Max's Journey

Max came home with a pain patch on his left leg Friday with a date for it to be taken off and cleaned up today.  I’m not looking forward to doing this today especially since he’s still not back to his “happy go lucky” personality yet.  Max has never whined or complained about pain and I’m hoping that he won’t start when I take the patch off.  I’ll keep you posted!
Lisa & Max

Dear Tripawds and your Pawrents…

I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank every one of you that has taken the time to be there in support of Max and I through our journey into the world of Tripawd.  It has been a very scary ride, but I felt such a great sense of relief whenever I checked my blog and found your words of encouragement.  I never knew there were so many Tripawds out there but I am glad you are and that I found you.

So, is anyone out here on the east coast in or near Jersey?  I would love to get together with other Tripawds…
Lisa & Max

Good morning everyone.  Max had a long day of begging for food yesterday…we BBQ’d (which we do rarely) so it was a big deal for him.  By the time it was bedtime, he crashed hard.  This morning, back to our regular routine outside then breakfast.  It rained here earlier and I’m not sure if it’s just Max or something about the breed, but he HATES to go out in the rain and will not step out of the garage if the ground is wet.  Anyway, I knew it was going to be a struggle just because it was wet outside so my expectations were low.  And I was not disappointed…he stared at me and did nothing.  Up we went and breakfast was served.  AND THEN…he did the “dance”.  I was more than excited to drop everything and get him back outside QUICKLY.  I brought him to another of his favorite spots and he peed and ALAS he had his first Tripawd BM.

I’m so very proud of him…like a brand new parent!!!

I love you Maxwell

Well, I pretty much resolved myself to the fact that Max was not going to pee outside for me yesterday.  So, after i signed off for the day I said one more time and then its time for bed…of course never expecting anything but the same blank stare I’d gotten all day.  Fire hydrant…NO!  Tree…NO!  OK, go head up the block for new scenery and then call it a day.  SO, he’s next to a different hydrant staring at my sister and I with those “leave me alone” eyes and lo and behold…he lifts his “stump” and let’s that fire hydrant have it!!!  Tears of joy that he finally did it!  My sister believes that once we took of his new harness he felt better about his business…MAYBE she’s right.  Too much change all at once…          I gave him a few nuggets of his food as a reward and then I let him get his much needed rest.

Today started much like yesterday…not much sleep so lets just get up.  Max and I gather ourselves up and headed out for our first challenge of the day…without the harness.  We hit all the same spots as yesterday, but he would have none of it today.  We headed back in and I decided today was going to be a day of rest, so just going to feed him and let him rest and get him back on his “normal” routine of going potty.  So breakfast was done and Max and I were just chilling out watching TV when i asked if he needed to go out and his ears perked right up.  So much for my plan, if he wants to go then take him I will.  Again, the same routine, then alas he stood at a tree near the “first” hydrant and he pee he DID!

I have learned a great many lessons in my life, but I’m not sure that I have not been learning the most important one to date.  I have watched Max for over a year struggling to walk…between a floating knee cap and then what was incorrectly diagnosed as arthritis and was actually cancer and NOT ONCE did he ever whine or whimper or cry or anything.  He limped along without a complaint.  And here he is now, missing a leg and still…NOT a peep.  He continues to move forward doing EVERYTHING he wants to do on 3 legs without a complaint.  Adversity is something he is unaffected by, challenges are just something he has to do to get to his food bowl…nothing affects him negatively, just keeps on going.  So, Maxwell, I thank you for teaching me whats really important…to keep moving forward and not letting anything slow me down!!!!  I love you little man!

Lisa & Max

I thought it would not happen…Max had been taken out numerous times and alas nothing.  So, I decided a shower was in order, so I brought Max into the bathroom and put a towel on the floor and there he sat while I showered.  Suddenly, I got the overwhelming smell of urine and peeked out of the shower and sure enough he left me a river.  Even though it was not the ideal scenario, I was just thrilled that he finally went.  I finished my shower dried off and opened the door and out he went to his water bowl and proceeded to drink it all.  So, I wondered to myself…was he so thirsty that he had to urinate so he could make room for water?  I dressed with a big smile on my face when I turned to discovered that he peed on his pain patch…LOL!  Ah, the adventures…

Max is still doing very well and by that I mean he is eating like a trooper, napping like it’s his job and enjoying the neighbors (Mary) perfectly cooked steak and toy. 

We’re icing and resting now and I suspect that the rest of the night will be quiet and uneventful althought we still have at least one more trip outside to coax Max into going again…wish us luck and have a good night!

Lisa & Max

Hello Everyone, sorry I didn’t get back here yesterday, but it was a big day for Max and I.  I have to say I was beyond surprised by what I saw when the vet tech brought Max out.  She put him on the floor and he walked/hopped right over to me and headed directly for the door!!!  Not what I expected…I was certain he was going to be groggy and out of it and I did not expect him to be able/willing to walk around.  I was thrilled.

Then there was the ride home…a little difficult for both of us to figure out but eventually he found a comfortable spot.  And finally HOME!   I took him directly to the fire hydrant but he was not interested at ALL. 

I brought him to the small area I setup for, put him in his bed, and there he stayed for about 10 seconds!  He hopped over to where I was and tried to climb in my lap…and that’s how the day went.  He has a VERY NORMAL appetite he looks great…BUT…he has not urinated since he’s been home.  I have taken him several time outside to several different “hot” spots and nothing.  I have a pad down for him but he is not using that either.  Is this normal?  I’m hoping that at some point today he’s going to get to his business.

Oh and Mary…I’m home ring my bell or give me a shout.

Lisa & Max

Good Morning Tripawd friends…

The good Dr Johnson just called and said that Maxwell looks great today and he can go home!  I’ll keep you posted on how we did getting home!

Lisa & Max

Just heard from the good Dr Johnson from AERA and she said Max is doing very well and is in his cage resting.  WHEW…at least that part is over, now to the business of healing.

Hello everyone.  Today is Max’s big day.  I brought him this morning and it was so hard to let him go but I know that NO LEG means NO CANCER.  I’m waiting ANXIOUSLY for the call that he is out of surgery and doing spectacularly.  Since I couldn’t stay with him, I left him with my shirt and I am wearing his collar on my belt loops.

Thank you all for your kind words and support.  I will be back here soon with the good news!

Lisa & Max

Hi, Max and I are new to the Tripawd community.   Max my 8 year old pug was diagnosed with Spindle Cell Sarcoma in his right hind leg just a few weeks ago.   This is where his journey begins.  Max will be going for his amputation surgery tomorrow 5/26/11 and I’m just a nervous wreck.  I know that the decision to remove his leg is the best thing for him, but like anyone else who had to make this decision I’m worried, scared and sad.  I have been reading blogs from other Tripawd parents and it has helped to ease my fears some, but still…he’s my little boy.

I have been trying to “puppy safe” his home and believe that by the time he comes home on Friday or Saturday that he will be in a safe and secure environment.  I have carpeted the steps and I am putting runners every where there is a possibility of him slipping when he’s back up on his feet.

Please keep him in your prayers and thank you for the support you give to us new Tripawd parents!