Chasing Charley

And by “I”, I mean Becky.  Charley’s mom.

Charley had 100 mg Tramadol at 7 a.m.  It’s just past 11 a.m. and he’s whimpering/whining with every breath.  He’s not due for another dose for at least 4 hours!  He wags his tail when I pet him.  Stops whining when I talk to him.  But otherwise it’s (breathe in), huuuuuuuuuuuhhhh, (breathe in), huuuuuuuuhhhh.

He seems interested in food, as long as it’s nothing related to dog food.  I made him 2 eggs this morning and he’ll gladly accept cheese and hot dogs.  That causes a break in the whining.  But as soon as he’s licked the plate clean, he’s back to whimpering.

I know the vet doesn’t want to totally zonk him out with pain meds, but I hate to hear him in pain.  Or maybe he’s depressed.  Did you know that I obsessively worry about my human kids like this sometimes?!?  I’m such a softie.  I wish there was something I could do for him to make him more comfortable and/or happier.

Every day gets a little better, right?  Little by little.  And in 2-3 weeks, I’ll see a big improvement in his abilities and comfort level.  Right?  You all have been such a great source of encouragement….  I would literally be pulling my hair out by now if I hadn’t found you!

P.S.  Bear with me!  I haven’t figured out the “friends” thing yet & I hope to start commenting on your blogs (and forums?) one of these days soon.

Dr. Jim called at 5:30 p.m. tonight to tell me that he wanted to keep Charley just one more night.  He was expecting Charley to try to move around a little more during the day today & he wasn’t.  So we wait.

Bless his heart, Dr. Jim just called again (9:30 p.m.) to tell me more about Charley.  He just can’t figure out why he’s not trying to get up, especially since he had been basically managing for the past week or so on 3 legs.  Charley ate a little bit, but Dr. Jim said he has somewhat of a “defeatist attitude.”

Poor little pooch!  I’m going into the Animal Clinic at 8:30 a.m. after I drop the kids off at school to hopefully perk him up a bit!  I didn’t get a chance to visit today because I was wrapping things up at work & expecting to bring him home today.  So I’m overdue for some Charley kisses!

I just hope & pray that his pain is being managed well and that he’ll respond positively to me!  And hoping and praying that he’ll come home tomorrow!  I have no clue how I’m going to deal w/ this 3-legged dog, recovering from surgery….  But I think he’ll do better at home.