Day Two With Delilah

On the morning of our second day with Delilah she was already showing great signs of improvement. The tail wagging continued! It was done in brief spurts but it was definitely a good sign.

She also started to lick us on day two. This is a pup's way of showing affection. Doggie kisses! We welcomed the gesture. Most importantly, this signified that she understood our intentions and we were earning her trust. 

The rattlesnake bite wound had been treated at the vet. They shaved her fur around the wound, cleaned it out well, and cut off the dead tissue surrounding it. But it still looked pretty awful. Again, if you are squeamish don't look closely...

We were given a supply of antibiotics to give her twice a day. We also had a medicated spray to treat the wound with. But it was oozing and crusting and needed to be cleaned once more. I filled a bowl with warm water and I was able to use a warm wet washcloth to clean it up. She was so sweet and patient. She did not whine or snap or shy away. She behaved as if she knew I was helping her to heal. 

Delilah slept for long periods of time through out that second day. I worked on encouraging her to walk outside instead of being carried. Slowly she started to walk in after me when I would go into the house. Several times during the day I would take her out to my front yard and just sit with her on the grass in the sunshine. Outside in the sunlight I could see how much of her wound had oozed on to her fur around her neck. As the day wore on I noticed that she was uncomfortably itchy. 

I made the decision that she was strong enough to endure a quick bath.

Having her first bath.

Drying in the sunshine after her bath.

After her bath I realized she had probably never been bathed before. Then it dawned on me that she had probably never been brushed either. She held still and let me brush her for about 15 minutes. I think she liked it. 

I pulled clump after clump after clump of red fur out of that brush. 

We have also pulled 5 ticks off of her to date. 

All of that bathing and grooming was exhausting!

As day two was winding down Delilah received her first present. This was the first thing purchased especially for her. Something to call her own. She had no idea what to do with this purple stuffed monkey squeaky toy. She had more than likely never had a toy before. She did not pick it up in her mouth. She did not squeak it. She really didn't care about it at all. But we wanted her to know it was hers. So as she slept we placed it in her arms and because she cared so little, she left it there. :)