Bear | The Road Home

Still a lot of lyin’ around going on

Day 3 post op – I am so happy to get beyond the first 48 hours. It is always hard to see a beloved pet not quite themselves.

Bear is still resting plenty but some of the initial bruising and swelling is much better and he seems more comfortable.

Getting the ice treatment after a walk. Walks have been going well. Bear uses the leg lightly which is what is wanted at this point.

Bear wanted to go under the dining room table this afternoon. I finally figured out that he wanted a cool corner like he has in the living room so I moved the table and the corner of the kitchen is a new spot. I tried putting a cushioned mat down, but he moved it. He’s happy so I let him be.

Later, though, back to the foam bed and some watching of his territory.

Bob has been very companionable and sometimes just walks up to Bear, touches noses and kind of looks like he’s asking how things are going.

I’m tired but did a better job this round of clearing my work schedule a bit. That has helped me relax and I guess since I don’t HAVE to get as much work done as usual, I’m getting close to normal. Go figure :) !

Bear is home

Bear is home. He reportedly slept well, kissed all who helped and checked on him, but would not go outside…walked to the door and then stopped.

Strange place, not the right person ???

He was happy to see me and sat up right away. When he saw the Gingerlead, he moved his front feet so I could put it under him. He wasted no time getting out of there but gave kisses to the tech when she bent down for a good bye.

Bear settled in the Jeep after a quick walk to a grassy area and home we came.

At home, Bear wanted to check the premises so we had a walk around the house before coming inside. Two short walks, a ride in the Jeep, a bit of cleanup to get rid of that clinic smell and Bear started fading.

Naptime.

Bear’s surgery went well!

Dr. Clark phoned at 11:45 to let me know that Bear was out of surgery, resting comfortably and all went very well.

A friend is helping me with the transfer to the ER for the overnight – we’ll do that later this afternoon. Bear and I stopped at the ER clinic on Saturday and spoke to the ER staff that will be the same staff tonight and they explained all they do and welcomed me to phone at any time during the night if I wanted to. I intend to sleep as I am very confident in their care and I will be at my best if I’m rested!

We left the house this morning at 7:45 and saw a beautiful sunrise…actually, the morning version of alpenglo as these clouds are to the West -turned pink by the rising sun.

Although the Wild Fowl area and path to the lake is closed until mid-July, we parked at the gate and walked back toward the highway. It is a good half mile of farm road with good things to sniff between the road and the pasture fences. All business was accomplished, fresh air and excercise taken and on we went.

I gave Bear hugs in the car, took him in silently and handed over his leash to the tech who he followed with wagging tail into the clinic – a low key parting with no tears (me) and no anxiety (either of us)!

***EDIT 8:04 p.m. Transfer to the ER went well. After retrieving my Jeep, I returned to the ER with a blanket for Bear. He was sleeping and comfortable. They told me – both clinics – what a sweetheart he is – that’s my boy! They moved another dog who was being annoying to Bear. I feel very good that all will be well. My neighbor is riding with me early in the morning to get Bear and allow me to ride in back with Bear on the way home. We should be home by 8:30 MDT!

Daylight

5:40 p.m.

Daylight…sunshine even! This is the first time this year I’ve grilled in the daylight and not had to inspect progress by flashlight.

It was a beautiful, blue sky, sparkly kind of day. I love this time of year where one day it is wintry, the next it is sunny but cold and then a balmy day with the promise of Spring. We will go back and forth like this for several months.