Poor Ruby!

[Norm Dulak]

Our doberman pinscher, Ruby, recently got a foreign body in her right knee. No big deal, but it was irritating as heck. So our veterinarian decided to remove it.

After the foreign body was removed, sutures were applied, and Ruby received an Elizabethan collar to protect the surgical site. Unfortunately, the stitches on Ruby's right knee itched, and she was able to abuse the stitches despite the Elizabethan collar. Even the addition of a muzzle didn't stop Ruby from irritating the stitches that we wanted to heal. What to do!

The answer was to add a child's pants, with an appropriate hole cut in the bottom of them, to expose Ruby's tail, and to allow her to do her business until her surgical site healed, and all of the protective stuff could be removed.

So here is Ruby, protected but not very happy.

[Randy Stout]

Norm:

And here I thought you had the lady Gaga of dogs!

It is always tough when one of our beloved pets has a problem. Hope it goes smoothly with the added gear

Cheers

Randy

[Grace Scalzo]

Norm, One of our dogs had surgery recently and also had to wear a collar. The plastic one, like you have on Ruby, was hot and clumsy. We found one in Petco that was a stiff, thick fabric with plastic staves sewn in to it to keep it stiff. It seemed to be much more comfortable for her and she tolerated it better. Plus the hard plastic one is hard on human legs too! Good luck to her and I hope she is her old self soon.

[Norm Dulak]

Thanks Randy and Grace.

The collar and pants are a bummer. But fortunately, Ruby's surgery was not for a serious medical condition. And by this time next week, the sutures and all of the protective things will be gone. Ruby will once again be the delightful, free spirit we enjoy so much.

[Norm Dulak]

Ruby has now divested herself of her protective garb and is her old (4 years old) self again. And this coming Sunday, Ruby will again participate in a very special event: the annual Jamboree of Doberman Pinscher Rescue of Pennsylvania (DPR of PA).

Ruby was one of many dogs that we have rescued through this organization; we have enjoyed 7 in our home. In fact, Linda is on the Board of DPR of PA, which for many years has provided homes for Doberman Pinschers that otherwise might have been destroyed.

At the Jamboree, owners of rescued dogs bring their dogs to engage in games and good times together. Good friends, good food, good dogs. What could be better? And Ruby will be there.

Norm

[Christopher Miller]

Oh, man! That is one very embarrassing outfit. Glad to hear she's all better again!

[Norm Dulak]

Ruby thoroughly enjoyed the Doberman Jamboree.

She spent much of the time in a soft crate, with a sunroof. It was a sanctuary for her. She could poke her head out of the crate through the sunroof, to see what was going on around her and to receive petting from many admirers. Occasionally, she was walked around the grounds to stretch her legs and to enjoy a hearty drink of cool water. From the sunroof of her crate, Ruby also shared in many of the food treats that Linda and I enjoyed.

At the end of the Jamboree, Ruby joined all of the other Dobermans to enjoy a good walk through the park.