I decided to try having Chloe walk without the sling because for the last week she hasn’t been relying on it at all to walk. Pretty much just kept using it out of habit… So when I took Chloe on our usual walk around the block  minus the sling, I am happy to report that she had no problems!  In actuality it was more like she took me for a walk because she had so much energy.  Speaking of energy, Chloe’s interest in her toys is continuing to grow. Last night my dad rolled the soccer ball about 8 feet and she happily hopped along after it. We know she’s still learning how to figure out her body so he only rolled it a few times.  Chloe had just the happiest look on her face because she loves playing outside.  Seeing her to do her “normal” things again with such joy and enthusiasm seems like the best medicine (apart from her naps of course!).

My human and I both love soccer...

I am slowly allowing Chloe to have more “freedom” which means that most of the day she is with me in the living room resting, but for about a half an hour she is allowed to explore the living room and kitchen area.  She has already taken to the now carpeted stairs that separate these areas, so I am less worried about her falling. Just have to make sure she doesn’t try going up to my parents’ room because that has alot of stairs and we don’t have the Ruff Wear harness yet.

Well its only 2 more days until the staples come out and I am so anxious to hear what the vet has to say after he sees Chloe!!

Last night, one of my good friends was kind enough to dog sit Chloe while my family and I went out to dinner (last family dinner for quite a few months).  She is the one I was with at the dog park when I noticed Chloe’s tumor.  My friend agreed that payment in the form of a Krispy Kreme donut or two (we just bought earlier that day) was sufficient. I am so fortunate to have such supportive people in my life… I really can’t emphasize that enough.

In preparation for my big move out and Chloe’s soon freedom from the living room, my dad bought some cheap carpet (cut into strips) to tape to our wooden stairs. This way when she goes up/down to go out to the backyard, she will have some “grip”.  She and I tested it today (walking with leash and sling) and she didn’t slip.  Going down is much easier since she has two front legs to distribute her weight.  Don’t worry, I am not forcing her to go up and down over and over again. We started with one trip this morning and might do it again in the evening only if she is up for it.  It is only because she is much more confident sitting, standing, walking, sometimes trotting (she pulls me at the beginning of her bathroom breaks) that I decided to try the stairs.  I will only have 1 day after she gets her staples out to finish helping her learn to move around the house (living room to kitchen to backyard) so if I don’t start now when I have the time to practice with her (family mostly busy), I am afraid she is more likely to injure herself. Light practice now = less for me to worry about after I leave.  Chloe is still getting plenty of rest, probably rests/sleeps 20+ hours a day. And yes for all of you wondering, a size Medium (red) Ruff Wear Harness has already been ordered. Still waiting on a tracking number, but I hope it gets here  soon after her staples come out.  My dad will work with her next week to go up to their bedroom since my dad is the second favorite to sleep near at night. Those stairs have 12 steps, a landing, and 3 more steps. She will have the harness by then (I hope anyway) which will really help.

And did I mention we are having another visitor tomorrow?  Since I will be moving soon, one of my good friends is coming over to spend a few hours with Chloe and I since I can’t bear to leave Chloe alone for more than an hour (she can be quite the escape artist and having one less leg doesn’t seem to slow her a bit). So exciting! Oh and on another note, Chloe was playing with her favorite squeaker again today only she was trying to paw at it like she used to do with 3 legs. However, she did manage to keep her balance with 2 legs for a few seconds! She is surprising me every day.  Seriously with the right incentive, a dog can bounce back quicker than you think is possible (been my experience so far).

More pictures of active Chloe pre amp.

Gotta get the ball, gotta get the ball...

I got the ball, I got the ball...

So this morning Chloe decided to play a little tug-of-war with me in the living room with one of her plush toys that we call her “gingerbread boy”. It is in the shape of a gingerbread man (but about 8″ tall), is a solid maroon color and no longer squeaks (she has strong jaws and can go through toys like no other). This is the only plush toy she hasn’t shredded and strewn the insides around the house, which is why we no longer buy her those types of toys.  My posts are getting shorter since she seems to be having a speedy and uneventful recovery, so I will just post a picture or two everyday until she gets her staples out (Thursday) and can give an update with how her vet thinks she’s doing. And I wanted to do a shoutout for those of you who are following my blog, THANKS! I really had no expectations since this is my first!

I love rolling in the best smelling parts of the lawn. Belly rub please!

Chloe loving the sound her squeaker toy makes.