I swear, Matese, we have the same dang dog--well, bro and sis, anyway; I mean their similarities are uncanny.
Awhile back Piper went after a rabbit on her long leash and I accidentally stepped on it, flipping her upside down flat on her back--bam! Well, she was up and running in a nano-second so I figured we'd dodged a bullet (she hit hard).
Next day (July 4th), Piper lethargic, but temp was in 90's. When she went outside she was very deliberate, ginger in going on/off deck and had that look that she might get sick to her stomach...Mid-afternoon I lifted her onto couch so she could get benefit of fan; she slept, then went to turn over and cried out. PIPER NEVER CRIES OR YELPS. I had no idea of what was wrong, but she, too, had been giving me those, I don't feel good; you need to help me, please looks.
Well, her cry got me moving. Turns out the nearest emergency vet is almost two hours away. I gotta say emergency gals was great (mind you this was almost two years ago), reassured me and got us in immediately. Now what is amazing to me is that I didn't even think of Piper's backflip, I thought she was horribly ill by her overall attitude, the looks, her lethargy, etc. However, the vet walked in and I told her that Piper looked a little hunched over (like gonna be sick) and then I thought of her flip. The vet felt Piper's little back and knew right away what had happened. She took x-rays, no damage. Piper was given anti-inflammatory, pain pills and we were told to take it easy for a week. This entire visit took less than hour and only cost $250 for everything!
Piper and I got home exhausted, but relieved. And truly, by the next afternoon Piper was being her Piper-y little self. I, to this day, carry a lot of guilt for accidentally steppin' on her lead. She loves chasing those wasskely wabbits and I love seeing her go full bore which she doesn't do so much since that fateful flip (she's more careful how she goes).
There is simply nothing I wouldn't do for Piper--especially when she's asking me to "fix" things. They trust us to come through for 'em and it's a heavy responsibility and one I wouldn't trade for all the world. Piper, too, is 9yrs and 10lbs; the vet says her bloodwork comes back as that of a much younger dog
I thankful to God in heaven above that Cody is great and healthy and happy and ready-to-get chippers again. Love to both of you...Dana and Piper--really much love to you guys |