Time to say goodbye!

I will never understand why humans like to do this to us!  But I tip my hat to all of you that gave me this GREAT life!

Hi...
This being my final blog...it will get a little long, but bear with me please...I have a lot to say.

It's been said life is a journey - but maybe it's many small journeys...at least until you find that 'forever journey' where you can learn to let go, trust, love, and feel like this is where you were meant to be - part of a family that will return that unconditional love and care for you for the rest of your life!

Because of all of you that followed me, took care of me, and donated to my surgeries - the news is excellent!  I am feeling good, running around like a normal 1.9 year old puppy should, and I am beginning my forever journey with my FOREVER family!!!

On December 22, I am moving to my forever home just in time for Christmas!  This date is very special to me.  I started my healing journey on April 22 when my foster family took me in for my first ACL surgery.  Eight months later - to the day - I am going 'home'.

This healing journey has been very bittersweet as I say my goodbyes.  I want to thank DFW Labrador Retriever Rescue and YOU for all the love and support given to me on this part of my life's journey.  I would not be here without you.  I am now a lab with a warm loving home and family - and I even heard a rumor that we have a lake house and a boat...does it get any better?  Well, the 'family' is DEFINITELY the best part for sure - the rest is extra fun.  I also hear that I have a cat for a new best furry friend, so I will have to get back to you on that one. ;)

I leave many special memories and people behind, but not forgotten - that I promise you.  I will send you all messages from time to time  so you can continue to know how much I love you all - and what a wonderful life YOU made possible.  Be sure to watch for me on the DFWLRR Facebook page.

My wish is that every Lab that needs help will be lucky enough to find their way to DFWLRR and you will all continue to support, care for, and most of all love them.  You are AWESOME!!!

Merry Christmas indeed!!
Love always,
Gilbert

Day 169 - Final X-Ray Day!

Well...I'm not sure about this place...wonder if I can escape through here?

Whew!  It's all over - no surgery - goodbye to everyone - wish I could say it's been fun!  Can I please have a few cookies?

Are we REALLY all done?

This is a much better ride than last time we left there...

Are we almost home Foster Dad?

Hey everyone!

It's been a while but this is a great time to touch base again...

I went for my final X-Rays today and they said I have healed perfectly!  

That is the good news :)

The other news is that I have to 'gradually' increase my activity levels.  Don't they know I am ready to RUN!!!  But they have gotten me this far so I guess they know what they are doing.

Here is my X-Ray...if you click on this you can see it better.  But the one on the left was what they did to me on July 31.  You can see where they cut my bone.  The one on the right you can see how my new bone growth has healed and you can no longer see the cut!  How great is this?  My prognosis is wonderful and I sure am feeling good.

So, get those applications in...I will begin interviewing in a few weeks!  I am definitely ready to find that family that will love me forever.  My foster folks will love me forever too, but they feel I deserve a special home.

Thanks again for all your donations and prayers...they worked!

Much Love,

Gilbert

Day 137 - Rehab Continues

Waiting for the cake...

Not crazy about hats!

Back in the water :)

Hi there...

A few days ago my foster sister turned 10 year old...wow.  That was pretty neat.  We had a family birthday party and I am not too crazy about hats but I am crazy about birthday cake!!  Yum

My rehab continues and I am finally back in the water tank.  This is great because things go so much faster once this starts.   I keep hearing them say something about a light at the end of the tunnel...or something like that.  It did not make much sense to me, but I am feeling better every day.   

I want to play, but they keep telling me 'not yet'.  I get excited and keep trying to jump around and they keep stopping me...don't they know that's what you do when you feel good and want to play?  They are fuddy duddies...someone break me out of here please!!!  Actually, I can tell foster Mom & Dad feel really bad...they take me for lots of short walks and bring me new toys and treats.  

I don't get to go anywhere off leash...even to have birthday cake.  I am still watching everyone else play from my jail cell...it's really sad.  Dad is my cell mate for a lot of the week...it's pretty nice to have the company, even if he sits there and works.

I am pretty used to things now...but they keep telling me I will be running and playing soon, which makes me happy!  

I should be ready to start meeting everyone mid-October so keep an eye out for me.  

Thanks for the love and support!

Gilbert

Day 112 - Getting my stitches out!

On my way to get these stitches out...will my headpiece go away?

Waiting for them to come...

Can you believe the indignity?  They are putting a muzzle on me...

Hi there!

It was a crazy day yesterday.  First I got to go for a ride in the car...I LOVE riding in the car!!  But then we got to 'that' place so I was not sure what was happening.  Then we go in and we wait...I hate waiting, especially when I do not know what I am waiting for.  Then these people come in and put a MUZZLE on me????  They said they do that for all the dogs when they remove stitches and I should not take it personal.  I wonder if they would take it personal if I put a muzzle on them?

Well, all said and done I got those stitches out and it did not hurt.  They tell me I have to wear the cone of shame for a few more days while the healing finishes.  That does not make me happy...but I guess I will deal with it.

I saw Jenny today after I got my stitches out...I was happy to see her.  After checking me out she told me that my rehab starts on Wednesday!  YEA!!  We are starting the last hill before the finish line.  I can hardly wait - remember I said I hate waiting?

Stay tuned, keep the love coming...I appreciate it so much.

Gilbert

Day 103 - Back to the hospital, really?

On my way back to the hospital...

Whew! They did not leave me there this time...

Safe in the car headed home :)

Hi...

Well, I managed to freak my foster folks out by bleeding through my bandages during the night.  Foster Mom removed the bandage immediately and called the surgery hospital and they told her to bring me in.  Not my favorite place right now, as you can imagine!

Thank goodness we were not there too long...they checked me out, cleaned me up, put a new bandage on and sent me packing saying I was doing good.

Seems the first bandage went on immediately after surgery and there was some seepage - and some of the drugs caused me to bleed a little more.  The sutures were good and the bleeding was over so they wrapped me again.  

I was really relieved to see them waiting for me!  I thought I was staying at this place again, but they waited for me - yea!  Very happy to walk that hall in the opposite direction after just an hour.  

Now if I could just get rid of this dang thing around my head!!!  

Thanks for all your notes and well wishes...and they tell me you donated quite a bit so we can help other dogs too - since I am using up so much money.  Thank you so much!  

Sending all the love right back to you...

Gilbert

Day 102 - Coming Home Again!

Here is a picture of what they did to me...I guess my knee was way out of wack!

The nice doctor that is letting me go home and told Foster Mom and Dad how to take care of me...

I made it to the car...do you know how tough it is to walk with this thing on my leg???

Finally home!  My own bed...I am sooo tired

Hi...this will be short.  Just wanted to let everyone know that I am finally back home in my own bed.  I know I look sad but I am really just exhausted.  It's been a tough couple of days.

They put this bandage thing on my leg...they say it will help support me, but it sure is hard to do anything with it on.  They wanted me to have extra support since I injured myself a while back and they want to protect that leg too.  I guess I am a mess!  I will try harder to behave myself this time so everything heals better...but I am just a little boy after all...I want to PLAY!  Well, maybe not today...

My Foster Mom rode in the back of the car with me all the way home so I did not have to wear the cone of shame in the car.  I really appreciated that - but now I am stuck with it.  

I am going to sleep now but I will try to write again real soon so you can see how I progress with this peg leg of mine.

Lots of Love to all of you that are out there sending me your good wishes...it really helps to know you care.

Gilbert

Day 101 - Heading to surgery again!

Arriving here - I was excited - thought I was going to PT!  I really love going to PT and getting in the water tank...and getting those great massages...

Nope - this is not the PT room...they tricked me and I have a bad feeling...I don't see Jenny and I don't think there is a massage in my future today for some reason.  

Ohhh...I have walked this hall before...I was right...it's not good!

 

Hi...

Well, here I go again.   Can you believe it's been 101 days since my first surgery?  Foster Mom and Dad keep telling me this is a good thing because it's the final part of my painful journey.  I just know this place made me hurt and I really do not want any part of it, but I guess I have to trust them...

Did I mention they did not even feed me this morning?  They are killing me!!!

Stay tuned...and thank you so much for all your prayers and wishes you are sending my way!

Gilbert