Stella’s paw . . . leaving an invisible mark on the grass and a tangible one in, on, my heart.
Tag: Australian Cattle Dog mix
Hooray!
Stella and I just returned from yet another follow-up on her dental surgery and fistulae repair.
The vet gave the all clear to begin transitioning to normal feeding and routine. It’s been such a long slog I was prepared for more bad news, and slumped in relief. Our next visit will be for the routine annual exam.
Stella has been such a trooper throughout all of this, allowing people to prod and poke at her mouth so many times. Never happy about having that done yet never growling, snapping, showing poor behaviour. She’s always been ready to go for a car ride though so many of them ended at the vet, ready to go into the vet, though reluctant to enter the examination room (I can and certainly do forgive that!).
I give thanks.
What did you say?
Something that included the word that begins with a w and ends with alk?
Encouraging
Stella and I visited the vet today, following up on last weeks’ fistulae repair. It was a very encouraging visit. The stitches are intact, no sign of infection, and no evidence of other concerns. If next Thursday’s follow up is clear we should be able to resume normal life. Fingers, toes, and paws crossed. Your good thoughts are deeply appreciated.
She’s been such a good trooper throughout all of this. Although she was stressed by today’s vet visit, she allowed Dr. Vallee to examine her without complaint let alone growling or snapping. I am very, very blessed to have such a good dog.
Ready. Set. Let’s go.
Achilles and Stella, ready for a car ride. Yes, they got to and no, Stella didn’t drive.
Stella’s challenging day
Stella had another dental procedure done yesterday. It involved incising sections of gum tissue and flapping them over then suturing them into place over oronasal fistulae, Two flaps over one fistula, two over another. There were car rides before and after. Poor girl. The ride home was hard on her and all of us wanted to be home, in our home, where we could rest in a safe place.
The alternative – doing nothing – was not an alternative.
She ate well this morning and got all the prescribed Metacam dose, and ate well tonight. Stella is doing all right this evening, right now a doughnut dog in the bolster bed. Tomorrow evening I’ll take her on a stroll around the block.
This is an older photo, a favourite one, of her watching the world from her perch in a bed on the deck.
Welcoming committee
Achilles and Stella greeted me at the gate yesterday. Achilles has greeted me nearly every day for over nine years, Stella for over twelve. I am so blessed to have shared life with them.
I have heard that you get the dog you need, whether you are conscious of it or not. I needed Stella’s drive, energy, need for leadership and for a job. I needed Achilles’s gentleness, sweetness, and eagerness to please. All these years along, I still need them. How lucky to have found and to still have them!
Furscape
Tonight instead of a landscape, seascape, skyscape, I give you a view of Stella’s fur.
Ahhh, this is the life
Achilles, stretched out. Only one lamp was on and rather than use the camera’s flash I experimented with different settings.
Troubles for Stella
Stella has had a rough few weeks. Several teeth were removed in July. A troublesome oronasal fistula has not healed, resulting in two follow-up procedures. Today’s exam by the vet revealed that the fistula, while not completely healed, is in acceptable condition. The prognosis is guardedly optimistic pending next week’s follow-up.
Throughout this time she has had a good appetite, been interested and alert, and extraordinarily resilient. She was understandably reluctant to submit to the exam, though once it began she endured with no growling, snarling, or snapping. What an amazing girl she is. How lucky I am to have her.
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