Day 59 - OOPS!

Back on bed rest!

Hi...

Well, I made a big oops this week.  I just couldn't take it any more and I escaped from my pen and ran at full speed to be with my foster siblings!  It felt so good to run, but I am paying the price now.  Seems I pulled a tendon, it hurts - I am limping again - so it's back to just potty walks and lots of rest.  I did hear the doctor telling them that there was no damage to my surgery...so I am happy about that.

My foster folks are taking a vacation!  I don't understand how they feel they can do this???  BUT, the good news is that I get to go visit with my very first foster family.  Do you think they will be nicer and let me play?  I did overhear my foster Mom telling them the rules though...so probably not (but a guy can dream, right?).  My old friend JJ is there - how can I not play with him?  I hear there is a new sister too - I hope she likes me.  

If I stay good and take it easy it looks like my next surgery will be coming up in a couple of weeks.  The last hurdle to having a real life again and releasing the puppy inside me...YEA - I cannot wait!!

I will keep you posted...keep the love coming,

Gilbert

Day 51 - Therapy is Exhausting

After therapy nap time...

Just for comparison

See how much straighter my back is?

Hi...

Well, another day at therapy.  They walked me for 30 minutes at 1.6 miles an hour!  Who do they think I am...wonder dog?  On top of that they raised the stinking bars on the course I have to walk through!  Thank goodness for the massage at the end...all is good again.

We put these pictures in so you could see my progress a bit.  At the beginning I walked with a hump in my back because I put the bulk of my weight on my front legs.  I am now able to put some weight on my back legs so I am walking much straighter.  Imagine how great it will be at the end when both my back legs can support me without pain?  

In the meantime...they have said I cannot play with other dogs or run and jump until I am healed from my next surgery!  They really do think I have some sort of super powers that I can tolerate not playing with other dogs, running, and jumping until September!  Do they know I am only 1 year old???  They keep promising it will be worth it though...so I hope they know what they are talking about.  I feel pretty good now.

Oh well...I can dream of being able to play with everyone!

Keep the love coming, in three weeks I will be having the surgery on my right leg.  I guess I will be starting over.

Gilbert

Day 42 - Therapy Going Great

Arriving at therapy

After therapy - I am tired

Catching a quick nap...

Hey...

Life is good right now...my left leg is recovering really good.  Can you believe it's been 42 days since my surgery?  

They extended my time in the water treadmill tank and raised the bars on the course I have to walk through.  I live for the massage and ice at the end of the session!  It feels so good.

Getting home I get to curl up and sleep for most of the day...wake up to eat and go back to sleep.  I would really love to go play ball with the other dogs here, but they keep telling me it will happen some day.

I have to get through another surgery in July and more therapy, but it will be a happy day when I am all healed and find my forever home!  Please keep me in mind - I am a really great dog.

Keep the love coming...hope to meet you all someday.

Gilbert

Day 35 - Doing Good!

Getting ready for the water

Afternoon walk

Hi! 

Guess what...they let me walk in the water longer today!  They said I am doing great and my new super leg is straightening all the way out now.  They keep the water deep in the tank so that my bad leg does not get stressed out too bad.  I got to walk in the tank for 15 minutes and then another 45 minutes of floor exercises and stretches.  

This therapy takes so much out of me...but when I get home I get to crash on my pillow and take a very long nap!  

My right leg is giving me fits these days...I have stopped putting much weight on that now that my new knee on the left leg can hold me up.  

I am starting to get really bored with this hospice situation here.  I want to run and play and they won't let me.  I keep begging and pleading but they are really mean and keep me confined.  They keep saying it is for my own good...but I have trouble believing them.  I just know that today I want to go play with my foster siblings.

Keep the love coming...

Gilbert

Day 30 - Finally got in the water!

Love the sunsets...

Water exercise...really tomorrow?

Click for YouTube video of Gilbert in water treadmill

Hi there...

As we sat outside and watched the sunset last night they promised me I would get to do the water exercise tomorrow.

They were right!  I finally made it into that crazy looking water tank.  It was really fun.  I walked for 8 minutes today and they said the time will increase with each session.  After that I did a lot more of that land workout...over poles...up/down ramps... stretches... massage...sure do love the massage!

I am getting stronger in my left leg, but my right leg is starting to hurt more and Foster Dad & Mom keep saying that I am not using it as much as my surgery leg gets stronger.  Hopefully my left leg will be real strong by the time I get my next surgery.

I am really tired now after all the excitement...so off for a long nap.

Love to you all...

Gilbert 

Day 26 - But who is counting???

Out for a walk...

Wishing I could run...the lake looks so fun...

Sacked out and dreaming...

Hey there...it's been a while

I had another PT session and she said I was 5 degrees from being able to straighten my leg!  One more session on the floor and then I get to try the water treadmill!!! 

It's been a tough few days around here...Foster Mom got some sort of awful stomach virus and the house was dark and quiet.  I sort of went with the flow...and chilled out (as can be witnessed from my photo above!)

My other leg - the one they have not fixed yet is really bothering me lately.  I have a little trouble getting up and even if I could straighten my new knee - the other leg would not let me.  I sure will be REALLY happy when this is all over with and I can walk and run like everyone else around this house.  It is killing me watching them run around, chasing balls and having fun. I know my day will come, but this is getting a bit old.

Please stay tuned to my progress - I really need your love and support right now.

By for now...

Gilbert

Day 21 - Physical Therapy Begins

A car ride...I am out of the house!

She looks nice but I am not sure of the plan...

Interesting...

Ahh...a nap on the ride home

Hi there...

I got to go for a ride today...so that is always fun!  I watched out the window at as we drove...it's a world I haven't seen in a while and I loved watching everything.

We went to an interesting place today with lots of stuff in the room.  The lady there was very nice.  I was not too sure of things at first, but turns out there was nothing to be afraid of.

There were these cones and rails and she walked me back and forth stepping over rails, then warm towels, lots of stretching, and some massage.  All in all, not a bad day.  I saw a big tub with water in the corner but she said I was not ready for that just yet. 

I was surprised how tired it made me, but I got a nice nap on the pillow in the car all the way home.  Then my energy came back.  Foster Dad took me for a few walks, and hung out with me all afternoon (like he normally does).  He spends all day staring at this thing they call a computer and talking on the phone...but he always is ready to walk with me...pet me, or just talk to me.

When the sun was setting Foster Mom took me for our last walk of the day, and then some quiet time hanging out in the yard.  I got to watch the horses across the street playing and I dreamed of going over and running with them.  Foster Mom says 'someday'.  

'Someday' seems so far away!

Love you all...

Gilbert