Update to Pip

Pip's surgery recovery is going very well as far as I can tell.  We had our second visit to the orthopedic surgeon since the surgery this week and while he is a man of little words, the question asked "does she feel good" as he manipulated her knee back and forth back and forth,..... was "she feels good".  So I think that means all is well!  Xrays were taken at the previous visit and at that point he said she was about 50% healed as far as the bone healing goes.  The staples, the cutting, all that has healed nicely.  Pip continues to be an awesome patient although it continues to be more difficult to keep her calm when outside.  She is still leash walking outside for her exercise walks and in the dog yard when other dogs are present, especially Lucy, who REALLY wants her playmate back.  The snow last week and the ice/rain this week definitely slows our progress down somewhat, although yesterday I took her to Tails U Win parking lot and marched her around there for about 25 minutes.  I am to now to 30 min walks to build up her stamina.  And mine I supposed, someone asked me if I had lost weight and I think I have justs because of all of the deliberate walking I have been doing.  Proves the point that 2 or 3 15 min walks a day at a moderate pace or even slow is still exercise and works you. 

One more follow up visit on Valentines Day and I believe we are done.  We also are continuing our visits to the PT weekly for a stint in the water treadmill. 

Some pictures, of Pip in her borrowed jacket.  She is blowing her coat AGAIN, I'm told its not uncommon for post surgery/anesthesia.  And it was so pretty before!  Her pain patch spot continues to grow back oddly - and her leg now has a light feel of fur on it but still a ways to go! 

Al has snowblowed "race tracks" in the yard so that we can continue her walks, although with todays sleet and rain we have not attempted it today.  Instead we worked on puppy push ups, backing up and sit, down, stand, sit, down, stand,...................................ahhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  As you can see by the pictures, her sit is still sloppy and out to the side.  This may or may not go away depsite my best efforts.  But since she will be 9 this February (less then a month away!) I have no intention of putting her back into agility and I must say I"ve given up my dreams of getting a CD on her,... so lazy sit may just be fine. 

 Storm  "Benedict" I think they called it.  Pip in her borrowed jacket braving the snow before we have tracks for her and everyone else. 

Surgery fur regrowth or lack there of,.... and her sit!

Sit, what sit?

just pictures,....

just pictures, haven't written anything in a while and need to collect my thoughts but have some cute pictures to share, I especially like the ones of the different dogs in the cat bed,..... ridiculous
Note:  Zenny is always in the same place in these photos, he hasn't tried the cat bed yet



Pip



Lucy





Sidney (zenny in background)



Pip



And more ridiculous pictures, this time Izzy was in dog bed and dogs didn't care!




Lucy



...............same ole' same ole'

no pictures, they would look the same, dog laying down with old peas on her leg, my toes in the picture or some other part of my body.  nothing new, she is doing well but I know already tired of the process.  today is a treat since it is raining.  not that I mind the rain but she actually doesn't like it much, it gets in her eyes!  follow up for staple removal in a week, perhaps that will step up the pace a little.  No limping, my biggest issue is the patch on her side, or the spot on her side where the pain patch was.  I think that some of the plastic is still on her skin and starting to peel a little but not really.  If I try to pull it she really resists so I'm guessing its uncomfortable - not sure what to do with it.  Have call into trust vet.  I thought it was like rug burn/road burn originally from the patch but now not so much.  Needs to go away I think but don't know how!  If she was a window I could use lighter fluid but I don't think that will work in this case,... yuck

the princess and the pea,.....

More exciting moments in the therapy world.  Haven't been able to find anything else really better then the peas so we are still using these for icing.  Al's been helping this weekend so that is a great help.  She's due for some more passive exercise so off I go.  Pain patch is off.  In between exercising, walks I have been giving Pip rib bones to give her something to do and not have to have the cone on. 

Lucy likes to hang out near the den where Pippi is. 

Pip and her TTA

TaDa, we did it, or I should say she did it and everything is just fine so far.  Its not even been 24 hrs since we got her home but she's doing really well.  No bandage, just about 20 staples (gross) on the inside of her leg.  We are doing icing, which she appears to enjoy, short passive of motion exercises and (2) 5 minute walks a day only, in addition to bathroom checks, short and sweet.  Pip's an awesome patient, maybe they all are, I don't know.  The recent wrist surgery and this are my only experiences in this area with the exception of spaying. 

Just home 10/27/10

Al modified the step outside to the deck and added a ramp off the deck for her in and out pleasure.

this it the modified cone she is wearing.  Al added some additional length by cutting a plastic container and duct taping it on.  The PT at the surgeon was VERY impressed and asked that we send pictures of it.  We are thinking of patenting it!

lucy and izzy

video says it all

a good friend is a good pillow

I have talked off and on to anyone who will listen about how Lucy has changed our houses dynamics and in particular with Pippi.  Well, these pictures are a perfect example of what I have been talking about. 

It started in the morning as it many times does while I am having coffee on the porch.  Lucy comes over and lays on the couch with me/on me.  Pip was on the ottoman.  Lucy and Pip started doing their alligator play, mouth, noises, flea bites, etc.  They at some point I am sure I got tired of being the receiver of much of this play so I told them all done.  Lucy sort of chills out and relaxes, half across the couch and ottoman, as she was when playing with Pip.  Eventually, I think everyone just sort of chilled out and I see Pip actually lay her head down on Lucy.  Now, if this was the other way around I wouldn't be making so much noise about it.  Lucy lays on everyone all of the time, even Pip tolerates it now.  But to have Pippi  be comfortable enough and relaxed enough to just do this, not so much!  I am sure some of it was just the feeling of I am not giving up this ottoman, but some of it is also they have just really bonded in this way. 

And this is why I sit in the porch with the phone/camera.  Because you just never know what might happen.