Lacey

Last Wednesday, while Chester was undergoing surgery, and I was feeling particularly anxious about what lay ahead, I spent some time Googling canine hip replacements (as you do).

I came upon this heartwarming story. Lacey is a beautiful golden retriever who was rescued from a neglectful home by Wendy Donohue and Trisha Jarvis of the Golden Retriever Rescue Society here in Sydney. I know, you’re probably wondering, as we all do, why anybody would mistreat one of these gentlest of dogs (or any dog, for that matter).

She had the worst case of hip dysplasia (in both hips) that the examining vet had ever seen, and had been compensating by taking all her weight on her knees. Poor Lacey needed two new hips as well as a new knee! And guess who performed this life-changing surgery for her – Chester’s specialist veterinary surgeon, Dr David Lidbetter!

Of course it couldn’t all happen at once. She had her first hip replacement on 23rd September last year, and Lacey is now 6 weeks post-surgery on her second hip. What an inspiration!

But it gets better. Who should we meet, when we were at Dr David’s surgery this week with Chester, but Trisha (L) and Wendy (R) – with Lacey! Please take a look at the Golden Retriever Rescue Inc website and marvel at the caring work these wonderful ladies, and a huge team of volunteers including my dear friend Di - - do to help link these beautiful dogs up with suitable owners. They aim to find them “forever homes”.

I’ll be following Lacey’s progress, as she is just 5 weeks ahead of Chester. Wendy and Trisha had more exciting news, too, of an upcoming TV story to be filmed about their star patient. Stay tuned for more!

Chester – One week post-op

Chester was very excited this morning when we clicked his lead on, and even more excited when we slipped on his car harness and slowly walked him outside into the garden, past the big tree where we usually stop for the necessary sniffs, and  all the way to the garage.  There we carefully lifted him into the back seat of the car and slipped his seat belt through his car harness.  Something was afoot! 

Yes, today was Chester’s one week check-up, and we’re delighted to say he’s doing really well.  His hip prosthesis is sitting firmly where it ought to be, thanks to Dr David’s skillful handiwork.  All our careful management is paying off so far too. With Dr David’s agreement our local vet Dr Gwilym has given us slightly stronger sedatives for Chester.  In his words, Chester had only been started on the “schooner of beer” strength. 

In our words, he’s now on “a couple of stiff scotches” every few hours!

Is he more settled and mellow?  Oh yeah…

Hot and cross(stitch)

With our Australian summer hotting up it’s been good to have this little cross-stitch pincushion to work on lately while I sit in front of the fan.

It’s a gift for my friend Averil, for her 80th birthday in a couple of days. She has always done the most exquisite heirloom embroidery, but was adventurous enough to join our Stitchin’ Mission last year.  Now I think she’s caught the quilting bug!

 (No, Averil doesn’t read my blog)

Chester Day 6 – OK, I’ve had enough!

That’s what poor Chester seems to be telling us today.

He’s been a bit restless, like a little kid after a few days in bed. Only it’s harder to keep a puppy amused and stimulated. No amount of sitting and paw-holding would calm him for long.

Dr David had said we could increase his sedative, and I think it’s time.

Chester Day 5 – Lots of TLC

There’s been a good deal of this today. Hand paw holding. Life’s pretty dull for a young pup whose little world has shrunk to a crate, so I brought Chester out of his “prison” and spent 3 hours sitting on the laundry floor while he snuggled up to me with grateful licks and dozed on and off.

Until now I hadn’t realised how often we pat and cuddle him just in passing as we go about our daily activities, and I think he was just grateful for some body-contact.

Chester Day 4 – Adjusting to life as an invalid

How undignified is this for poor Chester. Just to go outside for a toilet stop his rear end needs to be supported by an improvised sling. As you can see, we sometimes use these briefest of outings as an opportunity to let him go Elizabethan collar-free.

Chester Day 3 - Confinement

This has to be the original “hang-dog” look! Poor Chester!

Running, jumping, even walking more than a few steps, is strictly forbidden, so Chester is confined to our small laundry. Most doggy THR patients spend their recovery in a “crate” (or cage) but David felt that by simply restricting him to this little room, and binding his leg up in a sling, we’d minimise his weight-bearing.

As if this wasn’t enough to spoil his fun, by now poor Chester was sporting an Elizabethan collar designed to make it impossible for him to do damage to his stitches.

However, after spending all morning sitting beside him on the floor, stroking him and making soothing noises – the only way we could keep him off his leg – we decided we just couldn’t keep this up 24/7 for 6 weeks. It was time to crate him.

Again, I doubt if Chester feels the same sense of relief as we do now that he’s safely confined to his new quarters.