New days
It has been 5 months since Bear’s first TPLO surgery.
Three months before that things changed as we tried to resolve his lameness with rest.
And now, in what feels like a sudden change, we are resuming ‘normal’ activity.
I had been keeping the blinds drawn in all but the kitchen and the sliding door in the office so as to keep Bear from being tempted to jump up and see out windows.
This morning I opened everything.
The bedroom had been closed to Bear during the day. Now, it is open.
It feels like we have a new house. And it is larger and brighter!
The day cooperated by being beautiful, sunny and warm. The light, the vivid colors – everything seemed fresh and new.
We spent hours outside today. Bear had his first off leash time in 5 months. He followed me around as I did some yard work and then dug a cool spot in the dirt under a tree when I took a break and sat on the front porch.
All of that fresh air, a little more activity, a long nap and then the light of the late afternoon.
All day, it was different.
The 5 months were good months of healing and working together. It is an incredible bonding experience. I am happy we are at this point. If is surprising how it feels, though. I have been so focused on doing what we needed to do every day to progress that I never thought about what it would be like when we got here.
It is good.
New Days.
Nearly normal
Bear and I are just back from the vet. Bear had his 8 week x-ray and the 2nd TPLO is completely healed. Dr. Clark said it was “textbook perfect”. Happy Dance!!!
Bear was sedated for the xray as is the protocol at The Animal Clinic for TPLO 8 week check, so he is still a bit sleepy but glad to be home.
We will gradually add some running and jumping and muscle building exercise over the next weeks but for Bear, things are nearly normal.
***I took the photo before we went to the vet. He hasn’t done the “backward downward dog” thing for a long time. It looks even funnier in the chair but I’m happy to see him doing things he used to do. There is no more stiffness in his back end when he gets up from a nap or lying on the ground. All movement looks good and comfortable and I believe he has full range of motion in both knee joints. Hoo – rah!
***I rescheduled Bob’s ear re-check for Monday at the last minute. Got to thinking that it might be a bit much with both.
Friday night, nearly normal…time for pizza!
A change in the weather
The forecast from NOAA late this morning indicates we are in for a bit of everything.
The verbage for this afternoon, evening and tomorrow states that in addition to the sunshine giving way to clouds, two cold fronts will whoosh through…emphasis on the whooshing as high winds are forecast.
On the way back from town this morning, I could see the change happening: Blue sky and sunshine to the east was starting to give way to dark clouds.
The clouds were smoothing out with the promised wind.
Spots of sunshine dotted the peaks of the peaks that border the southern end of the Flathead Valley. A bit of lake occasionally reflected bright from some sun.
Now, early evening, it is dark and windy. It is hours until sunset but the black clouds and gusty wind signal a change in the weather.
**********************
Earlier this week, I took some quick video of Bear walking in the woods to show Dr. Clark when we go for our 8 week xray this coming Friday. It is a short, no frills video with a snippet of Bob at the end. It is very jumpy. I took it with my phone, walking behind Bear…in the woods. Still, it shows Bear walking comfortably and normally at a good pace over uneven ground. It is hard to believe that here we are – end of week 7 and starting week 8. Hurrah! And Bob’s ear has not puffed up so hopefully we are done with the Yoda ear part. I expect it will take some time to fully eradicate the yeast infection, though.
BearAndBobWalking0424 from Liz Summers on Vimeo.
B is for…
Bananas!
Bananas and I have finally come to a peaceful resolution. A whole banana does not sit well with me, but a half does just fine. What to do with that other half…
I’ve been freezing them – first on a cookie sheet and when solid, into a zip bag. Yes, that is more than a half – I had a half and then was testing a 2nd for ripeness to use in NYTimes’ Melissa Clark’s Chocolate Crusted Banana Blondies.
(If you’d rather see the video, look here )
Oh, my – these are good…they are really, really good.
The bottom is a chocolate cookie crumb crust. I used Jennifer Perillo’s Chocolate Snaps for the chocolate wafers specified in Melissa’s recipe. I baked them just a wee bit longer than normal and stored them overnight in a covered but not airtight, container. They were nice and crunchy and much better than storebought.
The blondie top: bananas, brown sugar, browned butter and I subbed half rye whiskey which is bourbon-ish and half vanilla extract, for the dark rum – that top, it is a banana-walnut caramel top…salted.
Like I said, these are really, really good. I might back off just a bit on the brown sugar next time, but that is my “not so sweet tooth” talking.
YUM. I have a package put aside for my UPS guy for tomorrow’s delivery. He will love me.
What else is “B” for???
Bear!
Sweet Bear, in a spot of sun, late this afternoon.
And Bob!