Rest is the Name of the Game

An Update about Ms. Doggie

It's been so long since I published that I feel there is too much to say. I have also not been posting on Liv's Instagram due to a broken phone and an all-consuming health situation, which I describe below.

Liv and I drove to Oklahoma at the beginning of October, which could be at least one story. She did great! We got home, and I started a couple of new jobs with a great local business lady that publishes a magazine with only good news. Even though it is challenging to

begin something new, it has been going well, and I am so grateful for the opportunity.

Life was in full swing, with a few miles a day over five walks and long walks in the woods on the weekends. This has been our routine for years.

Fast forward to around Thanksgiving when she started limping regularly and holding her back leg up to hop instead of trot. 

I took her to her new vet, who prescribed doggie ibuprofen and rest. At first, it was not very obvious that she was hurt. After about a week and a half, she was doing better. Then, her limp got worse. Then she had tummy problems. Ever since it has been really ruff (rough) 

Liv has been on rest. Of course, we could not totally rest because our apartment is upstairs. So we are doing our best.

To make a long story a medium length, Liv is having surgery tomorrow on her cruciate ligament, or ACL for short. 

I have learned that a torn ACL is a common situation and often happens over time, not from one traumatic event. 

There aren't any other options that will truly resolve it, according to her Dogtor and her surgeon. If I want her to be able to jump, chase wildlife, visit constituents on a whim, and run to see school kids, then this is the best option. She is bobbing when she walks with an obvious limp now most of the time. Her surgeon pointed out that it is not always the case that we can fix something when it is a problem. Fortunately, this is one of those times when I can do something to help her. I see it as my duty to do all I can for her since I am her guardian. There is a good chance that she will recover well.

I applied for financing. We are planning how to welcome Liv home after a night in the hospital. It is happening.

Ultimately, I need to get a new job or more income to afford an apartment that is not upstairs, but the surgeon says it is okay to do the stairs as long as we are careful. We will try to avoid them for a couple of weeks at least.

It has been hard restricting her and seeing her hobbling around. She is the strong silent type, so she never complains.

It is a long road ahead, with eight weeks of recovery. Starting tomorrow, Liv will be on the mend after her TPLO on the rear driver's side knee. She deserves to feel better.

Because, according to her vet, she is so young. And I agree!

A yellow labrador retriever is sitting and wearing a pink plastic fire department hat and smiling with her mouth open.