Valley Dish Pet Pride

Being a 3-legged dog has is perks — like extra pets from strangers, naps on the couch, stuff like that. The best perk though is being interesting enough to be featured on a local tv show! Photog Chencho from Tram Mai's Valley Dish visited us at home and interview Dixie and me about her life as a tripawd. We went skateboarding and sniffing in the grass (Dixie did the sniffing). Poor Chencho had to jog to keep up with us! Should have told him to bring his running shoes…

Check out our Pet Pride here!

My Review of Guyot Designs Squishy Pet Bowl - 48 oz.

Originally submitted at REI

The ingenious Guyot Designs Squishy pet bowl mashes down into a thin, flexible layer in your pack and pops back into shape when you pull it out to offer your 4-legged friend a drink or meal.

Guyot Designs Squishy Pet Bowl - 48 oz.

Almost Perfect

By emmysue from Phoenix, AZ on 3/10/2010

4out of 5

Gift: No

Pros: Easy To Drink From, Attractive Design, Good Height, Easy to Clean, Stay Put, Tough, Good Depth

Best Uses: Active Dogs, Indoors, Outdoors

Describe Yourself: Long-time Pet Owner

My dog seems to favor this bowl over any fabric/drawstring bowl we've tried in the past. I like that it keeps it's shape no matter smashing it into a bag for a hike. The only thing I wish it had is a place to hook a carabiner on to hang in between water breaks. PS – Love the color (orange)!

(legalese)

My Review of Ruff Wear Grip Trex Boots

Originally submitted at REI

All-terrain, all-season and all fun, these Vibram®-soled boots let your best friend keep up no matter the adventure underway!

Ruff Wear Grip Trex Boots

Better than expected

By emmysue from Phoenix, AZ on 3/10/2010

4out of 5

Gift: No

Sizing: Feels true to size

Pros: Good Quality, Easy to Put On

Cons: Adjust often

Best Uses: Harsh Weather, Outdoors, Travel

Describe Yourself: Single Dog Owner

I got these for my dog for the hot summers in Phoenix. The first time she wore them, she chased a duck into a pond and lost one of them (think it got stuck in the mud). Since we got her replacements, she hasn't lost a single one. They have saved her paws when going on long rocky hikes and on the hot pavement in town. People think she looks ridiculous, but we don't have to deal with ripped or burned pads ever! They do need to be adjusted often — every water break I need to tighten them. We use the liners and I can't really tell if they help the fit, but I think they do reduce rubbing on her ankles.

(legalese)

My Review of Ruff Wear Palisades Dog Pack

Originally submitted at REI

Dogs love to carry their own weight—let them do it with confidence and comfort in this full-featured dog pack from Ruff Wear.

Ruff Wear Palisades Dog Pack

Excellent Harness & Pack!

By emmysue from Phoenix, AZ on 3/8/2010

5out of 5

Gift: No

Pros: Easy To Load, Large Capacity, Highly Adjustable, Comfortable

Best Uses: Extended Hikes, Day Hikes, Special Needs, Heavy Loads, Light Loads, School, Travel

Describe Yourself: Avid Adventurer

What Is Your Gear Style: Minimalist

We were recommended the Web Master Harness when our dog Dixie had amputation surgery on her front left leg. When I found the Palisades Dog Pack had detachable saddle bags on a Web Master Harness, I knew that was the product for us. Slowly but surely, we're working up weight in the saddle bags by filling the water bladders. Eventually we hope Dixie can once again carry her own water and food on a hike.

About the harness:
Dixie wears just the harness when out and about in town, or camping and hiking. The harness gives her overall support while navigating out in the world. We love the handle — it helps us get her in and out of taller cars and up and down rocks when hiking. It has withstood plenty of wear and washes in the washing machine.

About the saddle bags:
I LOVE LOVE LOVE that they detach from the harness. It makes giving her a rest a lot easier than taking the whole thing off her. I like that the bags have water bladders, although I wish the valves were more like flexible Camelbak valves. I like all the adjustment options and everything seems to be withstanding normal wear and tear.

Thank you Ruff Wear for making such a wonderful product!

(legalese)

Post-amputation healing #4

Six-weeks post amp

Dixie seems to be doin' just fine these days. She's still a little reluctant to go on neighborhood walks sometimes, but she loves going on car rides and getting out on the town. We get a lot of attention and looks while we're out. But mostly everyone says that Adam and I are very brave for making the decision we made. And of course, they think Dixie is adorable and a sweatheart!

Proof that dogs are AMAZING

I read before Dixie's surgery that it's easier for tripawds to walk at a faster than slower pace. Dixie walks so fast that it's hard to keep up! Either we're going to become super great race-walkers or be really good skateboarders. Well, we are already skateboarders, so never mind.

Post-amputation healing

7 days post-amp


5 days post-amp


4 days post-amp

It's amazing how quickly dogs heal. Dixie hasn't had any excessive fluid or a seroma develop. Her bruising is starting to go away. I really can't wait for her hair to grow back. I don't think we'll even notice a scar.

We are meeting a lot of new people lately because of Dixie's missing leg. We spoke to two different neighbors for the first time the other day while walking Dixie. Today everyone at Pet Food Depot wanted to know her story and give her treats. She's definitely getting a lot of attention!

Dixie showing off her mobility skills.

Adam's better at this video thing.

I think Dixie is feeling pretty good today. We took a walk down to the end of the block (4 houses down!) and back. She wanted to go further, but I didn't have a leash with me. Those bunnies – I just know she'll go after one if she sees one. Last thing I want to see is a major face plant!


Dixie's back!

Dixie's been laying on her left side where her leg used to be. I think that's a good sign. It is the most bruised today though. It's weird. The top part of the incision doesn't have bruising; all the bruising is on the bottom. I guess gravity is the cause. It's redish-purple. I think it will be gone by next week. I'm only giving her a Tramadol and Rimadyl in the AM and PM now. No point in giving her more drugs than she needs. She's also still taking her Cepha antibiotic and will finish that whole bottle in a couple weeks.

Dixie's incision.

I ordered some medicines from 1-800-PetMeds yesterday. No shipping, no tax and $5 coupon code! Sweet. I ordered a big bottle of Super Joint Enhancer Chewable Tablets and Super VitaChews (both on sale!). As soon as they show up, Dixie will start taking those too. They are chewable—no more shoving my finger down her throat! Except for her fish oil pills, but wrap it up with a little lunch meat or bread, and it goes down like… like lunch meat or bread. Ha.

We are hoping to get back into our house today. Although it's not off to a very good start—the A/C guy forgot to set his alarm and was 2 hours late this morning… *sigh*

What a surprise!

I can't stop with the !!! We are ecstatic about how well Dixie is doing today. When we got to the hospital, they let us visit with her. I couldn't believe my eyes. She was standing in her kennel! When we opened the door, she tried to escape. She's like, "Let's bounce!" She was still vocalizing a lot, but probably just because she was happy to see us. The doctor show us how she can walk and go potty. It's really amazing.

The vet is pretty convinced that all her vocalizing and crying was due to dysphoria from the morphin-type of drugs she had been getting intravenously. Dysphoria is an extreme mood change such due to trauma that can bring on sadness, anxiety, depression, irritability or restlessness. The vet believes she doesn't react well with such intense drugs and she was totally confused and freaked out. They don't believe her crying necessarily had to do with pain. She was basically have a really bad trip.

Then we took her from the ER to our vet, with a little McDonald's on the way. She liked that. I did too. They removed the bandage and say it's all healing nicely. There is minimal bruising. They gave her a shot of Rimadyl before we left and ordered us back on Friday to check her drain, or remove it. (On a side note, the doctor at the hospital and our regular vet went to veterinary school together in Fort Collins, CO. That was pretty cool.)

Right now she's passed out in an old Land Rover shirt of Adam's. She can get in and out of the car, walk, pee, lay down. It's amazing. Outside she saw a lizard and tried to take off to chase it, but she was on the leash. In time, I'm sure she'll be after bunnies and lizards like before.

Today has brought on a huge sigh of relief. Dixie is such a strong-willed dog. She's going to kick butt as a tripawd! I'm so happy to share this experience with everyone. We love you all, and Dixie loves you too. Come by this weekend and visit with us!

PS: Our stupid A/C still isn't working! It's 88 in here right now. We have all the fans going at full speed. Adam broke down and called the repair guy. We hope it isn't too pricey. We've spent a lot of $$$ in the past 24 hours!

Dixie is walking!

Holy cow. Just watch the video.