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Draco & Wicca's Adventures


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OK, friends and family, I have to make a confession.....   We have been far, far too busy. How busy, you may well ask.   Glad you asked. We've been so busy, that for the first time ever, I cam

Haven't purchased the Chinese herbs, yet.   We've a vet appointment coming up and will ask then. If we get no direct assistance from our vet then I'll go direct.   There's nothing immediate pushi

I did a quick search but didn't find any references I may have made back over the last few years to a family we've met several times in Edmonds while walking Draco & Wicca.   Started back a whi

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Last night, under light exertion, Wicca's kneecap popped out of place. First time in 6 weeks.

 

:(

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Awwww.....

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dang. :(

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Not much to say.... Wicca's kneecap popped out again this morning.....

 

I'm doing a lawn reseeding project..... Draco & Wicca quickly figured out in which direction I was working and lay down ahead of me.

 

Draco in the Dirt.jpg

 

 

Draco got up eventually, but Wicca let me rake all the way around her!!

 

Wicca in the Dirt.jpg

 

 

I thought this was a nice closeup of Wicca.

 

Wicca Closeup 5.jpg

 

 

Wicca's neck had next to none of the color variations when we brought her home. The changes are amazing and daily.

Wicca\'s Neck 1.jpg

 

 

Draco has missed the warm weather and his swimming pool. He went out behind our shed, grabbed it and dragged it out to the lawn!!

Draco Pool 1.jpg

 

"Let's see, what subtle hint can I give Mom & Dad to fill my pool??!!??"

Draco Pool 2.jpg

 

 

Draco & Wicca with leashes loose, doing a good stay while the object of their attention, a Doberman, goes crazy, ballistic at the end of its leash as its owner drags it past us. (This is especially tough for Wicca. I'm so proud of her -- this time.)

Draco & Wicca 3.jpg

 

Not the greatest clarity, composition, etc.... but I sort of caught Wicca's "Anubis" look...

anubis.jpg

 

~~~~

 

So. Now, do we let Wicca go free? When her knee pops, she can't walk on it but it doesn't appear to give her pain on the way out or when we put it back in.

 

Are we doing more long term damage (arthritis, etc.) now by waiting/postponing a surgery as long as possible? Can we minimize long term damage by getting her surgery as soon as possible.

 

If she goes 6-8 weeks and it only pops a couple of times, should we just forget the surgery?

 

We have lots of questions. Anyone have any answers? Mostly we think the questions will be answered only in retrospect.

 

"Esto también pasará" This too shall pass.

 

(I read my own tagline: things work out best.......)

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ummmmm...I think my vote is surgery if it will keep the knee from popping out in the future, and limit the possibility of arthritis and other problems that can arise. It might also be "peace of mind" for both you and Joan.

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Great shots. Love the pool. Love the back of the head shot.

 

I'd ask the vet for some input. We were clueless with Tara's knee. We knew it popped out but really didn't get that this was a long term problem. It blew out at age 5. She did have a bad hip and the specialist told us that the opposite knee often does fail and require surgery of some kind. Wicca doesn't have that issue. I also can say that Tara is stronger than she was before the surgery. Best of luck.

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After Wicca's knee popped last Saturday night, it didn't go out Sunday, then twice Monday & Tuesday. Not Wednesday.

 

 

Wicca's Vet appointment was yesterday. He asked how it was going and when I told him, his whole stature sagged just a bit and he said we now needed to consider surgical options.

 

The surgery is scheduled for Tuesday morning. Here's a link the doctor provided. http://www.criticalc...ry%20flier2.pdf

 

We really like her. We've received referrals to her from three different directions, including one from Southern California from a friend of Joan's.

 

I keep reading this part.....

 

 

"It usually takes about 8-12 weeks for the bone to completely heal, and during this time activity restriction is very important. This includes minimal stairs and no running, jumping, or playing with other dogs.

 

With smaller dogs it may be necessary to confine them to a crate or small enclosed area unless they are directly supervised. Activity is usually gradually increased once the bone has healed. Your dog will be rechecked at 2, 6 and 12 weeks postoperatively. Most dogs return to normal activity levels by about 4-5 months after surgery"

 

Our kids (who own AI Dog, Rocco) are going to take Draco home with them this weekend for at least three weeks. (I start misting up at the thought of him leaving.) But we just simply cannot have the temptation around. Before, Wicca and I left. This time Draco is going.

 

That is actually a sad relief. He will be extremely well loved and cared for. And Wicca will recuperate at home.

 

I've had one shoulder and two knee operations. Wicca will have had two shoulders and one knee. What a team....

 

So glad the forum (my morning security blanket) is back up.

 

More soon.....

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Ooooooooh maaaaan, 8-12 weeks for the bone to completely heal.

Ooooooooh maaaaan, Most dogs return to normal activity levels by about 4-5 months after surgery"

 

You and Joan sure have had your hands full with this experience. What a year. You are so lucky to have your kids take Draco for a bit. As you said he will be well loved and taken care of, and I'm sure it will keep things a bit calmer during early recovery.

I keep thinking "this too will pass." Thinking of you all.

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Poor little girl. I hope she recovers quickly and ends up even stronger after. It's good you have the whole summer - no ice to worry about. She's young and hopefully will heal faster than typical.

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Oh, Gib! This is terrible news. You haven't even complained about the expense.

 

It is nearly impossible to keep a good dog down, and you have your work cut out for you. I am super sorry to hear about it.

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Oh, Gib! This is terrible news. You haven't even complained about the expense.

 

It is nearly impossible to keep a good dog down, and you have your work cut out for you. I am super sorry to hear about it.

 

What wouldn't we pay for this one to run free of pain?

 

(It's going to be somewhere between $3000 and $3500. We got insurance for both dogs, which is in effect for some things. This falls under their category of pre-existing conditions that aren't covered by the policy until it's been in effect for a year. It hasn't.)

 

Wicca Registration Portrait Eye Color.jpg

 

If Wicca's knee was only popping once a month and it didn't obviously cause her pain, we might not do the surgery.

 

Yesterday, we let her, Draco & Rocco just go for it. (What the hell?) No popping.

 

We go in the house, all the dogs are laying down with a fresh chew. Wicca stands up and Joan says, "Gib, it's out."

 

And she's standing there, holding her leg up, her head slightly down, her ears back & down, her eyes big and round, the pupils large, licking her lips and quivering.

 

If it was only once a month and we KNEW it wasn't hurting her.......... but it is.

 

 

After Tuesday it's going to be awhile before we see Wicca's flying smile again...

 

Wicca Hovering 3.jpg

Edited by Gib
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Poor baby girl. Better days are on the other side of this.

 

That's another "you know you're a dog person" thing - you don't tell anyone but dog people how much you spend on your dog's medical because they wouldn't understand (what?! it's just a dog).

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Sending out positive healing waves to Wicca (& positive support waves to you and Joan).

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Just back, and catching up on this story.

 

I used to have a knee that "popped out", it was quite painful. I just kept wrapping it, and being careful, and now I can run around again.

Not sure how you could do more than you have done. Good luck. Fingers crossed, etc.

 

What do they actually do in this surgery?

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Rocco (Draco's brother) has been here since Thursday. Wicca's surgery is scheduled for Tuesday. Draco leaves this afternoon to live with Rocco for at least three weeks (for the first part of Wicca's recuperation).

 

So, we are letting her get her run on. Her knee has only popped a few times. As soon as I slide it back into place she's right back into the scrum.

 

But, the last time or two, she's been quivering (pain).

 

The three different sizes of AI Dog are a hoot. Rocco's coat is magnificent. I'll try to get a good picture.

 

Wicca Sandwhich.jpg

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They are so adorable! Rocco is stunning, I don't think I've ever seen a picture of him.

 

And good luck you Wicca. Blessed be.

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I just got off the phone with the doctor. The surgery is over and she said Wicca has a great prognosis.

 

Of the two things that maybe needed done: deeping the groove for the kneecap and moving the attachment, Wicca "only" needed the attachment moved. The doctor said this is great news, The procedure to deepen the groove virtually ensures a much more significant arthritis issue -- and we avoided that. Moving the attachment will cause some later arthritis, no doubt, but relatively little.

 

We pick her up at 11am tommorrow.

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Good news!

 

Great picture of the three of them. Really great.

 

Tell Wicca we love her!

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This is great news Gib and Joan. A big sigh of relief. Well here's to a speedy recovery and things coming back to normal.......at last.

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Wicca is so lucky to have you guys.

I hope the next couple of months are made easier to bear with the certainty that what needed fixing has been fixed and that it's only a matter of time at this point.

 

The Wicca-Sandwich made me smile!

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"Wicca Sandwich"..... Hahaahahaha. Love that.

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Glad to hear the news. We hope her recovery is uneventful and swift. The Sheldrake-pack sends their love.

 

Love the picture too! I really enjoyed the 'Big Brothers' aspect of the shot. These dogs really are such fun in groups. :)

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More healing rays........sent your ways

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More healing rays........sent your ways

 

In addition to the vicarious puppy pleasure, the support and wisdom of the other experienced AID owners is so potent and powerful.

 

Draco is in Portland with our son, Merlin, his wife, Julia, and the two grandkids, Taylor (12) & Grace (9).

 

When they were here last weekend, I showed them

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBEynkzh5CE&feature=related,

 

that Starghoti had posted. They loved it. Me, too.

 

It was emotionally wrenching to watch Draco drive away with them, but he could not be in a better place for him.

 

Here, he greets Merlin when they first got to Portland.

 

Draco greeting Merlin.jpg

 

Julia has her own business, Draco & Rocco get to alternate days at Fido's (Portland's indoor dog park) and with her at her office.

 

Here's Rocco teaching Draco how to chill at the office.

 

Draco & Rocco at Julia\'s Office.jpg

 

 

We picked up Wicca yesterday. Of course, we felt OMG when we first saw her. In my observation, we got an upsurge of credibility by "rescuing" her from this place. Much like new owners rescuing a pup from the airport...

 

A few years ago, Joan was going to say to someone, "This is the first day of the rest of your life." It came out, "This is the worst day of the rest of your life."

 

The person said, "I hope so." And we've been saying it ever since.

 

I hope this is the worst day of the rest of Wicca's life. She deserves a glorious, uninterrupted run.

 

Wicca\'s TPLO small.jpg

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