Tuggle In the Cone of Shame

   This last Saturday our dog, Tuggle, had the worst thing happen to him. He was neutered. It has only been day two and already we (Tuggle and the rest of us) are going crazy. Not being a dog owner long and not growing up with dogs there are a lot of things that I am learning as a dog owner. After researching extensively and pondering Matthew and I decided it was wise to get Tuggle neutered when he was old enough. So like I said, this last Saturday we took him at 8 a.m. to have the procedure done and we didn't pick him up until 2 p.m. After the procedure he was very mellow since he was still groggy from the medication. 

    Before taking him home the vet gave me all my instruction in taking care of Tuggle. He can't jump, play rough, or pretty much do anything but walk around the house carefully. That will be easy, especially with playful kids. The part that is driving him and us the craziest is that he has to wear this cone around his neck for two weeks so he doesn't lick the stitches and have them reopen. FOR TWO WEEKS!!! Like I said we are only on day two and he is going crazy. You can see from the video that his stitches are itching him like crazy. He is even in more pain because somehow while in his crate with the cone he got the cone off and licked the incision for a bit and now they are more itchy. Yes, my dog is super smart and can get the cone off. We have it tightened as tight as it can go, so now I have to practically watch him 24/7 to make sure he doesn't get it off. He can only have the cone off to eat in which I watch him eat and then put the cone right back on. We feel so bad for him but I know in the next couple of days I will be heartless and wanting to tell him to shut up, (of course still feeling bad). I told our kids after two weeks, the Saturday that we go to get the vet and get the stitches removed we will have a party just for Tuggle for enduring this nightmare. 
    I will be honest in saying that I am not very patient and I am a very strict with Tuggle, so Tuggle now probably feels that there is no love in my heart for him. Hopefully he will come to realize that I still love him and I did it thinking this was good for him in the long run. We will see if I still feel that way about my decision after the two weeks. Wish me and him luck.