So, a couple of months ago we were adopted by a dog that was dumped out here in the country. Our last dog (also a dumper) died last September and we were thinking of getting a senior dog. But no! We have a Bloodhound the size of a pony decide WE are her humans. Of course, who can say no to the face of a Bloodhound, so we got her spayed, shots etc. Turns out she's essentially an 80 pound puppy about a year old. Oh, my... Bella showed up yesterday with a gash/puncture wound on the inner thigh of one of her hind legs and had surgery today . They had to leave a drain in because it was quite deep, so they sent home a cone of shame. Do 40 acres of ears, lips, jowls and neck fit inside even on the largest setting? Oh, hell no! I tried to get a picture, but it came off as soon as it went on. Bella must be kept quiet and away from the drain and stitches for 2 weeks. Pray for me...

Hope you can figure something out.. poor baby!

I don't know whether to laugh or cry! How lucky for her to have found you! My Nugget was grounded recently for impaling a pond reed in between her pads. Nothing makes me cringe more than being told they need to remain quiet. All the best to you all!

Ana

Sounds like a fun 2 weeks ahead. Good luck with that!

Wishing you good luck, and pup a speedy recovery.

Had to put her out in the dog pen inside the barn about midnight. She was baying in the house! I also just brought hubby home that afternoon from a back procedure, so he was exhausted. Got up early this morning and went out to get her - no Bella. Got no idea how she got out, but she may have climbed the 5' fence. EGADS! Went over to the neighbors where she goes every morning to play with their white wolf-dog for hours. Yup, there she and Odin were having a good old time! Talked to my neighbor and she said Odin has been moping around for two days and they thought he might be sick. Nope.. he was just moping missing Bella.

Sutures and drain still in place... continued thoughts and prayers, please!

Sending you my best, Draclvr !! Sounds like you have plenty "goin' on" !!!!

When my sister and her husband lived in the country (now live in a small town) their dog would go out at night and pick fights with skunks and once a porcupine. My sister spent one morning pulling out the quils why the dog moaned. Sadly the dog tried to sniff a rattle snake and didn't survive the encounter.. That was years ago but I think my brother-in-law still holds a grudge against rattle snakes. Their next dog just literally dropped dead one day. My sister was devastated, he showed no signs of being ill, she had just played with him, and said no more dogs. I predicated that she would have another dog in 3 months, I was off a couple days. Their current dog was rescued from a reservation. Somebody brought it to them because it was otherwise going to be soup. One of the two cats my sister kept claiming was her father-in-laws. I told her to stop kidding herself it wasn't going anywhere. I was right of course. This cat is afraid of everyone not her. So I rarely see it. The other loves everybody and will climb on top of me at night. Just like my cat here at home.

Wow Drac. That dog sounds like she is going to be a handful. Glad you found her playing with her friend and that she is okay. I hope your husband is doing well also!

This sounds as challenging as anything you have ever tackled in an RPG, Drac! Here's hoping that it all goes well.

Good analogy, Marian!

I'm glad Bella has you in her corner Draclvr.

You got yourself a little spitfire! Bless her heart!

Since I'm not letting her run and play, I'm not sure Bella agrees with you right now, Space Quest!

BIG spitfire! She is spending the night in the garage so I KNOW she won't make a foray over to play with Odin in the morning! She did pretty well in the house today, but is terrified of the hard floors! And the girlfriend is going to have to go to a groomer for a bath - GAWD, she stinks! It's just too cold here to do it at home.

I'm particularly enjoying the long walks down to the woods through the pasture in the very cold misty rain several times a day. Not!

Bella will get there Draclvr.

Keeping Bella in my thoughts and prayers...she sounds like a "Hoot!"

Ahhh, poor Bella! Tis a hard chore you've been given there, Drac. I hope she heals quickly and you survive it. How is hubby?

MAYBE a tiny bit less pain this morning. They actually burn the nerve, so said to expect increased pain for several days. He's already had 3 back surgeries, so is trying anything to avoid a 4th!

Bella is confined to either the garage or the house right now. Of course, it continues to be cold and rainy!! I'd love to put her on the tie-out in front and sit out there with her for a break, but not gonna happen. I'm still kind of laughing at the whole thing!!

Draclvr, do you know what the gash/puncture wound was from?

Not a clue, oldbroad. This is the country in the middle of the woods and pastures, so it could have been anything. She and Odin the wolf-dog next door play for hours, so who knows. Just sent you an email with a picture of Bella looking pitiful as only a Bloodhound can!

How's Bella doing?

She got her stitches out 2 weeks ago and has been on the move ever since! She and Odin still play every morning, but she spends most of her afternoon in the house napping when it's hot. During her rehab, we let her stinky self inside! Found out she is afraid of storms. She likes to hide on this tiny little landing going upstairs and maybe about 1/2 of her fits. My granddaughter says she looks like she is melting because when she falls asleep, her nose is down on the next step with all that skin and those 40 acres of ears falling down around her! It's pretty comical.

I'm glad she is better!

The one cat of mine that is more afraid of the storms than the others will always try to get on a lap or cower around my legs but failing that, he lays next to a box on the basement floor (not in it) under a flap that is a couple of inches wide. Apparently he thinks that flap will protect him.

It sounds like everything is going to end up just fine Drac.

Right now we are laughing every time we see the ginormous Bloodhound and my son's Chihuahua side-by side while they are visiting from Colorado!