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.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Awww Gracie. Get better soon

[Rose]

Poor Gracie! I hope she feels better soon.

[Lynda Kamrath]

Oh Gracie - Get well quickly and back to chasing those balls. Yes, we also have difficulty deciding when is an appropriate time to let the dogs be off leash. They always run through the grass and I usually brush them and check their feet when they get back in the car. Groucho actually sucks his whole paw if something is in it. Kristoff thinks that is so funny, but usually I find what is bothering him immediately. I think we watch our babies more closely when they are running free. It is harder for a facility that has a lot of dogs playing outside. Her reward (and yours) wil be for her to go with you in September.

[Linda and Murphy]

Gracie Doodle please feel better. We don't have those in Louisiana (or at least I haven't found any). Mom said to tell you that when I cut my foot the vet got me this special boot made of neoprene. I only wore it when I went outside but for a long time. Mom didn't know it took so long for pad cuts to heal. The name was Therapaw I think, but I can't read very well.

[Christine & Shelby]

Gracie Doodle... I hope you feel better real soon after your surgery! I am sending you puppy kisses!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Oh my doodle, poor Gracie. I am wishing her a speedy recovery and think how sparkling white her smile will be. Here is information, more than anyone wanted to ever know perhaps, on Foxtails:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foxtail_%28diaspore%29
http://www.csupomona.edu/~jcclark/dogs/foxtails.html
The second one is specifically for California. Maybe you need to move to what I'm starting to call the bayous of northern NJ, because of the heat and humidity. Think how close to Boston you'd be.

[Pat & "Tucker"]

Feel better Gracie! Bet she'll really enjoy that next trip and staying at the Westin with Mom.

[BG and Gavin]

We are keeping a good thought for you Gracie!

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

Poor Gracie doodle! I am so sorry she has to go through this, and you too Nancie. Please let us know how she is doing.

[GBK]

Best wishes and a quick recovery for our girl Gracie Doodle!!! All our love, Buddy and Kona :P