MURPH THE CONEHEAD

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Yesterday was quite a day. Now I know why I'm such an advocate of early spay/neuter (like before you even pick them up). It was Murphy's day to lose his manhood, and let me say he is NOT A HAPPY CAMPER! I brought him to the Vet yesterday morning at 8:00. It was awful. He was scared from the time we walked in the door. He just "hugged my legs", and then when the Vet Tech came to get him he got really upset. I felt so bad leaving him. I worried all day, but we got to go pick him up at 3:00. He was so "flipping out" when he saw us. We got him home, and then there was the problem of how to separate the "Irish Brothers". Guinness has been tethered to me since 3:00 yesterday, and he just doesn't understand it at all. Murphy's pain meds seem to have worn off and now he's feisty...very feisty. I just gave him his morning pill.... let's hope that helps. I am in the guest room and have him "baby gated" into the adjoining bathroom where he can see me. He just tried to "jump the gate". The Vet said to expect that he would put on a "show" for us. He is after all the "Drama King". He hasn't disappointed...lots of pathetic whining, which of course breaks my heart and he knows it.
The worst part is the "cone of shame". He hates it, and it really does border on animal cruelty in my mind. He's bumping into everything, and has managed to get out of it three times already. He wants to lap his incision so bad....
Last night he came running upstairs with a paper hanging out of his mouth. He was proud of himself that he was able to "steal" something even with a cone. I caught him and pulled it out of him mouth. It was the Vet bill for his surgery...he must have pulled it out of my purse. How ironic is that. He had a pretty good night, although he was restless in the crate. Right now the challenge is to keep them from playing...it will be a very long week. Here are a few pictures of my pathetic boy.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

OMG - all of this is just so true!!!!  Stuart is miserable not from the surgery but from being confined.  The underwear is more comfy than the cone but is a pain with the off and on to potty.  STUART - has been so much work from day 1 - once through this - it should be easy sailing!!!!!!

[Native New Yorker]

Is it really necessary to leave the cone on for 10 days. Hudson HATES it and he's just pitiful. I tried 2 soft cones and he was able to get to his stitches. He didn't bite them, from what I could tell, but he licked the area a lot. So he's back on that monstrosity of a cone. He's not eating or sleeping well. He no longer plays and I'm more depressed than him. We're on day 5. I don't think I can stand another 5 days.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Today is a much better day. My Doods are together again (closely supervised). They are so happy not to be separated. I really think that has been the worst part of this whole thing. Murphy had a great night...he slept, and WE slept. I stopped the pain meds...they were making him crazy. Last evening he had the worst case of zoomies I've ever seen. He tried to rip all the bedding off my bed! Today I'm going to take the cone off for a little while and see how he does. At least I can get his face cleaned up....he's got several days worth of food stuck in his beard...there may be things "growing" in there. I've learned that this big "goofball" is a total wimp. You'd think he had open heart surgery the way he's been carrying on the past couple of days. Thanks everyone for your advice and well wishes.

[Zoe, Benny and Tyler]

Oh boy, what a story. But Murphy, all the other guys have been there already here and I promise you will be a happy Doodle again :). Use the recovery time to get some extra TLC from mommy, I am sure she won't mind.
Jane maybe the medical pet shirt would be an alternative to the comfy cone? I had Benny wearing it when he had his N-thing done and it worked perfect. He didn't feel restricted and therefore was only half as much feeling sorry for himself. Extra advantage would be that you could keep them together as also Guinness can't lick on the wound.

[Penny, Comiskey & Beemer]

Murph...my man....I never wore one of those things...with any of my surgeries....but my Mom wanted to take a photo...so she put the stupid thing on my head....well, it might have been the power of the "doggy vicodin"...but I put a paw behind each side of my head and flipped that thing about 4 feet....by the time she was done laughing....she forgot to take the photo.....good luck to you and stay away from those stitches!!!!!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Yesterday was a tough day again, Adrianne. I kept Guinness home from Daycare (I don't like sending him two days in a row). They were constantly trying to get to each other or whining because they were in separate rooms. With one dog it would be no big deal, but with two it's a struggle. Murphy hates being crated during the day, and thrashes around so that doesn't work. Today Guinness is going back to Daycare, so things will be much easier. Murphy is frustrated so he's being very "fresh"...jumping and really mouthy. I'll straighten that out when the cone comes off. I feel like a big baby complaining, when so many others like Krista are dealing with really serious things with their dogs. Only a couple more days and things will be back to normal with my guys.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

How did today go? Any easier on you???

[Carol and Banjo]

Forgive me please....but I can't help laughing at these adorable pictures of poor Murph!!! I just want to hug him!
Give him hugs and kisses from us!

[Donna K & Quincy]

Hang in there Murphy, it will soon be a distant memory. You look handsome in your cone, just a nice frame for that adorable face.

[Christine & Shelby]

Murphy.... Shelby and I are wishing you a speedy recovery! This will soon all be a distant memory. Is it just me or does the cone of shame piping on the ends.... seem so illuminated, it looks like it's lit up? Might be my computer monitor and the setting (I am outside while Shelby plays in the yard). Get better soon Murphy!