Par for the Course

We have two miniature schnauzers, Maggie (4) and Marlee (2), or M&M as I like to call them. I am forever writing of their antics and then telling McH I am afraid I'm becoming one of "those people." The "crazy dog lady." I tell him we must speed this human child thing along or next thing you know I will answer the door in my robe and slippers, eat frozen dinners every meal and he will have to excuse himself for interrupting my conversation with "the kids" who can't REALLY talk and walk on all fours.

Saturday, McH was outside doing yard work and I was inside with laundry and other such chores. I let the pups outside to play and potty and maybe half an hour later let them back in to find Marlee limping her way into the house. I thought it a bit odd, but definitely not unbelievable for her as she is ALWAYS getting into some such mischief.

Honestly, I thought it was just a sticker, although we don't have them in the yard. However, I was still perplexed when I reached down to pull it out of her paw to find nothing. Zilch. Nada. No sign of any injury or puncture, sticker or thorn.

And yet, she would NOT walk on it to save her life. Poor little thing. She ate fine and even played with her sister, rough and tumble like, and yet, she wouldn't walk or even think about putting pressure on her foot.

An infection maybe? So, I decided to watch it and if it wasn't better today, I would take her to see Dr. L.

This afternoon, I pack her up, get her to said Dr. who examines her, shaves her foot, checks it out and is as perplexed as I as to the root of the problem. So, we head to X-ray.

$101 later, I will let you guess what has happened.

Yes, my sweet baby pup has BROKEN her toe! I saw it with my own two eyes, right there on the machine! And here is where I must say that this is merely par for the course for little M. How in the world does that happen, you ask? I have no stinkin' clue! Honestly. It isn't her foot, just what would be the equivalent of our baby toe on her left back paw.

My theory? M&M are constantly chasing each other, full speed, around the yard. Normally, it is big M chasing little M. The normal path takes them between a tree and their dog house, with little space. The normal path also would involve a tight left turn, where she could easily have hung that baby toe and broken it. I'll never really know, I guess, but I still am just amazed it even happened.

So, I have some pain killers/anti-inflammatory, but just as with humans you can't do much for a broken toe. Just time and some TLC.