Ziggy and the E-Collar

So Ziggy has been instructed by the vet that he has to wear an e-collar for a week or two. He has an infected nipple...yuck, right? And he keeps licking it so the vet gave him an e-collar along with some antibiotics. And now he looks like this:

And he walks like this:

I apologize for the blurry quality of the video. I'm posting it more for the sound than the picture. If you listen closely, you'll hear a "click-click-click-click" in the background. That's actually Ziggy hitting his e-collar with his front legs every time he takes a step.

I have to admit I almost feel sorry for him. He has enough trouble navigating without adding an e-collar challenge. Now he runs into everything - usually full speed - and bounces off. He hasn't figured out why he can't fit through doorways like he used to, or why his head suddenly feels three times wider than it used to. He doesn't let that bother him though - he's still the same silly dog.

I could take his e-collar off when I'm there. In fact, I do take it off for him to eat or drink - he'd never be able to figure that out! But the rest of the time I'm with him, even though I could take it off him, I usually don't. Because I've discovered a wonderful thing about the e-collar. It's also a no-bite collar.

You see, Ziggy originally came into rescue with some major issues. In fact, for a few weeks after he first came to my house, I was afraid he wasn't going to be adoptable. Fortunately he got over most of his issues, and now he only has one issue left. He likes to chew on people. Its a constant battle to teach him NOT to chew on people. And although he is showing some improvement, it's been a very slow learning process for him. He just enjoys it so much.  Look at that big smile on his face, as he's about to go in for the kill...

He would've added yet another bruise on my leg if not for the wonderful e-collar.  This is the best invention ever!!

So for the next week or two, I am alternating between feeling sorry for him and laughing at him.  And more than anything, I'm enjoying the break from constantly trying to teach a deaf dog that people do not play bitey-face like dogs do!  I wonder if anyone would want to adopt Ziggy if I told them that he had to wear an e-collar permanently.  I'll have to think more about that.