Early on Saturday morning, we set off to explore a bit of National Cycle Route 7, between Kilmahog and Strathyre. All was well – the weather was fine, the scenery was glorious, there was a tasty picnic in the basket, Tom was bicycling, and I was tricycling along merrily, with Bruce happily in tow. Then, after a few miles, and just a minute or two after I stopped to take the photograph above, Bruce decided to leap into a barbed wire fence, and wounded himself really badly between his hind-leg and groin. A mad dash to the emergency vets ensued.
Bruce is well-trained, and very good off the lead. He always stays close to us when we are walking or cycling, and this is the first time he has sustained any kind of serious injury while we’ve been out and about. Fence-leaping is not typical Bruce behaviour, but I would not want to run the risk of him acting on an unaccountable dog-whim on another occasion. Does he know what hurt him? Would he know not to try jumping such an obstacle again? My feeling is probably not. In any case, we were lucky that his injuries weren’t much worse, that Tom was there to manhandle him back over the fence to safety, and that we were able to get his injuries attended to relatively quickly.
The worst thing about having an injured animal is that you cannot explain to them what is wrong; why their leg is bothering them, why they can’t run up and down the stairs, why they have to sleep wearing a giant plastic cone on their swede. It is fair to say that Bruce is feeling a wee bit sorry for himself, but really, he is absolutely fine.
National Cycle Route 7 can wait a while.
KDD & Co 
Oh Bruce, baby, that mus thave hurt! What in the world did you see that enticed you to do that???? Take care and heal!
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Bruce is very lucky to have two such good folks to take care of him! Hope he feels better soon!
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Poor Bruce! I hope he is recovering quickly!
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It must indeed be the week for doggie injuries and illnesses. Our dogfacedgirl, Charlie, has been having some respiratory problems for months. Courses of antibiotics and then cortisone haven’t helped, so the vet knocked her out on Monday and investigated her lungs, heart, nasal passages, ears, eyes, throat etc and x-rayed various bits of her, then sent her home without a definitive diagnosis beyond it’s probably an allergy. She was very mopey for a couple of days but seems to coming good again today. She sends greetings and commiserations to Fourlegs Bruce and hopes he will be fine again soon.
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Poor Bruce- hopefully he will heal quickly and not try that again. It will be harder on you than on him while he heals.
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Well….he’s a lab after all…..one cannot assume logic will always win out. He seems a very reasonable fellow most times. Perhaps referring to the dreaded thing as an Elizabethan collar will help make him feel less shamed, although still uncomfortable. Labs and legs are an ongoing challenge.
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Poor Bruce. Stan was hit on the nose by a cricket ball last year, he was so lucky that he just had a bruised nose, so Kate shouldn’t feel bad that you tried to jump the fence – I am sure that you won’t do it again, just as we give the cricket pitch a wide berth when there’s a match on.
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Bruce, hope you recover soon. Worry though not, Kate and Tom will take care of you. Watch out for that silly prickly stuff that humans install in the middle of the landscape!
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Bruce, we call that device “the cone of shame” because our dog Jupiter (a standard poodle) seems so sheepish when he wears one. That’s the only kind of sheepish-ness I can think of that is bad.
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Ah, Bruce! Be careful, pup! Hope you all get to test the trail safely next time.
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Get well soon Bruce!
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Oh that sad sad face! I’m so sorry Bruce. I hope you feel better soon.
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Poor guy! I was just cruising your archives and came across pictures of Bruce as a puppy. Adorable puppy turned into handsome dog. Swift recovery, Brucie. I also got a charge out of his fascination with your kniitting. I’m dogsitting a Weimaraner puppy for my niece and she (the dog, not my niece) is absolutley fixated on my knitting tote bag and will make a full out dive for it no matter where it is, always coming up with a mouthful of something I don’t want her to have. Very funny.
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Heal quickly, Bruce. My late English Cocker Spaniel had to wear a cone continuously for YEARS because otherwise she’d chew her feet raw from anxiety. There is no paint left on my walls or trim anywhere in my house at the height of that cone.
I can highly recommend making Bruce a long crocheted tie to hold the cone on without the discomfort of the gauze with which they normally send the dogs home. Use worsted-weight yarn. Make one long chain (long enough to be able to tie a really lovely bow), and on the next row do half-double crochet (American stitch), across, and there you have it: a flexible-but-strong, comfortable tie about an inch wide to hold the cone on securely, in whatever color you like.
I cannot wait to see a Kate Davies improvement upon my design! Bruce deserves a knitted gift!
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Aw Bruce, you are a most fine fellow & I’m sorry you’re on injured reserve. My advice is to soak up as much sympathy & biscuits as you can while the getting is good. Hope to see you back on your adventures very soon.
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Bruce, my boy, ouch, my heart leapt in fright to hear of your attack by the barbed wire. So sorry to hear too of the cone being included. I can let you in on a little secret. One of my girls wore the cone for a few days after some girly surgery. Well, she realized the other dog in the house, and especially the kitties in the house, were afraid of it when she had it on. She managed to get the upper hand on some attention and treats that way. I know its not really gentlemanly, like you are, of course, but, well, just saying, if you feel the need.
I can tell your people love you much, the cone never lasts long. Heal fast and well.
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Poor Bruce. We hope you feel better soon. Annie and Arlo, the yellow labs.
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Bruce! What were you thinking? Now that you know how degrading it is to be a conehead, you’ll think twice about blindly following your nose. Take care.
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Poor Bruce – I have one bonkers young black lab & his ‘sensible’ old dad! Always in some sort of scrape or other. Not as daft as they look but oh so good at that ‘pity me’ face. We’re all sending ‘get better soon’ thoughts…
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Poor Bruce. In May we found a tick on our dog in about the same spot as Bruce’s injury. You’re completely right – you can’t explain to him that he needs to hold still and while it feels like you’re hurting him you’re actually helping.
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Alfie sends doggy get well wishes to Bruce. Glad to hear Bruce is on the mend. Many years ago, our previous border collie, Jasper, ran into the greenouse when he was a puppy and gashed his leg. Thank goodness for vets. I was a quivering wreck.
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Fleur says to say Bon Courage and she is sure Bruce will heal quickly as dogs tend to do that. She thinks that perhaps he saw an interesting body to chase on the other side of the fence. She did that once and the fence was electric and she still remembers not to go near an electric fence even though that was a long time ago when she was about Bruce’s age
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Ouch! From experience, dogs do learn from experience…to an extent :-) My old Parson terrier remembered that cows kick VERY hard. He took a hefty kick in the ribs which sent him halfway across the field!
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just realised my English writing skills are broken tonight, sorry!
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Awh poor Bruce!! I hope he will be his old self again soon and has learned not to jump into painful fences again in the future!
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Oh poor Bruce! Let me say that I have two dogs and one is barbed wire fence trained or aware as she came from a ranch. The other ran/jumped through a fence a week ago and was scrapped up just bit. I am not sure if she will about fencing or not, but our other dog certainly gets barbed wire fenced.
Best of luck with fast recovery Bruce!
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Some years ago, my much missed spaniel Honey has stitches in her front leg …… overnight she managed to get the lampshade off, the cohesive bandgae off, then removed the stitches!!
Best wishes to Bruce for a speedy recovery – I am sure he is being spoiled with an extra treat or two!
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Poor Bruce. Oh those cones! They are a pain, aren’t they? I am glad he’s on the mend and that his injury was not worse. He looks like he needs lots of hugs.
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Poor Bruce :( Hope he’ll feel better soon! He’s lucky to have such great “parents” :)
Oh…I just realized that Lucretia’s already expressed the same view :)
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Poooor Bruce! The way that his ears are just hanging, without their usual happy-go-lucky Bruce perky-ness just makes me want to give him a big hug. He’ll be about and around soon enough, and he’s got the best care from his humans. Bruce is a lucky boy, indeed.
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Oh Bruce! Hope you’re back on your paws again soon.
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Ow..poor Bruce.. Hope he gets well really soon !
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Oh, poor Bruce! Horrible to see someone you love being injured. I hope he gets better soon.
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Poor Bruce! I bet you both were rather upset and stressed out, I am glad he is going to be ok!
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OHHHHHHHHHHHHH Bruce!!! what wonderful posts and truly i have nothing to add except:
I use Homeopathic remedies and Ledum is good for punctures and Arnica for healing in general. Thinking of all of you because you are all involved. And ‘wearing’ my new KD bag with pride :) Thank you.
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Poor Bruce.
Let me comment on this from the perspective of a (knitting) animal welfare scientist. This was an accident for which neither Bruce nor his human companions are to blame. But someone once left that barbed wire where it is. There’s a whole lot to be said about barbed wire in general, and abandoned barbed wire overgrown by vegetation in particular. And any barbed wire fence is a potential future abandoned barbed wire overgrown and invisible.
I would say you’re perfectly entitled to speak out against barbed wire!
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Barbed wire, yeowch! I hope Bruce feels better soon.
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I’m so glad he’s okay. I wish him quick healing!
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Goodness, it must be the Week of Injured Animals. We had to take my kitty Truffle to the vet for emergency surgery to remove an intestinal obstruction. She has to take painkillers and wear the cone, and she is not happy about it! I wish I could explain that it’s for her own good.
I wish Bruce a speedy recovery!!
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Get well soon sweet pup!
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Ah, poor Bruce. That plaintive look is just so sad. My Jack – also absurdly sweet/kind and very reliable off-leash – hurt his leg this weekend too. But, it was done in going down the back steps to the yard. Sometimes, it’s not just the mysterious inner dog impulses that lead to injury. Get well soon, Bruce!
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Poor Bruce. My friend called her dog “Woozle” when she had to wear a cone. The cone kind of makes that noise as it scooches on the ground and really, what are “Hefalumps and Woozles,” anyway?
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so glad darling Bruce will be alright
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Oh Bruce – the Cone of Shame! So sorry about his accident. Check out Jean Moss’s blog from a few months back… one of her cats nearly lost a back paw, and was similarly coned. Bruce, leave the fence-jumping to the horses… xo
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Poor Bruce! Wounded animals break my heart. Especially labs. Mine partially tore her cruciate and isn’t allowed to run for six weeks and has to be leashed at all times. She is so sad!
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Poor Bruce. In my experience – whippets are *very* good at finding things to tear themselves on – he will know to avoid that fence and any that look like it, but not to avoid fences in general or pesky barbed wire. Meanwhile dilute lavender oil is good for speeding healing and soothing itches and quite safe to use on dogs – yup, it’s that voice of experience again! Get well soon Bruce :)
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So glad Bruce is ok and on the mend. Get well soon Bruce!
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Awhhh poor Bruce. I hope he has a speedy
Recovery.
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Ah well Bruce, one of life’s lessons learned – the grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence! I hope you feel better soon.
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Aww Poor Bruce. Feel better soon! Sending some Reiki energy and positive vibes to the painful parts. Always remember, pointy on each end….good, pointy all over….painful!
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ps. Oh, and Bruce, here is a picture of me following that ol’ manky lion’s tracks up the ridge, last snow we had here….Lix, Emma http://walkingwithemma.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/emma2bfollowing2blion2btracks.jpg?w=225
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Labs. Such sweet personalities, but sometimes lacking in sense. Our sweet old guy never learned to stay away from porcupines. Never got a quill in his eye, but boy. You’d think after the first one he’d have recognized the scent was not for chasing! Hope Bruce heals quickly!
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Bruce, I totally understand how we must chase, chase, chase. I too got taken to the vet from a bad injury the day before my 7th birthday, on May 1st, because I think I may have broken or sprained something. THe vet gave me all kinds of pillz which Jen tried cleverly to hide in bits of meat and cheese, and for a long time, the whole month of May. I had to take anti-inflamatories and anti-biotics because they think it was a tick that gave it to me possibly. I get lots of ticks, regardless of the fact that Jen gives me Frontline and Heartguard (expensive things from the vet, one is vile, the other a yummy treat. So that’s sort of two things… maybe one, I’ll never know, I never will. I just like to chase. C h a s e ! ! ! And bark. (it feels so good to vent ) . And once I caught a real grey squirrel, so it was not all in vain, nope, I know it can be done. Oh, you know what else? There is a huge mountain lion up here. I think Jen is uneasy about of the lion too, because our neighbor called the other day and told us he’d just seen the biggest lion ever outside of his window, and if I was inside. Well, Jen must be trying to protect me or something, as now she hikes with me on a long retractible leash when we go walking up the ridge. (I’ve always gone out sporting a really nice harnass called ‘Sensation’ and it makes Jen stronger than me, which is frustrating because I am a German Shepherd and like to be the strongest). Anyway, I’d show that ol’ manky lion who’s boss. Grrrr ! I kind of think she’s worrying unnecessarily though, but for her worry, I’ll not complain about the leash. I kind of like it, that way I know she will not be far from me if something happen’d to her while I was off chasing a deer as I LOVE to do. I kind of like the leash now (but don’t tell Jen) and sometimes Jen lets me run anyway, in areas nothing can really happen to hurt anybody. All I know is that leashes are kind of fun, and I pick it up and lead Jen around holding the leash in my mouth… just to show who’s leading who. :) Bruce, you’re a good boy !
~~~Lix~~~ Emma
(Jen is my human)
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Oh! Poor Bruce. I’m glad you were able to get him fixed up so quickly and well, but I would imagine that was a scary moment for all of you. He’ll be frolicking again in no time, though – hopefully as a slightly wiser dog.
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Poor Bruce! There is little worse than the Cone of Shame. I have a cat who can sympathize having recently had his own cone of shame incident after swallowing a needle. Give the poor boy extra cuddles and he’ll be up and running again in no time
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oh, Bruce ~ do hope you’re feeling well quick! No more fence hopping!
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awww that first picture
it just melts my heart
feel better soon Bruce
you too Kate! that must have been a fright!
donna
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Hope Bruce heals well and quickly!
If you are up for it and Bruce can keep from obsessively licking, you can take the cone off during the day and keep a real sharp eye on him.
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Glad the situation and injuries were not worse! I don’t think dogs recognize strands of wire as an obstacle, like woven wire or other fences. I’ve had a dog go through barbed wire and get an awful rip, and this was a fence the dog saw every day, on our own farm…but that one day there was something on the other side that “required attention!” Same thing with electric fence, where it’s just two or thee strands of wire, some distance apart. A dog might catch on to the risk after one zap, but it’s hard to know for sure.
Enjoy all the special attention, Bruce! (Apart from that wretched cone…hard to enjoy that, but it’s all for the best.)
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poor wee scone. hope all is soon mended, and you can all get back out in the great outdoors again. x
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Oh poor boy! Shadow and I will send good thoughts his way.
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Poor Bruce! Hope the sore bits soon get better and that you will be running free (but a little more carefully) very soon.
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Accidents happen and you are going to worry about him when he is off the lead but keeping him on the lead will be for you, not for him. Its a balancing act. Its the same with children.
Bruce had an accident, fortunately he’s patched up and there is no permanent damage. I don’t think you should assume he doesn’t perfectly understand what happened. Dogs are supposed to know 250 words so my assumption is he gets what happened. How could dogs ever survive in the wild if they didn’t work out how they got hurt?
You are upset and you feel how could I have let that happen and I will never let that happen again but it was an accident and you had absolutely no role in it.
Cheer up and try taking the cone off when he is with you. Keep an eye and you may be able to get him to leave the wound alone by shouting at him, if you can’t then cone it is, but it is worth a try. When you take him for a walk while he still needs the cone keep him on the lead but you can probably take the cone off as he will be more interested in his walk than his wound. He will tug at his stitches when he is bored and when it throbs he will lick but some restbite from the cone would be good news for him. When he is on his own he should wear the hated cone.
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Poor Bruce, he is such a good dog. I believe he’ll be safe going about with you again—they learn not to do things. I hope he mends quickly, please give him a kiss from my sweet lab Jane. She, like Bruce, is always roaming free, and she manages to find trouble occasionally ;-)
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Oh no, poor Bruce. :( They do mend incredibly quickly, these doggies, though. And I’m sure he’ll be fine to run around off-lead again soon. Hope he’s much better and sans-lampshade before you know it. x
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Hope you’re feeling better soon Bruce, no more fence jumping k?
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Poor Bruce – get well soon!
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hugs and kisses to Bruce! glad that everyone is fine and he is on the mend.
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Poor Bruce. The black labrador we had when I was a child did exactly the same unexpected leap over a barbed wire fence, with similar consequent injury. I do sympathise with you and him.
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Oh, gee Bruce, bad luck mate! I am not allowed off the lead ever, except sometimes at the dog beach. They think I will not come back – well, that may well be true – there is a lot of running space in the bush….. We dogs have to express ourselves somehow – shame about the injury. Let them fuss over you, put your ears back and tilt your head – never fails to work! Love from Woody…..
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I sympathize with the ‘lampshade’, poor Bruce. Our old dog had to wear one several times and we bore its bruises on our legs. He didn’t realize its impact on us when he ran at us, played and generally behaved in his usual manner.
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Ahh Bruce…next time you have the urge, that irresistible desire to follow that smell……try to resist. At least look before you jump. I suppose dogs will be dogs. I’m glad he is going to be all right…what a fright though for you all…..
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Poor Bruce, and the final straw is the lampshade around his head. I think dogs are quite bright, and hopefully he might think twice before dashing off again. My dog was fairly bonkers for a few years and at grand age of 2 and a half she’s finally discovering caution. Bruce is much more sensible!
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Oh poor Bruce! I’m sure he’ll be back gallivanting around the countryside in no time. Don’t be too worried about letting him off the lead again – he’ll be a little more wary in future, I’m sure. And a lot happier to have his (supervised) freedom to explore, sniff and chase again :)
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Oh,poor Bruce.I’m painfull for him! Couson
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Aw, poor Bruce :( Glad you were able to get him some help really quickly, and i’m sure he’ll soon be on the mend! I have to say, going cycling with your dog sounds fab! I hope you have many more happy cycling times with Bruce
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Kate there is little worse than dealing with a badly hurt animal, unable to know how they are feeling and as you say, unable to explain the situation. As to if he’ll do it again … it depends why he went in the first place. Sometimes their instincts to follow a smell or something is stronger than their sense of self preservation – sadly. But those instances may be very few and far between and I’m not sure keeping him on the lead “just in case” is necessarily the right course of action. But you know your animal best – do what feels best for you.
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Heal, Bruce! As we say frequently to our two pups when they get into scrapes, “Stop being a dog!” Feel better soon…if only to get rid of the cone-head.
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