See for yourself what my girl can do

How about that? A week later and she is looking really solid.

I am having issues keeping clothes on her and it is pretty cold here. AND, she just scratched the crap out of herself right in front of the amp boo-boo. Yeesh.

Regardless, she is getting stronger everyday and almost back to normal...but, new and improved normal.

This is a photo from the other day of her surgery site. (Taking pictures of her is tough) The lowest portion of the site, near her sternum is irriated. This and some spots around her belly site is what put us back on antibiotics. OTHERWISE, it is looking nice and fuzzy.

Everybody BOO-ROO

We have boo-roo! Yesterday afternoon our silly ritual of two foolish humans howling with their dog returned! A "boo-roo" involves not only a vocalization, but on Cheddar's part hopping backwards for emphasis! She did it and it was awesome!

On top of the boo-roo, we had another first and another awesome one at that! Prior to her surgery, upon returning home from work, Cheddar would run inside, find the nearest stuffed animal and instigate a came of catch/fetch even throwing her "baby" into the air and going airborne to catch it! Not only did she play, but she jumped up in the air and used her front foot to assist in the duckie catch! It brought tears to our eyes.

We have been watching some flaky spots on her groin and a weird speckled rash around her belly incision. Today she was also licking the lower portion of her amp site. She has some kind of skin irritation and maybe even staph. SO, back on the damn antibiotics for two weeks. Supposedly this is common, but we are both tired of the doc!

Inspiration at Three Weeks

Today marks 3 weeks since Cheddar joined a new very special group of 3 legged dogs. Just 2 weeks ago we were down and low as low can be, but today is a very different story.

Everyday we have lots of firsts. These mark little Ched behavoirs that mean she is getting back to her regular old self. At work she won't keep still, she is all over the place up and down and back again looking for treats from those who contribute to her habit. Yesterday, she caught one of her babies in the air for the first time in 3 weeks. Cheddar's Daddy is still holding out for a full-fledged boo-roo...so far we only have quiet woofs. I was cruel and tried to see if she would "shake" with her remaining front paw, but I did not push her...she looked at me like "are you crazy, woman?"

She does appear to have some light rash around her belly slice and a little edema at the bottom of her amp scar, but we have a call in to the doc to see what that non-sense is all about.

At first you might think this is silly, but listen to the words...it is Cheddar's new theme song compliments of D J Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince

www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW1-N717Ttc

No words...just watch her at 17 days

Special Olympics here we come!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MY 3-LEGGED DOGGIE JUST RAN!!!!

Cheddar saw my receptionist, Rebekah, go to her crack (a.k.a. snack) jar and from across the room. She ran! Not hopped. Not loped. SHE RAN!!! I lost it. I was laughing and crying at the same time.
I looked around and asked our sales guys, " Did you see that? Did you just see that?" They had. Thank god because I don't think they would have believed me, if I they hadn't see it for themselves.

I asked Rebekah to take a treat and go to the other side of the lobby...AND she did it again!

My 3-legged amazing little girl just ran only 17 days after having her beautiful little leg hacked off!!! Who needs 4 legs? They are extra baggage for dog's like mine.

Cupcakes & Good Riddence

Yesterday Cheddar said "See Ya" to her surgeons today! We had our final recheck and they gave her two thumbs up for being the most fantastic beastie ever! We took the nice folks cupcakes as a grateful "kiss off." Although they were good to us and have a nice facility, we are incredibly happy to never go there again.

Today is the first day without any meds. We have a bright-eyed girl on our hands. I have to be on top of putting a baby gate up at my office door to keep her contained. Just for a week or so longer, I would like to keep tabs on her and the flight of stairs just outside my door. When she was worn out at the end of the day, she stumbled going down them yesterday. For now, an extra eyeball on her to pick her up or cheer her on still makes sense. BUT, it is going to be a tough job because when she is up, she is raring to go and she GOES quickly.

Cheddar is really getting the hang of this new body. I had her in the back yard yesterday afternoon and she was cruising along and sniffing as she went. I will work on getting video of her in motion now. It is very different. Everyday she is covering more turf and doing it well. Her little tail is a powerful tool in balancing and the stance of her rear legs is more spread out to create a wider base. When she is sitting or squatting the position of her front leg varies. Sometimes it is planted in the middle, while others it is on it's normal side and she leans a bit. When laying down, she is all over the place. Actually, she lays down more than she sits now.

Something else that is new is really, really sweet. My cute little pup is the snuggliest most affectionate thing on the planet. With 4 paws, a typical vizsla maneuvere is to sit and place a front paw on you, or maybe even both. Kind of a means to keep you there petting them. WELL, this one cannot do that anymore. She puts her head down either on your shoulder or tucks into your chest. I love my dog.

She is just shy of being back on her regular full diet (3 C of a limited protein kibble...venison and sweet potato). I am on a mission to get her back on her old schedule for everything....feeding, going outside, playtime, bedtime. We are almost there.

I know she is feeling better because my opportunities to get photos are dwindling. I got some nice belly shots and will work on a amp one to post later.

Working Vizsla

When you think of Vizslas working, you envision them out in the field; however, this Vizsla is working on her year end financial analysis of our family business and doing a damn good job!

Little lady worked the flight of 8 steps to get up to her office after cruising all the way from the car. That is our longest excursion yet. She followed that by a hop out to the executive puppy potty at midday with grace considering she is still on narcotics.

When we got home, D suggested we take off the t-shirt and give her a good scratch! Here she is having dinner, only her regular venison and sweet potato diet with fresh sweet potato for some extra deliciousness... The one dark area of the amp incison, just needs to be cleaned up. It was the one spot that was not 100% when the staples were removed. In addition to her amp shave marks, she has belly shave upon shave from the ultrasounds, aspirates, and lipoma excision. Please ignore her large "lady lump," as she has is one of the lumpiest ladies around. That goofy pop song was written for Cheddar.