Archive for ‘February, 2013’

Bear’s good report

Today was the big 8 week post-op checkup at 9 weeks.

It was a mad co-ordination of an orthopedic vet and his travelling surgical team…Dr. Calm and Calm Veterinary… and Bear and me.

We all survived.

At 11:15 a.m. I headed for Kila, MT (Calm Veterinary) with computer, Kindle Fire HD, smartphone and SNACKS including dog treats.

At 1:04 p.m. we received word that the travelling surgical team were on their way with a 30 minute ETA. It was Dr. Calm’s day off but she had agreed to be at the clinic for a joint session.

Bear’s medical team assembled about 1:30. Bear was whisked away for x-rays. Then I was whisked away to assist in the x-ray procedure.

One look at Bear and a comment that they had muzzled him at one point and I called a halt and took him out of there for a calm-down break.

After some quiet time and hands on checking of knees, hips and back – we tried again with Dr. Calm and myself at his head and feet AND “gowned” in protective gear that weighs a TON. We “flipped” Bear, spoke quietly, held and the xray was taken in short order.

The x-ray along with the manual exam showed Bear’s surgery leg was fully healed – YEA! The manual exam of the non surgery leg was good as were his hips but the x-ray showed some fluid on the knee of the non-surgery leg. So…the instruction was to go to normal activity, and see how things go. Bear also had a chiropractic adjustment on advice of both Drs and we go back in two weeks for another.

The hope is that there is no tear on the non-surgery leg and that it is just muscle catching up. If there is a tear, it will probably be evident as things progress. I am relieved that there was no immediate suggestion for the 2nd surgery.

We came home via the grocery where I procurred cheddar goldfish crackers and a bottle of wine…fell OFF the color detox wagon!

The sun was shining.

It had been a beautiful day to drive to Kila and back and I thought maybe Bear would want to spend a bit of time on Beardog Point.

No…he just wanted to go in the house.

He stood by the treat cupboard so I gave him a Greenie.

Nom, nom, nom!

Nom, nom…

more Nom.

And that’s all she wrote.

Lights out.

Day is done.

I am so glad I have wine and goldfish crackers.

Tomorrow is another day.

Go Daddy!

That be my step-Daddy, Bill. He is going FAST! He and my Mama both race NASTAR:

NASTAR (an acronym for NAtional STAndard Race) is the world’s largest known recreational ski and snowboard race program. It allows ski or snowboard racers of all ages and abilities, through a handicap system, a way to compare themselves with one another and with the national champion, regardless of when and where they race. Since the program’s beginning in 1968, more than 6 million NASTAR racer days have been recorded. It has been available at more than 100 ski resorts in North America. Many U.S. Ski Team stars got their start ski racing in NASTAR programs.

Hoo…I say HOO-RAH!!! to my folks :) !! They ski nearly every day at Wolf Creek in Colorado. They attend race clinics. They ski fast and well. They have a jar(s) full of NASTAR Gold and Platinum medals. Hee..!

These photos…my Mama took them. It is no easy task. She positioned herself at the course finish line and waited. Action shots are difficult…

Perfect shot, Mama!

Go Daddy!

A good day

I can’t believe it is February 1!

A lovely day here but I didn’t get much work done. I did get to town for some supplies.

At the grocery, I checked out in Rachel’s line…she is my favorite checker…20 something Blackfoot Indian. She has a wonderful warmth and charm and is always interested in what I’m buying and we talk food and recipes.

A couple of years ago, seeing me buy cinnamon sticks in the regular spice jars, she took me to the bulk bins in the natural food section and showed me all the spices and the price advantages. I had never bothered to look.

Today, the bagger person/young man got in on the food conversation. He is very knowledgeable and I let him take my stuff to the car (they always offer) so we could continue. His step-father is a wheat farmer in eastern MT. He feels as I do about the GMO stuff and having worked with it and the seed has a unique (to me) perspective. He said the stuff (gmo seed and all involved with it) is “poison” – they wore haz mat suits for planting!

He was talking as he was putting stuff in the Jeep and then he turned to me and said “Your dog is so beautiful. May I pet him?”. So, I wanted to adopt the kid/young man.

On the way home…

…a favorite group of buildings in the foreground, Big Mountain in the background – lit by sunshine!

A red, red barn in sunshine against the gray of snow in the mountains.

Flathead River from the bridge on the Somers cuttoff (Hwy 82) – another favorite view…and today no traffic so I could stop on the bridge and take this photo.

I came home feeling so good and after unloading took Bear out and we sat in the sunshine for a bit and then walked in the woods before coming in.

This morning…

It still seems like a miracle. It still fills me with Joy – that from how we started, here we are.

It is dusk. It is Friday evening. It was a good day.