September 9, 2008

Decisions

My best friend Stretch has hurt himself really bad, and I don’t know how.

He is a jumper, and now his back legs don’t work very well. Basically…he’s fucked up pretty good. No pain…he just can’t walk very well. I am sad.

My woman is in worse shape than me, if that is possible. The DVM’s we use are the best, and they absolutely love him; if I have to board him when I travel…more often than not, one of them will take him home for the night. He has got it made. He is one with the ladies…for certain. Hell, they even have a picture of him on the wall in their practice.

During his examination / procedure yesterday, I point blank told them I would shoot him before I would let him suffer. This did not go over very well. Not well at all.

Let me back up a tad: They said I need to keep him in a cage for 6 weeks…not gonna happen…and now they know that…so we met in the middle.

I, fortunately, put bread on the table by working virtual…which means I can keep an eye on things…so to say. I can and will limit his rambunctious behavior…if that is possible…so he will become my lap dog for the next six weeks. I will do whatever is necessary for him. Whatever that might be. And then we’ll see. I will not let him suffer.

He has a Inter Vertebral Disk problem (pinched nerve, in this case) that occurs when the disks along the spinal column, which act like shock absorbers, become inflamed or are traumatized. It puts pressure on the nerves exiting the spinal cord, and in his case…his back legs aren’t working very well…but he thinks everything is fine. He is in no pain.

The Vet’s believe he will be fine. They tell me this is not uncommon with Dachshunds. I’m not sure I believe them

This is going to be more difficult than I thought. Keeping this little rascal confined will require some engineering. He loves his couch in the living room…so I’m gonna fence it in…make it so he can’t jump / fly off it. It is, after all, his space.

Think good thoughts about my boy Stretch.

This is some BadBad Juju.

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17 Comments

  1. Posted September 9, 2008 at 12:01 pm | Permalink

    Yeah, I’ve heard you have to be careful with Dachshunds’ backs because they’re so long and take on so much stress. Good luck with keeping him from flying around – they’re a busy breed, too. I’m hoping for the best for him.

  2. Posted September 9, 2008 at 12:22 pm | Permalink

    Oh man – I am so sorry… Hope Stretch heals up fast and well!

  3. Posted September 9, 2008 at 12:24 pm | Permalink

    Damn! I hate like hell that the Stretchmeister is awry. I have known some Dachshunds, and a few had that bad back thing. Keep him still and comfortable, let the back get un-inflamed.
    Good thoughts and well wishes on their way.
    Walrilla

  4. james old guy
    Posted September 9, 2008 at 12:54 pm | Permalink

    Google Dog on Wheels, my corgi can’t walk anymore, bad back, hips etc. He is getting on in years and the operation was a 50/50 chance, so I went with the dog on wheels option. He love it.

  5. Posted September 9, 2008 at 2:22 pm | Permalink

    Prayers sent up for your puppy pal. I know how crazy you are about him. Hugs to the missus and you!

  6. Posted September 9, 2008 at 2:30 pm | Permalink

    ::thinking good thoughts::
    Wishing you and your boy Stretch all the best.

  7. Posted September 9, 2008 at 5:54 pm | Permalink

    I love the idea of stretch with the dog on wheels thing!
    The puppy-girls and I send our best to you and the missus, and especially stretch.

  8. Posted September 9, 2008 at 7:53 pm | Permalink

    Aw, damn and hell. Stretch is such an awesome dog.
    Do the vets not offer any anti-inflams or hope? Pepper Dog responded incredibly to the anti-inflams. She’s been better ever since. Sending good thoughts Stretch’s way.

  9. Posted September 9, 2008 at 10:34 pm | Permalink

    Damn, that’s a bitch. I’m hoping for a full and speedy recovery.

  10. Posted September 9, 2008 at 10:47 pm | Permalink

    Give poor Stretch a pat on the head from me. Hope he’s back at 100% soon.

  11. Posted September 10, 2008 at 1:18 pm | Permalink

    I’m right there with ya on not letting a dog suffer, altho I think it would be a pretty difficult to put down your best friend. Thinking good thoughts for Stretch!

  12. Posted September 10, 2008 at 6:54 pm | Permalink

    Aww, poor Stretch. Give him a hug from me.

  13. Posted September 11, 2008 at 6:57 am | Permalink

    It is tough to have to put down a friend. Here is hoping for the best.

  14. Posted September 11, 2008 at 12:36 pm | Permalink

    Here’s to ya, Stretch. I hope he gets better real soon.

  15. Posted September 11, 2008 at 11:21 pm | Permalink

    Man that sucks. Get well little doggie

  16. Posted September 12, 2008 at 7:32 am | Permalink

    That totally blows. Here’s to Stretch. Hell, here’s to all three of you.

  17. Posted September 19, 2008 at 6:15 am | Permalink

    … glad to hear that he is getting better!…