Saturday 21st Aug. (Four Days - post op)

1.30am.
Flynn is protesting VERY loudly (full on Mally howls) at the mo at being put back in his crate. He's been out, done a wee and had a small wander in case he wanted to do anything else but is not happy at going back. At least I gave him his meal and tablets before he went out so as they would kick in by the time he went back but am just waiting for them to work. I can't give in and let him come out again as his exercise is very limited and don't want to do any damage. When he goes out now he wants to walk faster and again I can't allow it - poor boy! Just have to be stern and ignore his howls, so as he knows it won't work. I offered him some water and he tried to knock the bowl out of my hand, he's having a right tantrum, lol. even his comfy collar is annoying him now.
I do feel wicked though and wish i'd let him have a lie on the grass but as it's late thought he wouldn't need one.

2.05am.
A small drink of Ribena once he quietened down and he's now asleep, time for bed!

12.05pm.
Flynn was awake at 9am today and apart from turning and repositioning in his crate during the night not a peep out of him again. After last nights howl off I have changed the way i'm doing things, so this morning he had his meal and tablets 15mins before coming out of the crate, as usually I give them to him when he goes back or immediately before coming out.
We took him in the garden to toilet, he did a wee and brought him back in after a couple of mins for a cuddle outside the crate. After around 10 mins we took him outside again in case he wanted to poo, then sat with him on the grass for a further 10 mins. While he is lying down there is no difference if he's out of the crate or in it, he's resting just the same and the sedatives kick in beautifully. He seemed to want to go back in after this and as he is now only coming out three times a day, it's nice to have some extra fussing time to take away the stress of the crate. I think this approach has worked a treat, seems to have tired him out mentally and of course the sedatives are a huge bonus - don't know what we'd do without them and so glad Noel is one of those vets who prescribe for the dogs state of mind as well as the physical side.
The flooring in my front room is laminate so Flynn can only walk on the non slip rugs from his crate to the patio door - in a couple of weeks I will carpet the whole front room, as obviously he can't walk on that when he's allowed out for longer spells. The thing is, if the sling is used correctly even a slip doesn't matter as you just have to be aware that that's the main reason you're holding it. He could slip anywhere, even in the garden if he loses his footing, just yesterday a small slip on damp grass was quickly corrected by Emma and nothing more than a slight tug by her prevented anything happening. We watch him like a hawk and are constantly aware of any small dips in the ground to be avoided but we are also getting very relaxed about it all, although not complacent. At first we were holding it quite taught but there's no need as it's only a light support that's needed and is really used to prevent a fall or slip - panicking at first we were - or should I say I was, lol.
I have put a pic of the sling position for walking, it's not much different from the toileting position except just a little further down and has to be moved up slightly to expose his "bits" when he stands still. When he starts sniffing - you can usually tell when he's about to wee - we move the sling towards his ribs a little, have only had one small accident so far when when he wee'd as soon as he stopped but the sling can be washed and dried in minutes, it's almost dry when it comes out of the machine and could, if needed, be used immediately.
A pic of him relaxing in the front room - so much nicer than a howl off in the crate.
Sleeping like a babe again now for the next few hours, am missing his usual antics and will be so glad to get my real Flynn back again - got a long wait though!





7.15pm.
Successfully toileted again, he seems used to us following him around and has had a wee and poo. Think all my worries are over now, he's mobilizing very well, eating, drinking and toileting. He LOVES lying on the rug outside his crate for a short while and although not keen to go back, will go in as soon as I say - he tries pushing his head out but I just push it back and say a stern "NO" - which I hate doing.
We extended his crate again today so he has an extra six inches of space now. I bought a 48" crate, took the back off and used it to extend the top and used two lengths of strong wood trellis attached to the sides, in order to fill in the now extended area. It was so simple and all held in place with extra thick cable ties then secured it with two large hooks rawplugged into the wall. With a vetbed on the floor it is completely non slip and can still be extended by another six inches if needed. The largest I could find on the net was 52", still too small and over £200. It doesn't rattle at all and he's got plenty of room for him to lie completely stretched out - lucky boy!
Here's a pic of it in case anyone else needs a crate for a dog over 75kgs.




11.30pm.
A little time out of the crate to gnaw on a bone before bed time as a treat.
It's been a good day, everything going as planned and each day seems easier to cope with, as we learn to be calm around Flynn. He seems to be settling better when put back in his crate and if he does howl I don't feel bad about telling him "quiet" as I know he has at least had some time with us to relax.
His dressing has now come off on it's own as Noel said it would and the scar is very neat, although it looks larger than i'd thought, no swelling though apart from what's to be expected after all the work that went on in there. Have to keep an eye on it as it shouldn't get any more swollen than it already is.
He's all quiet now and sleeping for the night.