GOODBYE FOR NOW!

I am doing very well overall mom says. As you can see, I am spoiled rotten! Even though mommy bought me a new bed, I just HAVE to be with the family on the couch (and my little sister, Lula). I run and play with everyone now with only an occasional limp (mainly when it is cold outside). I feel sooooo much better though! Mommy has put me on the D-word (yes Diet!) because she said I'm a big fat walrus! I'm super cute though! Anyway, I must go for now, but I thank everyone out there for their well wishes and advice! Surgery worked for me and I hope it works for you too! WAGS & KISSES!!!

13 WEEKS POST-OP: UPDATE

Haven't I changed alot (just kidding, read on and you'll know who this is)

Oh I know it's been a while since I've posted, but mom went out of town for her mom's surprise birthday party in St. Louis. I wasn't able to go with her so she hired my favorite babysitter, Laura. Poor poor Laura had to watch all 6 of us- can you imagine! That's right- mom took in 1 more foster dog (a boy this time- yippee!). I know you are thinking mom is crazy, but the shelter was going to put him to sleep and she just couldn't take it! So, if you know anyone that is looking for a wonderful dog, Dexter is available (that's him in the picture). He's a goofy boy, but I think he's a keeper! He actually makes me look bad- he learned to sit, fetch, and shake all in a matter of minutes! Anyway, enough about my foster brother.

I have been in heaven these last 2 weeks. Mom takes me for walks nearly every day and I'm able to go further each time. The only problem is when it's so hot outside...I just don't do very well being so large and black :) I played a little hard yesterday, so I came in limping a little bit. The good news is it was gone by morning (mom thinks I was probably sore like Doc said could happen). No biggie, good as new today! I'll keep you posted and take new pictures as soon as I can! Wags and kisses to all of you!

WEEK 11 POST-OP: FREEDOM AT LAST!!!!

WOOF WOOF! That's all I can say! Dr. Dew took x-rays of me today and told me my bone was 100% healed! There is new bone growth around the plate and you can see fatty tissue around the knee cap that Dr. Dew said will be absorbed into the bone and also indicates normal joint fluid, etc. (mom may have the words wrong, but the news was all good). Basically, I can now be off leash...yeah you heard me right! I can even play with my sis and foster buddies (well he said for the next 3-4 weeks to take it slow off-leash: maybe 5 minutes of romping and running week 1, then 10 minutes next week, then 20 minutes the 3rd week, and then no worries). I'M SO EXCITED! He told mom to let me regulate myself...that I might be sore, but that my bones are strong. He also said that swimming would be a great way to build endurance (mom's looking into it- no lake right around here, but she's looking for alternatives). Oh I have longed for this day! Dr. Dew and staff are absolutely INCREDIBLE and I can't thank them enough for giving me my life back! I'll let you know how I do with my new found FREEDOM! Good luck all of you that are recovering... Your day is near!

WEEK 10 POST-OP: HAPPY 4TH!

Well you know I had to do the Patriotic thing- don't I look so serious! Mom thinks I look adorable! I also wanted everyone to meet "My Pack". It's so hard to take pics of all of us, but that's daddy with (left to right): me of course, Lula (sis), Zoe (foster sis), Munchkin (foster sis), and Speckles in back (foster sis). I am so excited because I only have less than 1 week until I get to see Doc (and hopefully get the all clear to add a little more exercise). Mom caught me eating Munchkin's puppy food in the middle of the night (she doesn't know I do it all the time) so now I have to reduce my treats :( I'll let everyone know what Doc says as soon as I can! Hope everyone had a great 4th of July!

WEEK 9 POST-OP: JUST COUNTING DOWN THE DAYS...

I cannot wait until I get to see Dr. Dew (my appointment is not until July 10th though). This is really driving me CRAZY! I am feeling so good- why do I have to stop playing??? I have a new foster friend, Zoe. She stays in the kitchen most of the time, but it's nice to see her every now and then. She's kinda a cross between me and Lula (she's the first one in the pictures in case you can't tell us all apart- who am I fooling, I'm the gigantic one!). Somehow, we seem to get alot of black dogs! That's okay, because they need homes more than anyone! Well I must go for now, I'll keep you posted on my boring recovery :) I'm so glad things are going well though. How's everyone else doing? Mom's gonna check the orthogroup board and let me know. Goodbye for now!

WEEK 8 POST-OP: CLOSE UP PICS OF KNEE

Mom thought you might want to see what my knee looks like now. She's sorry it's taken so long to post this week :) It's so hot outside so I pretend to sunbathe inside (well not really... actually I lie on my back and moan so that one of my canine buddies will come over and try to play with me. That is until mom steps in- she's a bummer sometimes). My hair is almost completely grown in now. Mom has noticed I have lost some muscle mass in my leg, but I'm doing great functionally (that's what she says- it just means I walk great on my leg; I'm not limping at all and never have really; and I'm feeling really good). Only 2-3 more weeks and hopefully I'll get the okay to play. Mom only has 1 more week of work until she gets a break so I can't wait until she has more time to walk me. Right now she only has time once per day so I think she said she would try to walk me twice a day (as long as it's not too hot- it's 97 degrees right now). I hope everyone is recovering well from their surgeries! Until next week....

WEEK 7 POST-OP: AM I RECOVERED YET???

This is getting really old- mom yells at me every time I try to play (even a little!). I am feeling absolutely fantastic and I can't wait to see Dr. Dew again so he can give me the ok to play! Only 3 more weeks- YEAH!!! The white dog in the picture is my foster sister, Speckles, and the little bitty terrier looking dog is another foster sister, Munchkin! Mom felt sorry for Speckles when she went to take pictures of some dogs at the vet for the animal shelter so she decided to bring her home. She's been with us about a month now (don't worry she is only around me under supervision). Little Munchkin is only 9 pounds! Can you believe it- I think my paw weighs more than that! She was scheduled to go to a rescue group up north, but when she went to the vet they found out she had heartworms! Sooooo... another dog that will be with us for at least 3 more months! That's okay- it's kinda fun to have new friends. Munchkin sleeps in the room with me and loves to walk beside me outside (I think she feels protected when I'm around). Well, I'm walking about 1/2 mile regularly and mom is going to increase it some more this week. I haven't had any problems at all! Until next week... Wags and kisses to everyone!

WEEK 6 POST-OP: GIVE ME MY BONE MOM!

Well mom got too busy to post pics last week! She's as bored as I am at night and has even resorted to trying to steal my bone! Don't worry- I was able to grab it and go! The picture in front of the fan is from after I went on a walk (I'm so spoiled that mom turns the fan on for me when I get back and I go right to my place!). Mommy got a new anti-pull leash for me and used it tonight. She's all excited about it because it seemed to work (only time will tell 'cuz that's what she said after the first day using a regular harness). She kept bragging to daddy how good I was on my walk. Of course she also said that she's going to cut back even more on my groceries because (and I quote) "Bella looks like a walrus". What's that all about??? Anyway, I made it even farther today without limping (maybe 7-8 big blocks) so I think mom is going to start having me walk even more. I think she is shocked that it has already been 6 weeks (it's going by so fast!). She's not sure exactly how far I should be going right now, but I don't think I'm going far enough. Oh well, the good news is I might be able to get out even more real soon! I'll let her know if it's too far I'm sure! Oh and my hair is pretty much all grown in (tiny bit shorter than the rest) so i'll try to have mom take pictures of my knee so you can see how "normal" it looks now (no visible scar really). Wags and licks from me :)

WEEK 5 POST-OP: I'M READY TO RUN...NOT!!!

Ok, so I think I'm ready. Boy this feels like forever for me- why does mom yell at me everytime I try to play with my sister??? I feel GREAT! I finally tried the supplement that nice lady Brenda sent me. The good news is I didn't seem to mind the flavor! The bad news...well...I had quite the case of the runs (yeah- the D word). I'm sure it's because it's new to me- maybe mom needs to give me a little at a time first. I wonder, is there such thing as an all-in-one pill I could take??? Mom's gonna do some more research :) I get to walk a little further now, which is great. I'm not so good on the leash yet though as I have forgotten my manners (I keep pulling which drives mom CRAZY). Poor mom, she's sitting here itching like crazy. She apparently has chigger bites all over her back (I know, it's a weird place for them). She was taking pictures of dogs at the local animal shelter for the Petfinder site and wallah... she got to take home a surprise(s) from the grass (weeds) there. Mom's pretty disgusted by the description of those little critters! Anyway, I am so lucky to be recovering so well so please cross your fingers and paws for me that I continue to heal so well. Mom will take new pictures of me in the next day or 2 (she's really busy with work stuff right now). Until later....

4 WEEKS POST SURGERY: STILL FABULOUS!

Nothing but great news here! Mom is amazed at my progress (I'll post some pics in a day or 2). She has been so busy that she hasn't updated this much. My hair is growing back well (about half-way there) and I am walking extremely well! Mom and dad took me down the street a few blocks and I didn't limp at all when I returned- YIPPPEEEE! My poor sister is bored to tears (so am I), but I just keep counting down the weeks! We still have 6 more weeks until we get the all clear from Dr. Dew. I know it will go fast though, because 4 weeks has flown by! Check back in a few for more details! Hugs and kisses to all my fellow canines who are recovering from surgery or who will have surgery! Keep your heads up- it'll be over before you can say WOOF!

3 WEEKS POST- SURGERY: OH MY GOODNESS

Well it has been a fairly uneventful week. As you can see on my sister's face in the second picture- we are both extremely bored! All we can do is chew giantic bones- don't get me wrong, I love them, but geeeez! Mom walked me halfway down the street the day before yesterday (yippeeeee another change of scenery). Well... I wasn't very good on the leash 'cuz I was so excited (I kept pulling like a crazy girl). I seemed to limp a very very tiny bit when I got up later on, so mom of course is making me rest until tomorrow (she'll try again if it every stops raining!). I have a new foster sister who is going through heartworm treatment, so mom now has to walk her on a leash too- she's getting very tired of leashes :) She keeps saying "Oh there's hope- only 7 more weeks 'til we see doc and hopefully we'll get to bury the leash for good" (well we know she doesn't mean it 'cuz she's still going to walk me!). Wonderful Brenda from the Orthodogs group sent me a new supplement to try (it came today) so I can't wait to taste some tomorrow! I'll let everyone know what I think (I'm quite the taste tester!). Check back for more info soon! Congrats to all my doggy friends who are able to roam free!!!!!

2 WEEKS POST- SURGERY: YIPPEE

Boy it seems like forever ago that I had my surgery! I'm doing

GREAT!!! I act like nothing is wrong! Mom is doing a good job keeping me quiet and controlled though (it's not easy 'cuz I feel so good, but it's necessary... bone has to heal and all). Oh how boring this is- how will I ever make it 6 more weeks? I look forward to walking around the neighborhood again :) Thanks to everyone who asks about me!

DAY 10: PICTURES OF ME STANDING

You'll have to excuse the angle of some of these pics (mom was by herself and had to take pics while holding my leash at the same time!). You can see how good I'm doing- I know I'm a little on the pudgy side so don't make fun of me!

DAY 10: OOPS DRY/SCALY SKIN

Well it could be worse, but I now have dry, scaly skin. Dr. Dew suggested giving me a bath with oatmeal shampoo to help if it bothers me (doesn't seem to at this point). But on the bright side, my incision is great and I'm walking so well (I actually get to go a little farther into the yard now- yippeee I can now smell the fire hydrant on the corner of my house!).

Day 9: INCISION CLOSE-UP

Doesn't it look SOOOOO much better (if you click on the pics you can see a close- up version)! Mom and dad are amazed at how quickly my incision is healing. Those internal sutures seem to be doing the trick- well and that FABULOUS surgeon might have something to do with it!

DAY 8 and 9: FINALLY, SOME HAIR GROWTH

Mom was so excited today because she noticed I am getting some hair back! MAYBE, just MAYBE, I will stop itching now! There's some dry skin for sure and a very small circular area below my knee (hopefully it's not a ringworm- mom's keeping an eye on it). Anyway, I'm feeling really good- like nothing has happened! Definitely bored at times (as you can see bones help), but at least my knee doesn't hurt! Mom switched me to the brown chewable supplements (Glycoflex III soft chews) instead of the tablets- THANK GOODNESS, SOMETHING EDIBLE!

DAY 7: SURGEON FOLLOW-UP

Today we went to see the surgeon for follow-up instead of waiting 2 weeks. Mom told the nurse lady from the surgeon's office that I was itching and that because of that I kept getting up and down (therefore, my knee was a little swollen). The nurse said to go ahead and bring me in 1 week early just to make sure I'm not having an allergic reaction to the internal sutures, etc. GOOD NEWS- Doc gave me some hydrocortisone spray for the itching and I was given a great report (incision healing well, knee stable...). He said I have developed a small seroma (fluid filled sac) around the knee (which is not unusual following surgery, especially since I was moving so much due to being uncomfortable), but that it will typically reabsorb in the body with rest. He also told mom I could go swimming next week if I want (she's going to wait a few more weeks though for the pond to fill up) and that I should double my walks from next week on! Doc told mom that she will know when I overdo it because I might not bear as much weight on my leg or I might limp. No worries though- he said just to rest me a day or 2 and back off a little on the exercise! YIPPEEEE- maybe I can go in the back yard now! I'll check back again soon!

DAY 6 Post-Op

OK, Mom's mad at me because it seems I did a little too much today (up and down...) so my knee is a little swollen. I feel pretty good so it's hard to stay lying down all the time. I heard mom telling dad "we're in for a long road"- I guess they think I'm going to be hard to keep still! Mom still gives me antibiotics just in case and I'm eating and pottying fine, so give me a break! Stop your worrying mom. It's back to work tomorrow for mom, so my personal scratcher will be gone :( What will I do??? Check back to see how I did...

FINALLY, A CHANGE IN SCENERY!

Day 5 post-op: Mom finally let me stay outside for a little bit (of course she watched me the whole time- gosh mom I'm not going anywhere!). As you can see, the area where the pain patch was is still annoying me (but not nearly as bad- it's just so hard to reach!). Mom's thinking about buying 1 more ex-pen to combine with this one so I can have a larger area, especially since I need to be restricted for so long. She doesn't trust me in them when she's not there, but they are perfect to keep me safer outside so I can enjoy what I love to do- watch cars, people, nature!). I'm doing fabulous though, so don't worry anyone! I'll write again soon...