[AKcrab]

Sam got hit by a car two and a half weeks ago, shattering his right front leg in numerous locations. The vet stabilized him, and tried to contact his owners with their options, but they had given a false phone number. The vet waited two weeks with no word from the owners, and decided to called us practically begging us to take him. We agreed, as long as we didn't have to pay for surgery to fix his leg. Unfortunately, the break was so bad that amputation was the only option, hence their interest in our adopting him. They knew we had just lost Blaze, and were experienced with tripod dogs.

On Saturday he had his surgery, and we picked him up from the vet yesterday. (Coincidentally, exactly one month since Blaze left.)

Sam is about 100lbs, 1/2 Mastiff and 1/2 St. Bernard. He's just the sweetest boy, and even the cats are unperturbed by his presence.

We didn't really expect to get another dog, especially so soon, but sometimes life throws you a curve. Heck, 4, 5, what's the difference?

[amsalpemkcus]

that sux!
do they make prosthetic legs for dogs?

[G4ME]

he looks in rough shape. I hope he comes around in the next few weeks.

[nredman]

thats great that you took Sam. you have tremendous heart. i have a buddy at work who just got a dog from a family friend...they hadn't taken the dog to the vet in a few years. so my buddy takes her in and everything checks out...but then he notices some bumps on her legs and stomach...he finds out she has cancer. kind of sucks since he got attached to her pretty quick. anyways sorry for the sad story...good luck with the dog.

[waxcrash]

Originally posted by AKcrab:
Sam is about 100lbs, 1/2 Mastiff and 1/2 St. Bernard.

That's one big dog! He looks awesome. His head is huge.

[Gator Lager]

Way to cool. Big dogs are to much fun.

[Gator Lager]

except taking them to the Vet.

[AKcrab]

It looks bad, but dogs recover from an amputation faster and better than you would believe! He'll be fine within a month.

nredman: What kind of cancer? Is surgery an option?

[velodev]

Man, I want to say you're a hero to that "little" guy. He's going through a real rough time (think about how confused he has to be) and now he will have a caring home. Seriously, that's a great thing to do.

We adopted two dogs from local shelters and one is the funniest comedian I know and the other, well... she's got some health issues and she gets more love than she knows what to do with...

You have a multiple dogs home, so I hope a) not to threadjack and b) get your opinion/advice. What do you use for food for your dogs?

We have used Euk, Nutro, Solid Gold, and now Innova. At this point, I am just looking for brands others have had success with - as with the current Innova, it seems like our guys are hungry ALL THE TIME. Just curious...

[zachs]

That's awful! Good for you for taking him in!

[Timo]

Buddy! I hope he becomes a happier pooch. Good work.

[jerry1]

Nice of you to adopt him, here's hoping that you & Sam a lot of good times ahead.

[fireside]

i have one question: how come its dark around the amputated area? is it blood or sweat or something?

besides that, its pretty cool of you to give the dog a home. those owners should be locked away for giving a false number.

[AKcrab]

Originally posted by velodev:
You have a multiple dogs home, so I hope a) not to threadjack and b) get your opinion/advice. What do you use for food for your dogs?

We have used Euk, Nutro, Solid Gold, and now Innova. At this point, I am just looking for brands others have had success with - as with the current Innova, it seems like our guys are hungry ALL THE TIME. Just curious...

The thread is about dogs, no derailing here.

Due to the number of dogs in our pack (5) we have shyd away from the "expensive" foods. Iams, Eukanuba, etc.

Our pups get Purina One - Lam and Rice Formula available at your standard grocery store. First ingredient: lamb, second ingredient: rice. No filler, no artificial color or flavor. It's also got Glucosomine, but we give them an additional supplement.

When we are lazy, we split one large can of purina soft food (the kind with nice chunks) amongst the five with their kibble, adding some hot water to make some gravy. We ususally prefer to make our own "stew".

We start with two or three chicken thighs that we boil for broth, add a shot of garlic powder and a bit of olive oil, sometimes some Italian seasoning... When the thighs are done, we take em out to cool, bring the broth back to a boil and add rice, assorted frozen veggies or green beans, and let it boil till the rice is done. While it's finishing we chunk up the chicken thighs and add the meat back in.

At dinner time, each bowl gets some of the stew, which we reheat in the microwave, usually adding additional water.



They also each get a salmon oil capsule and a vitamin E in their food, and once a day they each get a glucosimine/condroiton capsule delivered in a american cheese wrapper.

Don't even get me started on the supplements we gave Blaze when he had cancer!

I'm really just tickled pink at how cool Sam is, and how quickly he has slipped into our household. I think it was just meant to be.

[AKcrab]

Originally posted by fireside:
i have one question: how come its dark around the amputated area? is it blood or sweat or something?

Yep, he's got two drains in right now, one on each end of the suture. When they went in to do the procedure, they found additional damage in his shoulder, so they had to take a little more than expected. They put the drains in to make sure that large pockets of fluid don't build up. The drains (also called shunts) come out on thursday if everything looks good. The leakage should decrease after that.

The fluid that comes out is basically clear, maybe slightly tinged pink.

Don't get me wrong, amputation is a freaky thing to see, but the recovery is an amazing thing to witness.

Thank you all for the kind words.

[Axo1ot1]

My old boss has a dog of roughly that size who is also an amputee. It really doesn't seem to affect his mood or mobility. His stamina is reduced a little bit, but he has no trouble moving around and is lively as ever. Remarkably adaptable

[Rev-O]

Originally posted by Gator Lager:
Way to cool. Big dogs are to much fun.

Except when it comes to sh!t detail! I have a 140# Great Pyr...

Congrats on the pooch! I've always respected people who adopt "used" pets. Good luck!

[boardsurfer]

I love his coloring. Way to take him into your home! Good luck.

[Gator Lager]

Originally posted by Rev-O:
Except when it comes to sh!t detail! I have a 140# Great Pyr...

Congrats on the pooch! I've always respected people who adopt "used" pets. Good luck!

ha forgot about the land mines. and yes AKcrab ya done good by adopting him.

[Spliffdaddy]

awe.

That's a nice looking doggie.

A hundred pounds ?

Doesn't that qualify as a farm animal?

Might be some tax-saving incentives if you create a "farm".

My father managed to have a "farm" for several decades. He didn't actually produce anything...that's too much work. Depreciation of farm-related assets is where the real money is at.

Your dog is definitely a farm animal. Hell, we depreciated a pair of Irish Setters that barely tipped the scales at 60 pounds.

Oh, you'll need a pickup truck if you haven't got one already. You can't be a farmer without one.

[voyageur]

AKCrab, you are a good soul. Sam looks quite content at your place, despite his recent trauma. It always amazes me how adaptable and good-natured dogs are about adversity. It's one of the things I love about dogs.

[Zimphire]

What a nice dog. I've seen 3 legged dogs lead a perfectly happy life.

[theolein]

AKcrab, I'm really happy for you. It's wonderful for you and your wife and gathering from your postings, I think it'll be wonderful for the doggy too. I'm sure he will bring you two and you him a lot of happiness.

[C.J. Moof]

heh- you got another tripod dog. But why not? They get along just fine.

My dog broke her left rear leg just under 2 weeks ago on Thursday- probably by trying to climb a tree after a squirrel. We took her to the vet, and she was more fortunate- she got surgery and a plate screwed into her bone to keep the parts together, and she's home on Saturday, walking around like nothing happened, except for the huge bandage on her leg. You or I would be hobbling around for weeks, and I have to keep her from sprinting after the neighbor dog 48 hours after this happens.

Really rough part of all this is that stupid cone we have to keep on her to keep her away from her stitches once the bandage came off.... she managed to get the cone off once and rip half them out, so she *has* to have it. It's just an awful contraption, but I haven't found a better way.

[wdlove]

Sam looks like a real sweet dog. He is very fortunate that you adopted him. I think that getting another dog is good therapy.

[tooki]

Originally posted by C.J. Moof:
Really rough part of all this is that stupid cone we have to keep on her to keep her away from her stitches once the bandage came off.... she managed to get the cone off once and rip half them out, so she *has* to have it. It's just an awful contraption, but I haven't found a better way.

What about some bitter compound, e.g. something similar to "nail biter" or other Bitrex-based things... maybe they can put that around the wound so that licking it tastes foul to the dog...?

tooki

[tooki]

Originally posted by G4ME:
he looks in rough shape. I hope he comes around in the next few weeks.

I doubt a human would look chipper two weeks after getting hit by a car, either!!

tooki

[ironknee]

what a sweet dog...good for u for taking him in...

[Randman]

That's a really great thing you've done. I'm sure both of you will appreciate it for years to come. Glad to read some good doggie vibe posts, have to take my pooch to the vet tomorrow to check on some problems she's had recently (she's 12).

[C.J. Moof]

Originally posted by tooki:
What about some bitter compound, e.g. something similar to "nail biter" or other Bitrex-based things... maybe they can put that around the wound so that licking it tastes foul to the dog...?

tooki

It's a good idea, but I just don't trust it to work alone. I've already spent $2200 on the inital surgery, then another $130 on her first trip to the vet to get the bandage removed (she had to be sedated, as the gauze had stuck to the wound in a dried, icky mess), then another $150 to replace the stitches she removed. I just can't take the risk that she can tolerate the taste if she can get to the stitches again. I love my dog dearly, but this has been a rough financial hit in the last 2 weeks, with more to come. The stitches have to come out, and the emergency vet who put her back together wants to do a followup X-ray..... I dunno about that. What are they gonna do? Decide they don't like how it healed and re-break it to try again? I don't think so.....

[dcmacdaddy]

Originally posted by AKcrab:

I'm really just tickled pink at how cool Sam is, and how quickly he has slipped into our household. I think it was just meant to be.

Good karma is it's own reward. And for what you did for Blaze karma has sent another dog in need your way.

You realize Blaze is up there in doggie heaven looking down at you and your missus bragging to the other dogs about how awesome "his people" were. This just confirms that. Good on you.

[Disgruntled Head of C-3PO]

Poor little guy, take really good care of him.

[subego]

Originally posted by tooki:
What about some bitter compound

Bitter apple can work for just this problem. You can get it at the pet store.

[Sandbaggins]

Nice looking pup! Hope his recovery is swift.

[fireside]

Originally posted by C.J. Moof:
Really rough part of all this is that stupid cone we have to keep on her to keep her away from her stitches once the bandage came off.... she managed to get the cone off once and rip half them out, so she *has* to have it. It's just an awful contraption, but I haven't found a better way.

http://www.bonafido.com/page6.html

[AKcrab]

Originally posted by fireside:
http://www.bonafido.com/page6.html

Interesting. Never heard of it.

[C.J. Moof]

Originally posted by fireside:
http://www.bonafido.com/page6.html

Now I wish I'd brought this up 2 weeks ago when this all started. That does look like a much better solution, but by the time it showed up, we'd only get a couple of days use out of it. Definitely something to bookmark if the need ever arises again.

Thanks for the tip.

[demograph68]

It's ugly, but I give you credit for adopting it.

[shabbasuraj]

very nice...

You are a true dog lover.

[mac-kerouac]

AKcrab,

You are a saint! Sam is lucky to have you. My dog Kodi sends her best wishes for a speedy and healthy recovery!!!


Get well soon Sam. Woof!!!!

Kodi

[voyageur]

Originally posted by mac-kerouac:
AKcrab,

You are a saint! Sam is lucky to have you. My dog Kodi sends her best wishes for a speedy and healthy recovery!!!


Get well soon Sam. Woof!!!!

Kodi

Aww, Kodi's a doll! (But the Grinch's dog was named Max! )

[Cody Dawg]

Really awesome of you to take that nice beast in and give him a home.

You've earned some major good karma points in this world.



Now, are you going to need to start some sort of fund for donations to feed him?



We lost our dog about two months ago and got another one. Jack Russell Terror -- er, terrier. Cool dawg. He came from one of the #1 kennels in the U.S. and was given to us by the JRT rescue group because the people that bought him then treated him like shite because he was acting like a JRT puppy and chewed up their expen$ive furniture so they beat him up routinely and finally just gave him back to the kennel. Problem is, now he's been abused. We're trying to get him back to acting like normal, e.g., not cowering all of the time, pissing on the floor if he hears a loud noise, things like that.

Dogs are awesome -- good luck to you, man.

[AKcrab]

Originally posted by Cody Dawg:

Dogs are awesome -- good luck to you, man.

Sounds to me like you're the one who needs some luck!
I'm sure with patience and kindness you'll fix your pup right up. Dogs just want to please their human companions.

[voyageur]

Originally posted by Cody Dawg:
Jack Russell Terror -- er, terrier. Cool dawg. He came from one of the #1 kennels in the U.S. and was given to us by the JRT rescue group because the people that bought him then treated him like shite because he was acting like a JRT puppy and chewed up their expen$ive furniture so they beat him up routinely and finally just gave him back to the kennel. Problem is, now he's been abused. We're trying to get him back to acting like normal, e.g., not cowering all of the time, pissing on the floor if he hears a loud noise, things like that.

Poor thing! I love Jack Russell Terrors. They are one smart and spirited breed, and independent, like my dachshunds.
Good luck with him. I think with patience and a loving home (and maybe some outside training help, if you need it), he will come around. Let us know how he does.

[nforcer]

Pretty awful what happened to him, but I'm glad he recovered.

He should be a neat dog.

[ambush]

MORE PIX PLZ CRAB

HE'S TOO HOT...

PLZ A PIC OF HIM STANDING UP

[Cody Dawg]

Hey, AK, if you need some $ for dog food and have a Paypal account we could swing a few bucks your way.

Our dog story is nothing compared to yours. Ours is already starting to act more normal (poor bastard is only 6 months old and already f*cked up in the head from abuse -- people should give animals away if they can't keep from abusing or neglecting them) and I'm sure he'll be fine with a lot of love.

But, you, you've taken over a huge responsibility because it involves ongoing health care, not one that a lot of people would do, so if you ever want a few bucks for help for your dawg then let us know. I'd be happy to contribute.

[C.J. Moof]

Originally posted by Cody Dawg:
Our dog story is nothing compared to yours. Ours is already starting to act more normal (poor bastard is only 6 months old and already f*cked up in the head from abuse -- people should give animals away if they can't keep from abusing or neglecting them) and I'm sure he'll be fine with a lot of love.

Mine's a "pre-owned" dog also. We never saw any odd effects from the other folks that she'd lived with, except for the day I rolled up the newspaper in my hand and swatted at a fly that was in her general direction. She cowered and trembled to prepare to receive a beating- something she'd never come close to doing before. It was a sad sight for us, and an insight into something that had happened in her past.

I'm glad her previous familes (yes, plural) gave her up when they didn't know what to do with her.

[Ω]

I think a progress report is required......

[AKcrab]

Originally posted by _?_:
I think a progress report is required......

I would say progress is excellent!

You be the judge:

(faces cropped to protect the innocent.)

When someone comes that he knows (like when the other half comes back from the store) he "sings". It's the funniest thing.

wooooooo oooooooooooo ooooooooooooooooo woooooooooo woooooooooo oooooooooo!