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!