On the Move

We have been driving across country heading to Regina (we are here - hooray!) for the last two days, Winston is recovering nicely and is very eager to explore every inch of the car. Internet connections have been in our hotels only, and by that time I am exhausted! I big update and pictures are coming soon. :-)

A few things:

- Winston must feel just fine - he is very mobile - and has not slowed down at all! Keeping him contained while not driving has been an issue - I can't leave him for a second! While driving, he sleeps like an angel!! Scratch that, there was that time when I was driving that he jumped down by my feet...

- Just finished his last dose of prescribed medication (percocet completed Sunday morning, Valium Monday evening, and Gabapentin Tuesday morning) and is having normal pees and bowel movements. He will be on a low dose of Metacam for the next week or so.

- There are Mosquitoes here!!! We took Winkie out for potty this morning (snuck him out actually from this anti-pet hotel - can you imagine such a place ;-) and got eaten alive!!

Winkie report: Wondering why he has these itchy bumps all over him. (Do dogs itch like we do?)

Naughty Boy...

We are all a little tired today, Winston did not sleep right through the night - he loves to bury himself beneath all the blankets in bed and be up against me. In the middle of the night he woke up panting very heavily, so of course water is brought to him and he doesn't drink but eventually stops panting. We all drift back to sleep (Winkie minus blankets) only to have Winston get cold and crawl back under the covers waking me in the process. :-)

Today it was back to work and Winston was his old self (with wobbly legs) - he is certainly eager to do everything he has always done! I have to say he was very good for most of the day, sleeping in his spot under my desk until about 1pm. It was when I went for lunch that he didn't sit still for the girls... oh Winkie!

We have been following the medication schedule to a 't' - three times a day for his cocktail of pain relief. He is having great pees, nice steady streams and is having regular bowl movements (with the help of Valium) too. To get around Winston uses a harness and sling around his back legs to support them while walking. I am still getting the hang of putting them on... I somehow have the harness all twisted up, can't figure out how that happened. :-) He is able 'walk' around unassisted but I don't let him do this much at all, but it seems to be unavoidable - sometimes Winkie just can't be contained!

I took a little too long to feed him this afternoon, he was quite literally moaning at about 6 this evening for his food, which he ate so fast I thought for sure he was going to choke! Throughout all of this his appetite only failed him briefly - it is a trademark of his... scarfing down his food with such force and delight all at once, you have to wonder if he evens knows what it tastes like!

I have him on my lap right now where he is most content, however I am trying to get him to not be such a couch potato because that is where he jumps the most, up and down off of the sofa. Even tonight, he fought being on the floor for a good hour before he finally relented and begrudgingly laid down at my feet. But he wanted to jump, he was poised for hopping several times and I had to hold him back and correct him. I will 'invite' him up and lift him in place - I want to get him to the point to where he 'asks' to come up instead of helping himself. Habits take a long time to break... and he is determined to keep his throne, the floor is no place for Prince Winston - heaven forbid!

Overall, first day back has not been without its challenges and frustrations but those things are forgotten quickly - what makes me smile and will mark this day is what his legs lack in strength and speed, his little tail more than makes up for it. It hasn't stopped wagging it all day! :-)

Winkie report: Right where he should be.

Home Sweet Home!

We are home! We are happy! We snuggled up together in bed! yay! More on the procedure and what we can expect in the coming weeks tomorrow - after nearly 10 hours of driving today we are all exhausted!

Thank you soooo much Dr. Sharp (and all the staff) who took such good care of my little boy!!

Winkie Report: Puppy sighs...there is no place like home (and sleeping on high thread count sheets again!) :-)

Coming Home

The little booger is coming home tomorrow - we are leaving bright and early so we can pick him up around 12:30. I just can't wait!!!

He is doing very well, is even walking with help! The vet techs say he is very happy, loving all the treats and snuggles they are giving him. He gets all his naps in (just like at home) and seems very content.

Winkie report: Milking it!

Thank you!

To everyone reading this and showing their care and concern for Winkie - Thank you. It is nice to know that you all care, :-) I know he loves you all too... even if you don't always have food for him!

I am overjoyed at the results - I went from being afraid and hopeless to relieved and elated at Winston's future. Things were a little uncertain for a while; contemplating life with a blind and paralyzed dog was interesting... I had even checked out doggy wheelchairs! More than anything I just want to give Winston a great life, he is such a great little friend to me that it is the least I can do for him, so I am very grateful for the doctors and vet techs who have made him better.

Update: Winston had a pee! Apparently this is an important event the recovery process. He is still not walking yet, but is really wanting too! I am hopeful that I will be picking him up on Thursday. The vet techs say he is in great spirits, wanting lots of attention and overall is a great patient!

Winston report: Recovering like a champ!

Great News!

Winston is doing great!! The surgery went very very well - the surgeon said that his disc was very enlarged and that while he was in there he also did a little preventative surgery on some normally 'prone' discs. So the chance that this will occur again is only 5-10%!! I am relieved and very happy with the outcome - more soon!

Winston report: Waiting to pee!

Awaiting news...

Vitals are good, but no word yet on his legs!! I am anxiously awaiting a phone call from the neurologist. Fingers crossed that everything is in working order...

Winkie report: Enjoying his paid meds