Model patient

Guess who aced their post-op vets trip? Bert happily dragged me across the car pak and was most perturbed that he wasn’t instantly greeted with cuddles and treats. Have you tried to explain to a 10 month old puppy that he has to be patient cause there’s a queue?!

He made everyone laugh with his enthusiasm. That and the way he crashed about with the cone of shame on (it was far too hot for the baby gro).

He made the vet nurse laugh too when he bounded into the consulting room. Her first words ‘well he’s fine then…’. He really is. He’s back to his normal Bertness. Bouncing around. Wanting to play. I’m not sure he’s really realised what’s happened.

All a huge relief for me. She gave him a quick check over and said he’s very fit and well.

Sadly his duck toy isn’t a case for surgery. Definitely gone too far. He’s definitely in the toy destroying phase. The Dark Destroyer is alive and well. And has now moved on to toys.

Holy stone

Someone is feeling much better!! Bert decided that my garden needed a bit of landscaping today. This is the sight that greeted me when I took a break from the laptop.

He has a new game that he likes to play while I’m working. He brings me a stone. It’s great for training his ‘drop’. Which is much improved. At least he’s not swallowing them!

Not sure what he was digging for, but he was rather pleased with himself. He was also covered in mud. He does make me laugh.

He’s off to the vets tomorrow for his post-op check up. Hoping we can start increasing his exercise again. It seems he’s as inpatient a patient as I am!

Cone of shame

It’s been quite the day for Bert. He’s had his little boy operation, got lots of cuddles and now has to wear the cone of shame. The latter isn’t going well…

He’s taken my legs out several times, he’s bounced off the furniture and couldn’t work out how to get his food. Think he’s only just forgiven me for no breakfast! I got PROPER Spaniel eyes and threats of the RSPCA.

The vets said to keep him calm and limit his exercise. Ummm he’s a 10 month old Sprocker?! He’s had a sleep in his crate. Then came out for some food. At which point, he went to his toy basket and grabbed a ball. Nope, sorry Bert, it’s not happening.

So he’s back in the crate, dragging the cone across the bars like some 50s jailhouse film. It’s going to be a long evening. Thankfully, I’ve been offered a bodysuit for him, so I’ll go and get that tomorrow.

Now my next challenge is to keep him calm for the next few days. Wish me luck!!

My new mattress was delivered this morning. At first glance it looked like a dead body. 20 mins of huffing and puffing to unwrap it and get it on the frame. Why do I think I can do these things on my own?!

As if that wasn’t enough exercise for one day, I took Buddy for a jumping lesson.

Let’s hope we all sleep well tonight…

Cocker

Bert is a sprocker. So has working cocker in his breeding. But today he added a different type of cocker to his repertoire. He cocked his leg for the first time today on our walk this morning.

This afternoon, we popped into the vets today for his wormer and flea treatment. He now weighs in at 11.7kg. He got lots of cuddles and fuss there too. He really goes love going to the vets.

On the way back, I took him to the Brundall Countryside Park so he could have a runabout. It was his first time there. I have no doubt that it won’t be his last…

Poster boy

Bert is fast becoming a huge hit at Black Barn Farm. He was there twice on Friday and we were back again today. When we arrived, they brought out a water bowl and treats for him. The owner came to say hello. As did a few of the stall holders. And most of the staff.

They all said they’d seen him on Friday and wanted to say how handsome he is. And how well behaved he is. The lady who runs the Quirky Art stall asked if she could take photos of him before we left. She wanted to draw him and add him to her card collection. What an honour!

When we left there, we popped into the vets to get him weighted and pick up his wormer. He practically dragged me in! We saw the vet nurse who got to know him when he was attending the Puppy Pre-School. She definitely has a soft spot for him. She asked if she could borrow him and took him round to meet all the other staff.

I said he needed to be the poster boy for their Pre-School. Bert loves going to the vets, out for coffee and lunch. He such a social butterfly.

Star chart

If Bert had a star chart, he would have added a lot to it today. Not only did he ace his lorry dog training, he also completed his Puppy Pre-School. What a clever boy.

I had to take a horse to the vets in Newmarket (not Buddy). Bert came along for the outing as we didn’t know how long it would take. He sat on my friend’s lap, watching the road go by, before crashing out on her.

He waited in the lorry while the investigations took place. He went for a nice walk round the grounds. And even sat patiently in the waiting room. Before sleeping most of the way home. He was a very good boy indeed.

Then tonight, he went to his final Puppy Pre-School session. It’s making the difference in from the first session to now. Though he was still running about like Superman with a hi viz cape on. Not quite the exercise. That was to desensitise him to having stuff on. Not sure he even noticed he was wearing it!

I had a chat with one of the ‘new puppy parents’. They took a lot of comfort from hearing Bert’s progression through the weeks. They’re in the ‘we seem to have gotten a piranha that never sleeps’ stage.

Bert starts Puppy School proper on Saturday. He’s got such a good brain on him… well when he’s not distracted or over stimulated. He’s such a darling, he really is.

Double decker

Bert had his second jab today. He was a little confused about being back at the vets with no activities after last night’s Puppy Pre-School. He was very happy when he got to choose a new toy afterwards though. In fact, he got 3 new toys and an antler to chew. It appears I am that dog-owner.

His second jab knocked him for six so he’s spent a lot of today asleep. I took advantage of the calm to get lots done.

Dodo took advantage of the top deck! I’d put the radiator bed up there as I couldn’t open the crate door. There was lots of purring and snoring going on.

Of course, Bert was fully refreshed this evening, tearing round the living room. He loves his antler and has been chomping away on it. Now he’s had his vaccinations, he’ll soon be able to explore more and have some puppy play dates. Exciting times ahead!

Rescan

Today was a very big milestone in Buddy’s rehab. We headed back to the vets for his 8 week scan of his injured ligament. He was most perturbed at not going out to his field, but having to get on the lorry. Soon all was forgotten when he was given haylage by the vet nurse while he waited for the vet.

Soon he was off to be sedated for the scan. I sat like a nervous parent waiting for news. After what seemed like an age, the vet appeared with a big smile!

It’s REALLY good news. His injury is healing well. Still a long way to go before we’re back to ‘normal’. Definitely heading in the right direction though.

We can slowly increase amount of trot. And in 6 weeks time, test the canter (cause he definitely hasn’t been cantering in his field!!).

Buddy is going to have to channel his pole dancer as we can soon include those in his rehab. Buddy tends to view them (and small jumps) as a trip hazard. So that’s going to be fun! Who knows, he might get the hang of them after a few weeks…

We have to go back in another 8 weeks for another check up. Everything crossed that he gets another smile then.

I shed happy tears on the way back. I’ve been following the plan set out for us. I’ve been patient and taking it slowly. Seems I’m pretty good at rehabbing a horse as well as myself. He’s worth taking the time to get him right.

Good

I saw this and it kind of sums up my week, not just my day. I’ve done lots of things this week that have made someone’s day just a little bit better.

It’s amazing how simple things can make a big difference. I helped a friend move. I took another friend’s horse to the vets. I went with her to collect said horse. I made people feel seen and heard at the chiropractors. I listened to people in my life who needs to vent. I’ve been there for others.

It’s been a good week. I will sleep well tonight.

V-Day

Today has been V-Day for Buddy. After nearly 5 weeks, he’s still not right. So I took him to a lameness locator clinic being held by my Vets. I was fascinated by the process (mixed with mild panic, heart-racing anxiety and a sick feeling most of the time).

Let’s start with the good news. Buddy has sustained an injury that he will recover from. We will still be able to do the things we were doing. He’s going to need some further treatment, fancy shoes and a lot of rehabilitation.

Now the bad news. It could take 6-8 months for him to recover fully. Now we all know that patience isn’t my strong point. Looks like I going to have to embrace a slower pace with my little boy for the coming months.

Buddy was a model patient. He took it all in his stride. Given he’s had nearly 3 weeks off work, I wasn’t sure what to expect when they lunged him. He was as good as gold. Even in the torrential rain.

When the three sensors he was wearing showed low grade lameness in all 4 legs, my sick feeling turned into nearly vomiting in the corner. More data was needed. So more trotting for Buddy.

We knew his off fore was the issue. The data confirmed this. After 3 nerve blocks, his lameness was improved by 72%! And the hind leg lameness was all but gone.

X-rays were clear. So scans next. They showed an injury to one of his ligaments. It looks like an old injury that had been aggravated. But it was healing so the time out was helping.

It was a very long day. Quite the emotional rollercoaster too. I’m so relieved as I had 101 possible outcomes running through my head.

Basically, Buddy has twisted his ankle and needs time to recover fully before we can get going again.

He has a few more people in his fan club, loved the snacks and got a free Willy wash while he was sedated.

The road to recovery starts tomorrow. Tonight I’m shattered…