The Perils of Toddlerhood
June 16, 2006

I was having a great time outside playing with Dad
and Miss Lily, doing the blitz and twirling around. Then
in the flash of an eye, I fell down and twisted my leg.
I made absolutely sure to let Dad know by using
a time-worn practice of puppies: screeching.

Poor Dad was beside himself trying to figure out what
happened.  He rushed me to the house, put me in a plastic
box, and we rushed to the vet.  Well, I had something
called a Toddler's fracture of my back left leg.  Yes,
as my Mom often says, XRays don't lie.

Those arrowheads must be what hurts so much!

Well, then I got a swell thing called a cast.  Chewing
on it was very discouraged (they bought me about
a hundred new chew toys.)  In fact, walking on it
was discouraged.  My orders were:  bed rest with bathroom
privileges.  However, as any 5 month-old puppy
will tell you... this is not the best situation for having
fun.  My fracture stopped hurting right after the cast
went on (it also may have been those pills they hid in the
chicken).  I can walk a little more each day.  Then in a few
weeks I get more XRays, which I hope don't lie about getting
off the cast.

When Mom worked in her garden, I had to stay in my Playpen.

I still can chew on Dad's face.

To cheer me up, we went out to lunch.

Miss Lily stayed right by me a lot of the time.

Mom gave me a new toy. 
At first the question was: Who gets the toy?

I gave Lily the "Dickens" eye.

Lily did the generous thing and let me have it.

Then we each got a crunchy treat.

So don't feel sorry for me, even though
I may look a bit pathetic.

Dr. Lily is taking care of me.

By the next time I check in, I hope the XRays will
tell the truth and I can say goodbye to the cast and blitz
all day.

Meanwhile I'll just have a little rest.

Mr. Dickens

Graphics courtesy of Small Paws Rescue