Gus is doing great

hi everyone.... thought I would update you on how Gus is doing. He is in physiotherapy now and doing so well. there is only 6cm difference in muscle mass between his back legs now. (there was 9cm when he started physio last week) He needs some coaxing into the water treadmill, but once he's in there he's doing great. His time was increased in there to almost 17 minutes today and a bit faster too. Leslie the physiotherapist is going to add time and speed and weights to him in the upcoming weeks. He also is getting cold laser therapy on his knee and he gets iced down when he gets out of the treadmill to act as a bit of a analgesic. Leslie is going to start doing stairs with him next week and hopefully he gets in the pool to free swim in a couple of weeks. Leslie assures me he will be almost perfect when we are done with the phsio in a few short weeks. I am so happy. Gus is such a wonderful teddy bear of a dog. I can't wait for him to be back to normal

He's home

he's home!! I don't know who was more happy to have him home Gus, the other dogs. or us. It is easier to keep him quiet than I thought it would be. you sure can tell he's in pain, and not himself. I slept on an air mattress next to him last night and it wasn't so bad. He did get up and go out once in the middle of the night. I just took him out now and he just wanted to go outside and lay down (I guess for a change of scenery) Things are settling down now with all the other dogs, it's like Gus never left. now we just go full steam ahead to get him fixed up and back to normal

We miss that crazy puppy!

wow it sure has been quiet around here while Gus has been at the vet's. Things are calmer and cleaner but we miss him like crazy. The update is that he's coming home this afternoon. They need time to get all his medications in line for us to take home. The bill is not too bad either. it is about $1000 less than I thought it was going to be so that is very good. His rehabilitation is going to be pretty intense, but we are ready. I am expecting it to take 6 months to get him back to normal. (I know it took me that long to be almost back to normal when I had my ACL reconstructed)

Gary couldn't be happier to be getting his baby back home too. I bet he sleeps next to his crate tonight. I will update things when we get the bagel eating bionic wonder puppy home.

you make my world happy

this card sums up how I am feeling these days. I am so very thankful for all the wonderful people in my life!

I love Graphic 45

I had to scrap a bit yesterday and this is what I came up with. I just love G45 and I haven't been playing with it in a while.... I took this picture of my niece back in Feb. I think.

Gus the bagel eating bionic wonder puppy

Remember Gus? Wednesday he went in for his CCL surgery (comparable to an ACL rupture in humans) The day started out as any other with Gary getting up and feeding them and then coming back upstairs to get ready for work. Gus didn't like the fact that he got about 1/4 the food he normally gets (as a prep for his surgery) and while Gary was upstairs, Gus ate an entire package of 6 bagels. OMG!!!! I called the vet's office as soon as they opened and after a few phone calls, was assured that he would be fine and that his surgery could proceed.

we saw the vet in the parking lot as we arrived. Clare (one of the vets) was dressed with easter bunny ears on and her nose painted red. She scared Gus and he promptly hid behind me (it's hard to hide a 95lb black lab behind me) and he peeked out at her from between my legs. Clare thought this was hilarious and said "boo" to Gus and he pulled his head back behind me and barked at her. So, if the easter bunny ever decides to break into our house, poor Gus will be traumatized beyond belief and go hide somewhere I am sure!!

All went well with his surgery. Dr Roberts (the vet that did the surgery) said he saw some arthritic changes already. Gus hurt his leg last fall when he was running up the deck stairs (his back leg went through the back of the open stair and he really hurt himself) Dr Roberts feels that he partially tore the ligament at that time and this recent injury was just the straw that broke the camel's back so to speak.

I called yesterday afternoon and he had his IV still and his fentanyl patch was kicking in. can you believe he ate some of his lunch?? SOME???? that is unheard of. I guess the fentanyl is really knocking him for a loop. The office is closed today so I can't find out how he is until tomorrow. They said it might be possible that he come home tomorrow but we are having family dinner tomorrow so I asked that he come home Monday. That way he is healed that much more and the excitement of the other dogs won't be as much. I am so glad that we have a crate for him and that he considers it his safe place. He is going to be doing a lot of time in his safe place over the next 2 weeks while his mobility is severely limited. I know it's a long rehab but it will be so very worth it in the end.

I will keep you posted on Gus' progress

on his way to a beautiful smile

no scrapping today.... Ryan went and got his braces on this morning.... or his top ones anyways. He has bugged me for ages to get them on and I finally called and made the appt. He was so excited that he only slept intermittently last night. poor kid. looking forward to seeing what he looks like in 2 yrs when they come off and he has his beautiful smile