Cone Independence Day. Yawn.
Our vet Dr. Brenda Culver gave us the official word today -- it was cone independence day for blind Briggs. For almost two entire months, this little Beagle has had to wear a cone on his head following his eye surgery. At first, he hated the dang thing and couldn't get used to it. He caught it on everything -- doors, the ground, food bowls, other dogs. Jeez, it's hard enough being blind, but add the cone and it's really difficult to navigate! But bless his heart, he figured it out, and pretty soon he got used to it. Yet every day he'd roll around on a dog bed like he was trying to shake it off.
So today, at precisely 4:19 p.m. Mountain time, I removed the cone. I took the photo above just beforehand. I fully expected him to get up and do a little jig, then roll around in sheer ecstasy enjoying his newfound freedom. But, alas, there was no perfect-for-the-camera moment ... no bounding around the house, no exultation. He just wanted me to leave him alone for his afternoon nap. (Did I mention this Beagle sleeps as much as a cat?)
Here he is at 4:20 p.m., freed from the confounded cone:
I know he'll thank me for this later.
My experiance with dogs wearing cones is that they become sad and look like they did something wrong.
Posted by: Hungrydog | September 11, 2008 at 01:45 PM
Those prosthetic eyes are amazing! I had no idea there was such a thing for dogs, but how wonderful they look.
Posted by: Jennifer | July 16, 2008 at 03:07 PM
C'mon, Briggs--celebrate!! :o)
I'm convinced our beagle thinks she's half cat; given a choice between passing some time with a cat or doing the same with a dog, she'd choose a cat. But the dang things just don't know how to play like a dog!
Posted by: Vicki Small | May 04, 2008 at 09:18 PM
Bless you both for the work you do for all the animals. You are such an inspiration! I wish you all the success in the world.
Posted by: Fran Ekelund | May 02, 2008 at 06:54 PM
Let Freedom Ring and naptime continue. SOOooo glad to see Briggs enjoying his blanket and the comfort of RDR! A perfect match.
Posted by: Margaret | May 02, 2008 at 09:03 AM
Looks like "This IS my happy face!" pic. Glad he has survived the two months of being a "conehead"! Maybe once he realizes that there's no horror to follow, he'll show some relief.
Hugs all around,
ginger, Tobias & Tlingit
Posted by: ginger & Tobias (the greythound) | May 02, 2008 at 02:30 AM
It was nap time! Jeez, what do you expect a sleepy beagle to do?? I'm sure he'll schedule in a happy dance when he's had enough sleep.
I'm so happy he's recovering and pain free - even if his eyes still look slightly 'alien-ish.'
Posted by: Carol | May 01, 2008 at 09:55 AM
Briggs probably wasn't so sure the thing was gone for good. Once he realizes it, look out!
I just love that blanket he's laying on...
Posted by: Linda | May 01, 2008 at 09:00 AM
I'm not sure if you are aware of this or not but there is a new product on the market instead of these cumbersome plastic cones. It is called the "Comfy Cone" and can be found at www.allfourpaws.com. They are only $15. It is a soft foam construction and makes it easy for your pet to eat, drink and relax. Just thought I'd mention it!
Posted by: Barbara | May 01, 2008 at 08:51 AM
Awwww Briggs - you look so cute, either coned or coneless! When I visit the ranch (would love to see it) I will pick you up and we'll do a little dance - we can put the cone on the floor and do a Mexican stomp dance around it. Your naps will be much easier now!! :<)
Posted by: Angela | May 01, 2008 at 07:56 AM
I could accuse you of photoshopping the Before-and-After photos, they look so close. But after two months, it's probably become part of his personal space and now he has to figure out how to get around again. But first, a nap!
Posted by: Janet in Cambridge | May 01, 2008 at 07:10 AM
Or maybe he thinks he's in blind beagle school. To me, he has that look of "let's be patient with these humans" that I sometimes see on my animals' faces. Here's my caption for the second photo: "Let's see - I learned to navigate this place without sight. Then I learned to do it with a cone on my head. I wonder what challenge Steve has planned for me next?"
Posted by: Helen Rietz | May 01, 2008 at 05:46 AM
Wow, not only did Briggs not roll around in ecstasy, he managed to make his "after" photo look exactly like his "before" photo with only the collar's being gone. But he'll soon do The Dance of Joy when he understands that the hated cone is gone for good.
Posted by: Moon Rani | April 30, 2008 at 10:02 PM
Yeah.....now Briggs looks like a real dog, not like one wearing a lamp shade! It is truly independence day for the precious beagle!
Posted by: Nina | April 30, 2008 at 08:09 PM
LOL! Are you sure you didn't just Photoshop the cone out of the first picture? And here we thought Briggs would be baying up a storm in happiness when the cone was gone! Bless his little heart.
Posted by: Heidi & the kitties | April 30, 2008 at 06:30 PM
Yay!!!! He will totally thank you later with some serious ground rolls I have no doubt. What a relief for him! When I think of the planetary alignment that got him where he is today I am truly awed at how wonderful the universe can be. Thank you SO MUCH for taking such great care of him. I can't wait to see him again!
Posted by: Morgan | April 30, 2008 at 05:52 PM