Blog--The Puppy Chronicles: Mac Attempts to Howl

While I was running today, I tripped on a rock and twisted my ankle. It’s a trail I’ve run million times. So, I’ve been elevating and icing it.  Mac has been keeping me company. He’s been lounging on top of me with his snout facing me. He licks my hand as I pet him and I can smell his dog breath.

I feel as if he knows I’m in pain. I don’t normally sit or lay down all day so that is definitely a clue for Mac that something is “off."  As he keeps me company I think about how he has a broken leg.  It’s healing, but still it was broken.  It must have really hurt, but he’s barely made any noise through his recovery.

If you don't know Mac, he was hit by a car on Division in the Cypress Park/Mount Washington area. I found him in the street badly injured. One of his numerous injuries is a broken leg that required a metal plate to be surgically placed inside his leg to hold two bones together while they healed.

I sit here bummed that now I’m not going to be able to run for a few days--maybe a little longer--and Mac ,who still nurses a broken snout and leg, just lays there complaint free.

He’s the kind of dog that looks you directly in the eyes. It’s as if he’s trying to tell you something. His light brown eyes radiate sweetness. There is not a mean bone in him.

I happened to have pink nail polish nearby so I began painting his toenails. He didn’t like the smell, but he tolerated it. He looks very pretty. As I got to his back paws I examined his right foot.  He only has two toenails.  The others were lost in the accident. We had hoped they would grow back, but they seem to have been pulled out by the root. Even the scabs he had there have mended.

This little guy has endured so much in his first year being alive.

He never complained, never fussed, he just let all the vets and vet techs do their job. They said he was really tossed around when he was hit, but he was a champ. 

As I sit here, I wonder what his life was like before I knew him.

When we first brought him home from the vet he would flinch at loud noises or sudden movements.

One time I was driving, Mac was sitting next to me in the front passenger seat.  I tossed my purse onto the floor and Mac scrambled into the backseat and cringed, cowering in fright.

Another time Mac was with my husband Brian, at work, Brian had papers in his hands.  He made some type of gesture with them as he was talking to someone and Mac scrambled into his crate and cowered.

Now, he nestles against me.  He falls asleep with his face buried in my arms, no cares in the world. He’s still healing, but he seems so much less on edge.

Today Togi, our husky mix, started howling. All of a sudden Mac attempted to do the same. This would have made him scared a few months ago. Instead of cowering he simply threw his head back and tried. No cares in the world. His ears hung at his side flapping as he tossed his muzzle into the air over and over trying to howl beside his new friend.

It was adorable to see, but also hilarious because his howl sounded so odd, like he was coughing up a hairball.

As I re-read this I’m much better. My ankle is on the mend. Mac has also had another set of x-rays that show his little leg is really doing well. He’ll need another set of x-rays in about five weeks. Hopefully that will be the last round. The loose screw in the plate seems to be staying at the moment.

He’s been cleared for 20-30 minute walks.  His first one will be up . Wish him luck!