Half Way Home

Monday, July 14, 2008

Today the breeder sent FOUR week old pictures of Findlay. He is now 1/2 way to being home with me. I am getting a bit more excited each week. I just hope that he likes me and all the other members of the family.

I can't wait to see everyone next week in Michigan. I hope to be with only one crutch or maybe just a cane. We will see what the PT says tomorrow and Thurs.

Dancin'...well, not yet BUT!!!

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Yesterday was the big five week doctor's appointment. I was eager, excited and a touch nervous. It went well even though I did not actually see the surgeon, only his PA. She is a nice person and knows her stuff. I bent my leg to 90 degrees, got new steri-strips, a new 'low profile' brace, and got the the all important go ahead to dump the crutches!!! You can only imagine how psyched I was...right up until my appointment with the PT today. OH YEAH!! Loads of new and more intense work for that leg and the rest of my body. It was Great...as I am now learning to walk. Clearly, I feel much closer to my sweetie pies - Jacob and Gabe - we have TONS in common now!! I can now walk with ONE CRUTCH... WHOOHOO!!!

So, I have the Phase TWO rehab program for the next six weeks. This allows me to walk, walk, walk some more, probably bike, do more weights and strengthening on that leg, do balance once I get more stable on that leg...did I say WALK more!! The doc does not allow running until after the third month post op - so that is not until early September. Clearly, a spooky run road race might be pushing things a bit! We shall see how that goes.

For those of you who would like to keep up on my little guy Findlay, here are some week 3 pictures. He is going to have to be ok with mommy just walking him for the first month or so. I guess he won't care as long as we snuggle and hang out in between. Keep the prayers coming as it is clear that Phase Two Rehab will be significantly more grueling.

Making a Decision...

Sunday, July 6, 2008

Life has moved along slowly this past month. It is now One month and Three days since my knee surgery. Things seem strangely normal as I spend many hours sitting to read, work on my laptop or do other 'sitting type' activities. Yeah, I am now calling sitting an ACTIVITY. All of the sitting has allowed me to spend many hours thinking and meditating on life, the recent past events and the future. I have been able to try and put things into perspective knowing that all things are for a purpose - not always knowing that purpose immediately.

One of the most difficult things to think about has been the loss of my beloved Carli. Her absence has been so very evident as our home is QUIET and much less ENERGETIC. Carli always filled our lives with such love, energy and happiness...never leaving a moment to be wasted. I have prayed about the future and how dogs fit into that future -- especially my continued rehab. On Wed. I should get the GREEN LIGHT to move into the next phase of rehab. A small brace (low profile), weight bearing on the newly repaired leg, and getting rid of the crutches (if only to get a cane for a bit first). This means the ability to WALK...then hopefully RUN!! Clearly, a dog friend would make those rehab walks and runs much happier and easier. At least the dog would keep me focused on doing the walks daily.

So, I decided to bring a new bundle of love into our home. I talked to my vet and got some good names of breeders. Having gone through the process of 'being selected to adopt' - I am now the upcoming mom of a new baby boy...FINDLAY. He is three weeks old and is a precious little guy. You can see his eyes were not totally open on last week's picture (the week three picture will come soon). I am working to let myself totally love him...I am confident that will come as I get to see and hold him in a few weeks. He will come home mid-August, after he turns 8 weeks old. I am not sure that we are ready for poddy training, chewing, and all the needs a new baby boy will bring. But, we are getting more excited and his 'big brother' Koda and sister Cheyenne will hopefully return to their happier selves. They have mourned our loss so fully as well. I will keep you posted on the new baby...