We're Home

Got to Vegas about 1000, which was supposed to be the time for the pick up. We got moved to 1100 so the surgeon could make a final check on his cutest patient. Paid the bill and noted the surgeon didn't charge us for his time. I thought that was fair and reasonable. One could argue that this was simply a continuation of the first repair surgery and we certainly paid the doc enough for that. Still, in this day and age it was gratifying to see him step up that way. My wallet certainly appreciated it.

1100 rolled around and the discharge nurse went over the doctor's instructions. Same one as last time and she recognized us so that went pretty quick. Then they brought Angus out. To say he was happy to see us is a vast understatement. Especially Momma. He went into immediate Whole Body Happy Wiggle mode. He was actually walking very well and we could really see the difference in his leg with the plate gone. It was so good to see him again. We really missed the little stinker.

He pulled us out the door and took a long and well deserved potty break in the gravel beside the truck. We loaded him up in the back seat with Lu and we were off home with prescriptions for antibiotics, inflammation and pain and 3 happy passengers. The trip home was uneventful and pretty easy. He slept most of the way.

Shaved again. I hope this is the last we'll be seeing of his leg skin. If you look real close you'll see that the stitches are....pink. The nurse says it's so they'll stand out against his black skin and fur but I think it's a Gyno conspiracy. Baby Girl thought they were stylish so there's that. 21 stitches total.

After he expressed his happiness at seeing us and being rescued from the Dungeon of Not Home he made sure to punish us. Angus is a sensitive dog. Not to mention badly spoiled. He'll probably hang his head and sad eye us for a few days just to make absolutely sure we understand how badly we disappointed him before he forgives us.

"Is Daddy looking? Does he look miserable and apologetic yet? Good!"

The leg looks straight to my eye and matches the other one pretty well now. The new incision is right over the old one so at least he'll only have one scar. And the surgeon did have to open it up all the way again to get the plate out.

Oh right. The Cone of Shame. We don't make him wear it when he's in direct and constant supervision of either of us but it's always there just in case. And don't think for a second that he doesn't know it. "I'll be good, I promise!"

After a few minutes at home he settled down and seems to have forgiven us. We're just so happy and grateful to have him back safe and whole. As I write this he's up on our bed, snuggled up with Momma and deep in the sleep of the truly content. It's good to be a family again. Welcome home Little Man.

Thank you all again for your well wishes and prayers. They worked. Once again. But this time I'm going to forgo teasing Murphy and tweaking his nose. We've had enough excitement with this one as it is. I'll just say that at this moment things are good and the future seems bright and leave it at that. That dude just has absolutely no sense of humor.

Six

Angus Surgery

Got up at the crack of dawn and headed down to Las Vegas. We arrived there at 0700 local. Checked in and had to watch as the nurse led Angus away. For the second time. The nurse at the desk indicated that we might be able to take him home today and promised to call as soon as Angus went in for the operation.

Went to breakfast as we skipped a meal this morning. No way we were going to eat in front of Angus since he was on a no food order as of midnight last night. We decided to just hang around until we knew. About 0930 the nurse called to let us know he was about to go in. She figured about an hour and a half or so. Lu and I walked around a little and said a prayer.

The surgeon called us back around 1130. The operation went well and he was happy. He got the plate off without too many issues and was able to get all the screws as well (He was initially uncertain about the lateral ones that held the split bone together). We talked for a few minutes and he reassured us that Angus had come through well. He did have to open the leg up the length of the old incision but indicated that shouldn't be an issue. He talked about cleaning it all up and flushing the bone and site of the infection. I specifically asked him about the leg bone and he said it looked fine. I asked about picking Angus up but he wanted to keep him overnight.

Lu and I had discussed and prepared for an overnight stay but we agreed. We both wanted to be home. It seemed right somehow. We'll get up early again tomorrow and go back down to bring our little man home. We said a thank you prayer and hopefully we'll get some sleep tonight. Neither of us got much last night.

Thank you all for your encouragement and prayers. They mean the world to us. I'll do another post tomorrow when we get home and a picture or two. Lu and I are still on pins and needles to get Angus home where we can love and care for him. Today Lu reminded me of something I hadn't thought of. We brought Trooper home in January of 1996. Chrisi came home about a year later. Since that day in January 1996 we have only been without a dog in the house twice. The first time was last year when Angus went down for his initial surgery for the break. The second time is today.

The house seems so lonely and empty without him. I can't wait to see him tomorrow.
Six

Angus Surgery Update

Got a call from the hospital at 0912 this morning. Angus apparently did well overnight though his appetite was off. They said he didn't eat anything prior to the midnight cutoff. For Angus that's a pretty good indication he was stressed and missing us because that boy is a lunch gut. I mean he is a Lab. Surgery is scheduled for mid morning and they promised the Doc would call with an update after it's done. Lu and I did get some sleep last night. Considering how little we've slept over the past two days I guess that's not really surprising. We'll try and stay busy today to keep our minds off what Angus is enduring.

I haven't responded to all your well wishes, kind words, suggestions and prayers but Lu and I have read them all. Words are insufficient to express how much we appreciate them and all of you. From the bottom of our hearts Thank You. Lu and I will always consider each of you as friends. Angus now has so many Godparents. It's a blessing and both Lu and I understand that and are grateful. May your love and kindness be returned to each of you a thousand fold.

I'm going to use this post to update his progress as the day goes on. When we hear anything I'll post it here.

Thank you.

Six

Update: 1:45 (12:45 Pacific). Angus is in surgery now.

Update: 2:55. Doc called. Good news/bad news. Angus is out of surgery. It went well and he's recovering. The bad news is the break was even worse than we thought. The Radius was split lengthwise as well as being broken across. That explains why Angus was in so much pain. The Doc had to open him up more than he had hoped so he could screw the split bone together as well as plating the break. The split didn't reach either joint and Doc doesn't think it'll make any real difference in his recovery except rehab and final healing may take a little longer than first thought. Doc was upbeat and we're happy Angus is out of surgery alive and recovering. Doc will monitor him today and tonight but wants to wait until tomorrow morning before deciding whether or not to send him home tomorrow. He's promised to visit Angus first thing and call us at 9:00 in the morning to let us know. We're anxious to bring our little man home but if it takes another day then it takes another day. Better to be sure than to take any risks with Angus' health. But at least the most stressful and dangerous part is behind us. Now we know. I can't begin to say how badly we're missing him.