gracegirl

I don't think dropping her at the vets is a good idea. She's mostly been sleeping, I keep checking on her, and she's leaving her wound alone. Leaving her at the vet would be too traumatic for her. Last time she had to spend extended time there she worked herself into a frenzy (I was there with her too) and her temp shot up. I don't think that would be a good combo today. I used the suggestion from Xan and put a bootie on her, theres a tube sock under that. I think she'll be okay unti lwe can get there later to see if the drains can be removed. Thanks guys, as always!

Hope things are looking good for him today. Good thoughts coming your way. What a lucky boy to already have a home for the holidays!

Getting close to the door might prove to be a challenge in of itself. I'll let you guys know the outcome. Do keep the suggestions coming though.

Duh! I'm blond.....why didn't I think of the Rescue Remedy! I just dug it out, I'll use that too. Devon, I'm probably going alone. Although it might be a good time to call in a favor to those that have asked if there is anything they can do to help. I'll have Fenway (coming from work, they go to work with me) but I thought I'd leave him in the car. I'm not so sure she'd follow him in....but it might be worth a try if I can recruit a partner.

Oh God bless, first she gets mauled and now I have to beat her and blindfold her to get to the source of even more torture (only kidding, of course) A different route to the vets sounds like a good plan. I plan to park a few blocks away can come in on the backside. She will not let me carry her, but she probably would let the vet techs do that. I have a harness on the way, but it won't be here tomorrow. I'm not even sure it would work because her wounds are so sore and she now has lots of bruising on her chest. It might actually be better just to drag her sore butt into the clinic, I think a collar would be better than a harness at this point. A few more days (and once the drains are removed) the harness will be perfect. I'm also thinking pushing might be the solution. Anyone with a video camera want to follow me there? I promise it will be a good show. ETA: Maybe wagon plus blindfold would work.

Grace is having a rough week. On Saturday we went to get the bandage on her neck changed. She refused to get out of the car, so the vet came to us to do it in the parking lot. Now for the hard part. She has to go in tomorrow to check the wound again, and possibly (hopefully) have her drains removed. How the heck am I going to get her inside??? Usually I just grab her collar and march into the vet, like you would trying to get a hound up the stairs for the first time. That won't work tomorrow because of the severity of her neck wound. Any other thoughts? Treats won't work, she's normally food motivated but not all that interested in treats right now, plus she won't take them at the vet's office. I'm going to call tomorrow to see if they have a back door. I'll have to park a few blocks away and walk her over. I guarantee she won't walk in on her own accord, the vet techs will probably have to help me. Any other tricks or tips?

Things have gotten a bit worse. We got home from work and the vet instructed me to remove the bandage. As soon as I removed it, she scratched it with her back foot and screamed in pain. I gave her another Tramadol and immediately wrapped her foot in a sock. She's laying on a bed in the kitchen panting. Ugh! She ripped a drain too, didn't pull it out but it's torn. I cannot take the day off tomorrow to watch her. I can bring her with me but she has to stay in the dog kennel or the car. I can only check on her every two hours. Now it's loosely wrapped with vet wrap, and I have some turtlenecks she can wear tomorrow. Any other suggestions?

Prayers for your boy!

Grace update Monday: I brought her to work with me so I could keep an eye on her. Today is by far her worst day. She is very sore and has a hard time getting in and out of the car. I now have to lift her back end in, she never lets me do that and today she gave me these big pleading eyes that said "help me, it hurts!" She's still on her pain meds, I might call the vet to see if she can have any extras tonight. I can't wait to get home and get the bandage off, and apply the warm compresses to get her cleaned up too. If the drains have stopped draining tomorrow we can have them removed. I'll take her in anyway just to be checked on. Getting her into the clinic is going to be a nightmare though, I can't drag her in like I usually have to. It's going to take some thinking to get her in there. I'm going to call to see if they have a back door we can use. Any other suggestions to get her in the door would be great. She is usually food motivated, but not at the vet. One bright spot for her day was to see her friend "Curt the food guy" at work. He works in our IT department and Grace loves him, probably because he always gives her too many good and stinky treats. She was so happy to see him, and leaned into him. When he moved away to pet Fenway, she followed him and leaned into him again. She ws thrilled to get the attention, that was the bright spot in her otherwise crappy day.

Good thoughts comin your way, please be sure to update us. I'm sure she'll do great!

Fenway is 14 months and going through another growth spurt. I recently asked this question as well, and the general consensus was they'd reach adult height between 15-18 months, and could continue to fill out all the way until they turn three.

Poor girls, both of you! Puppies tend to bounce back quickly, I hope that's the case here too. Sending hugs your way.

Just wait until you experience the "olives"....hopefully someone can post a link to that thread here.

Down the hatch with no problems, she thinks they are great! Thanks so much for stopping by last night. Forest misses you already! He's wagging his tail in his sleep right now.

Good morning all! It sure has been an interesting weekend. I REALLY appreciate everyone's concern for her, the healing thoughts will go a long way. Grace is doing as well as can be expected considering what she's been through. Friday night, the night of her surgery, she was crying in pain when she moved in her bed. She is spending most of her time on a bed in the corner of my living room where she is out of the way. Considering Fenway is 14 months old and Forest is 3 years old, they have been doing FANTASTIC with her. My house is to small for an ex-pen, so it's great they are being so good. (Really, it's too small for an ex-pen, it's a 750 sq ft, 2 bedroom house, and I already have two crates set up for the boys!) Grace has been eating well, I've been delivering her bowl to her bed and fed her several small meals yesterday. She ate every bite. She ventured out of her corner to one of the other beds in the living room for a few minutes last night. She's been getting up to get drinks and has been asking to go outside. I know she's feeling better because she tried to cockroach for a belly rub last night, but then cried out in pain so we're not quite well enough to be silly. I've been sleeping on the couch to keep an eye on her and she just jumped up here with me. So things are looking up, the wounds are draining like they are supposed to and she seems to be feeling okay. ETA: The dog who did this to her has been staying with BooMooAndDoo since yesterday morning at 10am. I'll pick her up this evening and will crate her until her family comes to get her. I'm so grateful to BooMooAndDoo for helping me out this weekend.

Feel better soon guys! I hope you can get some (inexpensive) answers soon!

Well hello! Good to see you here. I'd also rather not have this be your first post....but if this can prevent even one injury to another dog, then I've accomplished what I wanted to from this post. I also know that positive thinking goes a long way, so I'm glad there are so many get well wishes for Grace here too. Hopefully this can serve as a wake up call to the other folks in the co-op. Dogs are different on their own turf, on someone else's turf, and also on neutral turf. We've met this dog before, but on neutral turf. I don't know what set her off here.....but with all our play dates and other boarders we've had at our house my dogs are very comfortable with "extras". In fact, the foster, Fenway and Grace are all snoozing with me in our living room right now. I've got my extra muzzle now, so I'm prepared for anyone's forgetfulness in the future.

Here are some photos from the visit with the vet today. Grace would not get out of the car, so the vet came to us in the car. He's wonderful. We go back on Tuesday to get the drains removed. I'm going to have to park blocks away and trick the poor girl into thinking we are going for a walk.

Yep, and extra muzzle is on it's way to me from the kennel as we speak (type). I will also be turning away anyone who shows up without one from now on. Hindsight is alwasy 20/20...I just wish it didn't hurt my girl so much.

Or perhaps a harness until Grace's neck is all healed up??? Sending healing thoughts to you and your baby girl. Great idea, I'll get one this weekend!

"Some of the vet costs"? They damn well better be paying every dime! Lauren, I am SO sorry for poor Grace! I guess, if you ever decide to do this again (board), you simply tell them "bring the muzzle, or don't bring the dog," and be prepared to turn them away at the door if the boarder and family show up without your required items. George sends his love! Susan Boy, you took the words right out of my mouth! Yes, they are paying 100% of the vet bills, the meds, and I'm even thinking of asking them to replace Grace's brand new collar that is ripped to shreds. I'll also be sending them any follow up vet bills. I think I'm only taking boarders I know from now on. We have some good grey friends that come play in the yard often. Everyone is muzzled for these play dates. They are all welcome to stay with me in the future, but I think I'm taking my name off the list for the grey sitting co-op.

She's feeling vulnerable right now. You'll want to keep the other dogs away from her while she's healing. Maybe run an x-pen across the area she's sleeping in so that she can relax and feel safe, and walk her separately from the other dogs for at least a week. When she feels stronger and is more comfortable she'll be fine with them. You don't want another dog bumping into her by mistake while she's healing. More hugs to both of you! Good advice, thank you. The other dogs (Fenway and Forest) are doing fantastic with her, and leaving her alone. I'll do separate turnouts for them now. I though she might like to see her baby brother, he's been wonderful and very concerned about her. Not so much, I guess. Everyone except for Grace will be crated while I'm away, and for the time dog #4 (the attacker) is in my house she will be crated unless going for walks or to the bathroom. A friend is going to take #4 for the day today and tomorrow, so that is a huge load off my shoulder. There are angels out there, and they've stepped up to help when I've needed them the most. Thank you!

I think they still don't believe that this could have happened. I called an left a sobbing message with her, and then call him and got him live. I said "do you want me to put it on my credit card and you can reimburse me, or do you want to pay the vet directly?" They will be covering the cost.....but it in no way makes Grace pain free this AM. Every time she moves even the slightest bit she whimpers. My heart is breaking. I just woke her up (5:30AM my time) and got her outside. We were in the yard and Fenway walked over to us, she was terrified of him. I'm crying again as I write this. People who have known her since I adopted her a year and a half ago cannot believe how much she's changed. She's now outgoing and confident, patient and loving, and is friendly with all people and animals. (or I should say "was" friendly with all animals.) I'm just torn up over this! I too thought "I guess it's okay if she doesn't have a muzzle, those things happen to other people". Guess what? I should have (and will from now on) insist on muzzles for everyone. Part of me wishes Grace was not muzzled because she could have at least fought back, but part of me is glad she didn't because I could have been rushing two bleeding dogs to the vet instead of just one. Stupid, stupid me! I really appreciate everyones thoughts and prayers. You have not idea how much it means to me right now. I'll update again after we visit Dr. Fisher this AM to take a peek under the bandage. I'm hoping I can post more photos.

In the past he's defended Grace and jumped into the mix. I have no idea where he was during all of this today, but neither of the boys got involved (thank goodness!) It happened so quickly and I literally tackled the dog...I wasn't really all that aware of what was going on. I came home and found that Forest was in his crate with his muzzle on! Whoops!

She might need a "get well soon" collar....I better get my credit card and start browsing your site. Her brand spankin' new winter collar is ripped to shreds. I'm not even sure when she can wear a collar again with those 20 staples in the way.