I had a home visit a few months ago with a rescue group I wanted to be approved for. I had many conversations with the adoption coordinator about Doug and how crazy very exuberant he is. I explained to her how he never really calms down, even when he is still, he’s gearing up for movement. I told her these things during the conversation about how when I add the next dog, I don’t want two Dougs. She assured me she had seen it all, she’d been doing Pit Bull rescue for 20+ years. She came and met us. Her exact quote after the visit was: I never in my life have met a dog as energetic as Doug. He is awesome, but he is by far the most hyper dog I’ve ever met.
Told you so!
Despite only being 12 days out of surgery and having at least 10 weeks of rest to go, he thinks he is fully healed and he now tries to do a modified zoomie in his crate, along the edge of the bed. It’s like tightrope zoomies, IN A DAMN CRATE. When he is in the x-pen, he wild ponies up on his hind legs. To say this is against every thing the doctor said he SHOULD NOT DO, is a grand understatement. I mean HOW do you keep a dog down, literally down, on all fours. Should I put bricks on his back?
After he runs the zoomies in the 4×4 space (and after I plead with him to stop (no, NO, ABSOLUTELY NOT!) he resorts to ramming the crate or pen door. Like a bull. Like a bull with a broken leg who is supposed to be resting. Every time I go in to spend time with him, it’s like an ultimate warrior cage match.
He has been doing all of this, since day 4 post surgery. I mean even superman could be held down by Kryptonite.
I am not a dramatic person. If I say Doug is crazy, he’s crazy. I’m very matter-of-fact. Trying to keep Doug calm has made me drink cry. It’s brought actual tears to my eyes. I legit hid from him at one point because I just couldn’t fight the fight anymore and I needed a break. My hiding, only rev’d him up more. Hide and seek, fun!
I feel like the vet surgical community failed us when they sent us on our way post surgery with a see you in two weeks, keep him calm and off that leg. Pretty sure they threw in a wink and smile for hurtful measure. I had tried to explain that Doug was VERY energetic. That there was no way to keep him calm. And I’m sure they hear that A LOT from owners who don’t really know what true, nuclear energy looks like. I watched as our surgeon’s eyes glossed over when I explained to him that while I was VERY committed to Doug’s recovery, Doug would in no way, shape or form be at all committed to it.
He said to me…Doug will realize his limitations. And then he tried to send me home without tranquilizers. Uh no, nice try.
Sadly, the tranquilizer we were given was no match for Doug. I get it, Excedrin Migraine is as about as powerful as a tic-tac when it comes to my migraines. Some medication just doesn’t stand up to the challenge before it. Doug’s current tranquilizer is one of those things.
I am willing to do the hard work. I kept Jake in a cone for six weeks after his eye surgery. Six weeks in a heavy cone for a dog with a compromised spine could almost be considered abuse (which is why I ordered that ridiculously expensive head mask – remember that???), but saving his eye was important for his well-being. In the end, it was the right decision. Well, it was the right decision before knowing he had terminal cancer. Had I known about the cancer I would have had the eye removed and let him live as struggle-free as possible. Ahhhhh, hindsight, you’re a bastard.
Speaking of hindsight…Jake had it. 
Keeping Doug calm is up there with juggling sand. Impossible.
I’m OK with Doug continuing to hate me as I try to get him through this timeframe intact and with 4 healthy legs at the end. This phase in our lives will be all but a blip. We are going to try a new tranquilizer. And if that doesn’t work, we will try something else. If nothing else, all our trying will pass the time. Right?
He is still planning my death. Thankfully, the cone and donut SHOULD come off tomorrow when his sutures come out. 
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