Anniversaries and Tippy Toes...

First I'll start with a puppy update!  Duke is doing really, really good.  He seems much more back to normal, and not in as much pain, which is WONDERFUL!  We went in on Saturday for them to re-wrap the bandage but they just took it off instead!  We were so excited, and so was Duke.  They advised us to get a e-collar for him to keep him from licking his staples, but we didn't.  Duke is pretty amazing at listening when it comes to things like that.  He's licked it a few times, and we've told him no, and he then starts taking big huge licks of his ankle!  Or if he's feeling particularly ornery he will take his whole ankle into his mouth and bite on it.  I'm not sure what he's imply by doing that just yet.  Over the last few days Duke has been holding his leg lower, so where his knee was at a 90 degree angle almost all the time, now his paw nearly touches the ground when he walks.  Yesterday we took a little longer walk than we have been.  I figure it won't hurt being as he isn't actually using his leg and he is, at all times, on a lead.  While we were out he really stretched his leg a few times, and at one point took two, itty bitty tippy toe steps with his leg!!!!!  And he would also "fake walk" he moved his leg as if he were using it, without touching his paw to the ground.  We go back to the vet October 3rd to get  his staples out, and I'm assuming we'll have another follow up after that.  I would share pictures, but like I said, he's back to being difficult!!

Yesterday was Rob and I's two year anniversary!  It's hard to believe we've been married two years!  This time two years ago we were on our way to South Padre Island for our honeymoon!  It's been a wonderful two years, and I have no doubt that there will be many more.  I thought I'd share the card Rob got me for our anniversary.

Rob is the best card picker outer ever.  He always just gets the perfect card.  I don't know how he does it!

Soul Mateys!!

"Here's to where we've been...here's to where we're going...here's to our life together under this big blue sky of sunshine and stars.  I love being in the same boat with you."

How long have you been married?  Have any marriage advice to share? Feel free to leave it in the comments, or just say hi!

Challenging...

Duke's recovery is coming along, but not without challenges.

Duke is a stubborn, willful dog by nature.  It's just who he is.  It's who he has always been, and I love him despite his ornery side.  Yesterday morning we woke up and he had pulled his bandage down his leg.  It was exposing one of his staples.  ((On a different note the staple and wound looked exceptionally well.  It looks like they kind of turned it over and stapled it.  Smart move on their part as far as I'm concerned!!))  The part I think was really bothering him was they had super, super sticky adhesive wrap on his skin.  And this adhesive was on his long hairs and all in his short hairs.  I know how irritating that must have felt.  I got new bandages and an ace bandage and wrapped it the best we could and called the vet.  They said as long as we corrected it it should be ok.  Throughout the day yesterday though it just kept getting bunchier.  Last night we took the outter wrap off, cut down the gauze pulled it up and re-wrapped it.  We also went ahead and called the vet to make an appointment to have them re-wrap it.  I am secretly praying (and so can you!) that they'll say it looks soooo amazing they won't put the bandage back on.  Since yesterday everytime we got outside Duke is being ornery. He doesn't want to get up and walk because his bandage bothers him.  I know it's his bandage.  He tells me it's his bandage.  Yes I know I sound crazy!  When you live with a dog it's entire life you learn what they are trying to tell you.  He stands up, takes a big lick of his leg and looks at me.  I know he's saying, "Mom, I'm fine, take this off, please!"  When we get outside he does this...

He just stands there.  I know FOR A FACT he HAS to go potty.  But he just stands there.  And then...

He lays in the grass.  Just plops down and lays there.

Eventually we started walking, he eventually went potty, but the entire time he was pulling, trying to go where HE wanted to go, and generally ignoring EVERYTHING I said!  I can tell he is feeling better, but he's just challenging everything and I know it's probably because he doesn't understand why he has to be on a lead, or why he can't go out and run.  He is also donkey kicking with his bad leg!  Which is good because it's nice to see him flexing his knee a little, but I'm just scared it could hurt him.  This morning I also noticed he got his little foot down to the ground and was standing on it.

Not much else is going on around here.  I've been trying to catch up on any cleaning that needs to get done.  I still have some more to do today.  I've also been working more on a blog design.  Which as been a little more time consuming than I thought.  It probably doesn't help that I'm a wee bit of a perfectionist!  I've tampered with doing some blog designs for awhile now, but have been hesitant.  If I'm making something for someone I want it to be as good as I can make it!  In high school I took a web design class, and seriously considered going to college to become a graphic designer, but didn't.  It has, however, been something I've worked with a lot since I graduated, but haven't done much in probably the last year or so.  If there is anything in specific anyone wants to learn about bloggers features, or design questions, feel free to ask!  I've learned a lot in just the last few days.

Ok, I'm going to get lost in some HTML! (lolz, funny joke, eh?!)

Updates...

Duke has officially been home for 24 hours!  It's been pretty difficult, mostly emotionally.  When Duke first got home he was pretty darn happy go lucky.  He came in, got on the bed with his bone and chewed happily for quite some time.  Then he started panting, and trying to get more comfortable.  His bandage is not a cast but like one, it restricts him from bending his knee, or moving his leg much.  I had to watch as he tried in vain for 15 minutes to lay on the leg that his surgery was on.  He would just walk in circles, squat and try to position himself to lay on that side, stand up and repeat.  He also got off the mattress and just couldn't get back on, even though it's only a foot off the ground.  He just stood looking at it and panting.  I ended up giving him his pain medication earlier than planned, and he eventually laid down and fell asleep and seemed more comfortable.  I ended up falling asleep on the bed and he found a way to lay beside me and didn't even hear when Rob got home!  Rob had to use his belt under Dukes belly and hold his harness and carry him up the stairs.  I am so glad I have Rob because there is NO way I could just hoist a 73 pound dog up a flight of stairs!  Then before bed when we took him out he was able to walk up stairs, and back down with no problems, and he did so again today.  So I think he's getting used to it.  He also seems to be moving his leg at the hip more versus holding it in the same place.  I don't feel comfortable leaving him alone yet so Rob will be getting groceries and household items all my himself!!  In our (nearly) two years of marriage he has never done this!  I have no doubts though, I know he'll do great.

As you can also see I've updated my blog again.  I know, I know, I know.  Like my husband said, "Why don't you leave it the same for a week?!"  I just haven't felt content, but I'm much happier now!  I've also added my buttons back and as you can see there are some new things.  I'm going to be adding tips, tricks and tutorials related to blogger, AND because I like layouts for blogger so much I think I'm going to start creating them for others.  Being as I pretty much have to babysit Duke, I figure it'll be something fun to work on.  So stay tuned, and hopefully I'll have some new/interesting things up soon!

Surgery Is Scheduled...

Well, after much deliberation, consultations, and prayers, we've finally scheduled Duke's surgery.  This has definitely been a hard choice, but we've decided to go with the nylon suture to fix Duke's knee.  We had called around to some vets along with some colleges and got a huge range in prices, from 2500 with consults and x-rays not included, 2900 with x-rays and consults, to 3000 and above.  Rob even got an estimate for an nylon suture with another vet who quoted 2500 dollars!  This is interesting because our original vet quoted 800.  Rob talked to the vet who gave us Duke's diagnosis this morning.  He did a run down of the surgery procedure.  They'll shave his leg, make a 6-7 inch incision on the inside of his leg.  They check his knee to make sure there is no meniscus damage, and everything looks ok other than the torn cruciate.  They then remove the cruciate and replace it with nylon.  After that they stabalize the knee with nylon making figure 8's.  The vet said on larger dogs he does this twice, and they also drill a hole through the bone so that they can loop the nylon through.  They also tighten up the muscles around his knee.  He says when Duke leaves his new "cruciate" will be as good as it will ever be, and the only risks are of the nylon breaking or loosening.  Though if it does get looser it will just be a little more unstable, but it'll still be ok.  Duke does have some arthritis in his knee, so we'll probably be looking into some type of joint supplement, and will probably give some to Dutchess as well.  The recovery period is shorter I believe, but we don't know for sure yet.  The surgery is set for next Monday, Duke has to be there bright and early at 9 AM to get doped up and shaved.  It feels good to know what we're doing, but it feels weird thinking it's less than a week away!  I'll be busy the rest of this week making sure the house is deep cleaned, and laundry is done, and meals are planned, because I don't know how much time I'll have to spend watching Duke and keeping him out of trouble!

Exhausted Brain...

My brain feels stretched.  There has just been so, so much going on.  I usually don't post on Saturdays, but for me it still feels like Friday!

We finally got a quote for Duke's surgery on Friday.  It was much higher than expected.  3200.00 dollars.  That's a lot of dollars.  Especially considering we'll probably have to do this to his other knee.  My mom and dad who were going to be helping us are basically saying no.

The vet we went too says he can do a repair surgery they have been doing for 30 years that uses nylon to stabilize the joint, and tightens up the muscles around the knee.  Then scar tissue forms and that's what "fixes" the problem.  It's only about 800 dollars.  The problem with this particular surgery is I've heard/read that it's not recommended for dogs over 50 pounds.  The vet says he's done one on a 140 pound dog and he was fine.  He said Duke may not be able to run as fast as he used to, but other than that he should be back to normal.  The recovery period still takes quite awhile, and chances are he'll have more arthritis if we do the nylon surgery.

I totally have to admit this is a huge struggle.  I want what is best for Duke.  I want him to be able to chase his sister, jump in ponds, chase squirrels, and enjoy his life.  I'm scared by doing this nylon stabilization surgery I'll be the one who is lessening his quality of life.  It's not like I can take Duke aside and say, "Well, we love you, and you have knee problems, and we can't afford to fix you, so we're going to half fix you, and you may or may not be ok."  In a few years I don't know how I would feel seeing him in pain and struggling because of the arthritis he may get.  I'd feel so guilty thinking I didn't do enough.

We are trying to find other places that do the TPLO that may be more affordable.  I've heard that some of the colleges in the area that have vet programs will perform the surgery at a lower price.  I guess if we can't find anyway to do the TPLO at a lower price it'll be God's way of saying that's not what we should do.  I just want to do what's right.

I'm also behind on housework.  I feel like I've been on the computer reading, researching, on forums asking questions, and just distracted by all that's going on with Duke, I just haven't been motivated to get things clean. I mean, it's pretty clean now, but not as clean as I want it to be.  Which just brings me thinking about Duke again!  I keep thinking I need to really deep clean and get things ready for after his surgery.  For the first week at least I know I'll be spending lots of time with him and Dutchess getting them on a new schedule.

And to top that off, in an hour I'm supposed to be waking up to go help my mom set up at a craft show!  I thought about going to sleep, but then I realized there was no point as I'd just lie there thinking.

Sorry readers, that this is emotional and raw, but it's just a glimpse in a real life fairy tale.  Please keep us in your prayers!!

This n' That...

I thought I'd go ahead and update here.  There has just been so much going on my brain seems a little overwhelmed!

Let me kind of go over the days for you guys, I think that will be easier!

Saturday I barely remember!  It seems so far away already.  I think Rob and I just layed around, watched movies, and did a whole lot of nothing.  Sunday we went to church, and after church went to my parents like we normally do.  We had lunch, and worked on some sewing projects most of the day.  We had dinner and watched movies and went home.  Labor day, aka Monday, we got a call from my sister to come over with my niece and nephew to see kittens, then we went to lunch, and then we went shopping, and then we went home to get our dogs, and then we went to my moms to work on our sewing projects some more.  My father had to be at work at 1:30 AM Tuesday morning, and we had to be back at my moms by 8:00 AM Tuesday morning to take Duke to the vet.  We had to stop by wal*mart, go home and feed the cats, and then went back to my moms to just spend the night there.  ((I'm getting tired just writing this out!!))  I got about 3 hours of sleep (maybe) we took Duke to the vet.  Ended up having to leave him because they had to sedate him to determine if he had a torn cruciate along with x-rays.  They did all that and we picked him up at about 1:00 PM.  Our poor Duke was so out of it.  I've never seen him so foggy and sleepy!  He refused to sleep while he was at my parents, but once we got home at about 3:00 PM he got into "his" recliner and passed out!!  I had to make sure he was breathing because he was so still!  I also climbed into bed and fell asleep for most of the day trying to catch up on my lost sleep.  Wednesday was fairly unproductive.  We went out on some nice quiet potty breaks/walks.  I should be walking Duke on a lead only, but because when we go out usually he doesn't do a ton of running, I didn't make him stay on a lead.  With his injury any running, jumping, or wrong movement of his leg could cause a complete tear to his ligament which will make his recovery take longer.  I feel so nervous watching him move, or get on the bed because I'm so scared he'll hurt himself more.  The other struggle is thinking of the recovery from after surgery.  They will basically be cutting his bone in half, and screwing it in a new position, and that is what takes so long to heal.  Once the surgery is done he'll have two weeks of pretty strict "bed" rest.  He will be allowed outside to potty 3 times a day for about 5 minutes (or at least this is what I've heard/read)  We have to help our darling 73 pound dog up and down the stairs, and he's not allowed on any furniture, nor is he allowed to just walk around the house.  Any slip, fall, or bang could mess up the entire surgery.  After the two weeks he should be able to move around a little more, but it could be up to 6 months until he can go back to normal.  And, there is a high chance this will happen to his other knee in the following 1-2 years after surgery.  This is not a cheap surgery.  I've never totally said this on my blog, but it's not something I'm ashamed of, so I'll say it now.  My husband and I do not have good credit.  When we first got married, we had both had quite a bit of debt, and then I lost my job.  Thankfully my parents have been able to open a Care Credit account, and they will be able to put Duke's surgery on that, and then we'll be making the monthly payments.  It's times like these I kick myself for having made such bad choices, but we were immature and have definitely learned our lesson now.  I'm also so, so thankful for my parents being able to help us by getting Care Credit.  My husband and I were just talking about finances last night and have decided to go ahead and start saving money for Duke's other leg so that way if it does happen, we'll be able to pay it up front, or at least have a big portion we can pay, and if his other leg is fine, we'll have a nice savings built up!  So along with all of those thoughts/stresses, there is still a lot of questions, and "what if's" that go along with are we making the right choice on what type of sugery, how are we going to handle him recovering, what are we going to do to keep him entertained, what will we do with Dutchess?  Just a lot on my mind.  Today I'm at my moms again finishing up our sewing project.  I can't wait to show you guys!!!  Tomorrow I'll be at home all day cleaning, cleaning, cleaning.  We're not totally sure when Duke's surgery will be, probably this month and I want to have all the cleaning done, get everything deep cleaned, and make sure we have some type of schedule.  As it is I'm unsure if I will be able to take him out potty by myself, I'll probably need my husbands help.  And my husband works from 2 PM-1 AM soooo, it'll be interesting!

Well, these are my current updates.  Sorry if I'm behind on replying to comments, I hope to be able to get caught up and back in the swing by this coming Monday.  And I definitely cannot wait to show you guys my sewing project thats nearly complete!