Simi at work
Bob’s had a rough post-op week. First their was the diarrhea, but I expected that (because of the anesthesia); that was no problem. But the cone they gave him was just the wrong size. He could bend himself around and get right past it to lick his wound, but the worst part was when he was done licking the edge of the cone would scrape along the sutures. He managed to pull one out by Wednesday, so I took him back to the vet. They said the missing suture didn’t seem to be a problem, so they just gave him a new cone. Same shit, different cone.
This afternoon I’d noticed that he’s pulled another suture and the wound was just wide open. Back to the vet again - like a hour before they close. I walk in and explain what’s going on to the receptionist - who I know was new because she told my on Sunday - she said, “we don’t normally take walk-ins. I’d better go back and check.” I only said, “well you’re taking this fucking walk-in,” after she left, so I don’t think she heard me.
Then there was the next comedy of errors. They’re short staffed, not sure if they can take care of anything and they’re hemming and hawing and basically trying to tell me I should bring to a different emergency vet, but they relented. They were actually really nice, but goddamn, I was getting frustrated. First they say, “we’ll just wrap it up and send you home and you can come back in the morning and we’ll re-sew it.” As soon as Bob was back in the lobby, the wrap fell off. So they finally did what I hoped they’d do in the first place and they took him back, numbed him up a little, and gave him a couple staples. Along with that came a fresh bottle of pain pills, a new bottle of antibiotics to stave off infection and a huge bottle of sedatives to goon him out so he doesn’t go after his sutures again. On top of everything, they replaced his cone with a goddamned satellite dish to wear around his head.
He’s had a rough day and he’s completely out of it now. He slept on my lap like a puppy for most of the afternoon when we got home from the vet. Back tomorrow bright and early for another surgery under general anesthesia, so I’m looking forward to more diarrhea. Poor guy. I can’t wait until he’s back on top and I get him running around at a dog park.
OMG, poor baby! I am so sorry! 
It’s our week under the gun. I’ve got a head cold to beat the band and he’s got suture issues. When the sun shines again, it’s gonna be so bright.
Wow! That cone is VAST. I’m impressed.
Well, my friends… I’ve adopted a second dog.
He’s been in the shelter four years. He’s a chihuahua (not normally my style, but… well). He’s ten years old, epileptic, with a variety of other health concerns. Also, he bites. A lot. His whole time in the shelter, he only made friends with one person- the kennel staff who took care of him was not allowed to touch him. I was not allowed to touch him. He hated everybody. He’s been adopted and returned several times, always for things that we discussed at length with the adopters and thought they understood.
He’s been home with me since Friday. It’s definitely an adjustment as we get to know each other (and the resident dog gets used to the idea), but we’re going to make it work.
Anyway… I could go on and on about him, how this all happened, and how everything’s going, but…
well, meet Sigmund.
Family members of mine once took in a dog and named him, for good reason, Mitzvah.
Looks to me like you’ve got another one. Well done.
We just adopted a kitten. It had been born under a deck, spending its entire life outside and as far as we know hadn’t had any exposure to other humans or animals before we brought it home. I was worried that she (her name is Tibbs) would not warm up to the other cats or the dog, or that the dog wouldn’t like her.
An hour later I realized my concerns were without merit.
Soon after this I learned that she would get along well with the other two overlords, as well.
Very cute pics, and the new kitten is a treasure! However, it’s a bit rude to her to post pics without telling us her name! 
Our dog Ella had been adopted and returned repeatedly. We were told, no pressure, that if she didn’t work out with us she was being put down.
We almost returned her, but preserved. A cop friend who is a master dog trainer came over and worked with her. He made several suggestions that we followed. She ended up the best dog. I hope your chihuahua works out.
I heartily endorse this. My Bernie the Bernese Mountain Dog had fear-aggression. If he stole a book or something to chew on, taking it away from him could prompt him to snap, and potentially bite you. One vet – the kind that has permanently lost all my respect – suggested that he should be put down. But in combination with getting a professional dog trainer (recommended by a much better veterinarian) plus some patience, and with the dog growing up and maturing, the problem was solved and Bernie is the most loved dog I’ve ever had.
The kitten is named Tibbs, named after the cat in 101 Dalmatians (and, incidentally, I did give her name in my post).
The dog is named Bella and the other two cats are Splits and Marble.
Translation from the Kitten:
“Oh good! Warm friends to sleep on! I need that!”
Excellent substitutes for her mom and the Kitten Pile.
– it’s great that the other creatures accepted her so fast.
I got rid of Bob’s satellite dish - that thing was ridiculous. It didn’t fit his neck so it hung off the top of his head and swung around like a wrecking ball everywhere he walked. It was effective for blocking his wound but all in all, not worth it. There are other solutions - like the fact that his wound is healing nicely now and he doesn’t seem that interested in licking it in the first place … AND I got him a new cone. It’s a padded velcro jobby that I ordered too small because I’m stupid, but it sort of does the trick. He still has another day on pain meds and I have enough sedative for him to keep him mellow for a month. I’m dialing back on that too, though. I don’t want to ply him full of narcotics if he doesn’t need it.
I’ve got a picture of his wound too but I opted not to post it. You’re welcome.
My God, the poor thing looks like a flower! Get well soon, Bob!
And welcome home, Sigmund and Tibbs!
I was just sitting here wondering how Bob was doing. Thanks for keeping us up to date. I hope he doesn’t have to have the cone too much longer. Is his wound in a place where you could put a t-shirt on him to keep him from licking? Anyway, hope he’s all better soon and I was not very impressed with your vet either. And I hope you are over your cold. When it rains it pours, huh?
A t-shirt, no. It’s on his leg, like right in the crook of his crotch, however, my gym shorts work sort of well.
Yes, you did, but it being the middle of the night when I was reading it, I missed it. My bad!
@Jack_Batty, best wishes to Bob. I’ll be happy to hear when the poor guy is freed from that radar dish!
I have houseguests. My established cats don’t exactly get along with each other, and neither is pleased by the two visitors. They’re just going to have to cope until I can find shelter/foster care for the guests (no, I can’t adopt them myself, my lease does have limits on number of pets, and I already have two cats and a bird).
“Little Miss”:
“Tiny”:
I need to be careful here. I’m finding myself thinking about names for them.
Are they related? Mother and kit?
– I had a feline houseguest arrive, supposedly for just a couple of months. That was back in 2018. She’s still here, and it’s been official for a couple of years.
I did, however, actually have room for her; and no problems with the lease.