Otis – Out and about (or all of the interesting things tripawds can do)

Finally, nice weather in Chicago! This step has always been one of his favorite places to sunbathe.
Finally, nice weather in Chicago! This step has always been one of his favorite places to sunbathe.
Unfortunately, this is what most of our walks look like. He enjoys when I "pick him up like a suitcase" using his new harness.
Unfortunately, this is what most of our walks look like. He enjoys when I “pick him up like a suitcase” using his new harness.
Otis and Tess upstairs in my bedroom - they won't miss this morning ritual.
Otis and Tess upstairs in my bedroom – they won’t miss this morning ritual.
Handsome boy in his Ruffwear Webmaster harness.
Handsome boy in his Ruffwear Webmaster harness.
Can a tripawd do stairs?
Can a tripawd do stairs?
Oh look, a new bandana! He really is an official tripod now.
Oh look, a new bandana! He really is an official tripawd now.

An open note to my furry family,

The human needs sleep.  In the future, unless there is actually something wrong, please refrain from lip licking, flopping around restlessly, whining, chasing or growling/hissing at other members of the furry family, cleaning any part of your anatomy in the room where I am sleeping, asking to go outside an hour after your sibling went (when you did not go), walking around on my bed, trying to sleep on my pillow or face, belching, sleeping right in the middle of the bed fully extended, jumping on the bed smelling of litter box, or begging for breakfast before 4:30 am.   Seriously, this reminds me of having a new baby!

Otis’ Two Month Ampuversary!

We made it to two months!   Amazing how much has happened in that time.   We went from round the clock meds and me being a total mess afraid to leave him for even a minute, to chasing cats, going up and down stairs, and hopping around at will.  Our walks are still only 7 houses, with a long break at about house 5, but in truth, the weather has been so bad it has limited our ability to go out.  I am so thankful that he is still with me, and so thankful to this community for the support!

Otis and Tess spend lots of time in the sun.
Otis and Tess spend lots of time in the sun.
Midway through our walk - he seems to enjoy looking around and sniffing the air.
Midway through our walk – he seems to enjoy looking around and sniffing the air.
Otis, Tess and Enzo, and yes, I am supposed to sleep somewhere in there.
Otis, Tess and Enzo, and yes, I am supposed to sleep somewhere in there.
Do we really have to keep walking, Mom?
Do we really have to keep walking, Mom?

Otis – Just being a dog!

We are in week 5 post-amputation and getting back to our normal routine.   Chemo #2 is Tuesday.

We love sleeping in the sun!
We love sleeping in the sun!
Not sure that any humans actually sit on this sofa - Otis and Princess. She is pretending not to notice him.
Not sure that any humans actually sit on this sofa – Otis and Princess. She is pretending not to notice him.
His two favorite things - the sun and being upside down.
His two favorite things – the sun and being upside down.
The sofa provides a great vantage point to watch over the kitchen.
The sofa provides a great vantage point to watch over the kitchen.
Otis in his Big Barker bed, and Tess on my mattress - bedding color set off by the yoga mat.
Otis in his Big Barker bed, and Tess on my mattress – bedding color set off by the yoga mat.
Still handsome!
Still handsome!

Otis and Tess – Our Photos!

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Hi!   This is otisandtess (aka Christine).   I finally asked my 16 year old daughter to set up this blog and post some of our photos of Otis.   Took her 2 minutes – says something about the generation gap.  So anyway, we have a forum “New Tripawd – Otis” if you want to know more about us.   Otis is an 8 year old lab/Dane mix.   On February 7, 2016, he broke his right front forelimb when he went outdoors.  We took him to an emergency vet.  X-rays suggested osteosarcoma.  On February 9, the leg was amputated and he came home on February 11.  Staples out and first chemo on the 19th.

Tess, by the way, is his adopted sister.   She had cruciate repair over the summer, but is doing great and very attentive to him (just as he was to her during her surgery).

He took his first walk today – the excitement was overwhelming.   We only made it 6 houses, but he really didn’t want to turn around!  And you can see that he loves sleeping on the sofa.

Otis and Tess - before his surgery
Otis and Tess – After her surgery, but before his!
Otis on the sofa - upside down. He loves sleeping this way!
Otis on the sofa – upside down. He loves sleeping this way!
Otis and Tess sleeping in the sun. This day gave me so much joy!
Otis and Tess sleeping in the sun. This day gave me so much joy!
Up on the sofa in week 3
Up on the sofa in week 3
Otis, a tripawd, looking for his neighbor on the other side of the fence.
Otis, a tripawd, looking for his neighbor on the other side of the fence.
Our first walk as a tripod!
Our first walk as a tripod!
Starting sitting for treats again almost immediately.
Starting sitting for treats again almost immediately.
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My baby BoyO. Isn’t he handsome?