Monday, October 19, 2009

One Happy Doggy!

Okay. Let me take a deep breath and try to gather my thoughts.

In between taking Snowy to the vet in Smithfield on Friday morning, racing him to Raleigh for surgery on Friday afternoon, traveling to Manteo on Saturday morning (with worried phone calls to and from the vet surgeon en route), having dinner with some wonderful Manteo-ites on Saturday night, doing rehearsal and service Sunday morning (with another phone call to the vet tucked in there), eating lunch with missionaries to India after church, doing the 3-hour drive home to Smithfield Sunday night, unpacking when we got here, doing a little home school, running to the hospital to pick up Snowy this morning, cleaning the house in a hurry and then leaving the house an hour for the showing this afternoon, I'm not sure whether I'm coming or going.

What I am sure about, though, is that having Snowy snuggled beside me in my chair while I type is worth a whole pot of gold! The poor guy is wearing a cone thing over his head (to keep him from scratching or licking his sutures) but he's keeping a good attitude about it and seems to be able to take naps and rest in spite of it.

Here are a few pictures from the day.

The first hug
(You can't see them, but there were some happy "other customers" and hospital employees looking on.)



Snowy looks a little "mellow" because they still had him on some pretty strong pain meds.




On the way home, I felt just like I was holding a new baby. I had his blanket along and he fell right to sleep in my arms, just the way a newborn would. And the funny thing is that the cost was sort of similar. (Well, it's not really funny funny, but you know what I mean.)



Out exploring the yard; you can see how thin he's become.


The plan for right now is to keep him on pain meds and an antibiotic around the clock and on Friday take him back to the hospital to see if his sutures are ready to come out yet. If they are, his cone can be taken off. If not, we'll check back in with them early the following week.

I feel so bad for him having to wear the cone; it makes eating and drinking quite a challenge!
Sarah is his official water bowl holder.



He's also not supposed to run or jump or do anything to disturb those stitches; unfortunately (or maybe I should say happily), he's starting to feel so good that running and jumping is just what he wants to do! It's going to be an interesting few days as we try to keep him quiet and feed him around that "alien cone" he has to wear!

Let me close by saying once again how blessed we feel to have our little friend returned to us; when the doctor called us on the road Saturday and said he wasn't doing well, I went into the bathroom at the gas station we had stopped at and just sobbed. It was unthinkable to contemplate him never coming back home again and even with all the extra meds and precaustions we have to deal with this week, it will all be a labor of love.

Snowy says thanks to all of you for your concern and your prayers. He also says to tell you, "I am one happy doggy!"

Here are our three kids




And this week's star of the Smith family

11 Had Something To Say (Just click here!):

Lisa from GA said...

I am so happy to read that Snowy is on the mend. My heart just hurt for you all weekend. We have a Waggles and just thinging about losing him makes me tear up. I will keep praying for his recovery.

Anonymous said...

Woohoo!! I'm so glad you have your baby back! Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

hugs an blessings for an easy and fast recovery. And a prayer for financial blessings to cover it all as well.
Vicky

Michelle said...

So happy your sweet pup is home again ... right where he belongs. :o)

~Michelle

Anonymous said...

Becky I am crying happy tears with you. I am so happy that he is home with you. Of course Snowy is feeling better, he is home. Just an idea but I would think it would be safe to take the Elizabethan collar off while Snowy is eating and drinking. As long as someone is right there with him to make sure he doesn't bother the sutures.
Kathy

Shannon said...

So HAPPY to hear he is on the mend and back home. Don't you just love it when they tell you to keep them still...huh? We got our puppy and kitty "fixed" at the same time...now keep them still...yeah right.

Anyway, puppy kisses to Snowy for a speedy recovery!!

Ann said...

Ahhh,...Huge sighs of relief. So happy Snowy is on the mend.

You and the littlest Smithster will remain in my thoughts.

(And fingers crossed on a good house showing!!!)

Ann O.

Pam D said...

Hurray! Welcome home, Snowy. I'm so, so glad it turned out this way for you. Our kitty got sick while we were in Florida a couple of years ago, and I had to say goodbye to him over the phone. It was terrible. Bleech. As for Snowy's weight, do you have any NutriCal? That stuff is a miracle in a tube; I've used it for both dogs and cats when they were under the weather. It's loaded with calories and nutrients, and most pets love the taste. Gotta get some meat back on those bones! Oh, I'm so happy that Snowy is home!

Lyndsay said...

I'm so glad to see that your littlest child is back home again!

Sarah said...

I'm so happy Snowy is feeling better again! I'm so happy he is home where he will be thoroughly spoiled!

Anonymous said...

Satellite Dish Snowy! Glad he's doing better.

Anonymous said...

I am sooo happy that Snowy is back with his family! Like I said in an earlier entry, one of our chihuahuas gave us a scare in September. You would never know that he had emergency surgery! Give Snowy a huge hug for me!

Kristi near KCMO