Golden Retriever, Dakota's first day home after surgery

When they first brought Dakota out from the back of the vets I wasn't sure how to react. I've never gone through this with an animal before. Here comes two vet tech's one in the front and one in the back of my dog. They had a towel under his stomach and then I saw it. His poor little babbon shaven hips and butt.Oh lord, reality hits you in the face at that very moment.
So, they walk with him outside and try to potty him before he gets in my vehicle to go home. Of course, he didn't want to go.
Next, I am thinking? Did I bring the right vehicle to bring him home in? I have a jeep which is pretty high and I would have to lift him in and out but he could lay down in the back. Or, I have the mustang which is very low so I wouldn't have to lift him, but doesn't have as much room. I opted for the mustang that he could get in and out of easier.. For you, it's your choice depending on how big your dog is and if you have anyone helping you.
The first day I brought Dakota home, he was pretty tired all day. Which let's face it anyone that had both of their femors cut in half, along with a catheter placed in during the surgery, Anesthesia, morphine, just to name a few things that were used and done, you would be a littttle bit tired out too.
We had built a ramp for our stairs by the main entrance. After looking at him and the dog, I have realized that this is not going to work right now anyways. He has to relearn how to use back legs so how is he supposed to get up a ramp? It was a good idea at the time but, it is too steep for him to do right now anyways.






So, the way to bring him in and outside during the day? well, you put a towel underneath his midsection and hold him up so he is more steady, and you have someone walk in front with a leash to guide him up and you walk up holding the towel.
Now in a perfect world this works well, but if you are a single person and you do not always have someone to help at your disposal. What do you do then?
Well, for me I just leave the door open a crack so it is easier for me to grab and open. put one hand under his bottom, and the other hand by his chest and neck, and then just carry my boy in the door and have him sit while I shut the door. Then you can take off the leash, which I still had on him and wrapped around my neck so it wouldn't drag while going up the stairs.
Next I put the towel under his stomach again, and guide him into his bed (which I have a child's Dora fold out couch) your chuckles here.... hey, don't knock it he loves it and it has padding for him to lie on and/or kennel.
Great so now I know how to get him and and out of the house, now what?





Well, for me I put some food and water over by him because he hasn't gotton to eat since 8pm yesterday and now it is about 10am. It didn't take much coaxing and he ate and drank everything in sight.
Other than trying to get him to pee outside which is interesting, walking around leading your dog until he stops and hoping that he is going to pee and not just sit down.Which by the way, after arriving home at 10a.m. that was the one and only time that he did urinate today.
I pretty much left him alone and let him just rest.Except when he was awake then we all gave him lovin's.
Well, that's about it for the first day except for my being anal and writing down a medication plan,exercise plan etc...