After a great day on many work related levels, I came home just before 2pm and let Mr Dog inside. His gait was slightly different to the usual prance through the door, but I initially thought it was a trick of the light. We set off to the supermarket to purchase a swag of magazines (which will be reviewed later this afternoon), and it quickly became apparent the poor dog was limping. The most tragic thing was as he limped, he kept wagging his tail, almost as though he was apologising for not keeping up properly.
I examined the foot he seemed to be favouring and couldn’t find any obvious flaws, then felt around the muscles at the top of his leg (I’m not sure about canine anatomy), but they all seemed fine - or at least he didn’t shriek and snap at me, which I think is a positive sign. I thought very seriously about taking him back home, but his wagging tail and generally happy demeanour made us press on. I took him off the lead at the little park we pass through, and he ran madly, then limped even more afterwards. I felt terrible.
I’m not sure what’s caused the problem - maybe chasing some kind of interloper in the backyard, sleeping oddly, or just straining a muscle, but whatever it is, I’ll have to take him to the vet if he hasn’t recovered in the next day or so. At the moment he’s curled up in his bed and looking very content. Miss M was brought to tears by the sight of her dog limping and wagging, and I heard her later say “Maxy, if you have to be put down, you’ll always be in my heart”. I was quick to say he’d be fine, but she clarified her comment by saying it was in case he had to be put down from biting one of us while he was in pain.
It makes me see how lucky we are to have pets who are so healthy and happy all the time. I’m putting my trust in the notion this is a passing thing, and Mr Dog will quickly recover.
Today I’m loving: nail buffers, and the idea of getting my hair cut like this …
… which may or may not happen, depending on how lazy I am (and I think we all know it’s very)
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June 21st, 2007 at 6:44 am
Is mr Dog OK ???
June 21st, 2007 at 7:02 am
Glen he’s still limping, but it’s much less pronounced than yesterday. He spent this afternoon lying in front of the heater, and seems very content, but if he’s not completely ok by tomorrow, he’s off to the vet. I bought him some marrow bones this afternoon, which should help his recovery.