Howie's Page

HOWARD
Fate works in mysterious ways doesn't it?  After we lost Ollie, we were both beyond devastated.  We knew we could never replace Ollie, but we missed having him around, and in time we knew we needed another bully in our lives.  I mean, you never realize how loud a bulldog is until their gone!  I missed his snoring so much!  In the months between Ollie & Howie, I did a lot of searching on bulldogs including health issues & cancers.  I searched on bulldog breeders, rescues, & adoptions.  I applied for rescues in other states, in our state & cried reading their stories.  

After a couple months with no leads, I was frustrated.  Why were there no puppies for us?  There were so many rescues, but no matches for us.  How come?  Well, I know this sounds weird, but I finally asked Ollie for his help.  I told him, "Ok Little Dude, it's up to you!  I'll let you pick out our next bully."  And then it happened....

One afternoon in September 2007, my mother-in-law had gone to a local pet food store & called me saying she had saw a business card with bulldogs on it posted on the community board for a breeder 3 hours north of us (we found out later that a friend of her's had just placed the card there that week).  She didn't know if there were puppies available, but she gave me the name & number & urged me to call or at least check to see if they had a website.  I did a search & sure enough...there was a website.  While searching the site, I couldn't believe my eyes...they were expecting a litter within a month!!

Well, I immediately emailed & inquired about the upcoming litter.  I explained that we were interested in getting a puppy, but of course understood the chance of getting a puppy of this litter was not realistic.  When I received the reply I was told it was not known how many puppies they were expecting, that there were already some families lined up but that they did want to know more about us because it's important to make sure the puppy & family are the perfect fit.  

During the next few weeks we emailed quite a bit.  Then one day, we got an email saying that 5 puppies were born!  About a week later we knew that we were getting one of the two boys!  After the puppies were 3 weeks old, we got to visit the puppies....when we walked in we were told which was our Howie!  He was the sweetest thing!  We got to see the puppy room & Howie's momma.  It was a great experience!!  I even got to bottle feed him!

Having a great relationship with the breeder prior to Howie's arrival at our home really made us feel like we were a part of his first 8 weeks.  It was great to receive emails almost daily on how the pups were doing & getting the photos were so fun!  

I thank Ollie everyday for bringing Howie into our lives!  He's now 3 years old & is still working off his all puppy all the time stage!! He LOVES everyone!!  As a puppy he had so much energy I enrolled him in a puppy agility class & he impressed the instructors.  Hey, bulldogs CAN do agility!  He loves playing with Vivian & Doc, but can easily keep himself entertained for hours!  He's such a sweet boy with a great temperament!  He does need a job though, so we'll be hitting the rally obedience ring soon.

Howie was never going to be a replacement for Ollie, but he has definitely found his place in our hearts!  He's our original monkey & we love him to pieces!  

And just think...it all started with a little card at a pet food store!

Howie Updates 

June 2009:
Howie had cruciate (ACL) surgery in June 2009.  We chose to do the basic cruciate surgery versus the TPLO or TTA surgeries.  It was a hard decision to make, but we did our research & are very happy with trying the much less invasive basic cruciate repair than the cutting of the bone & metal implant of the TPLO or the TTA surgeries. 

He is just at the beginning stages of his recovery & doing well so far.  He has been doing 5 min slow walks since 2 days after the surgery & has even put his tippy toe down while on his walk which is great!  Surprisingly my "always on the go" bully has taken to his confinement & rehab in stride.  We still have quite a bit of recovery time ahead of us, but taking it one day at a time.

October 2009:
Most of Howie's summer was dedicated to his ACL recovery.  He was the perfect bully patient; always enjoying time in his space & never trying to overdo his activity...which was really surprising to us.  I really thought his recovery process was going to be stressful since he was always the one bully that you could find running from one side of the room to the other.  Not sure if it was age (he turned 2 in September) or if the neutering done in March finally kicked in, but he really has mellowed out quite a bit.

His fur is still trying to grow back, which is kind of crazy since it's been over 4 months, but we've just gotten used to it.  His rehab went really well & he took to the walking, stretching, pushing & pulling all in stride.  One thing that has changed about him is that he's now a cuddler...he never used to be & now if you're sitting on the couch, he's very likely to join you!  It's great!

We do continue to monitor his activity, don't want him to get too crazy or do any damage to any of his legs.  One ACL surgery & recovery is enough for any bulldogger AND bulldog to go through in my opinion!!

February 2010: 

Howie had his first annual exam since his ACL surgery in June 2009.  EVERYTHING looks great...other than his hair still not growing back all the way yet!  It's growing back, but I would have thought it would fully be back by now.  Dr Jim said Howie's legs look great & his muscle mass has improved quite a bit since the last time he saw him!  Yay!  Now...if we could only get that hair to grow back!

Swimming Bulldogs

I decided to venture out to my in-laws this weekend & take Howie & Vivi swimming in their beautiful pool. It would be great rehab for Howie & I was just interested in seeing how Vivi would do since she now likes to make "bubbles" in our little kiddy pool....plus, it was nice & hot & humid so what's better than swimming?? I decided not to bring Doc for a few reasons 1) He HATES to ride in the car & I didn't want to stress him out, 2) Last year he wanted NOTHING to do w/the pool at Grama & Grampa's, 3) I was going by myself & figured I could control 2 on my own, 3 would be a little more difficult & it was bad enough I was inviting myself & 2 dogs over, I didn't feel like asking my in-laws to dogsit while I was in the pool too (although I know they would have--they love bullies).

So off we went to Grama Judy's & Grampa Steve's pool! Howie & Vivi were quite excited w/our little field trip. When we arrived I set up my portable kennel. This kept the bullies contained when one was swimming w/me & again, didn't have to worry about anyone feeling like they had to dogsit AND more importantly, no bullies fell in the pool while not wearing a life jacket (we only have the one...will have to get another). Howie & Vivi didn't mind sharing the kennel at all & were very well behaved the entire time!

I took Howie in first because his swimming was more of a necessity, where Vivi's was more for fun. I didn't get any photos of Howie swimming this time...but I'm sure we'll be going again & I'll get some then. He did great & really used his back legs well...which is exactly why I wanted him to go swimming. He did jump in at one point to go after a ball & of course more or less sank, but I was right there to pull up on the vest faster than he would have floated up! He was a bit taken aback, but continued on his swimming ways!!

Then it was Vivi's turn...put the vest on her & brought her down by the pool. She wasn't so sure about the whole thing.

So I lifted her in & away she went!!

And away

And away

She just kept trucking along like she's been doing this her whole life. She was SOOOOO fast!! I just kept laughing the entire time because she just kept zooming one way & another!

I let her swim around for a couple minutes & then decided to give her a little break. Swimming can be a totally stressful situation for bullies. It's not a natural thing for them to just swim! So I wanted to make sure she was ok & had a little break. I helped her out of the pool & just let her settle down for a bit.

I thought she'd go running in the opposite direction of the pool. Instead she just stayed on the side & watched us. She obviously wasn't afraid or anything so that was good. She, too, watched the ball & eventually jumped right back in! Again, of course I was right there to help her float up, but she just went on her merry way & swam around some more!

Overall, both Howie & Vivi had a great time at Grama Judy's & Grampa Steve's pool! Vivi had such a good time, she kept walking around the yard w/the life vest on!

Week 8 starts today!

I'm not sure where the last 2 months have gone. It will be 8 weeks ago that Howie had his CCL surgery next Monday, but since we start rehab the day after surgery, we're already on the last week of official rehab! CRAZY!!

The last 8 weeks have not only gone fast, but really have been a lot easier (at times) than I expected. I really think that having the x-pen with the kennel in the living room really helped with the crate rest that Howie needed while recovering. We never felt that we were punishing him by keeping him his space & it also worked well when Vivi went into heat.

The last two weeks of rehab included daily massages (which he still hates) & two walks a day that we need to keep increasing the length of time each day. We're up to two 15-20 min walks a day now. With the return of summer here in Minnesota, I'm thinking we should go visit Grama Judy & Grampa Steve to go swimming at their pool! Swimming is a great way to rehab a knee injury!

Howie still somewhat favors his leg that he had surgery on, but for the most part, does indeed use it quite a bit. In the video below, you can see how he is using it, but he's still adjusting himself when he sits. It doesn't seem to be causing him any pain, so I'm still not worried, but he is still doing it. Maybe it will just take some more time...after all, the recovery period is 6 months long.

Enjoy the video...I was just playing around with some obedience commands I have watched Sandy do. (I know I'm not doing the commands right, but they seemed to work??) I was impressed with Howie's natural ability...to follow commands when food is involved of course. We have worked on the "side" command & I use it when we walk, but that's the only thing we've worked on. I'll give it a few more weeks, but I think I'll start him with some obedience classes soon so we can start working on some rally titles for him.

Where did the week go?

Or better yet...where did JUNE go? WOW!! I can't believe how fast time really does fly when you get older...errr I mean, when you're having fun! This weekend Vivi will have her first sleepover!! We're going to South Dakota for a dog show. It's a big show...bullies have the largest entry over any other breed...that's not very common here in Minnesota!! It should be a good time & I just hope that she'll do well in the ring (i.e. not back up from the judge again). I'll be interested to see how she sleeps outside of our house too. I know it was hard for Howie when I brought him somewhere else to sleep. Doc...nah...he could sleep anywhere!!

We're traveling with her uncle Otto & Momma Sandy, so we'll all have tons o' fun I'm sure!! I packed up (hopefully) everything I need last night & will depart just as soon as I get home from work today. It's a much longer drive than I expected, but hopefully it will go fast...driving w/Sandy it usually does cuz she LOVES to talk!! hahahaha

Howie continues to do well with his rehab & confinement. Last night we did allow him to sit outside of his space since we were both home & could make sure the other two left him be (or didn't get all riled up)...he just seemed soooo happy!! Despite the heat & humidity, Doc still loves the sun. We don't allow him to stay out for longer than a couple mins though...doesn't take long for a bully (or any dog) to overheat...but this morning, when it was cooler, he just sat on the deck & tilted his head up to the sun like he was saying "ahhh this is the life"...that boy loves his sun, just like his momma!!

Week 2 starts Wednesday!!

On Wednesday we start our 2nd week of rehab! Yay! It gradually increases over the next 7 weeks, and so far Howie has been doing well. He's been pretty mellow & doesn't seem to mind being in his space (and yes, that IS indeed how I refer to it all the time). However, today, I saw my not-so-mellow Howie back for a bit. I had him in his space (x-pen attached to a wire kennel) & I proceeded to get ready for work. When I came out into the living room, he wasn't in his space! It really didn't occur to me to be odd, until I saw that he was walking around the living room!! I have a Houdini on my hands!!

I think what happened was that the kennel has two doors, one in front, one on the side...I'm guessing the side door wasn't latched...that or Vivi broke him out!! She was sitting next to the kennel when I put him in his space...they're working together!!

It is also hard on Vivi that Howie is in his space...anytime she gets, she tries to sneak in to be with her buddy. She's been good, but missing her crazy friend....I mean, she chases the cats on her own & it's just not the same! Doc...while he does try to get in Howie's space...it's mostly to get the bone Howie has at the moment.

Here is Howie in his space...it looks like he's saying, "Yep! I'm still in here momma!"

A Note From Howie

Hi Everybully-

Just wanted to let you know that my first weekend after surgery has gone well. Both Momma & Daddy were home with me, even though Vivi did have a show this weekend (info on Show page), it was nearby so they left super early & came home & then even snuggled with me in my space!

I even had Doc & Vivi visit me in my space! It was nice cuz they'd give me kisses & let me snuggle with them. I miss playing with them, but I'm still not feeling like playing yet. My daddy took my pain patch off on Thursday & I'm doing pretty good without it. The vet tech told momma & daddy that the patch would make me feel "high"...I don't know what that means though.

I've only cried once since my surgery & that's when I saw my favorite spot on the couch (the back with the window view)...but otherwise I've been good. Doc did look out the window for me today & reported that all things were green!
Momma keeps saying I'm being such a good boy (like I wouldn't be...silly momma). But I'll tell you a secret...I like the attention....momma & daddy have to carry me to go outside...I mean, that's a free ride!! I get my num-nums in my special space...no need to think Vivi or Doc are going to clean up after me! Momma brings me my favorite toys...no other bullies to think they're taking them from me. Oooh & today I got to try watermelon!! YUMMY! Ok, ok, Doc & Vivi got some too, but I like to think momma thought of me first....I'm sure she did.



I have to sit with an ice pack on me twice a day & at first I don't like it, but evenutally I fall asleep with it on me & I let it do it's magic!

I also go on my daily 5 min walks & even use my leg with the stitches...gotta try it out sometime! But for the most part, I've just been resting in my new space in the living room. I like it...it's all mine...kinda like going from a studio apartment to a full 1000 sq ft house...ok, ok, it's not THAT big, but it is bigger than my regular kennel & my Yeti comes with me to my space everyday, so that's fun! It's like a party!

He's Home!!!

Yay! Howie is home!! It was weird not having him here last night. When I went to get bullies' dinners ready, I got 3 bowls out...habit I guess. I called the vet last night to see how he was doing & the vet tech told me that he was feeling sorry for himself, what a sad sack.

Steve & I went to pick him up this morning & after going through how his night went (fine) & going through some of what we can expect, we then met with another vet tech who went over our 3 page week-by-week rehab schedule. It was nice to have someone go through everything with us so thoroughly. About 30 min later, she finally brought him in the room & we were ready to go home.

Since he has to stay pretty confined over the next 6-8 weeks, I put together a little area in our living room where he would be confined, yet still with us. He seems to be ok with the area & after the welcoming sniffs through the xpen from Doc & Vivi, he fell asleep. He slept pretty much until it was dinner time.

He has both pooped & peed since he's been home & that's EXCELLENT...they had warned us that sometimes after surgery & anaesthesia dogs will be constipated....so far, so good! He is not allowed to do stairs for about 6 weeks, so Steve & I will be carrying him outside. Thankfully, he's only 46 lbs (which I was kinda surprised at)!!

What else?? Oh the incision...well, it's not wrapped nor in a cast of any sort...I can see it; and I don't handle things like that (you know all things medical) well. I have accidentally touched the stitches (ishy) & have looked at them (eeeewwww) because it's not like I can ignore them for the next 10-14 days (when they get removed). Surprisingly, it's only about 4 inches long too. I was expecting much longer. It's sad to see all his fur shaved, but I know it will grow back.

Tomorrow we will start some of the post-op exercises & even a 5 min slow walk!

He has now laid back down & Vivi is sniffing him through the xpen...I think she's trying to figure out a way to get in! She's sneaky like that.

Howie got a care package today! It's from his big sister Gracie!! She's so sweet! She made homemade treats & sent a card....so cute! Thanks Gracie!!

Still Learnin'...

This week's lesson...torn cruciate repair. Poor Howie...last fall he tore his cruciate while playing Frisbee. We did a lot of resting (or as much as Howie can rest) & he has done quite well. So well in fact, some have even commented on how you'd never know the way he was moving around that he has a torn cruciate.

That all changed last week. When he woke up Monday morning, he came out of his kennel holding his leg up. Not really sure what happened to trigger the pain again after 7 months, but it could be as simple as pivoting wrong. We watched his activity & carried him down any stairs for the last week & while he's no longer holding it up, you can tell he's in pain. He doesn't put a lot of weight on the leg & he's been a bit more "quiet" than normal...of course that doesn't mean he's laying around 24/7...oh heck no...he still tries to chase the cats & Vivi & I just cringe & try to stop him whenever possible.

So we've outlasted our "Wait & See" option & now it's surgery time. Here's where the learnin' comes in...there are 3 different surgery options for cruciate repair. Two (TPLO & TTA) are more invasive (cutting the leg bone) & require metal hardware to be implanted. The other (extracapsular cruciate repair) is less invasive & requires a nylon fiber to be implanted.

In my research, I learned a lot about the different surgeries & opinions on them. I asked my fellow bulldoggers & other breed dog owners who have also had the surgery done to see what surgery they had done & their experiences. Not only did I research the types of surgeries, but also called around to different vet offices that I was referred to for prices. That added an additional pros & cons list to go through. It's a lot to take in & of course I only want the best for Howie...but who can tell me what exactly is the best? That's subjective...

After a lot of consideration, we decided on doing the less invasive surgery with an orthopedic surgeon at our vet's office. We're now just waiting on our surgery date...so I have a few hours/possibly days before I start worrying again...I hate it when they go in for surgery.

I've said it before, I'll say it again...I certainly learn a lot from these bullies!! Now we can add CCL repair to our list!! (GOT to find the positive in this!!)

Please say some prayers for my Howie for a successful surgery & recovery (which will be at least 3 months--full recovery by 6 months).