Diezel update

I’ve lost track of how many days, but it’s been three weeks since his surgery, and a month tomorrow since the initial injury.

This week he’s been walking on his bum leg. When he builds up speed he goes back to just three legs. That’s fine. I just wish he wouldn’t run so much!

This morning he was all pumped up about fall, and me being home. He started running, using the bum leg every other step, until he hit the living room pile of bones.

He slid across the rug like a baseball player stealing home.

My heart stopped at the sound.

I (yet again) yelled at him to stop running and walk. Like he understands.

Since he was all hyped up, and acting like the leg wasn’t too bad, I took him for a very short walk. Up to Ann’s house and back. Jackie and Sky so wanted to see him, but since playing is COMPLETELY out of the question, we just visited with Ann. It’s been a month since we’ve seen them, so it was good to catch up.

Back at home and Diez decides he’s not ready to go up into the house. I leave him out in the pen and walk up the stairs to talk to PBJ.

Of course the ‘bad blood’ between Diez and PBJ causes Diez to get jealous of my conversation. Just as I’m about to go back down and help Diez up the stairs, he runs up 3/4 of the flight, using his bum leg the whole way.

And this isn’t good.

He’s now picking up his leg again. Acting like it’s hurt all over again. I’m tempted to keep a spare gate at the bottom of the stairs so he can’t attempt them alone.

After resting all afternoon (I went out) he seems to be a bit more comfortable. Walking, spazing, and being a general nudge for attention.

And while I’m here blabbing on about my dog like he’s the light of my life, let me tell you about his skin. After having the vet treat him for mites Diez tested negative for, and also being put on the ultra hypo allergenic food, the skin is looking pretty good… if I didn’t sabotage things!

See, I’m not suppose to be giving him treats. And of course Thursday morning, in doing the same routine I’ve been doing for two years, I gave him a treat. It’s a raw hide chip chew (2lb bag by Hartz available at Wally World for $7). Diez happily had it, just like he’s done practically every morning for the last two years.

Thursday night Diez is begging me to itch his neck. It’s the first time in a week or more that he’s wanted this. The itchy scratching is different from love me scratching. The itchy scratching is all neck and chest, and his skin is bright red.

I finally put 1 and 1 together.

Friday morning we do the routine, except I give Diez a cookie instead of the chew. He then walks over to the corner of the room where the bag of chews are, expecting to get one now that I have my keys in my hand.

Instead I just tell him to be a good boy, relax, have a nice day, and then head out the door without giving him a chew!

I think it may be more about retraining me, then retraining Diezel.

Saturday morning I do the abbreviated routine because I have to get out of the house early for kickboxing class. I put my coat on and Diez plops himself on the floor in front of the shelf containing the bag of ‘illegal’ chews. I grab my keys, tell him I’ll be home soon.

As I walk out the door, I look back over my shoulder. Diez is still on the floor, head up, ears alert, looking at me like I totally forgot all about him. I’m not sure how long he stayed there waiting for a chew, but it couldn’t have been too long.

I’m really hoping it’s just the chews that Diez is allergic to. That would make life just that much easier. If we could just get through this leg thing, then life with Diezel would be perfect.