I brought home Hurley last night about 8:30..he had a morphine shot about 20 minutes before I picked him up, so when I got him he was very "loopy"...he came home and laid right down on my lap. He slept good. About 5 am he woke me up with whining...his pain medication had wore off so I gave him more and took him for a walk. He had trouble peeing at first, but within a couple of minutes he was going on every bush :) he went back to sleep and he slept for a while. He woke up around 10 in the morning. When he woke up he was feeling better. I could see the brightness coming back in his eyes :) I took him out for a walk...he let me know he was feeling better when he picked up a stick and started playing with it! I was so happy when did that.
No one has left his side today. I had to take my daughter to a birthday party and my husband stayed with him...we all love him so much and didn't want to leave him for a second. We have been taking turns being with Hurley. This afternoon Hurley was a lot better and got one of his favorite toys out to play with it!! I asked him if he was feeling good enough to get a Doggie DIP and he jumped right up!! So, we all got in the car and went to visit the owners of Skinny DIP in Chesapeake...they gave Hurley a free Doggie DIP and went out to the car and fed it to him!! He ended his day off really well!!
Last night when I brought Hurley home, I teared up. He was so out of it and I started to feel guilty. Just seeing the way he was. He has been through so very much in the short time he has been on this earth. I knew that he needed these surgeries but hated that he had to go through the pain of it.
I can't believe what we have been going through. I wish this on no one. The tears I have shed and the decisions I had to make were unbelievable. I truely believe that I have made the right decision. The decision to save Hurley and give him a fighting chance of a long and healthy life. Because of you all...you helped to take the burden off of my family and donate money to give Hurley the surgeries he needed to live a long life. I look at him and think of the many people out there who saved my dog. How can I say Thank You enough?? Words will never describe the way I feel. I know the attachment I have with Hurley. I know that he would do anything for me...so I am doing everything to save him. I am his voice. Just like you all. You have dogs. You love your dog with all your heart. You are their voice too. When they need you to fight for them, you will fight. When this first happened to Hurley and I had a ton of info coming at me, I had no idea which way to turn or what to do. I found determination in me that I did not know was there. I was determined to not let Hurley be put to sleep, be returned to the breeder, or taken to an animal shelter. He looked up to me with loyalty in his eyes everyday, now he needed me. Just because these creatures can't talk to us...they still let us know with their actions what they want, feel and need from us. His eyes looked into my soul telling me he wanted this chance and I knew I would find a way to save him. I am loyal to Hurley....I will fight...
Now, with these two surgeries done..it's a time for healing. A time to reflect on the kindess of you all. You don't know me, but have taken Hurley under your wing and call him your own. You have saved our dog. My children know that because of you all, they have their best friend. You have taken Hurley and given him a chance to live a wonderful life here. How can a Thank You be enough?
I am hoping that there will be no "hiccups" in this recovery. Hurley has been through so very much...I hope that he heals and I will be posting on how great he is doing and telling about all the new and happy memories he is making!! I promise to always be fighting and telling everyone about The Doodle Messenger and how amazing they are. About the doodles that are in need. I will "Pay it Forward" in anyway that I can. Please know from the bottom of my heart how greatful I am for all of you....
I will be posting happy updates about Hurley!! So excited that his hair will grow back!! Happy that soon he will play with some of his own kind and feel like a dog again!!
Doodle Kisses,
Regina and Hurley