Shelby continues to recover pretty well. She’s alert, most of the time, happy to see me, eager to go out or get cuddles/snuggles. She will cuddle with me on the couch if I pick her up. She doesn’t seem eager or able to jump up on her own – even though I have been told with her stitches out, she can do so on her own now.
However, since about day 3 of her recovery, she has taken up residence in my tiny bathroom. At first I thought she was using it as a ‘safe zone’ or ‘den’, the fact that she goes in there ALL the time now – day or night – is just disturbing to me. I don’t know why it bothers me so much other than it’s not the normal for her. She will come out now, if I call her, which is a huge improvement (in the beginning, I had to drag her ass out of there). She is perfectly fine with me being in there with her when I’m getting ready or taking a shower.
Last night I decided to wash the linens in there, including her bath mat. You would think I took away her best friend. She was seriously lost and despondent without that bath mat in there. She just walked back and forth – looking for the mat, seeing if it had magically appeared. When it came back, she was so happy.
Sometimes she faces me in the bathroom but most of the time, she faces booty side out, like she is shunning me. I have heard this is normal and eventually she will come out for good. But I miss her sleeping near me in my bedroom, hearing her snore, knowing that she was/is there.
This has been the longest recovery from a surgery that she’s had (she’s had 3 in just 7 months) but since I can get her to cuddle, I know she isn’t in pain or upset or sad. Perhaps that mat just feels the most soft on her belly. But she is a fighter! #shelbystrong
okay, okay……you know I have a little giggle when you tell your “bathroom woes”:-) 🙂 And I know it’s not funny….okay…come on…..you have to admit it’s just a little teeny weeny funny because it vothers you so…and Shelbystrong is loving her new den!!
When I read your post last night (sorry, computer freezing up..couldn’t respond), I wanted to come over and get that bath mat out of the dryer and put it down for her! That saaaaaad face…..walking in and out of the bathroom looking for it…..breaking my heart over here!!
Hmmmmm…wonder what would happen if you put the bath mat on your bed? Seriously! It’s worth a try!
As far as jumping up and down off the bed, many, man amputees dn’t do that anymore. Yes, some do, but many don’t…especialy thirteen year “young” seniors!! And many vets don’t even want them to even if they can, just to protect their joints. Age, as well as everything else, could be slowing her down just a bit. She’s a REALLY, smart girl and she’s very tuned nto what works for her right now.
I still bow down in amazement and what you two have been through! This is still so very, very early in recovery and I’m sure she’s still very protective of her “sweet little recovering self”. So glad to hear she’s enjoying herself and gettng her sparkle back.
The two of you are a special team and I’m really glad you have each other. Whole lotta’ love in that household!!
Now, just “let go” of that bathroom thing or else we’ll have to send someone to a “twelve-step bathroom anonymous” program!! No silly!! Not Shelby…..YOU! 🙂 🙂
Sending you lots of love and hugs!
Sally and Happy Hannah
You know the more I think about it the more I wonder if this is a result of her just feeling exhausted from all the surgeries she’s had? I mean she’s been through so much, she is probably really just wiped out and needs more time to get back to some sense of normalcy, which she will, promise!