Well how about that! We're just past the one year mark since Gigi's surgery and it is time to do an update. It has been a good year. And we learned a lot along the way.
Gigi has made a pretty darn good recovery. She is able to run and play, although she does have a peculiar gate in the repaired leg. The leg swings out a little, paddles, I guess but it sure doesn't stop her from gallumphing around her world.
If I had to do anything different I think I would have been more aggressive with the rehab exercises - the bending of the knee has not returned 100% and a result she has a hard time lifting her leg as high as she needs to to get up some high-rising steps. We still use a sling to go up stairs just to be safe. We've had a few slips, but no injury to either of us, but the increased difficulty and the occasional slips have reinforced her dislike for stairs - which has made going to work an issue. We are looking for handicapped accessible space but it is shocking how difficult it is to find easy access at a rent we can afford.
The diet...well...she lost about 6 lbs and then gained some back. We had to discontinue her carrots and add in green beans, but it didn't make much difference and we lost our momentum. We had hoped to walk it off this winter, but mom has had her own health issues so it hasn't happened. We do walk around town when we go to the office, but I can clearly see Gigi's stamina is much lower than in previous years. She is 10+ now. That may be making the difference. We seem to be creaky on the same days, but she is still HIGHLY motivated to walk, go for rides, do her work, and play with Cato. Except on Saturdays. When she refuses to even get up until dinner.
Was it worth the surgery. Absolutely.
Hugs all 'round.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Cleared for Take-off! week 10
The last few weeks have been a blur as Gigi moved quickly from gimpy to limpy to shifty and gypsy... with every week, she was a little more ambitious and the rules started to be negotiable, at least in her eyes. Gates were for pushing, barricades were for knocking down. Then she's stand there and wag - "I'm READY". "Awanna gofer aRiiide, Mom, noooooooooow. And the wailing and wooing would start. On one particularly spectacular night, Gigi stood her ground and barked at my husband at least 50 times - very purposeful communication, no hysterics. I think she was getting a wee bit bored. Every time he tried to interrupt her, she'd turn her head away - and continue her diatribe. I think that's the Princess' version of "I'm not finished talking yet".
The last week of March her x-rays showed her bone to be completely healed. It is now time to start rehab.
10 minutes walks as many times a day as she wants as long as she rests in between. Because the mountain driveway is still too much for her, we've been popping her into the car and heading to the bottom for our walks. Every tree needs sniffing, every gopher hole, fox den, grounded feather, etc. needs inspecting. Clearly she is glad to be back on patrol. And racking up the "minimum requirement" for daily rides. This will, no doubt, get out of hand as all her expectations eventually do. There will come a day when she will refuse to get out of the car and we will have to drive to Missouri or North Dakota to satisfy her. It's happened before. And she has the photo album to prove it!
We've had more ooops in the past week than in all the priors. Today she decided to ignore the first step up - and ended up sprawled on the stairs. She's tempted to leap out of the car - absolutely not - and is trying to cheat the last half of the extended ramp, on both the up and down trips. If I wasn't already grey I'd be there now!
Interestingly, she has maintained the 2 a.m. "pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeze canni havsum waaaaaaaaaaater" - this is a whine/whistle that catapults me out of bed every time. I'd put her water bowl dish at the end of her bed, but I'd be the one to step in it in the wee hours and set us all awash. And I'd bet she'd still lie there and whine for a drink.
We're on The Diet now. Green beans for filler. Near as I can tell, it simply makes dinner like a great Chinese meal - only good about about 2 hours.
pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeze mom, I'm hunnnnnnnnnnnnnnngry.
Oh brother.
The last week of March her x-rays showed her bone to be completely healed. It is now time to start rehab.
10 minutes walks as many times a day as she wants as long as she rests in between. Because the mountain driveway is still too much for her, we've been popping her into the car and heading to the bottom for our walks. Every tree needs sniffing, every gopher hole, fox den, grounded feather, etc. needs inspecting. Clearly she is glad to be back on patrol. And racking up the "minimum requirement" for daily rides. This will, no doubt, get out of hand as all her expectations eventually do. There will come a day when she will refuse to get out of the car and we will have to drive to Missouri or North Dakota to satisfy her. It's happened before. And she has the photo album to prove it!
We've had more ooops in the past week than in all the priors. Today she decided to ignore the first step up - and ended up sprawled on the stairs. She's tempted to leap out of the car - absolutely not - and is trying to cheat the last half of the extended ramp, on both the up and down trips. If I wasn't already grey I'd be there now!
Interestingly, she has maintained the 2 a.m. "pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeze canni havsum waaaaaaaaaaater" - this is a whine/whistle that catapults me out of bed every time. I'd put her water bowl dish at the end of her bed, but I'd be the one to step in it in the wee hours and set us all awash. And I'd bet she'd still lie there and whine for a drink.
We're on The Diet now. Green beans for filler. Near as I can tell, it simply makes dinner like a great Chinese meal - only good about about 2 hours.
pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeze mom, I'm hunnnnnnnnnnnnnnngry.
Oh brother.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Week 6
We just got the first x-ray results - looking GOOD! Dr. Tommy estimates another 3 weeks and we can start rehab. WOOPEE!
Meanwhile, we're feeling our oats. Gigi has set a new routine for the family that includes group hugs on the floor (Pirate isn't allowed unless he BEGS her), Mom has to sit by the computer (even if she doesn't want to) and Cato is allotted his very own place at the Tapioca Ritual...everyone gets 4 bites (used to be 2 but we have to consider inflation...).
Gigi is more independent these days. Getting up is clearly easier for her but assists are still appreciated. Her rear joints still click but her gait is more even, and she'll eat "all standing" at times. She also wants to go up and down the stairs - "the ramp is for sissies, mom".
Occasional tramadol at night (only 1 now instead of 3) to make sleep better. And we have permission to walk a block (on the flats) (if we had one).
Meanwhile, we're feeling our oats. Gigi has set a new routine for the family that includes group hugs on the floor (Pirate isn't allowed unless he BEGS her), Mom has to sit by the computer (even if she doesn't want to) and Cato is allotted his very own place at the Tapioca Ritual...everyone gets 4 bites (used to be 2 but we have to consider inflation...).
Gigi is more independent these days. Getting up is clearly easier for her but assists are still appreciated. Her rear joints still click but her gait is more even, and she'll eat "all standing" at times. She also wants to go up and down the stairs - "the ramp is for sissies, mom".
Occasional tramadol at night (only 1 now instead of 3) to make sleep better. And we have permission to walk a block (on the flats) (if we had one).
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Bouv on Wheels Sunday 2-20-10
Sometimes you just have to run away from it all...
Gigi has been sighing heavily for days, whining more than usual, clinging more than usual. You haven't lived until you have had a bouv in your lap for 3 hours a night, eating popcorn with all noses following lllleft, rrrrright, llllleft as we ALL watch the Olympic downhill skiing or the uuuuuuup, downnnnnnnn, uuuuuuuuup, downnnnn of that half pipe snowboard thingie.
So this morning she declared an agenda by walking up to the car and sitting down. Not moving til we go somewhere. Nope. That's now 121 lbs of definite nope.
It isn't a problem to get her into the car at home - we can put the ramp from the porch to the back of the Subaru wagon. Someday I'll get the hatch fixed. And the post on the porch, too. But for now, the door still closes and the post is still in the upright position...
The ramp down from the car to the ground is doable, even though it is a bit steep. But the ramp up from ground to car is too steep.
I think the problem is more a traction issue than anything else, but it is too risky so our outings are somewhat limited. If we want to get out of the car to walk on flat land (we have none of our own) we have to make sure we back up to a good high curb... like the one at the vet's. I'm sure the staff is wondering why we keep arriving and leaving without coming in the building. "What on earth is she doing? Did she forget something? How bad can her memory be??? She doesn't look that witless..." But they can't complain; their portico posts are still standing and we don't stay for long.
Then it's off to visit a friend - a real friend. The kind that comes out to the car despite the winter chill and gives "tailgate hugs" and feeds you carrots one at a time with lots of kisses in between bites. Gigi's tail/stump wags vigorously and she is utterly devoted to her friends. Until the distractions take over.
Good thing she was in the car, because had she been on the ground we'd have been setting our own ice-slalom records...
First there's the traffic. We don't have cars at our house. Come to think of it, she's never really had a chance to just sit and watch traffic go by. And then there were the people, coming and going from neighboring houses - very normal for most, but not a scene Gigi gets to experience. Our neighbors are only sounds - cows, sheep, and occasional voices, all hidden behind acres of trees. But the squirrels...now those we have plenty of and they all need chasing! And someone mentioned cats, and they always need licking.
It was, by people and dog standards, a great outing. Gigi came home happy and thirsty, with a much lighter step and promptly put herself to bed for a looooooong Olympic nap.
Gigi has been sighing heavily for days, whining more than usual, clinging more than usual. You haven't lived until you have had a bouv in your lap for 3 hours a night, eating popcorn with all noses following lllleft, rrrrright, llllleft as we ALL watch the Olympic downhill skiing or the uuuuuuup, downnnnnnnn, uuuuuuuuup, downnnnn of that half pipe snowboard thingie.
So this morning she declared an agenda by walking up to the car and sitting down. Not moving til we go somewhere. Nope. That's now 121 lbs of definite nope.
It isn't a problem to get her into the car at home - we can put the ramp from the porch to the back of the Subaru wagon. Someday I'll get the hatch fixed. And the post on the porch, too. But for now, the door still closes and the post is still in the upright position...
The ramp down from the car to the ground is doable, even though it is a bit steep. But the ramp up from ground to car is too steep.
I think the problem is more a traction issue than anything else, but it is too risky so our outings are somewhat limited. If we want to get out of the car to walk on flat land (we have none of our own) we have to make sure we back up to a good high curb... like the one at the vet's. I'm sure the staff is wondering why we keep arriving and leaving without coming in the building. "What on earth is she doing? Did she forget something? How bad can her memory be??? She doesn't look that witless..." But they can't complain; their portico posts are still standing and we don't stay for long.
Then it's off to visit a friend - a real friend. The kind that comes out to the car despite the winter chill and gives "tailgate hugs" and feeds you carrots one at a time with lots of kisses in between bites. Gigi's tail/stump wags vigorously and she is utterly devoted to her friends. Until the distractions take over.
Good thing she was in the car, because had she been on the ground we'd have been setting our own ice-slalom records...
First there's the traffic. We don't have cars at our house. Come to think of it, she's never really had a chance to just sit and watch traffic go by. And then there were the people, coming and going from neighboring houses - very normal for most, but not a scene Gigi gets to experience. Our neighbors are only sounds - cows, sheep, and occasional voices, all hidden behind acres of trees. But the squirrels...now those we have plenty of and they all need chasing! And someone mentioned cats, and they always need licking.
It was, by people and dog standards, a great outing. Gigi came home happy and thirsty, with a much lighter step and promptly put herself to bed for a looooooong Olympic nap.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
I'm a Sad-Eyed Dog Friday 2-19-10
After having the whole pack together for 11 days (snow) it has been hard to get back to the routine of Mom leaving Gigi behind. The mornings start out ok - the usual routines of Mom going out to feed the sheep, then walking the dogs, then eating breakfast (first mine, then yours). But when it comes time to pick up the keys, the bag, the phone and the coat, Gigi's head comes up with ears perked and a hopeful look in those big brown eyes...Are we going to work? Upon hearing the dreaded phrase "No, sweetheart, you're gonna be Big Dog In Charge today", the dog deflates. Head down, ears slide down to her shoulders, the eyes close and I can almost see a tear roll down to that big black gumdrop nose.
She's losing some steam and I suspect it is depression. I can see the drop in stamina, the wistful look down the steep driveway. We're planning to take her for some drives this weekend - get her out of the house and maybe even over to see people friends. It takes orchestration - we have to plan to land where there are curbs so we can get her in and out of the car easily using her steps - not too long an outing but enough to give her hope.
I've read all the dog behavior books. The ones that say dogs don't live beyond the moment. Now is now and that's all that counts. And I think that's a nice way to absolve oneself of responsibility for an animal's emotional wellbeing. If a dog can remember how to get from the office to the post office, then what prevents the dog from remembering the trip and anticipating it in the future?
Clearly, Gigi accepts the reality - more people would benefit from learning that skill - but she retains the hope it will be other than how it is - another skill people would benefit from practicing.
So tomorrow, we'll head out for a lark. Something brief and visually stimulating - explore a new road, maybe take the scenic routes from old commutes. Some new smells. Maybe a new scratch and sniff book...
We're doing the range of motion exercises but not often enough. It doesn't take long to do them, but when the entire day of hugs, bellyrubs, dinner and after dinner routine (my dinner, your dinner, a walk outside, a few pounces on the woodpile, a carrot or two, a bone, tapioca ritual and the blackberry snowcone) is compressed into a few hours after work, there isn't much time to do much more. I think I will rearrange things - do the range of motion before the dinner routine starts, so that we aren't trying to end the evening on a less than fun note. The exercise isn't horrible but it is clear Gigi doesn't like it. Don't MESS with my foot, Mom.
Mom will be in traction shortly from supporting the "hinderslingen". Gigi is eager to walk and has much better traction on the accrued ice than I do. The "heel" command is losing its punch. Gigi has always had a ripsnorting walking pace, and nothing has changed. But trying to keep up with the front end and hold up the back end is doing in my arm and shoulder.
LESSON FOR NEWBIES: Build up your forearm and upper arm muscles before scheduling the surgery. You will need them, especially on the 125 pounder puppies.
She's losing some steam and I suspect it is depression. I can see the drop in stamina, the wistful look down the steep driveway. We're planning to take her for some drives this weekend - get her out of the house and maybe even over to see people friends. It takes orchestration - we have to plan to land where there are curbs so we can get her in and out of the car easily using her steps - not too long an outing but enough to give her hope.
I've read all the dog behavior books. The ones that say dogs don't live beyond the moment. Now is now and that's all that counts. And I think that's a nice way to absolve oneself of responsibility for an animal's emotional wellbeing. If a dog can remember how to get from the office to the post office, then what prevents the dog from remembering the trip and anticipating it in the future?
Clearly, Gigi accepts the reality - more people would benefit from learning that skill - but she retains the hope it will be other than how it is - another skill people would benefit from practicing.
So tomorrow, we'll head out for a lark. Something brief and visually stimulating - explore a new road, maybe take the scenic routes from old commutes. Some new smells. Maybe a new scratch and sniff book...
We're doing the range of motion exercises but not often enough. It doesn't take long to do them, but when the entire day of hugs, bellyrubs, dinner and after dinner routine (my dinner, your dinner, a walk outside, a few pounces on the woodpile, a carrot or two, a bone, tapioca ritual and the blackberry snowcone) is compressed into a few hours after work, there isn't much time to do much more. I think I will rearrange things - do the range of motion before the dinner routine starts, so that we aren't trying to end the evening on a less than fun note. The exercise isn't horrible but it is clear Gigi doesn't like it. Don't MESS with my foot, Mom.
Mom will be in traction shortly from supporting the "hinderslingen". Gigi is eager to walk and has much better traction on the accrued ice than I do. The "heel" command is losing its punch. Gigi has always had a ripsnorting walking pace, and nothing has changed. But trying to keep up with the front end and hold up the back end is doing in my arm and shoulder.
LESSON FOR NEWBIES: Build up your forearm and upper arm muscles before scheduling the surgery. You will need them, especially on the 125 pounder puppies.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Making Progress Sunday 2-14-10
I think we're winning. Gigi is walking better these days - she still limps in the morning or when she does not want to go somewhere (cute, eh?) but overall she is walking more evenly on her hind legs. We maintain the sling for extra protection against slipping but she is much steadier these days. She gets a little goofy at times, and I think that sling may be necessary as long as we have a wild child on wood floors, but on carpet she does very well.
For the first time since even before surgery, Gigi was interested and able to make her way up the ramp with only steadying support (not lifting) on her hind end. In fact she tried to climb onto the ramp in the middle instead of coming up from the end...we had a little conversation about that and she's now clear on the ramp procedure. At least for a while.
Boredom is a huge issue, so we started a few games outside. Her favorite is "what's in the woodpile?" where she gets to stick her nose under the tarp and snuffle around. Mom makes little chittering noises and occasionally tweaks the tarp - which Gigi interprets as evidence of Somethings. She did a 2-footed bouv-bounce onto the tarp but apart from a few holes, and some wind-sucking by Mom, all was fine. Mom is watching now for pre-bounce positioning - bouncing has the potential to be an "oops" since she lunges a bit in the process. No lunging for now. But fully engaged attention is good.
Next favorite game is "snow cones" - Gigi gets herself a snow cone every time she goes outside - this is much encouraged, however I fear it will take her many months to clear the drifts...
Gigi is watching a great deal more television these days - she wants to cuddle more and it was quite chummy last night as we all gathered around the Tapioca pudding and then piled onto Gigi's bed. Cato (the cat) was unusually kind, sharing Gigi's bed without biting her feet. In the past this has led to growls, chases and other now-illegal activities. So it seems even Cato is invested in this recovery process. He saves his ambushes for Pirate (our other bouv).
We're doing the range of motion exercises, but Gigi is not happy about it. Leave my feet alone, leave my leg alone and if you want me to walk, lemme get up!!! That the range of motion is limited is particularly clear when she tries to sit - the knee doesn't bend enough to make it comfortable, and she has continued in her old style of "sitting sloppy" - with her leg cocked out to the side. Kinda of a Cleopatra-style...waiting for the grapes to be peeled, or in Gigi's case, the mandarin orange segments to be delicately placed on her tongue...
Monday will be the first day we can get the car up and down the drive, so we're hoping to take her for a ride. She's been asking daily; this will make a nice treat!
For the first time since even before surgery, Gigi was interested and able to make her way up the ramp with only steadying support (not lifting) on her hind end. In fact she tried to climb onto the ramp in the middle instead of coming up from the end...we had a little conversation about that and she's now clear on the ramp procedure. At least for a while.
Boredom is a huge issue, so we started a few games outside. Her favorite is "what's in the woodpile?" where she gets to stick her nose under the tarp and snuffle around. Mom makes little chittering noises and occasionally tweaks the tarp - which Gigi interprets as evidence of Somethings. She did a 2-footed bouv-bounce onto the tarp but apart from a few holes, and some wind-sucking by Mom, all was fine. Mom is watching now for pre-bounce positioning - bouncing has the potential to be an "oops" since she lunges a bit in the process. No lunging for now. But fully engaged attention is good.
Next favorite game is "snow cones" - Gigi gets herself a snow cone every time she goes outside - this is much encouraged, however I fear it will take her many months to clear the drifts...
Gigi is watching a great deal more television these days - she wants to cuddle more and it was quite chummy last night as we all gathered around the Tapioca pudding and then piled onto Gigi's bed. Cato (the cat) was unusually kind, sharing Gigi's bed without biting her feet. In the past this has led to growls, chases and other now-illegal activities. So it seems even Cato is invested in this recovery process. He saves his ambushes for Pirate (our other bouv).
We're doing the range of motion exercises, but Gigi is not happy about it. Leave my feet alone, leave my leg alone and if you want me to walk, lemme get up!!! That the range of motion is limited is particularly clear when she tries to sit - the knee doesn't bend enough to make it comfortable, and she has continued in her old style of "sitting sloppy" - with her leg cocked out to the side. Kinda of a Cleopatra-style...waiting for the grapes to be peeled, or in Gigi's case, the mandarin orange segments to be delicately placed on her tongue...
Monday will be the first day we can get the car up and down the drive, so we're hoping to take her for a ride. She's been asking daily; this will make a nice treat!
Thursday, February 11, 2010
I'm SOOOOOOOOO Bored, Mom
After yet another blizzard, Gigi was once again seriously restricted in her activities because of the snow. We're over 50 inches now. The yard stick disappeared at 37 inches (go figure) and we are at the "frankly, Scarlet" stage.
That there were two storms and the snowfall set a new record for our area seems to be lost on her. She will, no doubt, recall it as The Week of No Car Rides. She led me to the lump that hid the car and made it clear that she KNEW there was a car there. Then snorted derisively at my protests that it just wasn't possible to go anywhere.
There were several times during the storms when she was given the option of going out, but when we opened the door, the high winds blew snow up her nose. That ended that. She'd turn around and head to the kitchen. That the trip was "not productive" does not preclude payment of one carrot...she'd have pulled out a contract if I hadn't just given in.
We did what we could on rehab - hot moist compresses and gentle range of motion exercises. I watched several range of motion videos on YouTube but... I can't see pinning Gigi down and manipulating her leg in a way which seems like it is creating pain. Vet says "gentle range of motion" so we do gentle. Vet says "make her holler", we hire somebody else...
Toys are for sissies. Gigi has a definite penchant for TV watching. In Mom's lap. Getting actively petted the WHOLE time. Even during commercials. I can see where this is going. When she gets back to the office and her regular duties, EVERYone will have to sit on the floor and pet her.
Tomorrow, there is a chance of some melt. Not enough to take an r-i-d-e but perhaps enough to smell something new.
Hugs to all bouvs with bolts. And a snow shovel salute to all their moms and dads.
That there were two storms and the snowfall set a new record for our area seems to be lost on her. She will, no doubt, recall it as The Week of No Car Rides. She led me to the lump that hid the car and made it clear that she KNEW there was a car there. Then snorted derisively at my protests that it just wasn't possible to go anywhere.
There were several times during the storms when she was given the option of going out, but when we opened the door, the high winds blew snow up her nose. That ended that. She'd turn around and head to the kitchen. That the trip was "not productive" does not preclude payment of one carrot...she'd have pulled out a contract if I hadn't just given in.
We did what we could on rehab - hot moist compresses and gentle range of motion exercises. I watched several range of motion videos on YouTube but... I can't see pinning Gigi down and manipulating her leg in a way which seems like it is creating pain. Vet says "gentle range of motion" so we do gentle. Vet says "make her holler", we hire somebody else...
Toys are for sissies. Gigi has a definite penchant for TV watching. In Mom's lap. Getting actively petted the WHOLE time. Even during commercials. I can see where this is going. When she gets back to the office and her regular duties, EVERYone will have to sit on the floor and pet her.
Tomorrow, there is a chance of some melt. Not enough to take an r-i-d-e but perhaps enough to smell something new.
Hugs to all bouvs with bolts. And a snow shovel salute to all their moms and dads.
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