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Just a quick update on Trumie Dooms Day. He had his surgery with Dr. John Brajkovich on Thursday. Of course, Truman was not very happy about us leaving him at a strange vet. He gave us his ultimate sad, pitiful face when the vet tech took him to the back, and cried cried cried. Good thing for him, I'd predicted he was going to freak out, so they shortly gave him calming meds. We stayed until he went to la-la-land. Later in the day, when Dr. John went in to do the surgery, he said the break looked even worse than what we saw on x-ray. The toe was fully broken, but also had multiple fractures above the joint. Two screws later, and the toe looks a lot better. We left him in two pieces, then picked him back up in one! We only had to cut the honeymoon short by one day. He slept in the car mostly the entire way home. Saturday, I brought him back into our local vet for a re-check and bandage change. They said everything looked perfect- no discharge, no infection. We go in on Thursday for the last bandage change and suture removal. In the meantime, Truman is getting special peanut butter for his pills and also wet food (he started dropping weight fast just from the pain and trauma of the toe), so we're trying to fatten him up. He's been in really good spirits since we got home, mostly wanting to play with his Jollyball in the yard... as gently as possibly. ...As everyone said, it definitely made for an interesting trip, but it was by no means ruined. We had the great fortune of knowing GT'ers who pointed us in the exact right direction. Overall, just a fabulous experience with Dr. John and Caledon Mountain Veterinary. They were great, not just with Truman's care, but the staff and receptionist. Even Dr. John's young daughter gave us a bag of delicious sweet potato treats, with a handmade bag and card that said "Happy Honeymoon, sorry about your two greyhounds." It was so adorable! Here's the patient this evening. I don't think he's any worse for wear:

Literally, we just went through this! Truman broke his toe last week and had to get two screws put in it. FWIW, the orthopedic vet we used (Dr. John Brajkovich, who frequently works with greyhounds and even guest-lectures with Dr. Couto) said not to bother with splits. He thinks they're more trouble than they're worth. The bandages can get too tight if the area still has swelling, which causes circulation/healing problems. There's also the likelihood of the wrapping getting dirty or wet and creating pressure sores, as Tracy mentioned. I think the best thing you can do is really restrict activity for 6-8 weeks. Give it time to heal, then you can do some PT type exercises later down the line to help with flexibility and mobility. Just my two cents!

Wow, what a whirlwind! I'll post more later, but Truman is fine. Toe is fixed, and we made it back home to Pennsylvania.

Dr. John saw Truman (who to my absolute surprise, behaved like a gentleman). He was able to get an x-ray and blood work without sedation. The bad news is that the toe is broken with multiple fractures. Dr. John recommended surgery to fix it. If we wait until we get back to Pittsburgh on Monday, we'd have to wait and get an appointment for a surgical consult at the orthopedic specialist, and meanwhile, the break could callus and get harder to fix. So... we just decided to have Dr. John do the surgery Thursday while we're still in Canada. He is skilled with greyhounds and works with Dr. Couto, so I trust him to patch Truman up. I emailed Healthy Paws, and they will cover it even though we're out of the country. Not really what I wanted to do on my honeymoon, but so it goes!

Vet in a few hours. Bruising has improved, but the toe still looks pretty wonky. Still limping.

Thanks, Trace. I'll fast him tomorrow morning. He's going to Caledon tomorrow at 5PM.

Pretty bruised and limp-y today. Headed to a grey-savvy vet tomorrow at Johanne's suggestion. Poor puppy.

Nope. I went to touch it, and he tried to bite me.

Unfortunately, everything Nancy said about vets not being open on weekends was correct. We did find one that was open until 1PM today, but they were short staffed and kindly asked us to go to the emergency clinic. That was going to be super expensive- given that my Healthy Paws policy doesn't cover exam visits, I was reluctant to take him there. He doesn't seem very uncomfortable (no panting, restlessness, yelping), but I gave him Rinadyl and Tramadol anyway. I tried doing a makeshift splint with a small roll of gauze and wrapping it with vet wrap. Only left it on for a few hours, though, as he absolutely hated that and kept tripping around like and walking like a spaceman. We're headed to the Hamilton area tomorrow, so I'm going to see if he can hold off until Monday. If he's really uncomfortable tomorrow, I'll take him to the e-vet. He happily ate dinner tonight and allowed me to give him pills. The paw itself doesn't seem very swollen, but is very bruised. I'm hoping it's easily fixable. Fingers crossed.

This was the result of Truman running around like a loon. He's holding it up and limping on it, but behavior is okay. I have a first aid kit with vet wrap and Rimadyl + Tramadol, so I could manage him somewhat. Just wondering what to do... We're out of town (out of the country actually) on our honeymoon and won't be back home until next weekend. Should we find a vet ASAP? If so, anyone know of a good vet in Prince Edward County, Ontario?

They are ADORABLE! So glad they found a new home with you.

Just want to give a quick update- Wolfie is doing the door with the actual flap on now!!!

Keep the weight in check, chiro appointments, and definitely start a joint support supplement like Cosequin.

Yes ma'am! It's Whim! I do have the matching zebra sheets, they're fabulous! Now, on to lurk at Macy's and find those mugs.

Sending good thoughts for Percy.

Wolfgang is a smiler and an air-snapper. When he gets excited, he pulls his lips back and sticks out his teeth. When he gets real excited, he starts air-snapping. We think it's funny, and we know enough about greyhounds to see that it's 100% playful. But to other people, it looks a little scary. Anytime we have guests over, someone inevitably asks, "Oh my God! Did he just try to bite me!" Is there anything we can do to re-direct his snappiness? We're having the dogs at our wedding next month.

Looking good, buddy! You're a true superhero.

Since we adopted Wolfgang last November, we could not get him to use the dog door. I've tried lifting up the flap, coaxing him through with treats, having Truman go in and out to set a visual example. Absolutely no luck. He's scared to death of the flap touching his back. For the last six months, Sterling and I have been his "doormen." Recently, though, I got a new position with work that's further from home (meaning no more mid-day potty breaks). I finally put my foot down this week and made a concerted effort to teach him the dog door. I found this awesome article with step-by-step instructions on getting timid dogs to learn the dog door. So helpful!! For the first two days, I removed the flaps and left the door wide open. He immediately started using it. After meals, he'd started letting himself out without any prompting. I started seeing him going out on his own to play with toys and lay in the grass. On the third day, I tacked up a tea towel that covers the hole halfway. At first, he was totally uncomfortable. I had to hold the towel up for him to go out. Then, coming in, he stood outside for 30 minutes without even making an attempt. Then finally... he did it! We're going to continue moving slow, gradually lowering the towel, then replacing it with a cardboard flap. Then *hopefully* he'll be able to master the scary rubber flap. But for the first time in many months, I'm encouraged that he's not a total lost cause. For anyone else who has problems getting their grey to use the doggie door, I definitely recommend this article. (And just because I know the rules, here's a picture of our Whoopie Pie. Truman has persistently been trying to teach him "tug." He's finally getting it!)

Fingers crossed, Fi.

Wow, I have no words. I am so incredibly sorry for the loss of your boy. Just so completely unfair.

I'm also in the Pittsburgh area. I think you should reach out to Lilian Akin. She is a positive reinforcement, rewards-based trainer who is very well-versed in greyhounds. If money is tight, I might recommend getting in touch with an adoption group, perhaps Mary Fratangelo and the folks at Going Home Greyhounds. They may be able to give you some creative advice or resources. As the others have said, I also recommend consulting your vet to make sure he's not in pain or having vision, hearing, or neurological problems. Also (I don't mean this to sound harsh, just honest)... please understand the implications of giving up a 13-year-old dog. He is a family member who you've spent the last eight years of your life with. To rehome him in his senior years would be both devastating and heartbreaking. You've made a commitment to him, and it's only fair that he be allowed to live out the rest of his life with stability. If that means your kids and grandkids have to work extra hard at making things quiet and comfortable, or that you stretch your budget to get more specialized training and vet care, that's what should be done. Behavior and health problems aside, there are so many people on this thread that would kill for an extra day with their senior greyhounds.

So sorry that you've gotten this bad news. My Henry got diagnosed with fibrosarcoma at 5- I know how devastating it can be.

Sending good thoughts as you remember Betty Joan on this sad anniversary.

Aww, great video! I love how patient Kili and Summit are.

I'm so sorry, Tracy. She looks like such a sweetheart.