Tux at Two Weeks

It's been two weeks since Tux's amputation. It's amazing what can happen in two weeks. This pic was taken the other night as we were putting the garbage on the curb. The weather was relatively mild and Tux booted out the door right behind me. None of the cats had been out since November, and his siblings weren't far behind. 

"Why is my grass all cold and dead?"

Tux can pretty much do all the things he did before the surgery. And I'm amazed at how quickly he adapted. He can walk, though he has a rythmic little hop to his gait now. Stairs are no issue, and he can pretty much jump on everything just as he did before (he was never a super high jumper in the first place.)

There are a few small things he can't do - but they are relatively minor.

1) He can't cover his litter box business. Since he still has to use one front foot to balance he doesn't have a free paw to scratch the litter. Of course, pre-surgery, his performance in this area was spotty at best. He seem to especially like to let it "breathe" when Dave was home....

2) Because of the same balance issue as above - he can't box with Rocky.  I think he realized this for the first time last night. The two were laying on the couch, when Rocky took offense to Tux using his butt as a pillow. Rocky went on the offensive and Tux look confused for a moment as he tried to get his non-existent paw to smack back. Eventually he just moved into a position where he could bite Rocky easier, and Rocky got mad and left.

"This isn't fair.... my paw is invisible now!!!!"

3)  Cleaning his left side  isn't as easy as it use to be.  Again.. it's all about having that paw for balance. He can get some spots, just by turning his head, but he can't reach as much as he used to.

4) He can't use the scratcher... or scratch the furniture (which Dave is thrilled about). Oh he can reach out his paw and do a half-hearted grab if he's laying down... but not a real scratch. He doesn't mind having his claws clipped though, so from a health standpoint, it's not an issue.

It you want more Tux - follow us on Facebook - I've started a regular post called The Daily Tux, as everyone kept asking me how he was doing. WIth his spectacular progress, I've run out of meaningful comments... it's mostly just - he's fine! So instead, I'm putting up a daily picture of him doing Tux stuff.

Tux and I have almost got all his thank-you cards together - we wanted to send a special note to everyone who bought yarn to help with the surgery. I'm hoping we can finish it up this weekend.

In the meantime - keep you eye on the shop - Mom said something about an update with new yarn soon...