Pappy Comes Home from the Hospital -- Again

After two days in the hospital being treated for aspiratory pneumonia, Pappy came home to the ranch this evening.  He seemed just a little put out with me for having left him at the hospital for a couple of days.  (Animals do know how to lay guilt trips, don't they?)  But once Pappy got settled in his favorite spot -- the back seat of our Chevy pick-up -- he decided to forgive me. 

Ever the willing chauffeur, I drove this wonderful old Shepherd back to the sanctuary.  As we wound our way up Montana Highway 200 along the Blackfoot River, he alternately looked out the windows at the passing scenery or snoozed.  It's about an hour drive from Missoula, so he had plenty of time to do both.

Pappy will need to stay on a daily antibiotic for the rest of his life to prevent the aspiratory pneumonia from recurring.  It's called Orbax and he'll be on a full strength 68 mg dose for two weeks, then we'll cut that in half and monitor how he does.  Since we can't restore complete nerve function to his larynx, he will continue to ingest food and fluid in his lungs.  The drug should help keep it from developing into pneumonia. 

I took the photos of Pappy this evening at the clinic right after putting him in the truck.  There next to Pappy on the bed in the first photo is the box of Kodiak's ashes I also picked up at the clinic.  So in their own way, both old dogs came home this evening.

Comments

[Karen Vacura]

Hi! I am Neely's Mom and I was so happy to see the picture of the kids with Charlie. I don't know if Neely told you about Max, but we considered him 'a dog of a lifetime'. I am so pleased that there is a Charlie for Neely and Jake. They are such wonderful people and Charlie must have known that. Thankyou for what you do for these animals. How blessed you must feel. Isn't it amazing how things happen just when they are supposed to...When Neely called us to say she had found a dog she was thrilled. A little worried about how Charlie would feel in smaller surroundings, but excited to have a wonderful companion again. I hope that he is happy at Neely & Jake's house. He did find some great people to live with. Thanks again!

[Roz]

Welcome home, Pappy! Now he can get back to farm chores a little at a time. Will he be on some acidophillis/probiotics to help keep his gut in good shape? Continued blessings to Kodiak on his journey.

[Leigh]

I am glad Pappy is home (and Kodiak too) I was worried about the sweet guy.

[Karen SA/TX]

Aren't they the best, these two old gentlemen? I just read about how a woman here in San Antonio made a paw print of her pets out of femo clay, to have as a forever keepsake, I thought it was a great idea.