Oh my, I am one happy mama. I prepared for the worst only to be shocked by Mac’s incredible disposition and current state. I have to tell you, the worst part about last night were my terrible allergies. Even when we picked him up, he looked 10x better than he did when we visited him the night before! I’m sure it had something to do with him being switched from injectable pain meds to oral meds. He emerged wagging his tail and super happy to see us. He was even a little better on his feet. We got him into the car and drove off to Connor’s parents house.
I should briefly mention that Mac LOVES toys. I mean, just loves them. He has about 20+ because giving him toys is the most fun thing. He gets so excited and then parades his new toy around the house for days to come. So naturally, we got him a ‘recovery’ toy.
When we got to the house and got Mac inside, he grabbed his new toy and LEAPED onto the couch!!!! We were SHOCKED!!! I also felt bad since he probably shouldn’t have done that, but he was being so cute. I sat next to him and he held his toy in his mouth with his head on my knee. I literally almost cried from happiness!
Connor’s parents have two LARGE newfies, Daisy and Tug, and they were both so worried about Mac and kept wanting to come check on him. Tug was crying and crying trying to see why Mac was injured! Daisy stayed by the doggie gate until we went to the pool house.
(Sorry, I was so excited I took a lot of pictures last night…)
I would say the biggest problem we had was Mac trying to aggressively rip his stitches out by trying to scratch them with his back leg. Also, trying to lick his wound. We put on that inflatable cone, which, by the way, was a great idea (thanks, Andrea!) and also put Mac in a t-shirt and put a dress sock on his back foot. That seemed to do the trick for the night.
Oh, and the greatest part of the night………………
HE POOPED!!!!!! I have never been so happy about my dog pooping before, but on our way to the pool house, he took his first 3-legged poop. Just like that. It was the cherry on top of this, what I consider, an extremely successful first night.
He still, of course, has a ways to go with learning how to walk without that kind of ‘harumph’ kind of walk (I’m sure you can visualize what I mean!!). We used his harness to help him down the 2 steps to get from the living room to the backyard, and he took it like a pro. I even feel like his stitches look better this morning.
He is, however, EXTREMELY bruised allllll the way down his belly to his manly parts – I imagine that is normal? Do you think it’s ok to let him get up on the couch if he is able to? I don’t want him to hurt himself…
Anyway, I couldn’t wait to show you pictures from his first night and update you on his insane progress. Connor and I are just…beside ourselves. He might be 11 but this old man is incredible!
I seriously wouldn’t have been able to do this without all of you…your support has meant the world to me! And to Mac!
Love,
Jamie and Mac
I’m so happy for you all! Glad the homecoming went well, that can be stressful. Nitro had a huge purple bruise “down there” too; it went away after awhile. We threw a futon mattress on the floor and hung out with him there and saved the couch for a later time. But go with your instincts with Mac, just don’t let him do too much too soon; he needs time to heal. Good luck and keep up the updates…he really is adorable!
Paula and Nitro
Thank you thank you! That is one problem we’re having, he wants to do too much. I’m trying to encourage him to lay down but he keeps getting up and walking around. He loves to be on the couch and on the bed, so we have to be vigilant because if we turn away for a moment, he might jump up!
I’m worried he will make his front leg sore from doing too much…
HAPPY DANCE GOING IN OVER HERE, MIXED WITH A FEW HAPPY TEARS!!!
AND HAPPY POOP DANCE TOO!
CONGRATULATIONS ON A WONDERFUL HOMECOMING!!!
You post all the pictures you want! We love them! And he looks so happy coming home in the car! And talk about adorable with his new toy and the pics of his smoochable face..OMD!!! So cute!
My Happy Hannah had a lot of colorful bruising too and developed a bit ole pocket of fluid (seroma) also.
Mr Mac McKinley does need to just rest and do his “bidness” for now. I’m kind of a softie when it comes to things like jumping up in the sofa, especially when it is good for their need to do normal things that mean so much to them. He’s a big boy so it’s probably not much of an effort for him. Needless to say, you want him to refrain from anythingnthat could pull a stitch open.
One mom nere, Bruno Bruiser’s mom, cut the legs off their loveseat so he could jump on the sofa with ease!
Sounds like you have him fixed up pretty darn good as far as keeping him from scratching…good job!
Thanks for the great update! And give hugs to Tug and Daisy for us too! Love Newfies!!
.ade my day!!
Hugs to everybody!!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too y
Thank you Sally! Keeping Mac off the couch and bed will be the biggest challenge right now. He is normally the one taking up the whole couch while our friends have to pull up chairs. Its hard to deny him since he is so cute…
I also can’t wait for him to figure out walking a little better, though we are already impressed! How long did it take before you saw your Happy Hannah improve significantly in her walk? I just worry about him injuring his only other front leg with all the extra stress on it!
Also, I’m sorry, this has to be said. Is it normal for Mac to be letting out the loudest, stinkiest farts that ever graced this planet? I’m serious, he could clear out a room!
Way to go! He looks great!!! The first 24 – 48 hours were perfect for us too and I was so surprised! Shelby layed on her amp site the day after!!!
I would advise against jumping on the couch (or any jumping). I know it’s hard and they feel like they can conquer the world but rest means rest.
We had that cone too and Shelby was a rear amp. I had to put boxers on her though since she found a way to get her mouth on that amp site! Silly girl.
We had a TON of bruising too and if Mac can tolerate it, maybe ice pack w/a towel over it for about 5 -10 minutes? No more than that. We did that a couple times a day. Also take photos daily of his incision site so you can see the improvement (or not so then you can call them).
Happy homecoming!!! He looks great!
Alison with Spirit Shelby and Little Jasper Lily
Congrats on a wonderful homecoming!! 😀
Kat & Mia
We love all the pictures, he looks so happy to be home with his family. The first couple of poops seem to be the hardest, and is definitely worth celebrating! It took Skittles a few times to get comfortable on 3 legs, but she is as regular as ever now and even gets up and out with very little assistance.
Mac needs to chill for a little bit longer to recuperate, keep giving him lovin’ and spoil him rotten. We are so glad he is recovering well and wish him the best.
Xoxo, Skittles and his Dad
Woohoo! So hoppy for you and Mac! He is rockin’ this three-legged thing 🙂 Excellent work on his part and yours!
xoxo,
Codie Rae and the OP