serious now! I couldn’t believe it! Rottie’s do have a double coat, and it is getting very hot outside. We are located in Florida (USA), so it was in the 90s here today. What do you all think?

Ok, ok … back to Bruce. Lol. Bruce is really getting back to his old self. He was running in the yard today. He is giving me hugs like he used to. He is finally starting to relax more, and lay down on his side to sleep. It has been 4 days since he has cried out in pain, from the phantom pains! I am VERY thankful for this especially!

On a different note, have I ever mentioned that we have another dog? We have an 11 year-old, female, pit-mix. She is a very chill, mellow dog, and lays around a lot (probably due to her age). But she is oh-so sweet and loving! During this stressful time with Bruce we have been giving him much attention, and attending to his every need. We give him extra care and spend much more time with him than we ever used to. And, our old girl, Tinkerbelle, she has been such a trooper right along with us. She is very patient, and doesn’t get upset because we don’t give her as much attention. She knows we love her with all of our hearts, just as much as we love Bruce! And, she is a truly understanding dog. And, every time we take Bruce outside, she is right by his side. When we got Bruce as a puppy, Tinkerbelle was 4 1/2 years old, and she treated him like he was her little pup. Although, eventually he outgrew her! But, even now, she stays by his side like she is still protecting him and watching out for him. She knows that Bruce has been through something traumatic. I believe that dogs understand when times are tough … (there is a picture below of Bruce outside, and Tinkerbelle is behind him in the grass).

Today while I was cleaning in the kitchen Bruce came out and kept me company. The place where he laid down didn’t have a carpet or rug there, but that’s where he wanted to be I guess. My husband says he is my shadow! He follows me down the hall to the bedroom. Bruce follows me into the bathroom! And just yesterday when I took the trash out to the side of the road, he was there sitting in the door frame watching me, and waiting for me to come back into the house. I just love it though! It is true, he follows me everywhere. His energy level has really gone up in the last couple of days. It is easy for him to stand up. He lays down normally. And, every time we take him outside to do his business he seems to want to stay out longer.

So, all in all, things are going great! I couldn’t be more happy about the whole situation. I just LOVE this dog so much!!! Thank you for all your support, comments and advice. Keep them coming!

Love from Sabre and Bruce

I feel like this whole process with Bruce – finding out he has bone cancer, the surgery, the recovery period – has gone by so fast! But, it’s only been a little over two weeks since the surgery! I just feel like so much more time has gone by! Bruce has adjusted SO well, I just can’t believe it.

Yesterday we gave him another bath (there is a picture below). I know we just gave him a bath this past Monday, but something has developed and I’m not sure what it is. There is some sort of residue that is on his fur, close to the bottom half of his surgery site. The residue is gooey in texture, it sticks to his fur and is very hard to remove, and it is yellow in color (WARNING! Picture below). It’s literally almost like slime, and I’m not sure where it is coming from. It expands outward from his surgery site up towards his neck area. Well, this gooey stuff, after it has a chance to dry for a while, it hardens, and becomes more scab like. I don’t like the way it looks, and I don’t like having it on my dog, so we are going to take Bruce to see Dr. O’Keefe this afternoon, and find out what it is.

Also, while we are at the vet’s I’m going to get a refill of his tramadol. Bruce hasn’t been on any pain meds since Monday, but I’ve gotten a lot of advice from you all that we should have some on hand, just in case, and I agree! It’s better to have it, and not need it, than to need it, and not have it.

But, through all of this, Bruce’s personality hasn’t changed. He is his luck-go-happy self everyday. I am very fortunate to have such a good dog! I’ll post an update on him later tonight, after our vet visit. 🙂

Love from Sabre and Bruce

Here is one of Bruce with his blue sock, and his baby rhino! 🙂

This one his face was right in the camera! He says, “You talkin’ to me??” Lol.

In this picture, Bruce had is ball, and dropped it out of his mouth, then literally slid on the floor into the laying position, and this is where is face fell! Lol.

And, this is me and my baby. I have to admit, this picture is pre-amputation, but his face is just so cute! It’s my favorite picture of him and I.

Sadly the videos I tried to upload were too big. Or, perhaps I wasn’t doing it right. Hopefully I will learn how to upload videos soon! I’ll keep trying. For now, just picture will have to do.

Goodnight! Love from Sabre and Bruce!