Health & Fitness
The Puppy Chronicles: In Sickness and In Health
Mac the puppy's empathetic new friend
The night before Mac’s surgery he cuddled with our dog Togi on the couch. He was groggy from the pain patch on his paw and really tired. Togi has repeatedly dropped his ball in front of Mac hoping to get a game of fetch started, but, right now Mac’s too injured to play.
I was worried about how our happy and very energetic 65 pound Alaskan Husky would be with the injured 14.5 pound Mac.
On their first meeting, Mac stood still and let Togi sniff him from head to toe. Togi inspected Mac’s injured snout and worked his way down to Mac’s cast. Through his sniffs I think Togi can tell Mac has been to the vet--"yikes" is what Togi thinks about that. He could also tell that Mac was injured, which Togi himself is familiar with.
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Togi, like Mac, is also a stray rescue--except he’s from Alaska.
Shortly after our wedding three years ago, my husband Brian, had to fly to Alaska for work.
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On his first full day there he found a starving 7 week old puppy. Brian began feeding him graham crackers, which was all he had on him. He made a new best friend and spent the first two weeks after our wedding with a puppy dog.
Not soon after being back in L.A., we discovered Togi had a severe hip problem and needed TPO surgery on both hips. When this surgery is performed, especially before the age of one, dogs can lead normal healthy lives.
Both of Togi’s hip surgeries were a success. After a long recovery including physical therapy he leads a very athletic lifestyle. He just ran 14 miles last weekend and loves to swim, hike, and play ball.
Mac’s surgery was performed by the same surgeon, Dr. Barrett at Blue Cross Pet Hospital. I’m not sure Mac will need physical therapy, but if he does we’d take him to the same place Togi did his, Rose City Vetrinary Hospital.
With all your help through donations and good wishes, and the care from all the Vets, Vet Techs, and sniffs from Togi, I believe one day, in the not too far future, Mac will pick up that ball Togi puts in front of him.
To donate to Mac’s recovery please click on the link below: http://helpmacwalk.chipin.com/injured-dog
