And we are starting to settle into our new normal. It hasn’t been easy (but no one said it would be). She has become increasingly needy and affectionate in the evenings – demanding to be pet nonstop for hours on end. Also demands to be on the couch. When she doesn’t get her way, she starts to huff/puff and pant. She’s starting to learn that I don’t respond to that. So she will take to the bathroom in a pouting manner. I let her go and figure, like a child, she will work it out on her own. She does have to potty more at night (or again, she might be trying to get more walks).
She had two accidents in the house this week which were upsetting for the both of us. She never messes in the house so I know that was hard on her. For me – I am not used to picking up after a dog in the house as she was trained when I rescued her. I try and be more aware when we walk and make sure she has ample time to do her business. I am also transitioning her off ‘human’ foods so hopefully she will have less digestive issues.
I have to step back and remind myself (as my friends on this website like to remind me) that my dog is truly amazing. All she’s been through in 7 months, three major surgeries, chemo, a blood transfusion … that she’s eating/sleeping normally is really amazing. And I think the more I question our “new” normal, the more upsetting it is for her. She can read my emotions like no other dog ever has – she is in my head 24/7 and she knows when I am happy or sad without my even knowing it. It’s freaky how connected we are.
But this week we had some more glimmers of “old” Shelby. She is able to shake her paw now (which was hard since she shakes w/her right and it was her left hind leg that was amputated so she can’t balance like she used to). But she’s done it a couple of times – on her own. She also prances like she used to for attention, walks, etc (I can tell she “wants” to jump like she used but knows that she cannot). She will snuggle and lets me kiss on her as much as I want.
She still sleeps in the bathroom at night but I know she checks on me since I hear her moving around. I also caught her keeping guard this am. on my floor. I think it’s harder for her to get up and down on 3 legs so I’ll ask her vet about that. Thus the reason she probably just stands around. As I type this, she is curled up in her bed, amp side up (but it was the other way earlier). I can hear the peaceful sounds of her snoring and it’s music to my ears.
I really struggle with grieving for what we don’t have anymore – the long walks, the hikes, the playtime with tossing her toys around. I know she isn’t in pain and she’s just happy to see me but I hate when I see other dogs out and about that can run/jump/play, it makes me sad for Shelby. That is a human emotion as this site has taught me so much that dogs don’t know what they can’t do – only that they are loved and pain-free. Oh the life of a dog…. it’s simple and best!
Shaking paws? Now that’s real progress!! Good for you Shelby Girl! And it always amazed me hlw soon she took tolayingon her amp site. I think I mentio ed, Haph Hannah was five weeks out before she laid on it!
I sooooo love her pictures…such an sweet, sweet face. Well, yeah, in that one you can tell she hates the camera.
Nothing’s realh “lost” on this journey (well…okay…except for a leg!)….. things are merely replaced. Shorter walks, bjt more time to “stop and smell the roses”. You’ll be surprksed when she does start tossing her toy around. It will happen.
So glad all is well in the Land of Shelby! Three weeks ago versus now…..HUGE DIFFERENCE……HUGE!!! You realy hit on so ething when you said you “question the new normal” and she picks up on it. The energy probably is unsettling and makes her anxious and clngy. Maybe that “energy” makes her feel like you’re upset with her or disappointed. Clearly you’re not, but the energy” could be sending that message.
You two have come soooooooo far! GREAT JOB! Standing ovation to the SHELBYSTRO G TEAM:-) 🙂
Hugs and love!
Sally and Happy Hannah
Aww..shelby..keep on keeping on sweet girl! . Sounds like shelby is getting along well 🙂 you take care of you too. ..i remember my own grief emotions about losing our normal life, seeing healthy dogs broke my heart too. Like every one has said, shelby lives in the today, lucky girl, and doesn’t get tied up in all those poor me human emotions… Lucky girl 😉 as time goes on. .. You start to learn from them how to do those things. The tomorrow isn’t as important as today anymore. . All the things she used to do take second fiddle to all the baby steps and good moments she has today. But like with anything, it’s a process. .. For me it was easier said yam done. But I eventually got there. Hang in there 🙂 keep snuggling shelby as much as you both can handle lol 🙂
Hugs to you both,
Lori and Angel St chuck
I know what you mean about trying not to mourn the past and all of those activities that are so limited; it’s really hard not to miss them. But you are learning so well that it’s not about yesterday, it’s about Now, and that’s the best way of all to live. Humans just need a lot of reminding about that, which is why dogs are such an incredible gift.
As for her struggling to get up and down on 3 legs, there are lots of fun activities you can do together now that she’s healed up. Games that will help keep her mind sharp and her body strong are listed throughout our Gear blog, do hop on by to check them out.