Pappy, our old German Shepherd who survived both pneumonia and meningitis earlier this month, continues on the road to recovery. He's had no relapses since coming home July 15. His temperature had remained normal and his appetite is great. He is clearly glad to be home. (See the post about his homecoming here.)
Although still very weak, he can now walk unassisted for short distances before his back legs give out. He is still struggling a bit with bowel control, but gradually is regaining it. This dignified old fellow looks downright embarrassed ... even mortified ... when he has an accident. It really seems to affect his pride.
He can't get up on his own, so he now wears a harness on his chest and we slide a wide strap under his tummy to help lift him up equally at both ends. Once up, he can get going under his own power. Sometimes he is so eager to go exploring again that he overdoes it and his hind legs drop. Then we scoop him up, turn him around, and help walk him back to the house.
The only thing I miss -- and he does too, I know -- is that he can't join us on our morning and evening barn chores. This was always his special time of the day. He eagerly followed us everywhere as we made our rounds. A wonderful friend of the sanctuary suggested today that we get him a little wagon to ride in so we can pull him along. What a great idea! Of course, Pappy would rather be in the back seat of our Chevy pick-up ... it's folded flat, padded with cushions ... this is his favorite spot in the universe. He loves to go for drives in that truck!
His next favorite spot is on his thick foam bed in the living room, where he can be in the center of things. That's where you see him in this photo I took today.
A few short weeks ago we thought we were losing him. Every day we have him now is a gift.
You can see his original story on our Web site here.
Reading about Pappy makes him part of our own family; can we have updates on his progress more often?
Thanks to you both for ALL you do for so many and all of them *special needs* to boot -
Posted by: Jean in Nevada | August 02, 2005 at 02:33 AM
so happy to read that Pappy is doing better ! Please kiss him for me.
Posted by: Leigh | July 29, 2005 at 12:37 AM