Walking on water

Editor note: I didn't have my camera with me for our first hydrotherapy, so this is from the vet's website.

Gracie had her first hydrotherapy appointment last Thursday in Corvallis. Trina, Gracie's new BFF and vet technician at the West Hills Animal clinic, helped her into the hydrotherapy tank. As the warm water started to fill the tank, Trina said "Dogs will do one of three things: start walking normally - very few do this; try to swim; or simply refuse to move at all." Gracie is not always the most compliant of dogs, so I feared she would opt for the third option. But no. Much to my pleasant surprise, when Trina turned the treadmill on, Gracie started walking as if she had done this all her life.

The process was simple. She walked on the treadmill for about 5 minutes. Then the treadmill was stopped and Gracie relaxed as the warm water swirled around her. Then she did another 5 minutes. And then we were done.

Yes, I suppose it's a long drive from Salem to Corvallis for 15 minutes of treatment, but I'm feeling optimistic that this therapy will help Gracie regain the muscle mass in her left leg and get her back into shape. We will also continue our home exercises and increasing our daily walking time at home. We are now 5 weeks post the femoral osteotomy and 8 weeks post the TPLO. Each day brings us closer to our goals.

Father's Day

"Just as we were reaching the car, we heard a commotion from the woods. Something was crashing through the brush - and breathing very heavily. It sounded like what you might hear in a slasher film. And it was coming our way. We froze, staring into the darkness. The sound grew louder and closer. Then in a flash the thing burst into the clearing and came charging in our direction, a yellow blur. A very big yellow blur. As it galloped past, not stopping, not even seeming to notice us, we could see it was a large Labrador retriever. But nothing like the sweet Lilly we had just cuddled with inside. This one was soaking wet and covered up to its belly in mud and burrs. Its tongue hung out wildly to one side, and froth flew off its jowls as it barreled past. In the split-second glimpse I got, I detected an odd, slightly crazed, yet somehow joyous gaze in its eyes. 'I think,' I said, a slight queasiness rising in my gut, 'we just met Dad.'"

When I first read these words in John Grogan's wildly popular book, Marley & Me, I experienced a sense of deja vu. Gracie's father is a black lab named Chopper. He was named after the popular TLC TV series Orange County Cycle, which follows the dysfunctional family antics of Paul, Sr., Paul, Jr., and Mikey, as they establish themselves as one of the nation's premiere custom motorcycle fabricators.

Chopper had that same slightly crazed, yet joyous look in his eye when I first met him. Of course, he was a new father with not one, but two litters of puppies yappying and dancing around him. When I lifted a squirming Gracie out of her bed, I was hoping she would grow to be like her mom -- quiet, gentle and subdued. After four years, I can see that she really is a daddy's girl.

So Chopper, wherever you are, Happy Father's Day.

Dog is my co-pilot

Gracie and I both have been experiencing cabin fever. So Wednesday evening after work, I carefully loaded Grace into the back of the car and we hit the road. With the windows rolled down, and the fresh air and smells of the surrounding farms, Gracie sat with her nose pointed high, taking it all in.

Gracie has always been a great traveler, for which I've been most grateful. I enjoy road trips and long drives. Gracie is a great partner. She sits calmly in the back of the Escape. While I watch the road ahead, she watches the road behind. I love having her in the car with me - whether running errands around town or hitting the road to the beach. She's a great companion and I've missed our drives. Wednesday was one of those "first time since..." moments.

Wednesday we drove down to Corvallis as a trial run for a vet appointment we have today. I found a clinic in Corvallis that offers physical therapy for dogs. West Hills Animal Hospital has full rehab services including an underwater treadmill for dogs with leg injuries. I'm hoping in addition to helping Gracie, the rehab specialists will be able to give me some direction on exercises we can do at home. The downside to most of these specialized clinics is their work hours - 8 to 5, Monday through Friday. And to date, the Family Medical Leave Act has yet to extend to our canine and feline companions.

With each day, Gracie's bones heal a bit more. The key is not rushing things, even when it seems like she is doing well. But I still look forward to the day that she and I can hit the road, stop when and where we'd like and resume our great adventures.

Thankful Thursday...and every day

Gracie and I made the hour-long drive to Beaverton yesterday to see the vet. She had her 3-week post-op Xrays. Good news! The TPLO sight is healed and the femoral osteotomy site is showing good signs of bone growth after just three weeks. Hurrah!

The vet advises sticking with her current restrictions and use of the sedative. The need for the sedative was apparent at the vet's office. Gracie burst through the office doors as if to greet everyone with a big "I'm here!!" I can't blame her though. After being cooped up for three weeks not only did she get a car ride, but a visit with people who think she's the cutest thing ever.

Sticking to the plan has paid off. Now that our routine is fairly established, we'll continue with it for another five weeks until we go back for another round of Xrays.

A big milestone is successfully passed...thank goodness!

Limping along

The title of this post refers more to me than Gracie. Since her initial surgery in April, I have found myself at loose ends on the weekends. Our regular Saturday morning routine has been thrown asunder. I feel like I'm limping along.

My friend, Steve, retired in April and moved to Mexico with his ancient golden retriever, Professor Jiggs. A few weeks ago, the Professor became quite ill. The prognosis seemed bleak. Steve's distress was evident in his blog postings. But Jiggs has become the dog of nine lives. With a new summer haircut, and a reduction in medications, he seems to be back to his old self. In Steve's post today, he talks about getting his "sea legs" back. With Jiggs on the mend, he is once again exploring his new surroundings and enjoying his adventure.

I hope to take a lesson from Steve and Jiggs. I find myself experiencing a strange sense of guilt when I do things on the weekends that Gracie and I once did together. Intellectually, I know that Gracie doesn't care what I do for an hour here or an hour there as long as her meals arrive on time, she gets to have some belly rubs and is allowed her occasional trips to the backyard to go potty. And, I know, we will one day get to resume our Saturday adventures.

So this Saturday, I'll do some of the things we use to do together. As soon as the June rain showers lessen, I'll wander down to Saturday Market and shop for fresh cut flowers and local berries.

I noticed yesterday as I took Gracie to the backyard that she was barely limping. As time marches on and she continues to improve, I suspect my limp will lessen as well.