Juen 25, 2012: One month Ampu-versary

On June 21, Arri celebrated his 1 month Ampu-versary!!!!   He is doing great.  His fur is growing in nicely.  His one issue that remains is jumping or going up stairs.  Most likely, this will be difficult for the rest of his life.  I think that would be the one disadvantage to amputation at such an old age.  He was already losing muscle mass in his rump as part of the aging process.  He has been able to jump on the ‘dog’ sofa outside the bakery but I noticed in the last week or so that he doesn’t even try anymore.  If he wants up, he stands in front of it and waits for a bit.  If I am not checking to see how he is doing, lays down on the dog bed, not bothering with the sofa.  There is still a gleam in his eye to jump on the bed but it is higher than the sofa, so he doesn’t even try.  Arri does try to jump in the van but he can’t do it so we have to be quick to give him a butt up if he jumps before we were ready.  The other day, I once again, left him alone in the basement too long.  When I went to the stairs, he was half way up and holding position.  It was clear he was no going any further without help.  One more step and he would have fallen backwards.  I helped him the rest of the way.  We are getting pretty good at co-ordination.  He handles bare floors fine if he is being normal but when he gets excited, he is like a deer on ice.  Once he falls, he won’t try to get up.  He will lay there until you help him up and walk with him.

If Arri is not the first one outside, he will not get a spot on the bench.

Today was his first post-surgery bath.   Much, much over due.  Stinky dog.  I was nervous about the slippery shower floor.  Arri’s solution – lean against the wall.  It made access difficult but he didn’t slip.  The best part was drying time.  He seemed to know he would slip if he did his normal post bath crazies so he just laid down on the pile of towels – rolling around.  I was able to get him dry without soaking the rest of the bathroom/closet for the first time – ever.