Umm, not exactly sweet Sam. When I said we were off…you interrupted and finished the sentence with…the wizard. We’re actually going to see the vet to get your teeth cleaned.
Sam: Wait, we’re not going to see a wizard? What the dog? My teeth are just fine, thank you very much.
Mom: Well, not exactly…you have a little build up of tartar and keeping your teeth clear of that will keep you healthy.
Sam: Yeah well, I’ll go, but put me down as an official no to the whole idea.
Mom: I thought you liked the vet and all the nice vet techs? You sure wag your tail a lot when you see them.
Sam: Ooh, come to think of it, I do like those techs. Ok, I’m in.
Mom: {thinking to herself} As if you had a choice here, pal.
So we head out to the vet and they happy to see Sam and he was happy to see them. Since he also had a tiny little tag on his lip and a tiny little bump on his nose that I discovered when he was groomed over the weekend, the vet said neither would be a problem to remove and they’d take care of them while he was under. His pre-surgical blood work was good and I could pick him up mid afternoon. As I turned to leave, Sam gave me that “Wait…you’re leaving me” look? It nearly broke my heart to see his crestfallen face. “I’ll be back buddy, be a good boy and I’ll see you soon.” I’m not sure he was convinced but he trotted back toward the surgery area with the tech, tail wagging.
~ 87 hours go by ~
At the appointed time, I arrived at the vet’s to pick up a wobbly pup. Sam was confused about where he was but the tech assured me he’d be fine once the anesthesia was fully out of his system. She gave me post-op orders, a prescription anti-inflammatory and said to let him convalescence for a few days. And with that the tail begin to wag so I knew my boy was fine and would recover nicely. They used a couple of stitches when the tiny bump was removed and they will need to be removed in about 10 days. All I could say was, “cool Sam…you know chicks dig scars, right?” Sam gave me an “if-you-say-so look with a big tail wag.” HIs procedure might have slowed him down but it couldn’t corral that tail. Gosh, I adore this knucklehead!
~ The Convalescence Begins ~
Arriving home, I could see that Sam was pretty wobbly. When he sat, he listed to one side. And his eyes didn’t seem focused. He had no interest in water or food. He just wanted to be left alone rest. Nurse Ninja could sense something was off and wanted to pester tend to him.
Yesterday Sam stayed pretty sedentary, mostly resting, and whenever he went outside to pee, he seemed disoriented. Patience and time were going to be the watch words while the little man recovered. He refused to eat the chicken and rice unless he was hand fed. By the end of the day he finally ate a small amount from a bowl…so long as I held it. My little boy needed reassurance with some good old-fashioned mom TLC.
By the end of the evening, the old Sam began return. He was still not 100% but I could see improvement in his overall demeanor. At the 30 hour mark following the procedure, he hopped up on the sofa late last night owning it like a king. So different from a few hours earlier.
As of this morning, he had a little spring in his step and took a very short walk. When we got back to the house, he asked “If chicks dig scars, mom…do you think they’ll go crazy if I get a tattoo?”
We expect to be back to 100% by tomorrow. I’m hoping that includes normal eating without catering to little Lord Fauntleroy.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Hope all scars are recovered by now. Ms. Zulu has to go to the vet for teeth cleaning and mass removal (as far as we know benign) next week too.
We’ve got our paws crossed it all goes well for her. 😍
So sorry to hear about your dental procedure and that little bump. I’ve missed blogging a bit lately and had to go back in time to see what happened. Our Garnet had a dental procedure Monday that was more intense and her recuperation has been slower. So glad you are showing how easy it can be done! Good boy!
Hope your Garnet is recovering well. Extra ear scratches. The effects of his anesthesia this time kinda slowed Sam down a bit but he managed to get through it after a a couple of days. He’s back to being his ‘normal’ knuckleheaded self. 😊
She started feeling better in 3 days and good in 4 days. Sigh, she lost several teeth and there is an adjustment. I’m glad Sam recovered so easily. For a senior guy, he’s doing really well!
Aw, poor thing. Hopefully the transition goes smoothly and quickly. It took Sam 3 solid days to be back to his usual self. Thinking of you and sending oodles of poodles healing thoughts. 🐩
Thanks!
Poor guy! They all recover differently from the anesthesia, just like us. Sampson is very ‘Roooooey” when he’s waking up. Which amuses the vet staff to no end. 🙂 Hope Sam is well on the way to 100%.
He’s back to being his knuckleheaded self for which I’m very happy.
Pawsitive energy & strength to you Sam.
As if you needed more character handsome boy.
Nose nudges,
CEO Olivia
😂
It’s always tough to get through that post-surgery funk…for both dog and Mom! I’m glad Sam came out of it all unscathed, other than that cool scar he’ll have! 🙂
He’s now barking with a New York accent. Some Mr. Tuff Guy. Ha!
A visit to see the wizard might have been more fun but sometimes a trip to the V-E-T is necessary. ☺ You know the routine…sit…heal ♥
Yes, sometimes those trips are necessary. Good thing oI’m in decent shape. For an old guy. BOL ♥︎
Wow. That seems like a long time to be wobbly. I think I would have been worried. Glad the mom and Ninja TLC did the trick and he’s back to his normal self, except for that rad scar, of course.
His recovery was nearly 3 days long but now he’s acting like a puppy again. Such a funny dog.
I’m so glad!
Thanks I’m pretty happy about it too. If anything, he’s more puppy-like!
I have a similar recovery when I go to the dentist too. 🤓. Glad to hear Sam is back on his feet and crushing chicks.
Now if he’d just stop expecting gourmet meals hand fed to him. 😊
Aw, poor Sam. I trust that by now he’s back to his old, knucklehead self. It takes Shadow a bit longer to “wake up” these days, too; but at nearly 14, she’s entitled.
He’s about 98% though he’ll probably get to 100% later today. These senior pets deserve all the pampering and attention they can get!
Hope you are all back to normal Sam and healing well
hugs
Hazel & Mabel
Thanks Hazel & Mabel. I’m doing great now after a few days of rest and even have my appetite back since mom stopped hand feeding me after a day and half. 😆
Your fur-iend,
Sam🐾
Play it (for all it’s worth” again, Sam.
No worries on that command! I’m a master at it.
Your fur-iend,
Sam🐾
Poor guy – these procedures are never fun. 🙁
Oh sam poor you but so needed for good health. I’m glad all went well.
Mom said that too. We’re lucky they were in pretty good shape.
Your fur-iend,
Sam🐾
So happy to hear he’s doing okay and is almost back to normal. Bear is getting his teeth cleaned in August. Now I know what to expect.
Thank you. It’s not too bad of a procedure but anesthesia is always an unknown.
Glad he seems to be recovering well. Keeping my fingers crossed for a speedy full revovery.
Hugs and pats for Sam,
Pit
Thank you! He’s back to being his usual sweet goofy self.
Siblings … yeah, they can be annoying – but when you really need them … they’re always there. Bear’s had more than a few dentals and I don’t like the after-issues. I always feel like something’s wrong and I’m not good at seeing Bear struggle.
Pets hide pain too easily for us uprights to recognize.
I hate, hate, hate when our doggos have to “go under the knife” whether minor surgery or otherwise. Still, you have to admit the post-op dopey, druggy dogs are funny to watch. Once we know they are A-OK, that is. Anyway, Sam looks good in a mullet and the nose scar is minor because his nose is major. Hahaha…Maltese humor.
Yep, the boy does have quite the schnoz.
You were VERY brave, S. Good job. Now your teeth will be pearly white, and your scar will be just rakish enough to draw in the chicks by the dozens.
Love and licks,
Cupcake
Hope springs eternal.
Poor Sam. We hope he is back to 100% asap too. He has earned a few extra treats for all he had to endure.
Woos – Lightning, Misty and Timber
Definitely more treats particularly the soft ones 😉
Happy thoughts to Sam from the terrible trio! I’m sure the extra love and hand feeding are helping tremendously!
Thank you. He’s definitely not objecting to it. 😊
Oh sweet Sam! I am so glad you are recovering! Dakota knows how you feel, he had a dental last year and has to go back for another in October. Those ARE darned good drugs though, (according to Dakota) Sending (((hugs))) and love!
Sam has never been as loopy before. It was kind of sad seeing him that way.
Join the tattoo club! Choppy is already in it.
It seems Sam wasn’t wrong…he went to Oz for a while after all. Are the bumps being sent for biopsy, or could the vet tell they were benign?
They were pretty sure it was benign.
I’m glad he’s feeling more like himself. I always felt so helpless when they have been put out for a procedure. Scary even.
Have a woof woof day you two. My best to your mom. ♥
Exactly. I was on pins and needles all day!
How I dread teeth cleaning days
Mew mew mew Sam mee finkss thee chickss umm mee meenss ladiess will go crazy fur you with a manlee scar! Not sure about thee tatwo’ss…sum ladies like them an sum do not…..yur reel hansum without them…..
***paw patsss*** an POTP Siddhartha Henry xXXx
😆
I wonder how long it will take him to forget that he NEEDS to be hand fed…
He’s definitely milking this for all he’s worth!
Forget the tats, Sam… go straight for a nose piercing. A bull ring would fit you well. The chicks will love it, Mom will adore you, and there won’t any nasty anesthesia hangover this time…
Oh dear lord. Remember now…this is a guy who is demanding his food be hand fed to him now. Nose ring-Haha! That’s all he needs.
🐬🐬🐬🐬
wow that was a special magic spell that wizard used…. we wish you a speedy recovery dear Sam and we send hugs and healing kisses…
It was quite the hangover, but hopefully the ‘wizard’ will do his magic and let him eat on his own again. 😆
Hugs to Sam as he fully recovers! Keep wagging that tail boy!
Thank you. He still thinks he’s ‘Lord Fauntleroy’ but hopefully that will wane as he gets back to 100%.
🙂