Notes from Maine - 2024/12/08
Albert (frisbee-loving dog) is on the IR. In football terms, IR means “Injured Reserve” and it’s applied to players who have a football-related injury that requires them to miss a few weeks of play. A football player could also be on the NFI list, which designates a Non-Football Injury. Albert could also be on the PUP list, which would signify that he is “Physically Unable to Perform.” That’s the most appropriate. Let’s agree that Albert is PUP.
In baseball, Albert would be on the IL, or “Injured List.” Up until about five years ago, they would have said DL, or “Albert is on the DL.” In non-baseball circles, being on the DL might mean he is on the “Down Low,” which is something entirely different. So, baseball changed the name from DL to IL (injured list). Baseball claims that the change had nothing to do with players not wanting to be thought of on the Down Low. They say that the term was shifted to IL so they wouldn’t be suggesting that players were “disabled,” which suggests a physical difference, not an injury.
A few weeks ago, Albert fetched until he was bleeding. There’s nothing he loves more than running down a frisbee and then bringing it back at top speed. Unfortunately, one of his skidding stops ripped the skin just below his carpal pad on his right arm. The carpal pad is the one up above a dog’s wrist. It can take a lot of force when a dog extends their arms and comes to a skidding stop atop a rogue frisbee that needs to be taken into custody.
On the day, I wrapped his leg, stopped the bleeding, and gave the injury several days to rest. Then, twelve days after, he re-injured. The vet didn’t suggest any mechanical intervention (no glue or sutures), but assigned me the duty of soaking his foot, giving him antibiotics, and keeping him from licking the wound. The licking is no big deal. I have a “lick sleeve,” which he doesn’t mind wearing. It’s like yoga pants but for the front leg.
The wound looks pretty good, but there will be no roughhousing for at least another week. The vet will recheck everything and the pills will be done by then. Once he’s better, I’m considering dressing him up like a medieval archer (at least for a while). Archers wore “Bracers,” which were guards on the inside of their wrists to prevent injuries from the bowstrings. I could supplement that with a “Vambrace” which would cover the outside of his arm with plates of articulated metal to protect against broadsword attacks. Add on a big, fingered gauntlet and he would be indestructible. All that gear might slow him down though.
I just typed in “Carpal Pad Protector” into Bing and it came up with a zillion results. I guess this is a common problem that I’m just becoming aware of now. When he’s all healed up, I’ll be ready with the necessary safety gear. For now, he is a dog who is PUP.
