Restrictions...I don't need no stinkin' restrictions!

What a little brat this pup can be!!! Tommy doesn't think the rules apply to him! His Dad seems to think he's a great patient. I do to, if you think breaking every rule the doctor gives you is a great thing. He's jumped on the couch and off the couch. He's jumped off the bed. He's snuck out the back door, on his Dad, without a leash but caught three steps outside... the first time. The second time he flew down the deck stairs and across the walkway to the fence to bark at the neighbors with the other dogs. About the only he hasn't done yet is gone swimming but we haven't been in the pool yet either.
This morning, I wasn't quick enough for him and he bunny hopped up the deck stairs. For God's sake I was bent down and in mid scoop... I could feel his hair swoosh by my wrist as he went up the steps! He got to the top, turned around, did his signature head toss and woo-woo-wooed at me so proudly. How could I be mad at him? He doesn't seem to have done any damage to anything. He isn't limping. He isn't anymore swollen than he was when he came home. He only cheats now when he's in a big hurry and then he lifts that leg up and tries to fly on three legs. But you can only go so fast with Mom or Dad attached to the other end of your leash.
When he gets tired or wants to enjoy the weather he just lays down in the grass or wherever he's at the rest of us can just wait or do whatever. Usually, we pull up a chair and just wait. His Dad has been trusting enough to drop the leash and go about business but it will only be a matter of time before Tommy figures out that if he lays down Dad will drop the leash and then he is "free ranging" and can do whatever he pleases. I think, so far, Tommy just doesn't want to do anything else but lay in the grass. When he does....watch out!

Got Friends??

Tommy's friends have been stopping by to see him. Auntie Chris comes by on a regular basis bringing lots of hugs and kisses. Next to Mom, I think Auntie Chris is his favorite person. However, Friday night may have knocked her down a few pegs on the favorite list (but only for a short while). Tommy has been pulling on his stitches a little bit and I asked Chris if we could borrow her dog's protective collar until Tuna's comes in. It's a large blue inner tube like thing! It's much better than an e-collar as the dog can eat, etc. but they still looks silly. Tommy barked at her the whole time she blew it up. He let her put it on him and only threw a very brief fit and resolved quite easily. He quickly realized it wasn't such a bad thing and made a nice pillow! Sorry, no photo...the camera batteries were charging. We'll get one soon though. It's too cute not to have a picture of.

Aunt Shell came by yesterday with a new purse for Tommy...sorry, a new man satchel. It's pink and has ruffles so who am I kidding, it's a purse! Looks more like an evening bag. Tommy has a thing for purses. He mugs me, for mine, every night when I come home from work. If I don't give it to him it can become an all out wrestling match, literally a mugging. So, if I don't remember to hold my purse up high before I come in the door, I usually just give in and let him have it. He just totes it to the kitchen. He isn't destructive in any way. He just wants to "help". Yeah, that's it...help.
Shell got to experience the purse snatching for herself yesterday. I wasn't home when she came by but Ed said she barely got in the door before Tommy walked up, grabbed the purse out of her hands and trotted off! How rude of him! Any way, the little purse is just adorable! It's really a dog toy shaped like a purse. It's strap is a short rope. When Tommy bites the purse it's makes a smooching (kiss) noise and says "I love you". How sweet is that!!!! Jilli likes it too but Tommy isn't sharing it much. When Jilli gets her paws on it she lays on it to hide it from him. Works well until she shifts positions and the purse starts "talking" and gives her away. She gets a surprised look on her face like, "is that coming from me?" as Tommy comes flying at her to grab wherever he hears the sound coming from. Of course, this is something he shouldn't be doing according to his restrictions from Dr. Betts. I am quick to interject.

Tuna had to take his man satchel to bed with him last night. When I hoisted him onto the bed, he had it in his mouth. When the lights went out, he rolled over and we heard the kiss sound and "I love you" not a bad way to end the evening. Thanks Aunt Shell. We love you too!

The bandage is off!

I took off Tuney's bandage this morning and to my surprise found stitches! You say, "What did she expect?" I expected staples. Jack had staples. Grace Marie had staples. I just assumed Tommy would have staples too. Not that it really matters they all keep the incision closed, it's just I was expecting something else.

The incision looks great! No bruising, no redness, barely even any swelling on the leg at all! I tell you, Dr. Betts is the greatest!

Tommy has the cutest little lily white tush I have ever seen! Yes, I may be a bit biased, after all, I took photos! It's as soft as a baby's behind too. He really is a tiny dog under all that fur. I can't get over how little his bone structure is. Do you remember the movie "Powder"? His skin is as white as the lead character in that movie.

Tommy has decided it's time to "smell the roses". He likes to go outside and just lay down in the grass and hang out. Made me late for work this morning! Good thing the commute to the couch was a short one. He went out and watched cars go by for almost an hour this morning! He watched the cars go by while I took off his bandage, did his PT (3 minutes of range of motion) played with his hair, picked clover flowers and threw them at him and finally made him go in the house. Needless to say, I wasn't going to be voted World's Greatest Mom today.

He's already bored out of his mind. He is used to being on the go all of the time. Picking on Jilli or fussing at Jack. Into something all of the time. We refer to him as a "goin' concern". He can't really do much of anything on his own right now and it really bugs him. We have hardwood floors throughout our house so it makes it tough on him. We have runners down EVERYWHERE but we are still very careful and don't let him out of our site. He hates that too as he can't get into any trouble at all. I think Dr. Gallagher will have a very willing patient when Tommy gets to start Physical Therapy. Stitches are out in 10 days and then he can start. I'll be making the consultation appointment next week so we can get him started as soon as possible!

I'm looking forward to a relaxing weekend. Hopefully, Tommy will be willing to lay in the grass and read a book with Mommy for a while tomorrow. It'll be too hot for him by the pool but we have plenty of shade that should be just right for the little man with the pasty white tush! No sunburn on the tushy!!!

First day at home

We all had a great night's sleep last night, which was a pleasant surprise to me. I was expecting to spend my night on the living room floor and see Jill, our Chiropractor, this afternoon. Not the case. I may still see Jill, just for good measure and because I carry Tommy up and down the stairs but not because I slept on the floor. He slept on the bed, almost in his usual spot, between Ed and me. He did manage to move in the night, he rolled over. We all got up at 3:30 and piddled. Then up for breakfast at 6:00 (slept in for an hour). His appetite is all there. He was slapping his feeder this morning because his Dad was taking too long to get his food dish to him. A big piddle and a huge poop about 8:15 and we're settled in so Mom could get to work (working form home for the next week. Thank goodness for wireless connections…sitting on the couch with Tommy next to me. Now, if I can just keep his paws off of the keyboard, we'll be all set).
Never thought I would be so excited to see him poop! Everything is moving through and in working order!

He is using his leg but he cheats, a lot. If he moves slow and doesn't think about it he uses it. He doesn't like the sling, it annoys him. He's always been very independent and has the "I can do it myself" attitude. We have been using the sling to distract his face and mind so as he bites the sling, causing him to walk slowly and focus on something else, he walks on his leg. Mom is smarter than Tommy, at least for today.

He and Jilli were chewing on raw hide chew bones but have fallen asleep nose to nose at my feet. I have a head of each kid on each of my feet. Who needs slippers!!! Where's my camera when I need it. Dang it! If only I had thought to have brought lunch in with me the last time I was up. I hope they don't sleep too long..... I'm hungry.

Veterinary Surgical Referral Hospital- Simply Amazing People

I would be remiss if I didn't take a minute (ok, at least five minutes) to say THANK YOU to, and to tell all of you about, the wonderful and amazing team Dr. Betts has at the Veterinary Surgical Referral Hospital, in Cary.
Dr. Betts has really done something right. We have had four dogs cared for by Dr. Betts and his team. Jack's hips were done almost 4 years ago and the same technicians and front desk staff who helped us then were there to help me today. Kris is the tech. who took Jack back and got him settled 4 years ago and she is the same person who got Tommy settled in yesterday. Vicki and Lindsey are always the same people I talk to, on the phone, whenever I call and are always so kind and helpful. They humor all of my crazy questions and roll with my punches. They take all of us "crazy dog parents" in stride.
I can't thank Laura enough for the "walk through" of the x-rays and everything yesterday and today. From walking me through the post-op instructions and showing me Tommy's actual femoral head (and letting me take it home to show Ed) to laughing at Tommy as he swiped the car keys from my hand in the parking lot and pulling Hilda from her pocket so that Tommy would have her for the van ride home. Every minute meant so much. THANK YOU!
THANK ALL OF YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR ALL YOU DO EVERY DAY. IT MEANS SO MUCH TO ALL OF US.

I hope that if anyone's dog need to have orthopedic surgery they are all lucky enough to have Dr. Betts and his team taking care of them. I can't think of anyone else I would feel safer with.

I'm not sure who drew the heart on Captain Tuney's bandages but it's very cute!

Tommy's Home

Tommy's home and resting comfortably. The resilience of animals never ceases to amaze us. These photos were taken today, one in the van on the way home as we were stopped at a traffic light. He is sitting up, bright eyed and bushy tailed! They didn't shave any of his beautiful tail...it's all there, every hair of it and he wags it like crazy.
I expected Tommy to be groggy and really out of it. Quite the contrary, he is a bit sleepy but when one of his favorite toys was tossed to his big sister he gave a bit of a start like he was going to run for it. While in his sling and on his leash in the backyard Jilli decided it would be fun to tease him and darted around in front of him trying to get him to chase her. Tuna's ears perked up and he gave it serious consideration. Thankfully, we did have him on a leash and in a sling or there's no tellin'... Jilli was trying her best to entice a game of chase. I think she missed her little brother. We did hang out by the pool for a bit after having pizza with Auntie Christine. It was nice to have some company.
I have to admit, we're already breaking the rules... Tommy's sleeping on the couch beside us. His favorite spot is on the couch and he wouldn't settle on the orthopedic bed next to it. Grace Marie has happily stretched out on it and is sleeping comfortably there now. Ed lifted Tommy on the couch and Tommy laid right down and went to sleep. I imagine he'll be in that very spot until we go to bed.

Get to pick up my boy today at 3:00! Can't wait to get him home!!!

Surgery update

Bed time phone call was comforting. I would have never been able to sleep without knowing if Tuney was ok. The after hours Emergency Hospital staff were so sweet. Fortunately, they weren't busy so they could humor me and my silly questions. Did Tommy eat? Has he pooped? Is Hilda with him (his toy hedgehog)? Has he been "talking" to you? They had just taken Tommy outside to do some business but he was having none of it. He just stood there and looked around. When we hung up they were going to try to get him to eat.
I must say our bed was a little empty last night. Only Jack and Jilli taking up space and nobody sleeping on my back (Tommy's favorite place to sleep). Tonight it will probably be the living room floor for me, with Tommy on the orthopedic dog bed. Something doesn't seem quite right about this sleeping arrangement but hey, whatever works for the boy.

I called for an update on my way home from work and they said Tommy was alert, sitting up and looking around. I imagine he is wondering what the heck has just happened! Pretty soon he'll be looking for dinner.

Captain Tuney is out of surgery and all is well! They did the FHO on his left hip. No surprises for Dr. Betts.
Tommy is still sleeping so the recovery room is quiet, for now.

It's surgery day

Well, today's the day. I dropped Tommy off with the very capable and wonderful staff at the Surgical Referral Hospital in Cary. Dr. Betts and his team are truly the best, in our opinion.
As many of you know, we have had several knees and a couple of hips done there already (Blue, Jack and most recently, Grace Marie).
Tommy and Hilda (his hedgehog) went in the back with Kris while I went through the paperwork out front.

Just got off of the phone with Dr. Betts and they are getting ready for surgery as I am typing this. They are going to do the FHO on Tommy's left hip today. That's where they remove the femeral head of the leg bone so it can no longer connect to the hip socket. They will also seal the hip socket. Scar tissue will form a false socket of sorts and everything will work just about normal. Jack had this done on one of his legs and does just fine with it. He runs normally and walks normally.
Surgery should begin around 12:00. Say a little prayer for Tommy.

Good Luck Tooooney!

Good luck this week, Tommy - hope everything goes well! Tell your Mom and Dad to let me know if they need anything!

Vet school day

Tommy's Cardiac work up was today and as usual he made tons of friends! He seems to know who needs love and who doesn't.
Sheri, the waiting room volunteer, said there's a job waiting for Tommy as a Walmart greeter. He greeteed everyone who came in the door with a "woo-woo" or a "wwoo-wwooo-wooo".
He met a Beagle, named Bigsley, who was there for Chemotherapy and Tommy shared his blanket with Bigsley.
Tommy made everyone laugh as he continually emptied his duffle bag of toys and treats. Tommy has me trained well. He would empty the bag and I would put everything back in. You would think this would have kept him from barking at the people coming in the door but think again... he never missed a single person or their dog. Funny thing, he never barked at a person with a cat.
The only dog he didn't like was Rocky, an 18 month old Bull Mastiff. Rocky weighed in at 116 lbs of solid muscle and wrinkles. Wish I had thought to take a photo! He was just a cute as he could be. He so wanted Tommy to play with him. Tommy just backed up and barked. I knelt down and patted Rocky on the head and Tommy ran behind me and stuck his head out between my elbow and side to see Rocky. We just laughed at him.
Tommy and Rocky were a great source of entertainment for everyone in the waiting room that day.

Cardiac results were basically fine. The heart murmur is the same. Stage two, left Mitral valve. No heart meds., no heart surgery, no restrictions at this time. He just has a leaky valve. The Mitral valve is allowing blood to leak back into the heart as it pumps the blood out. So, with each pump out a little leaks back in. We just need to monitor him in his activities and watch for signs of distress. Not expecting any but still keep an eye on him.

Fingers and Paws

Keeping all of 'em crossed for you and Tom on Tuesday - good luck!