Beau and Belle convinced Dad to tackle a hike with us at Rockwood Conservation Area. To say it was breath-taking would be an understatement. In many ways. It rolled from a beautiful tame path through the forest where you could see all of the caves along the bluffs, to some serious stair climbing to reach the upper levels. Hard to believe it was only a 2 mile hike, we definitely worked muscles we all forgot we had.
Later in the day we decided to head up the Illinois River Road towards Alton and Grafton. The eagles are sill here and we wanted to enjoy them. We took a few more walks, none of us were ready for any further hikes at Pere Marquette State Park. Nothing strenuous, it was simply a beautiful day pre-storm meant for enjoying life.
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| Waiting for Dad to catch up |
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| hiking along the quarry trail |
The Pups even had a bit of a romp off leash along the river in a wide open space. That might have been the start of the lion part of the week. After jumping back in the car we stopped at a little place that allowed us to have the pups with us on the patio, the plan was simply a nice cold beer after all that walking. One thing led to the other and fresh fried catfish sounded too good to pass up, we ordered the pups a burger to split, of course they sampled the fish.
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| where's our order? |
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| waiting... |
The temperature started to drop, the skies developed that deep gray that says a storm is rolling in and we decided it was time to head back home. We love going up the river road, but it's not a fun drive to get there. As we stood up to leave we noticed that Belle was lame. Not limping, flat out lame, moving around on three legs. Carefully, we got her down the steps and into the car. Hoping for a pulled muscle.
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| Resting on the ride home |
Our little girl is a full on athlete, she pushes herself to unheard of levels, which is why she is usually restrained and not allowed to get up to her shenanigans. Sunday, she managed to finally do what I'd worry would happen one day.
We didn't know it at the time, she wasn't crying or acting in pain, just refusing to step on that left back leg. The vet wasn't able to see her until Thursday, but as she wasn't in visible pain they said it should be fine, she was eating, sleeping, playing and even going for short walks without too much problem, just an occasional limp or three legged run when she was in a hurry. They said no hikes and keep the walks short and they'd see us then.
No worries on that front dodging rain storms meant we were only able to walk in the neighborhood anyhow. The baby aspirin was helping her and she was using it a bit more, we could wait. She just got some extra loving and attention while we waited.
Beau had gone just over a year without a seizure. I was so thankful. Wednesday night Hubs woke me up yelling my name. Beau was having a breakthrough seizure, it was fast and short, he came out of it fairly quickly and was back to being himself within the hour. Complete with demanding treats and tummy rubs.
It was a fitful night, waiting for that next seizure, worried, stressed. Beau is a cluster seizure guy, they are terrifying, I went a few nights without sleep. He gets very panicked by large storms and we had several roll in. I mean it is early springtime in the mid-west - it's the norm. Panic can bring on seizures.
Thankfully, no more have occurred, although, the timing did necessitate his attending Belle's appointment with me, he couldn't be left alone - it was less than 12 hours post seizure.
Our amazing vet, the one we rarely get to see, was so gracious and checked over both of my babies. Belle has a complete CCL tear, the best solution for her is surgery. Gulp! I'll be scheduling it tomorrow. Looks like Belle and I are both going to have matching left knee surgeries, she is such a momma's girl.
Beau has sailed through the week without any more seizures, but we will be checking his phenol levels to insure he is still in therapeutic range, Doc said not to worry, it was actually far more unusual to go a full year without a minor breakthrough than to have a breakthrough. We are still so new to this journey.
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| mom got her shoes... quick let her know wer're ready |
His walks have helped my boy drop 6.5 lbs since December. He still has a few more to go and balancing Belle's need for short daily walks, no running allowed, with Beau's need for the longer power walks, coupled with Hubs varying ability/pain tolerance for any walks... well suffice it to say I am definitely turning into a walking machine.
My $100 mutts are definitely not inexpensive. But the love they give is beyond priceless. I cherish that my sweet Hubs didn't blink when it came to the decision about her surgery. We could allow her to limp and deal with pain and arthritis. A lot of people make that choice for a variety of reasons. If she was significantly older and more sedate, we might be weighing other factors in our decisions. But... she's only just turned 4 and is extremely active. To not do it would just be cruel.
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| the Meramec is at flood stage |
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| morning romp in the rain |
All of this is on top of Hubs' procedures on his back, all occurring this month. It's going to continue being action packed right up until the 31st, when Hubs has his last injections and hopefully Belle has her surgery.
It's looking like April and May will be super chill and housebound for us. Beau and I will continue our hikes during the hours that Dad can sit with Belle, she will be 100% confined for a full 4 weeks, with only short potty trips out front. The month of keeping Belle, the original energizer puppy still is probably my greatest concern.
We will rearrange the house to provide a safe recovery area for her, I will sleep on the main floor with the two of them while she recovers. Hubs will take time off for me to attend a family wedding and step into the nursing role temporarily. Thankfully by then she will be in the second phase of recovery and have house privileges, if not stairs. At that point her therapy schedule will involve a lot of short, slow walks, building up her strength and muscle tone.
Just now giving her the medication for inflammation I noticed she could use a pedicure, then I laughed, because they provide a complimentary one while they have her knocked out for surgery. For the cost of that surgery they should provide them for life. But I'll take the small wins, we are paying for an orthopedic specialist, we can't complain. I think I'll let her wait, she's not a fan.
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| Solo at Route 66 State Park |
Yesterday was the first time I've taken Beau on a solo hike. Leaving Belle with Dad, whose back was definitely hurting. Beau was in absolute heaven. I've always thought Belle was the one that set our pace, I couldn't have been more wrong. Beau put me through my paces as he strutted along in that long lopping style of his, my watch assuring me that I was definitely in an aerobic pace, as if my legs and breathing weren't already reassuring me of that fact. Each time I slowed the little drill sergeant turned and looked at me like I was a complete slacker.
He didn't even want to stop for a drink at the mile and a half point. He's come so far from the little butterball that barely walked a quarter mile at the beginning of the year. Just shy of 3 miles he was informed that we were getting in the car and heading home. He'd had a great time splashing in puddles, running back and forth and he still had energy to go. Mom did not.
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| Can't pose mom... geez |
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| but we can stop for flowers... |
I was dreading the neighborhood walk with Belle, she's so strong and is the one I am usually restraining, I was definitely concerned. Surprisingly, without her brother, Belle is a completely different walker. More timid, staying very close to my side. It was a blessing and joy to walk her. Many of my recovery fears with her faded during that walk.
Today, we are dealing with the time change - ugghhh... I was completely loving my early sunrises. I am definitely in the group of people that feels leaving time at stand time would be a blessing. Although the brain trick of a 445 wake up as opposed to my usual 345 wake up was sort of nice. I still hate the darkness of mornings.
Tomorrow is the first of the two procedures for Hubs. Pupsitter is retained (of course it's scheduled during Beau's med time, thankfully their auntie is amazing), and Hubs is ready. We're praying for a positive outcome, although we've been warned it could be a couple of weeks before he feels the relief. We've been told the one on March 31st will have instant pain relief, so they might just coincide. Here's to hoping Hubs goes into birthday month feeling fantastic.
Well, I promised Hubs a batch of beef jerky, so I am gonna get busy. Time for today's crazy to start.
much love,
b
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