ACL in humans, CCL in dogs...

Not a merry xmas for Clifford... Well, Clifford did blow out his CCL and had surgery on Thursday (a TTA not TLPO). He was a disaster that afternoon and night. He is doing better daily and WANTS to jump/run/hump etc but is stuck on a short leash and, when we are not around, with a cone on his head. His whole Left back leg, buttocks, and lower back is shaved and he is stoned on pain meds half the time. So far we have gotten through day 2 of 60 of torture. In about 10 days he gets his staples out so can get the cone off but he is not allowed off leash for 2 months (and then only if the xrays show bone healing). It is horrible for him and me. I put out my back lifting him up the stairs and have been on pain meds myself. On a good note the Vet said the surgery went well and he is already putting weight on the leg.
As for Christmas it really was a good one since I was on call at the hospital but had a very easy call and got to spend much of the day with Clifford trying to make him feel better about the situation I had gotten him into.
I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and will have a wonderful New Year.
Love, Peace and to a successful surgery!

like mom like dog....

Unfortunately I think Clifford blew his ACL yesterday. I have done both of mine and the research in the dog community is if they do 1 they have a 30-50% chance of doing the other. Then there is surgery... most of the vets say surgery is necessary and it is a LONG recovery for a dog who is QUITE active and would have to be not active for several months. I am torn as to what to do. There are some suggestions per my research on the internet to wait 2 months and see if they recover on their own and so I may head that way but first it is the vet on Thursday to see what really happened and what they say. Tis a bummer since Clifford LOVES to play and LOVES to play in the snow.
As for the rest of the week... all is good. Tis full on-season now as I couldn't find any parking yesterday in town when I went to the pharmacy. Work is good and we had 1 doc on vacation the last 2 weeks so it will be good to have him back tomorrow. We have lots o activities planned for the next several weeks with work, friends visiting from CA, Brad's bro coming the beginning of Jan etc etc.
That is the news from now in CO... Love and Peace and strong ACLs are wished to you all!

CKF 2009 and Opening Day Highlands

So this was a fun week with work continuing to be busy and on season coming to reality! Then this weekend has been catching up on my outdoor life. I hiked with Clifford for several hours and then after seeing Brad at his spectacular Opening Day at Highlands show I went to do the Chris Klug Foundation Summit for Life Hike up Aspen mountain at night (a charity hike to support organ donation... check out it out on google). It was hard since I haven't been able to train for it... AND AWESOME (Dad, I was going to say "spectacular" but the awesome was for you). I am exhausted but happy. Tomorrow it is more hiking with Clifford, maybe some boarding and a holiday party for AMC. Hope you enjoy the pics!!!

returns...

Got back from CA and re-entry was not easy (especially with a cold) BUT got back to work and it was good. Had the AVH season party at the Roaring Fork Club which was beautiful and there was a good turnout. That was fun. Then yesterday found an AWESOME hike that is new in an area I hiked before so was THRILLED with that. It was challenging, beautiful, a loop etc etc. really nice. Then I visited a friend who just had surgery and brought her things to distract her during recovery. Woke up this am to snow. Tis full on winter now... see the picture out of my bedroom window? Did some shoveling and baking this am, have a provider meeting at my house today and then Brad should get back from CA. On the not so good side my friend I am trying to recruit decided not to come and that is a bummer but at least his work made his situation significantly better for him. His dog (who I have known for 11 years) died so he is sad... I can't imagine how it will be when Clifford goes. In fact my friend I visited after her surgery has a dog just diagnosed with terminal cancer (I have known him for many years also) so we are all getting older. Tis a bummer sometimes. BUT on a good note life is awesome and I am lucky to have known these people and animals and this is all a part of the circle of life.
Hope you are all well and happy... Happy Holidays :)