Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Could it be? Really? Half her body weight gained in four weeks?

Les took Sweetheart to Dr. Kolar's for a bandage change and to be weighed.  She tipped the scales at a whopping (well whopping for her) 46.2 pounds!!!  If you don't remember, she weighed 41.8 pounds Friday Sept 10th.  She has gained 4.4 pounds in just five and a half days.  She weighed 31.4 pounds on 08/13 when we rescued her.  She has now gained back one half of her body weight!  To me, this is just phenomenal.  To have seen her in that shelter and seeing her today, you would really, honestly, never be able to believe it is the same girl.  I watch her in the house and in the back yard and I keep thinking to myself "she is really starting to look like a greyhound".  She even has muscle in her back legs, more so on the right since she favors that one.  But she is also gaining muscle all over, chest, legs, shoulders, back, etc.  It is truly remarkable and I am so very very lucky to have been able to help her.

As for her leg, this is continuing to heal quite well.  Dr. Kolar said that the leg is close to being able to have the bandage taken off full time.  However, if we were to take it off for good now, she would have to wear a halo to keep her from licking it.  I don't want her to have to wear a halo so I am going to opt for that bandage for as long as Dr. Kolar allows.  I don't want her stressing about trying to clean the leg and being frustrated by the halo and banging it against everything and everyone.  The bandage is working well and she is able to get around fine with it so that is what we will stay with.

Les is working on a few videos for your enjoyment.  He got some good footage of her being adorable playing with her squishy softball on the back porch.  She is funny though, if it rolls onto the grass play time is over, she is not fetching it after it leaves the concrete!  Silly girl.  Smart girl though, why put forth the effort if she has us trained to bring it back to her.

Thanks for being loyal Sweetheart fans.  I am so excited to be able to report this wonderful weight gain and continued leg healing.

16 comments:

  1. Truly amazing recovery going on! I use a thing called "Bite-Not" on my klutzy Vinny. Doesn't stick out like the cone. They have a website. There is also a blue vinyl inflatable type at Petco. A friend of mine used that.

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  2. That is just amazing news! I'm so glad she's recovering so quickly!

    Will Sweetheart stay with you after she's healed up and released by the vet, or are you actually going to let her go to some lucky family? I don't know if I could, even though we used to foster quite a bit.

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  3. She sounds like underneath it all she is a very healthy and strong little dog. I bet you'll have lots of people wanting to adopt her but I'd find it hard to let her go too! Maybe she doesn't want to get her little princess feets dirty on the lawn! hehe

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  4. That is wonderful news! Who would of thought we would be so excited about someone gaining weight. Heck, I have been trying to lose weight for almost a year now! Wish I could give her some of mine!!!

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  5. Our day has just started down here and this is the best news I could imagine. A big sniff from Cami and hugs from me. You guys are the best.

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  6. To all who are wondering if I am going to adopt Sweetheart when she is fully recovered: I don't know. I honestly do not. I have three dogs of my own and I foster at least two or three at a time. If I adopt Sweetheart that closes a space in my house for future foster dogs or if I keep taking in the same number of dogs it bumps the number up in my home and that gets stressful. If we do adopt her out, she will most likely need to go to someone in Oklahoma and someone our group is already familiar with. I cannot stand the thought of her going to a stranger and being abused/neglected again. However, like I have always said, she has a long way to go and still needs to be spayed, etc so I am just enjoying each day with her and not thinking long term at this point. Thank you for the questions though, I enjoy reading them and answering them.

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  7. Awesome news!!! : ) All our gang is so happy for Sweetie! We're all happy dancing!

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  8. I'm pleased my guess was on the low side:-) Wonderful news about the total weight gain too! Looking forward to videos now!

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  9. HOORAY!

    (this is where I would insert something nasty about the previous owner, but...)

    Gaining weight is great!!

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  10. Fabby weight gain and that leg is looking so much better.

    What a day it will be when she can have the bandage off for good.

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  11. Hugs for Sweetheart and Jessica you Rock . Awesome Video's

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  12. I like the candy cane foot - very festive! Can't wait to see the videos from Les!

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  13. Also don't know if this would be as bad as the dreaded "cone", but we've had success using their plastic basket muzzles with the cap (the one that's used to prevent poop eating). They're used to wearing it, and they can't lick!

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  14. Bite Not collars are a lot better than the cone of shame, so you might want to consider one of those when the time comes.

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  15. Jess -- are you aware of the new soft-side elizabethian collars called Comfy Cone? makes it a LOT easier, less stressful on the dog. here is a link to one web site that carries it. There are plenty of places to get these from. Just 2 cents worth from this peanut in the peanut gallery. JB

    http://www.tailwaggerspets.com/specialty-items/c95/p586/comfy-cone-soft-pet-elizabethan-collar/product_info.html

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