Lachlan had emergency surgery - UPDATE

[Jen, Lachlan, and Declan]

Poor Boo wasn't feeling well yesterday afternoon so I loaded him up and off to the emergency hospital we went. (I wish I could say I'd gotten around to sorting out insurance for these guys, and feeling a right idiot for not doing it. I'm taking tomorrow off to stay home with him and I promise I'll do it first thing in the morning!) Anyway, x-rays showed a rock in his intestine so off to surgery he went. Fortunately they were able to work the rock out without actually opening his stomach or intestine, which is wonderful news.

We just got home about half an hour ago. He's definitely still feeling the effects of the morphine drip they had him on, all kinda wobbly and dopey. The incision is longer than I'd expected but looks nice and clean. I have a soft cone for him just in case, but hate to use it unless really necessary.

Now for the problem - Declan, bless his puppy heart. He was really upset last night when I left with Lachlan and then came home, horror of horrors, without him. I had a sobbing puppy in my arms at first and he still looked for his brother off and on the rest of the night and morning. He's overjoyed that Lach is home, obviously, but ... he's too rambunctious, too overwhelming, to be turned loose on Lach. Lachlan really doesn't need to have a 60-pound wrecking ball land on him right now. The only thing I can think of is to keep Declan crated for a while but Dec's not, obviously, happy with that. Unfortunately with my house layout there really isn't a good way to keep them apart otherwise without isolating one or the other.

If anyone has any ideas I'd welcome any suggestions!

UPDATE: Okay, all three boys are signed up for Pet Plan. Declan's calming down a bit, although when I tried leaving him in the house and taking Lachlan out by himself this morning my first coffee of the morning ended up all over my desk. Lachlan's perking up quite a bit but still doesn't have much appetite. He ate a little breakfast and is taking bits of chicken breast very happily.

I made the mistake of taking both boys out to pee a few minutes ago. They were both very calm, did their business, then Declan grabbed a toy and ran across the yard ... with Lachlan pelting after him! Wonderful to see that doodle grin on his face again, but it's leashes for the next week or so I'm afraid.

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

oh gosh, how scary. Glad that Lachlan is ok. How about keeping Declan on a leash for a while? 

[Jen, Lachlan, and Declan]

Kaytlin, I tried the leash when I first got Lach home ... problem is the rooms on my main floor are so small that it's hard to keep Dec off of him. I may give that another go tomorrow when Lach's recovered from all the narcotics and is more steady on his feet.

There's that neurotic emotional mother part of me not completely convinced that he is okay so I have to keep looking over to make sure he's still breathing!

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

I don't have suggestions but I wanted to say how happy I was that Lachlan is okay. I can't believe he ate a rock!!!!! OMD!

Poor Declan but I think you are right in keeping them apart, at least for a couple of days.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Maybe you could alternate who is banished? Sorry you went through this but I'm glad all is well. What was he thinking, don't you feed him : )

[Jen, Lachlan, and Declan]

That's a good suggestion, F. In truth, Lachlan isn't as bothered by being crated as Declan is. I just want to keep him out and under my eyeballs at the moment.

You know, it's actually kinda funny in an ironic sort of way - my little brother has two pit bulls of uncertain parentage and a Labrador/Chow mix. Despite my best efforts he insists on feeding them Ol' Roy (yes, yes he does) and they've seen the vet exactly once when they were neutered. They have the run of the house and yard and are basically ignored yet they're healthy as the proverbial horse. My boys, on the other hand, get the best high-end grain-free food I can buy, home-made jerky and sweet potato chews, and see the vet any time someone sneezes almost. Yet it's mine who try to commit suicide on a weekly basis. Go figure! LOL

[F, Calla & Luca]

Benign neglect sometimes works fortunately. Sometimes I think we try too much and worry too much. BTW, lots of us have opted for Pet Plan.

[Jen, Lachlan, and Declan]

Benign neglect is a very good way to put it, F. I know I'm a bit of a neurotic mother to my pets - and just as well I never had kids, huh? Pet Plan is the one I've decided on; will sort it out for all three boys first thing tomorrow. I'm really kicking myself here for not doing it sooner. That little trip set me back nearly $2000.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Ouch!

[Karen and Bridget]

Can you take Declan out for a good, long walk to tire him out before he spends time with Lachlan?  Keeping Declan on a leash is a great idea too.

[Jen, Lachlan, and Declan]

Good suggestion too, Karen. Right now I don't want to leave Lachlan alone (neurotic mommy, yep) but once I've relaxed and emotionally accepted that Lach's going to live ... yeah, good plan.

[Jennifer and Jack]

Oh Gosh! I am so sorry ...but so glad all,is well. I have Pet Plan as well. They are super! Do you think once Declan can sniff Lac and see he was okay he would settle down? Maybe once everyone settles DEclan will snuggle down.

[Jen, Lachlan, and Declan]

Thanks, Jennifer. I've been thinking about you and Jack. Sorry I haven't been around much lately - life's been a bit nuts here.

I've let Dec sniff and love on Lachlan a bit, but Dec's such a little power-house. He doesn't realize that he's mowing everything down in his path.