[Dailydrool] Torn ACL

[Riche Churchill]

After 70 years of dog ownership (since age 12) finally joined the sad 
group of owners of a dog with a torn ACL. Notabasset, so not as big a 
deal (shorter-bodied, longer-legged dogs handle it better) and, to our 
great fortune, this particular dog loves to be in a crate. He sleeps in 
one most of the time anyway, for no known reason. We don't use them 
except at feeding time, but he uses one -- a different one of the 3 in 
the kitchen, depending on his mood, I guess -- so there is no crying or 
complaining.. He's so quiet, in fact, that he's lucky we don't forget to 
let him out to pee.

The vet ordered 3 weeks of crate rest and then "we'll see." Am not sure 
we want to opt for surgery unless we must. He gets around quite well on 
3 legs and supposedly might be able to use the leg (a hind one) somewhat 
without surgery. He's 10, so we're pondering. Has anyone opted not to 
have surgery? I think depending on only 3 legs would be much harder on a 
Basset..... possibly leading to back trouble.... not so much on a 
lightweight Fox Terrier. As said, he's not very active a dog; some might 
say lazy.

And no, we have no idea how he injured himself. He sleeps 23 hours a 
day, I think. He rarely gets up on the furniture; although he IS the 
only housedog who has the NERVE to get in MY recliner -- which ALL the 
other dogs KNOW not to do. They get on everything else, but never that 
one. Wish I could say the same for DP.

Riche, Bugler ed.
(who you would think would know everything by now, but no.)