Lovely Chocolate Charlie

Discussion in 'Labrador Health' started by Dexter, Feb 23, 2014.

  1. drjs@5

    drjs@5 Registered Users

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    Re: Lovely Chocolate Charlie

    Oh well Julie....that's good news and bad news I know :-\
    Hoping all goes well with your next few weeks. We all know you will leave as little as humanly possible to chance.
    Just make sure you factor in some chill time for yourselves.
    Extra tummy rubs from us :) :)
     
  2. JulieT

    JulieT Registered Users

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    Re: Lovely Chocolate Charlie

    I think it would be good if he could do the treadmill 3 times a week. It takes about 3 hours a time with travel.

    It's actually making sure someone is with him all day, every day, to keep up the walks that is more difficult - 9am, noon, 3pm, 6pm, 8pm - and because he doesn't get much exercise, doing playtimes and cuddles so he gets out of his crate and stays sane. Before he was injured, he would get a run out off lead in the morning, and afternoon, with his favourite dog walker on the days I had to go to work and then left with a pile of kongs. With one of us leaving late, and the other getting back early. That's not possible now.

    But, 6 weeks is not that long. We'll manage. Thank goodness for grandads... :)
     
  3. charlie

    charlie Registered Users

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    Re: Lovely Chocolate Charlie

    Julie, you must be thrilled but a little worried too, but to have Charlie home will be the best recovery for him. 6 weeks will fly by and before you know it, it will all be behind you and you will have your fully recovered boy back :). You will make it work without a doubt. Hugs to Charlie from us xx :*
     
  4. Oberon

    Oberon Supporting Member Forum Supporter

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    Re: Lovely Chocolate Charlie

    It'll be a busy schedule, but manageable and for a finite period. You'll feel happiest if you have him home at this point. So it sounds like a good plan :)
     
  5. bbrown

    bbrown Moderator Forum Supporter

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    Re: Lovely Chocolate Charlie

    We have on many occasions had cause to thank whatever deity or good force you believe in for grandparents taking on Lizzie and Riley care as well as helping with our own sanity and rest so I know how you feel :)

    Good luck for the next 6 weeks, we're all here pulling for you :D
     
  6. Naya

    Naya Registered Users

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    Re: Lovely Chocolate Charlie

    Glad Charlie is coming home :) I hope everything goes well and it's not too stressful for you xx
     
  7. Lisa

    Lisa Registered Users

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    Re: Lovely Chocolate Charlie

    Well, you've got through the worst of it with him at the kennels, hopefully, although as he gets better and wanting to be more rambunctious, I imagine you will have some challenges.

    It will be so nice to have him home, I am sure. But stressful at times for you. Will be sending prayers your way, that all will go smoothly and that Charlie will heal quickly and easily! ;)
     
  8. kateincornwall

    kateincornwall Registered Users

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    Re: Lovely Chocolate Charlie

    So pleased to hear that you lovely boy is home again :)
    I know that people often recover better in their own homes after surgery , so it must be the same for dogs ? Give him a big hug from us x
     
  9. Dexter

    Dexter Moderator Forum Supporter

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    Re: Lovely Chocolate Charlie

    Ah Julie,you are doing the right thing even though it will be full on for you.....wish I lived closer to give you a hand :( Greyfriars once again get my vote of confidence with a full report back to you ,they have treated him wonderfully and although it's a trawl to get him there,you know he's got the best support on this second half of recovery x
     
  10. ClareJ

    ClareJ Registered Users

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    Re: Lovely Chocolate Charlie

    Every dog needs a granddad ;D.

    It will be a tricky 6 weeks, but it will go much, much quicker than the past 6 weeks have! Glad he's home, don't wear his fur away with all the tummy rubs ::)
    Clare
     
  11. JulieT

    JulieT Registered Users

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    Re: Lovely Chocolate Charlie

    [quote author=ClareJ link=topic=4619.msg66519#msg66519 date=1396797311]
    Every dog needs a granddad ;D.
    [/quote]

    Charlie agrees. His Grandad thinks none of his 4 or 2 legged grandchildren need to lose weight. In fact, Grandad thinks the more sweets and sea biscuits, the better! ;D ;D ;D Charlie thinks Grandad is the only one with any sense in this world.
     
  12. JulieT

    JulieT Registered Users

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    Re: Lovely Chocolate Charlie

    The arrangements and schedules are done. Thanks to grandads. Thanks also to wonderful trusted dog walkers. And a little help from unofficial Aunties (friends).

    We've managed to arrange things so a rota of us cover 24/7 plus taxis to hydro and physio. Just 2 afternoons a week when he'll have to be in his crate noon to 3pm. I don't think that's too bad.

    This dog has a loving extended family! Feeling lucky. It's going to be fine. :) :) :)
     
  13. bbrown

    bbrown Moderator Forum Supporter

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    Re: Lovely Chocolate Charlie

    So glad you're all organised, no that there was ever any doubt you would be :D

    6 weeks will be gone in no time :)
     
  14. Dexter

    Dexter Moderator Forum Supporter

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    Re: Lovely Chocolate Charlie

    [quote author=JulieT link=topic=4619.msg66603#msg66603 date=1396818524]
    It's going to be fine. :) :) :)
    [/quote]
    It is x
     
  15. Karen

    Karen Registered Users

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    Re: Lovely Chocolate Charlie

    That is such great news Julie. Well done, it's been quite a journey. I know you're not quite out of the woods yet, but you are on top of things and Charlie is going to be back to full health very soon. :)
     
  16. JulieT

    JulieT Registered Users

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    Re: Lovely Chocolate Charlie

    Thanks all!

    Good day, today.

    Charle vomited yesterday, and he is still on metacam - much longer than the surgeon prescribed but Greyfriars believe in keeping dogs on painkillers for longer so they can do more exercise.

    So popped him down to the local vet (who runs his own orthopedic referral service - how lucky is that? He is at the end of my road).

    He spent ages examining Charlie, watched him walking and trotting etc. and declared him "amazing". :). Very pleased with his muscle tone and how he is moving. Charlie doesn't pass the sit test yet (no sloppy sit). I didn't point out Charlie had never passed the sit test unless he was sitting for a dummy!

    Charlie was also super good trotting up and down a super busy street with loads of dogs around. :)

    The vet had seen Charlie's surgeon at a conference last week and they discussed Charlie and so the surgeon called to discuss too. All very pleased. Digital x-rays next week will be emailed to all involved for assessment.

    Also, weight below 28kgs, ears clear, and everyone very happy.

    I feel very lucky in the team I managed to find for Charlie's care. :)

    I think it's gone well, so far.

    Stopping the metacam now, and some pro kolin for his tummy.
     
  17. Naya

    Naya Registered Users

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    Re: Lovely Chocolate Charlie

    So glad to hear Charlie is truly on the road to recovery :D. It sounds like you have an amazing support network, including your vets :)
     
  18. Oberon

    Oberon Supporting Member Forum Supporter

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    Re: Lovely Chocolate Charlie

    Brilliant all round :) All the careful preparation you did is a big part of the equation, I think.
     
  19. Dexter

    Dexter Moderator Forum Supporter

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    Re: Lovely Chocolate Charlie

    Oh these are the posts I knew would be coming one day when you were in preparation period and his recovery / rehab seemed daunting and loooooooong!now here you are ,half way through and he's doing so well and has even become famous being discussed at Conventions.....oh sorry,I forgot,he's already famous from Pippas puppy book ;D x
     
  20. Jen

    Jen Registered Users

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    Re: Lovely Chocolate Charlie

    It's great Charlie is doing so well Julie and all the medics are pleased with his progress.

    You can't keep a good dog down for long. ;)
     

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