3 Weeks and going Strong!

My last post I gave a brief update on how Lola-Jane has been progressing after her FHO (Femoral Head Ostectomy) surgery earlier this month. I wanted to share another video on this post to show her continued improvement with walking and also share some of the little things we have learned just in a few short weeks.

My sweet girl

Lola-Jane's sutures came out last week, so she now has a little more freedom. I can hear her now singing, "FREEDOM, FREEDOM!" We have started walking her 2-3 times a day for 3-5 minutes at a time. This will increase by a few minutes each week as tolerated. The trick here is getting her to walk slow enough to ensure she is engaging the leg and using it to walk. She has been doing pretty good with this, however you have to tell her to slow it down sometimes. At times she wants to gallop or jog which then causes the leg to go up and she doesn't use it. 

Michael and I have learned the saying, "patience is a virtue" is TRUE! One of the hardest things post operative surgery is keeping Lola-Jane confined and making sure she doesn't do more than she should. She is stubborn and has a mind of her own, therefore as she has felt better she is wanting to run, jump and the list goes on... Of course we monitor her and keep this limited. But that's just it, prior to Jane's surgery she wasn't the dog we had to monitor anymore, it was Garland. We have now had to change our focus and keep a close watch on LJ. After the sutures came out the vet told us that the cone could come off, but quite frankly she is a perpetual licker if that is even a thing. To give her a break from the cone, we take it off during feeding times and when she can be monitored at home. Otherwise, the cone is left on her so she doesn't lick her skin off!

I have to keep reminding myself that it has only been three weeks and that she is doing well. Our neighbor happens to work at our Veterinarian and knows both of our dogs very well. He said that Jane looks to be doing well. She still has a slight limp to her gait, but as she continues to strengthen that hip and leg it should go away. Fingers crossed it is only up from here! See below two short videos of Lola-Jane's progress in just 3 weeks. 

And not to forget...

Our Garland is doing well! Soon, I will have a post up with her progress report. We miss her dearly, but she is learning a lot and from what we hear is enjoying her training.

XOXO

Robyn

Glitter for dayz

My husband surprised me the other day with a customized, fun yeti tumbler! His excuse for getting it- so I won’t use his and get lipstick on it anymore... Of course that’s the reason he gets it for me. I’ll just continue to think it’s because he is thoughtful and sweet J which is really true.

If you haven’t already, you must check out our dear friends awesome tumblers for sale! She has taken a yeti to the next level with colors, glitter, designs and all different patterns. Check out my personalized Trick My Tumbler, customized by my hubs for a simple beach girl.

Trick My Tumbler

My very own Trick my Tumbler and a sweet note from the owner, who just happens to be a friend :)

Perfect for taking to my barre class! 
Not pictured: A cute umbrella and shells in the sand, on the backside of my tumbler.

Follow the link the get started. Great as gifts for all ages!
www.trickmytumbler.com

Making progress one day at a time

The morning of Jane's surgery!

Lola-Jane had surgery last week and we are now in recovery mode. Week two has begun and she is doing great! She came home last week on heavy pain medication and has now transitioned to a less powerful dose of pain medication. She has sutures that will stay in for 12-14 days and while they are in Jane has to wear a cone. I’m pretty sure she dislikes us at this point, but I keep telling her that in just a month or two she will feel so much better! Just in the few days that she has been home, she has shown great progress and is getting her sass back. Right now, she has to stay confined to the office and to go outside she has to be on a leash. At this point, there isn’t any exercise or “walks” per say. Those will be implemented once her sutures are out. With that said, we are patiently waiting for our next step in her journey to recovery! See Lola-Jane coming home after surgery down below. This was day 1 being back at home and now we are on week two. If you can imagine, she has shown even more progress from when this video was taken. Keep checking the blog for an update on LJ!

XOXO

Robyn

To hunting camp we go!

Our household is struggling a bit this evening after Michael and I just got back from dropping our Garland off for her 3 month hunting/training camp. We have all shed a tear or two, maybe three and Lola-Jane is confused. I know she is missing her little sister because I put a towel in her crate that is Garland's and Jane went straight into the crate to lay down on it. Talk about a tear jerker! While we are all over here moping, I'm pretty sure Garland is having a ball. She is with a trainer in Haynesville, VA who came highly recommended to us. Our friends also took their pup at the same time as we did, so G has a friend she knows at camp. Although 3 months feels like eternity, right now we know we have a lot of other things to concentrate on so by the time the training is over with it will feel like it has flown by! Plus, it will be super worth it as she will be amazing when she comes home and ready to go hunting with her Dad.

With that being said, our Lola-Jane's hip surgery is scheduled for this week! She will be having a FHO (Femoral Head Ostectomy) in order to get rid of the constant pain she has every day from her hip dysplasia. For those of you who do not know, an FHO is a surgical procedure that removes the head and the neck from the femur. As Jane heals she will develop scar tissue so the joint is no longer bone to bone. A false joint is then formed which is now pain free!

While Garland is training, we decided it would be the perfect time to have Lola-Jane's surgery that way we can focus on her recovery and she can get enough down time to do so. Lola-Jane's estimated recovery time is 1-2 months. After surgery, she will have to be monitored and put on controlled leash walks to go outside as well as a strict therapy regimen. We are excited and nervous all at the same time, but know this will make a world of difference for our Jane girl. In just a few short months she will be ready to re-unite with her little sister and actually be able to play like a normal 2 year old dog is supposed to do! Stay tuned for updates on Lola-Jane's recovery and Garland's progress in training.

XOXO

Robyn