Toby before/Toby after

I guess introductions are in order. Toby is a one-year old(ish), basenji(ish) rescue whose interests include squirrels, cats, squirrels, chewing his bones, squirrels, sleeping under the covers, squirrels, sleeping with his head on a pillow, chewing his nylabone, squirrels, destuffing things with stuffing (toys, dog beds, comforters, nothing is safe), jumping on people who are lying down on the couch or in bed, and squirrels. He’s a speedy pup who regularly grabbed the leash and dragged me along for 4-5 miles runs (and, yes, my speed and upper body strength increased as a result of our jaunts).

Exactly one week ago, he was hit by a car as we were coming back from our last walk. He was lucky – his injuries could have been much worse, but his front left leg was badly shattered and we were left with heartwrenching decisions. We’re still reeling from the doubt, guilt and sadness, but we’ve taken great comfort in the Tripawd community (which we’ve been lurking since his accident). Thanks to all of you!

Anyway, Toby went into surgery last Tuesday. He’s been home since Wednesday recuperating fairly well. It’s funny how we celebrate the small things when someone is recovering from an injury (e.g., yay, he peed and pooped). He’s been hopping around, but is tentative on non-carpeted areas and definitely seems hunched in his posture. There are moments where it seems like he might want to chase after Timmy or search for squirrels in our yard, but mostly, he’s been sleeping, moving to a different location and sleeping some more.

He’s a trooper, but he’s definitely not himself right now. It has gotten easier every day, I guess, but the emotional healing process for humans seems to take longer than the physical healing for dogs?

In any case, this has helped increase the items on Toby’s list of things that he does not like: e-collars, vacuum cleaners, sedatives, e-collars, nail clippers, e-collars, squirrels in trees, motorcycles, and, of course, e-collars because e-collars suck.