This was my little Stinky Monster waiting for food when we got home from the vet. All he wanted was something to eat, but I wasn’t supposed to give him anything for three hours.
They were three very long hours.
There is still some dried blood on his fur, but for only three days, I think he is healing nicely.
Toby was only supposed to go outside to go to the bathroom for two weeks, but he is having none of that. He is insisting on several walks a day.
I’m happy we had a sunny day so he could watch some “Dog TV”.
For the first two days, my boy was cranky, but now he seems to be feeling better.* He has even been playing with his toys again. I am grateful for these good times and hope we work things out so we can have many more.
*Right after I wrote this, he attacked me again. Looks like we have a lot of work still in front of us.
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Come see what Toby and Geordie like to do when they’re not recovering from surgery! Dream Our World is available from my shop at L Bowman Studios. Inside they view the world of art from a canine perspective and enjoy a day of unsupervised fun.
Dream Our World would make a great holiday gift!
The Adventures of Bitey Dog 
I hope you have turned the corner with Toby, behavior wise
I should have kept my mouth shut. No sooner had I posted than he attacked me. ☹️
The worst is behind you re:the surgery itself. You can already tell he’s feeling better! Hoping and praying that the behavior issues were pain-related and also in the rearview mirror.
Unfortunately we’ve not turned the corner yet. He attacked me shortly after posting. It is likely still tied to pain, but it is still scary and dangerous. ☹️
Take the good when it comes…he still has to be feeling very uncomfortable…and his life and schedule has changed some, at least temporarily…so it might take some time yet for him to settle in.
I thought for sure Toby would have something to say about you posting pics of his cute little butt. HA! 😉
I think anyone (even animals) who has surgery feels confusion, pain, discomfort, even traumatized for awhile afterwards.
Hang in there! Prayers still coming your way.
(((HUGS))) ❤️❤️
Thank you for the prayers. My stomach hurts so much from being afraid of my own 20 lb dog. I hope Toby feels better soon.
You’re welcome.
😦 Your poor tummy. 😦
We hope and pray so, too. We love you both! ❤️❤️
PS…
Cooper says, “Hey, Toby! I have that exact same collar! When I’ve had to wear it, my mom always asks me if I joined the Navy. Silly woman! She cracks herself up. Toby, my bro, I hope you start to feel better really soon. I send my licks, sniffs, and love to you.”
My mom tells me chicks dig guys with big collars. Does your mom tell you that too? – Toby
Woof-ha! That is funny! – Cooper 🙂
😆
You go toby! He must be feeling better! Have a good weekend! Keep healing little guy!
I wish he would heal without biting!
That collar looks much more comfortable than those wretched cones. I think he’ll take time…post surgery is still tough for a little lad who is triggered by pain.
I hope that’s all it is. It’s too hot to keep dressing like the Michelin Tire Man every time I get near him.
Oh Toby. I know you’re scared, you don’t know why your butt hurts and you’re lashing out. Momma didn’t do it, baby, let her help you.
I feel so bad for both of you. He’s gotta be picking up on your fear, too. Is there any way someone else could help wirh him – having backup might lessen your fear and give you both a break from the constant stress
Unfortunately, I’m too afraid to let anyone come near him. I agree that I am part of the problem right now, but I can’t help it. I am exhausted and running out of patience, and I worry I am going to make a bad decision. ☹️
Hugs. Can you leave him crated for an hour and give yourself a break? Don’t second guess yourself. You’ve done so much more for him than most would. No one should judge any decision you make
Thank you for the vote of confidence. Despite my best efforts, it’s like Toby isn’t in there anymore. There’s just this angry, biting thrashing being. At the same time, I still see the little boy who loves to chase balls and used to hide his stuffed bunny under invisible dirt and stole my underwear for games of chase. I’m so afraid of him right now I don’t know what to do.
You need professional help with this. I can only offer support and prayers. But know you have those in abundance
I hope you can find a behavior expert to help determine what is causing Toby’s problems. Poor Toby and poor you. I hope his attack on you didn’t cause serious damage.
Mostly to my confidence. I have learned to wear sturdy boots at all times.
Just stopping by to see how Toby is doing…how you are doing… ?
and to leave some gentle (((HUGS))), PATS and ❤️❤️
Thank you for the hugs. I really need them right now. I’ve pretty much decided that I need to let Toby go, and it is tearing me apart. One minute he is crazy angry, and the next he is taking his stuffed animals out to potty. 😭
This breaks my heart! 😟😢 I’m sitting here weeping.
Have you spoken to your Vet about this again and gotten their further input? Anyone else you could call or e-mail, even in another state, to get a consult?
(((HUGS))), prayers, and ❤️❤️
After several lengthy consults with Toby’s vet, she agreed that he had a neurological condition that was deteriorating.
Together we made the decision, and Toby is in heaven with Geordie now.
Aw. (tears flowing) I’m so brokenhearted with you, for you.
After reading your blog for the first time, eons ago, I fell instantly in love with Toby. He has brought me such joy through the years.
I know you will miss him immensely every day!
I know you did the best thing for him…with great compassion and love! ❤️
That he is with Geordie now gives us comfort.
If you need a listening ear, or shoulder, please e-mail me. I understand the great loss of our furry-babies.
You have my condolences, my caring, my prayers, my love.
(((HUGS)))
Thank you. (If I were to need to reach out, how would I find your email?)
It’s possible to find them on WP.
Under My Site (click on My Site) on the left hand side of the page under Comments (click on Comments) you can find e-mail addresses.
I found yours. Can I send you an e-mail?
Yes, I would appreciate that! ❤️
Okie doke. Will do.
Have you checked into the resources I sent you? This trainer seems like the best option.
Please call her. Her name is Tena and she graduate of Sarah Lawrence College, both her bachelor and masters. Call me biased, but liberal arts education allows a different kind of thinking in this age of all right/all wrong polarization where the end answer tends to be “burn it all down!”. I don’t know Tena personally, but I’ve found other information about her and her successful training of aggressive dogs and surely Toby is worth one phone call/meet ‘n greet with her.
I hate to be so bold, but I’m gonna be anyway… are you getting support in doing right by Toby? It kind of sounds like folks around you might be leading the rally cry to move Toby along, whatever the definition of that might be. He’s a smart, intuitive baby. He absolutely loves you. And as smart as he is, he’s an absolute beginner in so many things in life. Major surgery is awful. Be sliced like a smoked-sturgeon is awful. Poor Toby is so smart that he’s probably confused and knows it and doesn’t like it. He’s no doubt all out if sorts.
I realize other folks here are offering sympathy to you and I do to you too, but I feel so bad for Toby. I see his photos and see a loneliness. Cairns are not easy dogs. My terrier isn’t easy either. She can take a hand off if your reflexes are slow. I just met her breeder again after about 5 years and she asked about my girl. My response was “everybody loves her! And I do mean loooooves her! One time a lady got down on the floor and rolled around with her! But boy, she can take your hand off if not fast enough!” The breeder’s response was “just like her mother”. My girl comes from a very successful show line, and I do mean the world class highest of the high in this regard, but her mom is a rally dog. Very active, running and not so much posing for judges. Cairns also require a lot of grooming and hand-stripping, just like my dog. I do think that makes her cranky, too. Terriers in general are a handful. As the vet said about my girl, “she’s not a dog/breed for a first time dog owner”.
Please give yourself a tremendous pat on the back and a nice cup of tea for all you have done for Toby. The truth is you’ve done more than what most people would do, but please don’t give up on him. Get some solid resources on your and his side and give those a chance. He’s not even been in the surgery recovery phrase for all that long.
Also, for what it’s worth, Christmas being just around the corner can’t make any of this easy. Toby will likely have to deal with visitors, changes in household patterns, etc. And you may need to wait for the new year to begin training to give time for surgery recovery. But please don’t give up on him. I get that it’s a lot different to be in the driver’s seat versus being a backseat driver, but boy am I ever rooting for Toby.
If you decide that it’s all too much, please look into a Cairn Terrier Rescue, I believe there is one nearby. I know there are Cairn Terrier owners nearby and they may offer resources.
Also, if you run out of options or are there now, please let me know. I will make calls and help.
Oh, and my reference to Mr. David Bowie above is something I thought you might appreciate.
Signed,
Anony-mouse 🐭 and The Terrier 🐶
Utterly heartbreaking.
I’m so very sorry for Toby and you.
Anony-mouse and The Terrier
Thank you. ❤️