Rufus healing in the sun with his pack | September 2015. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©
Friends, THANK YOU so much for the continued concern and request for Rufus updates. We are really feeling the love, and your support and positive feedback has really made a bad situation better. Rufus’ spirits are great, and we’re trying to take his lead and not dwell on the past. His mobility is good though we are using the stairs sparingly and keeping the jumping to a minimal because of the awkward placement of the wound. He completed his antibiotics on Wednesday and we stopped giving the pain meds on Sunday; we didn’t want him to become addicted and then have to do a Lindsay Lohan stint in rehab. We have 5 or 6 more days (I need to confirm with the vet) until the stitches come out. From everything I can see, as a novice nurse, the wound looks like it’s healing nicely.
Monday, we did take our first neighborhood walk as a family, and Rufus was elated to be out of the house. He’s a real social butterfly and truly enjoys being out and about. We’ve also gone for a few car rides around town, but we’re staying away from the dog parks, hiking trails and beaches for a little longer.
Allowing time for the wound to heal sans any complications is the first and most important priority right now, but I also remain concerned about what life will be like for Rufus post-attack?!? I’m eager to see what his attitude will be towards big dogs going forward. I’m curious if he’ll be aggressive or indifferent or will any aggression will be breed specific. I naturally plan to take it slow, but Rufus was previously pretty good around big dogs, and I really hope he’s still that same, easy-going, happy-go-lucky dog he has always been. I’m also intrigued to see how, if at all, the pack dynamics have changed when in public and around big dogs. Well, whatever may come, I promise to be there for Rufus and the whole pack; and together we’ll get through it and back to something that resembles our life before the attack. We’ll just hopefully be a little smarter and careful.
At your request, here is what Rufus’ wound / stitches look like today (in real time). It does hurt my heart to see it, and I can’t look at it too often, but many of you have inquired so… here you go. The area remains tender and Rufus won’t fully extend his leg like he does the other one. I hope that changes with time, but like I said, it seems to have little impact on his walking or daily movement. He even ran the other day, despite our protest. So we’re encouraged at this point and continue to be optimistic.
Thank you again friends for all the kindness you have shown us. I think Rufus has done remarkably well because he has had the support of his pack and beyond. YOU have made this healing process better for us so THANK YOU, THANK YOU, and THANK YOU!!!
Rufus’ stitches | September 2015. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©
Rufus’ stitches | September 2015. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©
Rufus healing in the sun with his pack | September 2015. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©
rufusontheweb 
Glad Rufus is feeling better. He is such a gorgeous boy and hopefully he’ll be back frolicking on the beach in no time! xo
It looks as if the wound is healing nicely & Rufus looks great! He still has that confident, happy look about him & I’m so happy to see it! Thanks for keeping us updated & I know everyone is looking forward to seeing Rufus completely back to normal almost as much as you are! Love Rufus & Emily & Lilly!
Onward & upward, Rufie! xoxo
All good news. Remember if running hurt Rufus’s leg, he wouldn’t run. He’s not going to do anything that causes him pain. Jumping and stairs are another issue so limiting that is a good idea. Ouch Rufus. Ouch ouch ouch.
Wonderful news!! He looks great!! Thanks for the update and keep us posted. Have a great weekend with your pack!
Hi Rufus – so pleased you are taking time to let nature heal your wound. After our Rosa was attacked by a bull mastif (broken back leg which required four pins attached to an external fixator, a side wound which extended from under her front leg to half way up her back – seven surgeries, three weeks in hospital and a superbug) it has taken nearly eighteen months for us all to have the confidence to step outside the front door – Rosa is nearly seven and a half now and a real lady so it breaks my heart that our walks revolve around who else is walking that day . However her gentle nature and loving personality are still intact and despite her severe injuries, she remains our beautiful girl – wary now of big dogs but loves small dogs and adores human contact! She is possibly going to be a visiting dog in the local hospital which would be right up her alley. I wish you could meet her – she’s my little daschund hero! We hope you heal beautifully and are soon back to normal – it just takes time love from Rosa xx
Thank you! 🙂
I’m glad Rufus is on the mend! It’s good that he has his pack (human & dog) to support him. I hope it will not have changed his reaction to other dogs too much, and that his spirits can remain high when he returns to public life. Fighting, Rufus!
I lost my Dachshund, Poncho, He died Aug 16th, 2015, and he looked exactly like Rufus!!! I would love to adopt all three Dachshunds in the Picture, but, I have no money to buy them. My Heart goes out to them…thank you for caring for them…
Poor baby. He’s a warrior!
Continued best wishes for complete healing for Rufus!
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Thanks!
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