Hello, my name is Keira and I’m in the seventh grade. Today my dog Ginger came home from a right hind leg amputation. She’s a very active and outdoors dog and she hates being stationary. We carried her outside to go to the bathroom and she was ecstatic, she kept trying to run around but we kept her at a walk. We went a few yards and she went to the bathroom then started to get tired. She’s constantly whining to go back outside now. She’s been through a lot in her life, stomach surgery and teeth fillings and other things like that, but the amputation is her biggest setback and she’s extremely frustrated. We’ve tried giving her some food but she ignored it, she accepted treats after the bathroom break however (of course 😉). She hasn’t been drinking much but did lap a little from hands (she can’t use her bowl right now).
Before surgery
After surgery (stitches healing under pillowcase covering bottom half)
We’re currently in the middle of a home renovation and cramped in our living room/bedroom/kitchen/bathroom/storage space, so this won’t make recovering any easy for Gingy. She’s also alone most of the day. Me and my big and little brother are at school all day (duh), my mom’s a teacher and my dad’s an ER doctor. Ginger is SO loyal and treats our every return to the house like it’s her first time meeting us. I’m very worried she’ll have a doggy meltdown or try to walk when she’s alone in so much pain. She doesn’t respond to and refuses to look at our faces and voices on videos or FaceTime, and scents don’t comfort her much. My dad will sometimes be home, but his schedule is crazy and unpredictable as an ER doctor. Any suggestions for her home alone time? Please say!
Keira
P.S. I am a middle schooler and might not check this/answer/give updates right away, sorry and please try to stay patient with me!
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Hi Keira, welcome to the community. We are sorry about Ginger’s amputation, it’s quite upsetting to go through isn’t it? But you know what? She will handle it so much better than you ever imagine! Try to remember that right now she is really feeling the effects of pain medication. It’s her time to rest and recuperate so she can get back to being herself again. That will take some time but I promise it won’t last forever. Most dogs are back and around within a few weeks. She will get there, I can see it in her eyes!
Ginger is very lucky to have you, and your family looking out for her. Just try to keep her calm and in a small section of your home so she doesn’t try to do too much, too soon right now. She will definitely try but you want her to rest. The pain meds will help with that.
Also if you have slippery floors, be sure to have your folks get some no-slip rugs so that she has a good grip and gets confident walking on three legs. That will do a lot of good for her.
Last bit of advice for now: Stay Pawsitive! Try not to be sad, at least in front of her. Ginger wants you to be strong and upbeat, and if you are, she will also be the same way. Dogs reflect how we are feeling, so you want her to know that you understand this is only temporary and she’ll get back to more good times soon.
Please let us know how she is doing OK? We are so happy you decided to share and thank you for starting the blog. You are already helping others by sharing her journey here.
Keep in touch!
Thank you so much for your words! I did cry when I found out, but we’re all giving Ginger as much love and positivity as we can!