I write this Wednesday evening. We are close to finishing week 1 post TPLO surgery. Bear is doing very well! Mostly, he moves with caution. He waits for me to get the Gingerlead on and also “helps” when I lift him in and out of the Jeep by lifting his legs. He gives me lots of kisses when he’s in…Thanks for the lift! Thanks for taking me! I love you!

If he has any pain or discomfort he is not showing it although he is still on some pain medication. I am so grateful this first week has gone well.

I’m adjusting to a different routine and struggling a bit. It always takes me some time to change gears, drop some things that just do not need doing and stick to the absolute priorities. Walks are not really a break for me at the moment as it is physically and mentally demanding to support Bear as well as keep my footing in what is now ice and slush. A few new muscles are making themselves known :)!

This morning, I sat at the kitchen table with my first cup of coffee and just enjoyed the light, the snow, the smell of a pot of beans simmering…

Bear sleeping peacefully. Bob is around the corner on his bed.

After a bit, I listened to today’s Pray as you go. The reading was Isaiah 40. It is a favorite of mine. The subtitle in my NIV Bible is “Comfort for God’s people”. This chapter describes God’s majesty and his goodness and a directive to trust and draw strength from Him.

40:28-31
Do you not know? Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary and his understanding no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall;

but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary
they will walk and not be faint.

Amen :) !

Hearing those words, sitting quietly, letting go of worry and fear and tiredness and knowing I have all of the strength and time that I need.

Today’s work day went well. Not quite a full day but close and all got done that had to get done.

Along the line of resting…much as I liked the comfort of sleeping near Bear, particulary those first nights, I knew I had to get back to my own bed. Bob was trying to sleep with Bear. Bear was not 100% with that program and so would move. I would wake up. Etc. And I was hovering over Bear a bit. I know the best I can do for all of us is to keep calm and peaceful in my mind.

I bought a tool to help all of us… (I am SO grateful for Amazon Prime!)

A baby monitor :) !! BTW, this is a very inexpensive one and it was plug and play and works great. And I am not the only one using it for pets per the Amazon reviews. One person wanted to try it to keep an eye on their chickens.

Anyway, it keeps an eye on Bear and I can both see and hear from the bedroom so I’m not jumping up to check on him.

I have the camera set to get a view of the room. It has infrared for nighttime. I am so pleased with the darn thing.

The first night, I waited until I woke about 2:45 and moved to my bed with Bob for a half-night trial. All good. Last night, I went to bed in my bed for a full night. All good. I think we all had a more restful night. Bear was asleep every time I woke. If his eyes are open the infrared makes them glow white. Before I fell asleep, I heard a bit of clanging – he was getting a drink of water and the camera/monitor picked up the water dish bumping the frame it sits in. I watched on the monitor as he got his drink and went back to his bed.

Ultimately, a lot of peace of mind for me and slightly more normal for all of us. Bear wants to go to the chairs he normally sleeps in but that is two steps up to get in them, so we are waiting at least another week – we’ll see how the 2 week post-op checkup goes.

This is one reason the sunroom was the recuperative room of choice: it is the one room in the house that allows Bear to see outside from the floor.

But then…he later chose one of the few spots with no rug. Funny boy!

Week 2 – onward…on wings like eagles!