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May 11, 2015

The Cone of Shame

I love sharing all the small successes and triumphs of life with my dogs, but I think it is even more important to share my failures. Because it’s those failures which have taught me the most about taking care of Eko and Penny. For example, I failed to
I love sharing all the small successes and triumphs of life with my dogs, but I think it is even more important to share my failures. Because it’s those failures which have taught me the most about taking care of Eko and Penny.11.1

For example, I failed to realize Penny was too young to be left out uncrated

Starting with the day I got Eko, right up through to today, I have made countless mistakes. I bought cheap dog beds and expensive plush toys. I’ve taken the dogs on a walk only to take a few steps outside and have the leash fall off because I didn’t hook it on all the way. I am an expert at failure.

Most recently, I failed by putting Penny’s short term comfort over her long term well being. On Friday, Penny was curled up sleeping without her post-op collar on. I needed to run a quick errand, so rather than wake her with the discomfort of the collar I decided to let her sleep.

When I got home I discovered Penny not only was awake but she had also loosened one of her stitches. Luckily it was only superficial damage, but I brought Penny back to the vet for an exam just to be sure. To help the incision heal, my vet decided to add a few staples to support the stitches. This was not a fun experience for Penny.

The vet sent us on our way with a new “cone of shame.” We made sure the right individual wore it.

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I was ashamed I let Penny pull at her stitches, but after my show of solidarity I’m grateful she forgave me

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The nice part about dogs is they’re always willing to give you another shot

We’re now five days out from surgery and I’m happy to report Penny’s recovery is progressing well. When I’m home, I keep Penny in the same room as I am and leave her neckpillow-collar off.

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This gives Penny ample time to recharge her batteries with Eko

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And sunbathe to her heart’s content

But when I leave for any duration of time, that flotation device goes right on. Same goes for bedtime. I failed Penny on Friday, but I have learned from the experience and because of it I am better prepared to care for my pups.

So yes, I earned my time in the cone of shame, but my ego has learned to heal quickly. No sense sulking, especially when Penny needs me at my best to help her get back to her best.

Comments for The Cone of Shame

  1. Don’t be too hard on yourself, Will. You do more for Penny and Eko than most people would. That’s why she’s so quick to forgive. She knows how good you are.

  2. I probably had done the same… it says let sleeping dogs lie and we mostly do it… bet the author of this quote never had a dog :o) I’m glad everything is ok and it heals up quickly …

  3. btw: “done the same” rhymes to “cone of shame”… but that’s just accidentally LOL

  4. Elyse says:

    Penny is a handful — with the cone or not! But as Noodle said above, don’t be too hard on yourself! I love the pillow-type cone though! What an improvement!

    (I slept downstairs on the couch when Duncan got fixed. Those cones are horrible for everyone involved.

  5. Kismet says:

    Those inflatables are a lot better than the one you modeled.

  6. We all have done it the same so go easy on yourself. Luckily our dogs live in the moment and leave all that other stuff behind. Here’s to full recovery and loads of romps on the beach soon for you all.

  7. Victoria says:

    well it might not have been completely your fault – my pup Muff wore the cone of shame for 2 solid weeks and she still managed to pull out a stitch with it on…..they are very resourceful our pups

  8. Emmadog says:

    Ah yes, I know first paw how humans can let a dog down, but you never mean to. It happens and we let you down as well. It is all about team effort in life. Glad Penny didn’t do serious damage.

  9. At least those soft ones are better than those huge obnoxious plastic ones. I had something similar happen back when I had Max. She developed mites…don’t ask me how, probably the dog park. I knew and we were treating it – it was very minor, just a little around her eye. We went out to dinner for 2 hours and we came home and she had mauled herself…the left side of her face was all swollen and she’d torn the skin from itching…it was terrible. Talk about guilt…yikes!

  10. Genevieve says:

    I have been there! My last dog, Smoki had surgery for a little tumor on her hip and 3 days into her recovery, after watching her like a hawk, I left her alone without her collar for an hour. She took out SEVEN of her 10 stitches. And yes, the vet did staples for the rest of the healing time. And the cone was back in action.

  11. Only one stitch pulled out is better than ALL OF THE ABOVE! Before you know it, they’ll be out courtesy of the vet and this whole little “incident” will be DONE…….!!

    Pam

  12. DZ Dogs says:

    Ouch, on a good note dogs are great at forgiving us of our mistakes. 🙂

  13. coastingnz says:

    I think you fell into the trap we all fall in too so don’t feel too bad, you aren’t alone but yes we do feel incredibly ashamed. Thankfully they are more forgiving than humans and love us just the same as they know there was no ill will (no pun intended) meant. Good to hear Penny is doing well otherwise.

  14. C Taylor says:

    Our Titan was famous for taking out his staples. After his first ACL, we put him in his carrier while we prepared dinner and he proceeded to take all but two staples out. We live in the country, so it took us less than 40 minutes to travel about 60 miles to the University School Vet Hospital! They re-stapled him, and out came the cone that he wore when he wasn’t around us. Recovery was fine after that. Penny will be fine and isn’t it great how they forgive us so fast? Plus she’s probably laughing at you becoming a “cone-head”!

  15. Aud says:

    My girl had taken out all her 15 stitches in one fell swoop once!! It really was scary, blood and all, she was rushed to ER. It was my bad too, I didn’t want her to suffer the ‘Cone Shame’…needless to say the doughnut soft cone was on 24-7 after that!!

  16. Abbie says:

    I think we can probably all relate to making those mistakes. I totally would have done the same thing in your place; it makes me feel so mean to do something that I know is going to make them uncomfortable (or, at least, less comfy) when I am trying to take special care of them. Unfortunately, I’m not good at holding on to lessons, and I usually have to make the mistake multiple times before I learn it…maybe if I had a cone of shame handy it would help me remember! I need to get me one of those! 😛
    I’m intrigued by the newfangled cone of shame thing (although it’s been long enough now since we’ve done the fixing thing that I have no idea how new it really is). It probably wouldn’t work very well for the really determined ones (like mine was; he messed with his stitches despite wearing the original cone of shame), but for your average dog? Looks nice!

  17. I feel you, I have been in that position more than one time! Thank goodness she didn’t do any damage though! Looking good in your cone of shame though!

  18. raisingdaisy says:

    It’s a mistake any of us could make – we’re so anxious for our pups to be comfortable that we go a bit too far too soon. The important thing is that she’s okay. I’m sure Penny appreciated your gesture of solidarity.

  19. I’m glad Penny is getting better. It’s also nice to see a human wear the cone of shame and know how it feels. I don’t like them either. I bite my humans when they try to put that on me.
    ~Lowryder~

  20. Fozziemum says:

    Failure is my middle name 🙂 best laid plans and all that…i am glad Penny is ok..just a hiccup..i have been super lucky Doc never tried with the latest stitches to pull them out..phew..great cone Will…hard to eat in but looks good 🙂 Fozziemum

  21. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Whee all make mistakes. Mummy says she has made countless mistakes with us but as long as you learn from them that’s the main thing.

    Hope Penny is fighting fit again soon

    xxxx

  22. fredrieka says:

    pawbabies make mistakes as do pawlessparents, high paw to you for righting a wrong. woof.

  23. things happen and it’s not a failure. she will be fine and you look great in the cone of shame.

  24. PigLove says:

    Oh dude. Don’t be so hard on yourself. Me and little bro here Houdini have been through the cone of shame. On one hoof yes it’s the pits but on the hoof you get a lot more attention – 🙂 XOXO – Bacon

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