Our Toy Aussie

[Kristin_Happy Texan]

We lost the last of our 3 senior dogs a while back. (She was sort of our special needs dog. She acted more like a human newborn than a dog. I can't explain how SWEET she was. I still miss her desperately).

We vowed never to get another dog, but on July 1st we got a Toy Aussie. (Our first Aussie). She's 8 lbs and we named her "Lillie Grace Pearl." She's almost 9 months old. I tell her she's our "magical" dog because the black dot on her head is a marker of her past life as a unicorn. Lol!

Her favorite "toy" is tearing strips of cardboard. (From toilet paper and paper towel rolls. I think it's the doggy equivalent of popping bubble wrap? We don't allow her to eat it, but she loves tearing it into long strips). Unfortunately, she's been having trouble with her back legs. Our vet has been trying to figure it out, but so far we have no explanation. She loves to run and play, but she spends half her time hobbling on 3 legs instead of 4. (Fortunately, it doesn't last long now, and she doesn't scream anymore either... knock on wood). It's challenging trying to exercise her and keep her mind busy when, physically, she isn't allowed to run like she wants. She does love to "herd" us though. She's started doing this with us only recently. (Nudging our heels with her little nose when we walk into another room).

FYI - We discourage her from jumping on the couch, but she's still a learning puppy and I couldn't resist taking her photo with the Christmas tree. And this is cute. On Christmas Eve, when we gave her one of her gifts from Santa, she dragged it beneath the Christmas tree. It was adorable!

 

[Kat0121]

I'm so sorry for the loss of your old gal. I understand how much you miss her. She will always have a place in your heart and you will always have one in hers.

What a cutie!! I'm sure she will be happy to help you heal. She will never replace any of the dogs who have passed but she doesn't want to. She knows that she has a place in your heart and life that is hers alone.

 

[Furballsmom]

tell her she's our "magical" dog because the black dot on her head is a marker of her past life as a unicorn.

She's gorgeous! Give her smoochies for me!

 

[betsygee]

What a cutie. I sure hope her legs will be okay.

 

[neely]

I'm also sorry about the loss of your three senior dogs. I know all too well how devastating that can be. But I'm glad Lillie Grace Pearl has brought joy and comfort back in your life. Regarding her back legs, have you seen a veterinary orthopedic specialist? If not you may want to look into this while she's still young. She's absolutely adorable and I love the little black spot on her head too.

 

[Kristin_Happy Texan]

She's been to the vet so many times, over her legs, that she's now petrified of riding in the car. (I was so relieved to finally have a pup not afraid of the car, but after her spay... she's been traumatized).

The vet X-rayed her legs. She said her legs and spine look perfect. She has luxating patella on her right leg, but it seems to now only be the left leg that acts up. The vet put her on a couple of meds, to rule out other things. (The meds did nothing good for her except bother her tummy).

She's doing A LOT better now. She tends to hold her left leg up at just really odd times now and not for very long. She'll even run on the three legs, and she doesn't cry anymore. (That was so horrible. She would urinate and SCREAM when all this first started). I don't know if she doesn't cry anymore because she's older and doesn't freak out as easily, or if she's just doing better overall. We're careful about her running, although she loves to run.

My sister has an Aussie, and she informed us that her dog did the same thing until he was 2 years old. It could be growing pains, but that's more common in bigger dogs. (Lillie probably won't get any bigger than 8 or 9 pounds). All I know is she's doing better now and we're keeping an eye on it.