That Damn Dewclaw

My poor Nyxie has a split dewclaw.  We discovered her injury a couple of days ago when she was licking non-stop at her poor pitiful paw.  It's the front right paw, the same nail I clipped too short a few months past.  Surely this is my fault somehow.  Maybe cutting it too short made the nail weak, ergo the current state of affairs.  The poor pup has been licking and guarding her paw from Arwen and Fenway since it happened.  She hasn't cried out, and has been playing, eating and sleeping fine, but I know it bothers her.

We discussed lopping it off at work, but this would cause her undue stress and even if we removed the nail, the quick would be exposed and painful.  We decided to let it grow out a bit, aided by her licking, applying a natural antiseptic, and giving her daily anti-inflammatory meds.  She's just about worked it off, and the quick beneath it is slightly less raw.  There's no swelling and other ickyness.  

Although surely this has been hard on her, it's been killing me.  I can't bear the thought of her in pain.  I watch her and worry.  Then I watch some more and worry some more, hoping she'll lose that damn nail soon - it's hanging by a tiny thread!  That damn right front paw with that damn dewclaw.  Being a parent sucks sometimes.  She's the most sensitive of the three, really - the biggest bark and the softest heart.  The Cowardly Lion comes to mind.  She's been so brave through all this, though.

Maybe she'll share her Courage with me.

Please send positive, healing thoughts!  Also, I've added a new custom-order sign listing to my online store.  I'd love to make a sign for you and your pack...