Follow me on Twitter How will we know that it’s okay to take our dog running again after ankle surgery? Keep in touch with your dog’s doctor. Observe your dog carefully when he is resting, walking and running, and going up and down stairs.
We did it!
The other day my dad got up early. He went running and I kept on sleeping. Then he came home and had some breakfast. Then he came and got me, “Joey, let’s go”, and took me out for my morning walk. We walked for a while. Suddenly he sped up – and I sped up. And he sped up some more – and I sped up some more. And I was running!
It didn’t last long, maybe half a block, but it really happened.
That was it. All that day, he and my mom were looking at me walk to make sure I wasn’t limping.
Then my parents spoke to Dr. Cara. “How will we know that it’s okay to take Joey running?” they asked. Dr. Cara answered that it was time for me to start again: It had been 12 weeks since my surgery. She said to keep an eye on me and if my parents noticed anything unusual, to rest me for a day then try again.
The next morning, my Dad got up as usual and took his morning run – without me. I kept on sleeping. Then he came home, had his breakfast, and came and got me, “Joey, let’s go”, and got me for our walk. We walked until I was all warmed up. I get warmed up pretty quickly, though. Then suddenly he sped up, and I sped up. We ran for about one whole block. Then he slowed down and I slowed down and we walked together for about one more block. Then he sped up and I sped up, and together we were running again! This continued for about one block.
Then he noticed it. I was hopping on three legs.
He again slowed down so that we were just walking. And we walked and walked – our way home.
Again all day my parents were looking at me. Was I using all four legs? Was I limping? Honestly my muscles were a little sore but I felt great. I slept a lot during the day.
It takes practice to do what comes naturally.
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so glad that things are getting back to normal and that you’re even running! awesome! keep getting stronger! x
Back to normal – actually better than normal! I have new friends, new family, like Rosie, and stronger friendships. And maybe I’ve even matured a bit, but don’t bet on it. Awesome is correct! I will do my best to keep getting stronger and building up my leg muscles. But my parents have to do their part. Like right now. I want my mom to take me out and she’s busy washing her car. I got in the back seat when the door was open…hint hint…maybe you’d think? Well, the day is still young!
xxoo kisses back!
Wow! In humans, if you don’t exercise after an injury, your muscles atrophy — get weaker and smaller. Not sure if it’s the same with dogs, but I’m glad ypu are already up and running!
That’s a big word, atrophy. Yes, my muscles got smaller and weaker, the muscles of my rear legs, in particular, and the muscles of my injured leg more than the other. What do you call it – atrophy. When I walk away from my parents, I hear them, behind me, observing the way I walk, and making comments about my muscles on the left side, or my muscles on the right side. musclesthismusclesthatwalklimpalittlenolooksokaytome. And that’s the idea behind starting me out running, a little at first, then a little more, and swimming, a little at first, then more. Building up my muscles, a little at a time.