Friday 19 October 2007

Helmet Headed Harry

I can't believe I'm letting you see these photos, but I hope by now you're all my friends and you won't laugh so much that you fall of your computer chairs.

I have a pesky poorly paw. I had been surreptitiously nibbling and licking at it for a few days to try and sort it out myself, but ma and pa noticed on Monday that I was really going at it. They tried their best to distract me with cuddles and lots of filled Kongs as well as lots of "noooooooo's", but I had such a strong urge to meddle with it that I simply could not leave it be.

I was off to the vet on Wednesday anyway for my vaccination booster, so ma told the (very pretty) vet about it and she had a look. She said I had a nasty skin infection, and my self-prescribed nibble therapy had simply landed me with a secondary infection to top it off. Well, how was I to know? I was just trying to sort it out myself so ma and pa didn't spend all my treat funds on vet bills.

I had to have my paw shaved and cleaned thoroughly. I didn't like this as it was on my sore bits and the vet made me wear a muzzle as I was grumbly with her and a nurse had been badly bitten the previous day by another dog. I was just trying to tell her it hurt. I have never liked my back feet being fiddled with - I had a nasty experience having my dew claws removed as a young pup I think. My old owner told ma and pa about it so they were able to let the vet know I wouldn't like it. Anyhow, once the vet had finished, she gave me lots of cuddles and liver treats and we were friends again. I had my injection with no bother, needles are no problem for me.

The vet isn't sure why I got an infection.. She said it could be something I've walked on (grass, other foliage), food, maybe a bit of stress at moving house (though I am loving it here so I don't think it is that), dust mite allergy (ma was a bit put out at this suggestion!) or perhaps I already had it when I came to live here and my previous owners hadn't picked up on it. Anyway, I have some rather girly pink tablets to clear up the infection and this remarkably embarrassing collar to wear so I break the nibble cycle. I went back to the surgery for the nurse to have a nosy at my paw today and she declared it much better already, hurrah!

Ma is going to take me to the behaviourist at the surgery so I can start to be desensitised to having my paws touched. Ma says this is why it's important to get young puppies used to having every last bit of them poked and prodded. Good luck with that Cassidy! The behaviourist says I have just learned to growl to humans to tell them to back off when they hold my paws and it is a very common issue for dogs not to like having their paws fiddled with. I need help to bury the old memories. She reckons with her help ma and pa should have some skills to work with and help me realise it's not that bad.

So I had to greet my new grandma, grandad, uncle, aunt and baby cousin looking like this! How shameful. And I keep bumping into everyone and everything. They gave me a long/wide cone as they said I had a long nose - how rude! Ma has seen some more flexible ones, so if I have to wear this for longer than a week, she says she may get me one to make getting around the house a bit easier.


I do a very good "woe is me" face don't you think? I actually don't mind wearing it all that much and haven't made a big fuss at all, but this face does get one lots of treats and snuggles. The first night I didn't sleep much, but now I have worked out how to get comfy properly.

Getting up the stairs is a bit tricky, but I have just about got it sussed. It requires holding your head high and then it's full steam ahead!

Thankfully, ma and pa don't make me wear the darned thing when I go for my jaunts around the neighbourhood. I would hate all my new found friends to be laughing at me.

I had great fun with my grandma, grandad and other new relatives. Baby Leo is simply gorgeous and smelt all baby sweet, aah. I have a few photos, I'll post them over the weekend.


Toodle pip,

Harry x

48 comments:

Molly the Airedale said...

Bummer that you have to wear the lampshade, Harry, but you do want that paw to get better quickly so you can chase Cassidy around, right? I don't like having my feet touched either so you're not alone!

Love ya lots,
Maggie

Asta said...

Harry
Absolutely no need to be embawwased with us youw fwiends..we would neve laugh at you fow weawing the cone..I would guess all of us have had to ow will at one time ow anothew..it weally helps the ouchies go away lots fastew and thaat's good! once you get the hang of it(and you seem to be vewy clevew and aweady have).it's no big deal..and it does get you lots of sympafy and tweats!! Hope youw paw is all healed vewy soon!
I'm sending extwa healing smoochie kisses
ASta

Lorenza said...

Hi, Harry.
I wouldn't make fun of you! I had to wear it twice! It was not fun but I got used to it pretty easy!
I hope your paw heals soon! I don'tlike to get my paws touched either!
Have a nice day
Lorenza

The Black and Tans. said...

Hi Harry

Sorry to hear about your poor paw. You certainly seem to be doing extremely well with lampshade. The endearing look is ace!

Try not to bump into many objects; do your Ma and Pa have bruised shins yet?

Molly and Taffy

Ruby Bleu said...

Oh Harry...that's too bad. I'm so sorry, I hope you feel better soon. You are still a very handsome boy...even with that silly cone. Hey, for Halloween, you could be a martini!!!

Lots of Licks, Ruby

Lesley Rigby said...

Simply THE BEST aren't you? I think if you practised a very, very sad face they might just take that cone off you! Of course you must leave your foot alone but then you would if you had something very nice to chew wouldn't you? Kisses and loves for a "Brave Soldier" XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Noah the Airedale said...

Oh Harry, thankfully we've never had to wear one of those Elizabethan collars. You must be so good to put up with it. We hope you're infection goes away soon.
We agree, that is a very good "woe is me" face. Take it easy matie.

Noah, Willow, Tess and Lucy

Ps. Harry, I'm not keen on that wubba either but the girls seem to like it.

Faya said...

Oh mon pauvre Harry.... c'est terrible. Comment elle ose te prendre en photo comme ça... Tu vas lui faire un procès ? Pour tes dents j'ai peut-être quelque chose. Je vais demander à Véronique d'aller à la poste pour moi....
Bisous, Faya

Sophie Brador said...

Aw Harry, I won't laugh at you. I had to wear a cone for almost three weeks when I had my knee surgery last christmas. It was icky. My mom figured out that she needed to tuck a little hand towel inside, underneath my muzzle, because it got a little sweaty and sticky and icky stinky. The towel made me look even more ridiculous. Like I needed a bib on top of the cone!! Or rather, inside the cone. But it all worked out okay in the end. I actually think it does a beautiful job of framing your lovely, handsome face.

xo
SB

Lacy said...

woofies harry!!! me wood never make funs of u...all of us's might haff to ware one of dos fangs anytimes...de puppies r weelly growin nows...theyyyy sooo cutes..have u gots to meet dem up close and personal yets...bets u cant wait till cassidy comes homes...

b safe,
;)lacylulu

Agatha and Archie said...

Dearest Harry,We won't laugh we have all been there9 except Agatha who is Perfect as we all know) When Archie had his he wouldn't move at ALL and was like a staute!!! Heal quickly( and really play up the treat part) Love A+A

Anonymous said...

I had to wear a lampshade once Harry! Its not so bad and besides, we'd never made fun of you!

the many Bs said...

Hey Harry, we're sorry about the thing on your head. that's a big bummer, but we won't laugh because you never know when a guy has to wear one. maybe you can help out Benson when you get your back paws desensitized. Benson has decided that he doesn't want to be touched with anything other than a hand. mom can pet him, play with his teeth, toes, eyes, ears, and everywhere as long as she is using her hand. if she tries to brush him, put a collar on him, wipe him with a towell when he's wet, or worst of all, groom him, he goes crazy and squirms and yells and runs away. that's not so good for a poodle who is going to have to be groomed and handled a lot. mom doesn't know why he is like this. he is only 4 months old and has not had any bad experiences. he hasn't had any experiences at all. so now she thinks he needs special training. what do you think?

Juno said...

Harry, Noooop... i woudl't laugh at all. Poor thing.. Hope everythign is going well.

I have something for you. Please come by my blog when you have a moment.

Momo xoxo

PreciOus said...

Hi Harry,

Oh dear, ouchie paw paw, I hope it heals up soon. No one will laugh at you Harry, we all have to wear it one time or the other. *Hugs*

Snuggle,
Precious

Amber-Mae said...

Oh man, I hate the sight if satellite dishes around doggie's heads. Poor you! I hope your infection will go off soon Harry.

Love licks,
Solid Gold Dancer

Jackson's J1 and J2 said...

Hey Harry, hope your paw gets better soon. Those lampshades are no fun are they. I always manage to scrape the paint off the wall cos I lose all sense of distance when I have to wear one. J x

Caz and Ludo the cool dude said...

Poor Harry.Sorry to hear you have had a sore paw. i had one not that long ago, I managed to get away with out waring the collar though.Phew they put a nice boot on my foot,I did not dare try and take it off, as i knew the collar would be the next step.
Anyway the colour suits you don't worry what your mates say the important thing is for your foot to get better.

Ludo

Suki & Joey said...

Oh, man, I hate those lampshade thingies. I haven't had to wear one, yet, but it seems like everydoggy has to at least once in their life, so I'm sure I will eventually, too!

You don't look ridiculous at all, though. You somehow manage to pull it off nicely, Harry! ;)

Puggy kisses
Suki

Marvin -The Hollow Hound said...

oh what a shame for you Harry!

The Lampshade treatment is the last indignity known to dog!

Never mind, you "light" up your blog wearin' it!

oooops sorry about that!

Hope you get better real soon.

love and licks, Marvin xxxxxx

jaffeboy said...

Poor Harry. Hope U recover soon. I'm glad you are settling in so well. I will be double the fun once sissy comes along!

Are you gonna go help pick out your new sissy?!

I went to the vet today as well for a sore paw. I licked them sore & now I've got thickened skin! MaMa says I've got OCD.

Kaylie... (Jaffe's half sissy)

Neko said...

It is nice to meet you Harrry and Cassidy.I have added you to my links. We are very happy for Oscars Mum and Dad to be with you. We lost Bella in August so we have had a lot of empathy with them lately. Love,Neko

Urban Smoothie Read said...

as usual...u also looks like an astronout in that ecollar

Bogart H. Devil said...

Aw, the evil "Elizabethan Collar"... sorry you had to wear that my friend, and sorry to hear about the paw!

Love,
Bogart

Marvin -The Hollow Hound said...

Harry, old boy, I felt so so so so sorry for you, I have left you something sweet (not smelly!!!!!) on my blog, call in and take a look, it may cheer you up old chap!

love you lots my sweet pal.

Love and licks, Marvin xxxxx

Freda said...

Hi Harrys!

Sorry you've got to wears the dreaded E-collars. I've been a coneheads several times. Not an arffin' matters.

Hope your paw gets betters soon.

Wuufs!

Freda (Ƨ)

Scrappy and Pebbles said...

Awww poor Harry. Hope that paw gets better fast so that you don't have to wear that E collar for long.

Hugs
Scrappy and Pebbles

Katherine and Pippa said...

Quite right to try and sort it out yourself. It's a shame they spotted you but they are obviously quite cute.

Don't worry about paws. I always play at DaMe Cinco. It's great fun. Especially when I want something to eat. Give them paws, get food. It's a guaranteed recipe.

Take care Harry

Pippa

Scruffy, Lacie and Stanley's Place said...

Oh Harry...my lampshade is out in the garage...Mumsie said if I mess with my stitches she'd put it on. Needless to say....I haven't messed with them. But Scruffy tries to lick them...so I bite him. Works...
Hey...tell ur pinkies that doggies naturally protect their feet. Think about it...it's natural selection. In the wild if something hurt ur paw, (like would u give ur paw to a tiger or a lion)...u wouldn't be able to run if you hurt it. So the doggies that have survived through the ages are the ones who protect their feet. Scruff is still protecting his. He still has his dew claws and the first thing I did to him when I moved here was to break one...he gets the muzzle too.

Lacie

PerfectTosca said...

Harry, you're a conehead! Listen, man, they tried to put one of those on me once and the vet gave The Woman the biggest one they had but my aardvark nose was still longer than the cone!

Now listen, as a veteran foot biter, I have to tell you that you gotta ONLY GO SO FAR or the humans get all nervous. You just nibble harry, none of this heavy duty stuff. That's just not good! Ok, you got it now? Good boy!

Kirby said...

Hi Harry!

Poor you, it's no fun to have an infection. I had to wear the cone/lampshade thingey when I got 'fixed'. I was a big fan of chewing on the overlaping material. It helped pass the time and helped me take out my aggression of having to wear the dumb thing. I hope you can toss it out real soon. Glad you had fun with all your guests.

Your pal,
Kirby

Persephone and Buster said...

Harry, lad--Just think of the positive things that go with the funnel. It's a FUNNEL! You won't have to hold your pint down at the pub with those tender paws...just have Mum or Dad pour it in the funnel, and you're good until, well, the next pint!

Hope that nasty infection gets knocked out.

Cheers,

Buster & Persephone

Snowball said...

Hi Harry,

Do you think your new habit of licking of your paws could be due to stress caused by having too many new things happening to you suddenly?

I know that you are very strong and healthy (even healthier than me and I am 1 yr younger than you!!!) but we can't deny the fact that we are all seniors. Seniors like us dun adapt to new things too fast and it might even be confusing even when we might be showing interest in every new things.

I hope your paws become better soon and its really only a normal infection. Cos stress could lead our immunity to be low and in such condition, senior dogs might get demodex which usually first observed from itchy paws.

Luv,
Snowball

JAZZ AND DIXIE said...

Hi Harry,
Sorry to hear about your paw and that you have to wear that Elizabeth collar!! But hey, if it means getting better quickly then we guess you just have to grin and wear it. Speedy recovery Harry!
Licks
Jazz and Dixie

Joe Stains said...

Harry we still think you are VERY cool, no worries. Take care of that paw so you can get that lamp shade off your head!!

Anonymous said...

Oh harry - we are sorry to hear about the lampshade!!! We hope your paw is doing better now!

Cheers!
Sitka

Gus said...

Harry old chap: You don't look funny...you look like a lucky dog with a very loving family. Teka looked funny in her Elizabethan collar, but you are more dignified!

Lillie Valentine said...

Oh, Harry! I hope your infection clears up soon. My mom has an infection too- its called Lymes disease and she just found out about it. HER antibiotics are BLUE!! Maybe you two should switch!! She doesn't have to wear a cone on her head. I must say that even though you feel embarressed about it, you are one HANDSOME airedale!! Hope your footy gets better soon. Love, Lovely Lillie

Kien said...

Oh.. that doesn't look comfortable at all isn't it!.. but u still look handsome even with a lampshade look.. hahah.. hope ur skin will get well soon..

Cheers
Rossi

Myeo said...

We hope your infections clears up soon so that you need not wear the collar around.

But you still look good so dont worry too much about looking silly.

Love
Boy n Baby

Girl Girl Hamster said...

Aw Harry, you really look sad there. I hope your paw will be better soon so you dont need to wear that collar. :)

~ Girl girl

Huskee and Hershey said...

Hi Harry,
Ahhh.. so you have got the 'satellite' treatment too... I love to chew on my paws (my mom thinks it's more of a behavioural problem rather than a bacteria infection because I can stop chewing it if I am suitably 'occupied').. Sigh.. I know how you feel =(

Luckie Girl said...

Hey Harry,
If it makes you feel better, I had to wear that silly lampshade too.
I hope your paw is much better now!

Johann The Dog said...

Harry! I hope you feel better soon! I don't like my paws fiddled with ether and I certainly don't like those collars - I've had to wear them so much, they make me throw up!

There's another alternative to those collars too - look at this (you'll have to scroll down) - http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-1830651-365459?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sitstay.com%2Fstore%2Fhealth%2Fmed1.shtml%23HBVW

Feel better soon, K?

Woofs, Johann

Amber said...

Hi Harry, sorry to hear about you poor pawpaw, I'm also glad that it is getting better too. You seem uncomfortable wearing the satellite cone,I just can't stand that thing though. I bet you got extra treats and snuggle from your mom and dad :)

Take care,
Amber

Ferndoggle said...

Oh Poor Harry!! Penny & I have been biting our paws b/c it's been so warm & our allergies are really kickin' right now.

We've been treatened with helmet head too.

Lola

Stanley said...

Harry,

I read your later post first, but just wanted to say that I sympathize with you on the lampshade collar. Hate it, but it makes me heal faster.

I'd love to hear what the behaviorist has to say about desensitizing you to having your paws touched. I don't like anyone touching my paws either, and my girl has been working with me, but it's slow going.

Hope you heal up soon!

Goob love,
Stanley

Mojo, Digger and family said...

Poor Harry! the indignity, especially when your new relatives have come to see you for the first time. But I'm sure you handled it like a trooper. You're still a fine looking specimen of doghood!

And you have the most impressive eyebrows. Dennis Healey eat your heart out.

xxx
Mojo