Booey

Resting

Hello! It’s been a minute, and I wanted to post a few updates on Boo-Boo the Northern Huskies’ happenings this summer. For the most part, Boo continues to walk in the afternoon and evenings. Summers here in Nova Scotia can get wildly humid, making walks kind of hard on the old guy’s system, so we just let him take the lead. If he puts the effort into scooting across the floor to the door, then we know he’s up for it. If he looks back at us intensely and stays put, it’s a no-go for him. Medical care remains the same for Boo. Continues to receive shots, Librela (for arthritic pain), and Cartrophen (also for arthritic pain but stimulates cartilage production) …. Full disclosure, I’m no vet, this is my basic understanding. As for medication, his Gabapentin did increase this spring. He is now at 600 mg /2x -daily. To do this, he receives a homemade meatball with a pill hidden inside. 365 days in a year x 2 make for a lot of meatball making … just sayin.

Booey also continues his physiotherapy monthly, where he gets muscle tension released and laser treatment on his joints and spine. The wheelchair has been a saving grace, but there’s definitely wear and tear on his body. His front shoulders and neck can get tight, and muscle tension builds. We are forever thankful to Kirsty, his physiotherapist. We often use her as a barometer in knowing how he is doing and where we are in terms of his overall health and quality of life.

I share all this treatment info to help anyone who may be navigating their own journey caring for a senior tripawd. Booey was 9 when he lost his leg, and with his other rear leg in poor shape, our journey to care for him, I discovered, is different from those with younger tripawds.

Beach Book Holder

Foggy Day Adventure

Sharing the Trail

So we did get a set of new wheels. But I have to say, they did not last nearly as long as we hoped. The foam wore down quickly, maybe within a month and 1/2. We are considering purchasing air-filled tires, hoping they are of higher quality.

Plant Pick Up

This may appear chaotic, but it is a somewhat thought-out scene and a common situation for us. If it’s not building supplies, it’s groceries, weekend bags, or coolers. We make it work. He pretty much travels with me wherever I go.

Ice cream Date 🙂

All in all, Booey is hanging in there. I was given, I think, what felt like good advice. Assess his quality of life in his chair. If he appears happy and active in his chair, then you know he is still enjoying life. I thought this was a great perspective to hold, because when he isn’t in his chair, he is pretty limited, and could appear depressed or struggling (which, trust me, I’ve wondered many times). Circling back to the idea of following his lead, this is something I look to do as much as I can. Some days he doesn’t want to go for 2 walks, and that’s okay. I have to let that part of me know that HE knows what’s best for him in that moment.

Hope you are all well and wishing the best for you and your 3-legged critters! Long Live the Tripawds!

It’s been a while, and I figured a fresh post from Boo-Boo, the Northern Husky, was required. We faired well this winter; however, the heavy ice in February made wheelchair walking pretty challenging at times. When you slip with three legs, your nose takes the brunt of the fall, causing a bloody snout, no fun. We still managed to get out twice a day, though, doing our best to make it work. Boo got out so much he wore his wheels down! A new set was definitely in need. We decided to go with bright green to liven up his step and street cred among the other dogs in the hood.

The winter brought monthly physio sessions with laser treatment, which made a world of difference comfort-wise. We have increased his Gaba to 600 mg in the am and 400 at night, and he also gets monthly Librela and Cartrophen shots. This seems to be the best regime for him. His walks are just under 2k a day. So, I’d say our 11-year-old Huskador is doing pretty good. Hope all is well for all of you other Tripaws and the wonderful caregivers who love pups just as much as us. Until next time 🙂 Warmly, Team Huskadors.

On the Shearwater trail for an afternoon walk.

Evening walk around the school. Boo checkin out the local hot spot for Doggy news updates.

Resting

Hello to everyone. It’s been a while since Boo’s last entry. While I consider myself a fairly positive person, I have to say, when I am pushing Boo in his Barker cart and people comment “pampered dog” as they zoom past us on their bikes I can’t help but feel a defensive part stew inside me. I want to yell back and even out the playing field of unsolicited feedback.

I mean, come on people! Do you think I would push a 64lb Husky just for fun? (i mean maybe..haha )and would one not conclude that this dog can’t walk? maybe they are sick, or only have 2 legs maybe 3? What about the large badge on the front of his cart that reads TRIPAWD, would one not put two and two together then?

For the most part, people think it’s cute and comment “I wish I were him” which can be annoying, but much more tolerable, as they are likely well-intentioned. However, when someone bikes past us and grunts “pampered” with no smile, and an air of judgment, it really gets my goat!

What that person does not know is that in this cart, is a dog that would long to jump and run on all fours! He did for most of his life. He would crash through the woods with his nose deep into the scents of nature and move his body at will. But he can’t. Some days he can’t even get across our kitchen floor, his remaining back leg is hinged together by a giant ball of scare tissue, making walking at times painful let alone manageable.

SO YES SIR! My dog is in a cart today! he is getting out of the house, smelling the wind, watching the birds, and listening to all the sounds the forest has to offer him. He is resting his back leg for another day when the pain of walking in his wheelchair is more tolerable. You see, he can only journey out in his wheelchair for a max of 20 min, but you didn’t know that about him, did you Mr. Able Bodied Bike Man?

Yes, my dog is cute, yes I push him in a cart, and yes I would put him in a sling and carry him over my shoulder if that’s what it took to bring joy to his life. If that’s considered pampered, well….. I guess yes, then he is a pampered dog!

Hope everyone is well! and long live the TRIPAWD!

Today Boo-Boo had his first beach day !! He was trotting like a show pup with the help of his new wheelchair! He could chase a stick, roam alone, or let the curl of a gentle wave float over his paws 🙂 It made us so happy to see him enjoying himself.

Barker Cart is great for carrying extra weight like Walk-n-Wheels 🙂 Easy Peezy!!

Can you feel the excitement? haha

Today for Boo’s physio appointment he will be getting further laser rehab and a fitting for his new wheels! This week I noticed his back paw was bleeding from the wear on the cement, which was sad. We hope this will help him gain strength in his front end and take the pressure off that leg.