Gracie Doodle Is In Surgery

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

While I am waiting for my surgery my Momma left me her iPad to type to you all on! The human grandkids and family were out here visiting from Boston. I liked having them here but then I was taken to the Dog Ranch where I stay when my parents travel. Then they all left in two cars to drive to the High Sierras (Mammoth) for 7 days. WTD...leave me behind? Well, they got home late on Tuesday night after an 8 hour drive so they couldn't come pick me up. But my Momma had called to check on me while driving home and was told I had a sore paw. I was limping and the nice people who take care of me had clipped away my hair and looked and looked for something that would be stuck in my paw. What they didn't know was that some fox tails had gone up inside my paw. They cleaned it and put goop on it and bandaged it. After my parents dropped off the "Boston Clan" at the airport they headed straight out to get me and then took me to the vet. My paw hurt so bad that it all I wanted to do to was to want to lick it instead of my Momma. Turns out it was very infected. I was a very good girl at the vet. They numbed my paw and tried to probe in to the holes left by what ever is in there but they were unsuccessful. I only gave a few whimpers but was very good with them and let them do what they needed to do. They decided they would need to do surgery to get whatever it is that is hurting me out. They were booked for today (Wednesday) and I was scheduled for tomorrow. But, they called later and said a cancellation came up and so now I am ready for surgery...TODAY! In fact.....zzzzzzz

Hi Everyone! Gracie Doodle is probably being operated on as I type. My poor baby. She is such a good girl. After picking her up at the ranch we gave her a bath and then I spent 2 hours combing and dematting her until it was time for her vet appointment. She just laid on our bed but didn't want me to touch her paw. My husband had to carry her to and from the bed, car, vet and house. She was 74.5 lbs but is currently 71.2. Wonder if he noticed the weight loss when he picked her up...ha ha. We came home from the vet and gave Gracie some dinner, little of which she ate. We put her on our bed at 6 PM and at 7:30 AM she was still there. We had given her an antibiotic and pain killer pill. She didn't move all night except to go from side to "Paws Up" and back to the other side. She was exhausted from being at the ranch (she always sleeps for two days when she comes home). Between doing laundry, unpacking and cleaning I would check on her every 15 minutes. She seemed very relaxed and comfortable. I took off the cone and put on a doggie sock and bootie so she would not lick it. I'm afraid that today when she comes home they won't want me to use the sock because they probably want it to air and not have any compression. That means back to the cone!!! Poor girl, her ears are too long and they get all bunched up in there. Since they are putting her out I am also having her teeth cleaned and "nails done". I am sooooo sad for my baby. I hope her recovery is quick and easy for her. She is such an active girl and is going to want to run after her tennis balls!

So, any suggestions on how to keep fox tails out of Velcro paws? She goes back up to the ranch in October so it should be OK by then. I don't want to give up using the ranch when we travel. It is so perfect for dogs and they are very happy there. We are going back up to Mammoth probably in early September after everyone is back in school and the village is quiet! This time she is going with us. She will love the place...dogs everywhere and the hotel allows dogs too. Imagine a 4-Star Westin with dogs everywhere and the rooms are amazing! But, how in the heck do we take our Doodles anywhere off road without the risk of stickers or fox tails getting in? My worst nightmare has been fox tails in the nose, ears or paws and it has finally happened! My poor sweet Doodle...she is being soo sweet but sad. She doesn't know what is happening to her. Her happy homecoming was ruined! I'll keep you all posted when she gets home this afternoon.

[AliandShooter]

Thank you Nancie!

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Hi Ali,  One horrible round of foxtails in paws is enough for a lifetime!!!  We avoided all areas where there were foxtails during the times of the year they were present.  If we had no choice then we put boots or shoes on Gracie.  She accepted them only because she was tennis ball obsessed and the minute we would throw the ball she would forget she had boots on.  We used the Muttluks type which you can Google.  Also be aware of foxtails getting in ears or up noses.  Gracie also had a Mexican Feather grass seed pod go up her nose which required a trip to the vet for extraction.  We  immediately pulled every feather grass plant in our yard.  I also would keep Graciedoodle's hair short during the times foxtails were present which for us in southern California is summer and fall.  Hope this helps...Good Luck!

[AliandShooter]

I know this is an old thread, but just curious how do you prevent the foxtails from sticking to your doodle now? We're currently fighting one and it looks like we might have 3 of them

[BG and Gavin]

How is Gracie today?

[Debra Ference-Luongo]

Hope Gracie Doodle is feeling better. Good thoughts!

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

See, it goes like this. You have BEAUTIFUL weather in California. In the South, we have horrible humidity and 100 degree days. You have foxtails in California, and WE DON'T. Foxtails...heat stroke, foxtails...heat stroke. You be the judge :-)

[Sally, Ditzy Mitzi & Sgt. Pepper]

We wish Gracie Doodle a pawsitively speedy recovery!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

So, has Gracie woken - uh - waked - uh - has Gracie opened her eyes and moved around yet? Is she chewing her foot? Did you get a sock for it

[F, Calla & Luca]

So how is Gracie doing?

[Adrienne Shapiro]

An idea:
Here's where the Dogsitting traveling Exchange Group would come in handy in your area...Look in the Groups and see if anyone wants to sit for your Doodle while you are away in exchange you will do the same when they are away. Just an idea....I know that I would trust a doodle owner more than anyone else to sit my babies....