Shelby had been home for 2 weeks now and when I think back to where we were 2 weeks ago (not sleeping, calling the vet 24/7 to see if ‘this’ was normal, shutting her out of my room) to where we are today – pretty peaceful and calm and everyone sleeping through the night, I am relieved! We are settling into our ‘new normal’.
Shelby continues to take respite in my tiny bathroom – and while I try and find the humor in it (it is kind of funny) it does confuse me. She always used to go lay in her bed after eating and now she takes to the bathroom as she has assumed that is her new bedroom.
BUT she will come out for snuggles and hang out with me in the main room. She even snuggled with me on my bed earlier when I put her up there. We had an outing today to a pet store for treats and she was 100% “Shelby” -tail wagging, looking for attention, happy, perky ears.
She tries to go on longer walks and then will just stop and appear tired or maybe is just milking it so I will pick her up. I carry her up and down the stairs more than I should but I worry about her other legs so much. My back has finally had enough but I”m trying to get stronger.
We still have a long battle to go and we both know that. The odds are against us. It’s been a long journey, heartbreaking at times. When her leg broke in June, there was no definitive diagnosis of cancer so we kept the leg and that decision plagues me to this day. I have to learn to find peace and let it go and know that I have done everything right with the information I had at the time. And that Shelby knows that. And she knows she is loved more than anything else. #shelbystrong
Shelby out of the bathroom!
It’s so good to see sich hapy pictures of Shelby where she’s alert and engaged! She has come sich a loooooong way in jist a little over two weeks! And so has Mom!
You have…and are…doing EVERYTHING POSSIBLE for shelbystrog and she DOES know it! Any second you spend on “what ifs” takes away from the pure joy of being in the moment with Shelby! You’ve already proven you will let NOTHING rob you of yor time together! SHELBYSTRONG:-) 🙂
Shelby is an extraordinary soul! Absolutely one of a kind! Being a tripawd can be very exhausting and takes so much energy, but Shelby just keeps going with the flow. Rests when she needs to, then gets herself up and starts going again.
We are all in love with her!
And love her pictures!
Keep on keeeping on Shelby and Mom!
Sally and Happy Hannah
Oh you are making SUCH progress at understanding the language of DOG. Seriously, this kind of stress and worry and the depth of your love really does bring you closer together doesn’t it? I’m so happy to see you’ve made amazing progress.
Meanwhile about the stopping or refusing to budge while walking: that is absolutely a sign that she’s gone too far. Pick her up, love her and carry her back. You’re so lucky you can do that! Keep those walks short, it’s still early and you have an entire life ahead of you.
{{{{{hugs}}}}}
Thank you ALL!!! Your words mean so much to me. Shelby is indeed a very special lady and a gentle soul and I have learned so much from her in our life together about patience, kindness and living life to the fullest!
We are making great progress and as I feel my stress levels reduce, I feel her confidence levels increase. While it is fine and good to say ‘be less stressed’ around the dog, Shelby definitely reads emotions/feelings even if I don’t verbally express them. We are the connected and bonded (as also said by her vets).
And I appreciate her letting me know her limits now where she hasn’t in the past. Progress for both of us! Hugs all around! From me AND Shelby!