Daily Yap, Okay these days it's usually weekly yap!

I arrived at VVSA around 4pm to see about 7 others also in line for their pups.

By 4:30 I was in the exam room being briefed on Sid's condition and being explained the laundry list of medicines, and must do / don't (s) for her care.

4 medicines were given: 1 for pain, 1 for swelling / antibiotic, 1 tranquilizer, and 1 non -steroidal. Soon afterward Sid was walked in the room. Poor pup, she was so out of it her hind leg just hung by her side as she tried to navigate the doorway with an E-Collar.

I ended up carrying her to the car and into the house. Within 1 minute of being in the car, she was out of it.

I was instructed to give her water around 7pm, but no sooner; followed by pain killers before bed and with food & other meds the following morning.

By 7pm, she was not ready to do anything, let alone drink water. We did get her to get up to go outside, but she needed help each time. The help came in the form of a scarf around her waist to help aid her in balance and holding up her wait.

Despite going out 3x, she was not able to muster up even a piddle, but be prepared to have her "spotting" as she sleeps.

On this night as she started to come around, she was growing very restless and if she couldn't see us, she whimpered and whined. As I mentioned above, we were unable to secure a crate by days end, so we will spent the night sleeping on the floor next to her. This was to keep an eye on her condition and to make sure she wasn't going to try to get up and walk around.

On Feb. 8, 2010, Sid's day began with a trip to VVSA @ 8am.

Fasting food since 6pm & water from 12am prior to surgery.
Sid will be @ the vet most of the day, mean while I'll be trying to "dog-proof" the house. This surgery was not something Lisa or I will be taking lightly. This is a high effort on all fronts. After surgery, she must be kept contained and confined to limit any possible damage to the freshly set bone.

A minimum of 8 weeks of no play, running, and a constant calm state are needed! My god, that is a tall order for a 10 yr PitPull that thinks she's 1 & acts every bit the puppy she was the day we picked her up @ 12 weeks.

It's a nervous day for me, waiting to here of her progress and still wondering about the final surgery totals. The range for the day was $2990 - 3099.00, plus post op visits; not to mention the $500 spent on the initial vet, radials, and blood work. It's expensive, but she is family!

The phone rang around 1:30 to inform us she will be able to be picked up around 4pm and the surgery went well.

Despite my best attempts to find a used crate or even an old play pen, I came up empty handed.

I'm starting up the blog again to be able to recount Sid's progress from her knee surgery.

Brief history that lead us to this point.
Back in Sept 09 while Sid was staying with some friends, it appears she tweaked her knee to the point where a week or two of rest would allow her to walk normal again, but once she were to play, her limp would return.

Fast forward to Jan. 2010. A few months of healing would not help, one day mid-Jan Lisa noticed Sid's leg would make a popping sound while she would walk. A trip to the vet confirmed internet research; she had a torn ACL. We scheduled an appointment with a well recommended surgeon. The appointment would take place two weeks later on Feb. 5th.

The surgeon concluded the same thing, a torn ACL is mostly likely the cause, as well as a meniscus issue. The clicking is created when the torn ACL allows the femur to slide over and down the front of the tibia.

Two surgeries where advised, one about $1700 for a more inactive dog, the other $3000- 3999. for a more active dog. The latter is very invasive and requires cutting and reshaping the tibia to allow for a missing ACL, called TLPO. We opted for the TLPO because this gives the best chance of a complete recovery in terms of normal usage. Usually 93-97% of normal!

Operation to take place on Monday, Feb. 8.

While at 1st I was reluctant, even critical of facebook, as it turns out I like it.

It allows for immediate commentary and updates so that those around you can stay in touch despite any physical distance that separates us.

It's not so much about sharing every detail as it is about bridge a gap between friends and family. My privacy settings are set high, I think only "friends" can see my profile, not everyone, friends or friends, etc.

I've also be considering the ramifications of sharing too much on the internet. As it turns out, the very thing that used to allow for the greatest amount of anonymity now gives way to a single search which returns your whole life history.

As for now, the blog will remain in "limbo" more times than not with future considerations of a complete wipeout of all things past blogged...

White Water Class Day 2,
We hit the James @ Pony Pasture and kayaked down to Reedy Creek.

This was a fun day for sure. The river was @ 4'2" and it was a little low. I think 4'6" to 5' would make for nice river travels.

We started off entering the lower Pony Pasture Rapids, then back to practicing edge turns to get in & out of Eddies, as well as T-rescues in current.

Once done we headed down river starting off playing a game. Kinda like "keep away" but you always had to throw the ball to someone down stream. It was a great way to further practice the paddling & T-rescues while removing the dullness that of a long flat water area.

Rapids: Pony Pasture (lower section) Powhite Rapids, Choo-Choo Rapids, Pipeline, a smaller Pipeline, Mitch's Gut, Mitch's Gut 2.

Check out photos on the left in rotation.
Camera used was the Olympus "Water resistant" (not waterproof) Stylus 700.

Today I look to the past to offer up what would have been.
On this day my youngest brother would have been 33.

We miss you Jason.

Beginner's White Water Kayak Class Day 1 was interesting and fun.

First, the instructors are very personable and approachable, so you immediately feel comfortable.
During day 1, we spent about 1.(including lunch) 5 hrs off the water and the rest of the time on water.

We learned:
~ wet exits
~ T-Rescues
~ Multiple Paddle strokes
~ Steering & control

The day was spent on the James @ Dutch Gap. Very open and flat, but just enough current for the kayaks to move around on their own nicely.

We also played some neat little games that would force us into compromising positions w/o us thinking about it. So you learned control, as well as learned to trust in your ability to maintain calm when you did roll and waited for the T-rescue.

Our Day 1 instructors were: Suzan, Thomas, & Daniel.

For m graduation gift I purchased a kayak for myself, but my lacking of training kept me from hitting the James with it.

As soon as my final class ended I attempted to sign up for a White Water Beginner Class, but they were booked solid! I left a message w/the instructor to notify me of any cancellations and with a few days to spare the phone call came.

So this weekend I will spend on the James learning basic how to's! wet water exits, eskimo rolls, & basic routes down the river.

I can't wait...

This also coincides w/the birthday of my youngest brother who while no longer w/us, always inspires me to try new things.