Pooch Paw Physio 'plied by Parent

I found out at the vet's today that I'm going to be getting on good terms with some parts of my pooch.

It's been a couple of weeks since the LBD's surgery and although he will sometimes use his bad leg, most of the time he sort of hangs it up like this:

This is not good. We paid good money for surgery so that he would regain the use of that leg, and by gum, he is going to use it!

The good thing is that nothing appears to be giving him pain. His range of movement in the effected hock is really good, and the pin is holding the joint nice and firm. The vet can touch it and manipulate all the joints and LBD sits there and takes it with no sign of concern.

He won't put his full weight on his bad leg when she picks up the good one, though. No, what weight can't be shifted to the front legs is carefully balanced on the vet who is holding him.

It appears to be some issue with his pointy little ballet toes. After the weeks in the cast, then only using that leg for occasional balancing, he has forgotten how to walk on a flat foot. It seems there might also be a little problem with arthritis (which the initial x-ray showed for the hock, so we know it's around - even if he shows no behavioural symptoms).

This means Mum to the rescue! I'm going to get really acquainted with this:

Yep. Twice a day, ten times per each toe I have to put each joint through a full range of motion. While I'm at it I also have to do his hock - since I'm in the area and manipulating.

And I'll have my continuing diet of slow walks, trying to get him to use his bad leg. Although he's keen to get out, I feel terrible walking along with a limping dog, feeling waves of judgement from by-standers (whether they are even looking at me or not).

So if you happen to live in southern Queensland and see a Little Black Dog limping along at a snail's pace (with an increasingly plump owner because she's not getting enough exercise) - say G'day. I'd love to meet you. And please don't get mad at me for walking my poor, injured LBD.

How much pride do I feel when people look judgmentally at this horrible woman taking her injured dog out for a walk?

... Approximately None