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 :)