When I last updated this blog in July, I was prepared for a relaxing one week vacation. It didn't quite turn out that way. Instead, I feel I have been living my life in a crate, both figuratively and literally.
I feel crated literally because my dog has been in a crate for the last four weeks and figuratively because my writing has been locked up in the crate with him.
Before the first weekend of vacation was over, my dog Harrison was scheduled to see the veterinarian on Monday. After two radiograms Harrison was diagnosed with dysplasia. He suffered pain from arthritis since his leg bone was out of his hip socket. Two weeks later, he had FHO (femoral head ostectomy surgery) on his back right leg. This surgery removes the ball of the bone at the top of the femur. With proper recuperation the tendons and ligaments strengthen and he can regain full use of his leg.
This little dog and his rehabilitation took over my life for the past four weeks. Not to mention how much he has taken over my household since his arrival on January 25th of this year. Harrison was 3 months old when he was found in a field by Maricopa Animal Control. I took him into my home the first day he was available for adoption.
He is a small dog, and only God knows his breed. The Maricopa Animal Control folks said he was likely a short hair Chihuahua-Terrier mix. Others have told me he looks like a Corgi, a Jack Russell terrier, a Dachshund, a Doberman pinscher and a Pit Bull. One of the veterinarians said he could be a Chihuahua and Labrador mix. But let’s not go there.
His progress has been slow, however that is normal. He has learned what it is like to be in a crate 99% of his day. Like Harrison, I felt like my writing has been crated away as I focused on him. It took more time than I imagined following the doctor's directions to a T. Harrison is a puppy and he views directions as mere suggestions to his routine. .Have you ever tried to do massage therapy on a dog? A dog that was less than anxious to have you touch his sore leg? Besides these exercises I gave up much of my writing time to spend more time with him to alleviate his boredom.
The last two weeks Harrison has been on limited leash time. He wants to walk on only three legs, so I constantly encourage him to put his "leg down." We need to walk at a pace so slow I could doze off yet it forces him to use the leg. Which is exactly the workout he needs to build up his strength.
Thursday starts the 5th week of recuperation for Harrison. He can roam freely without a leash. How will he react to his new found freedom? At eleven months old on that day, he begins a new life. He will walk unleashed for the first time without pain in his hip. Will he chase bugs for hours? Will he jump on the couch and laze in the sunlight? Will he dive into the swimming pool for the first time? Or, will he sit quietly outside the crate in shock?
As I finish this update, Harrison has no idea what lies ahead. Soon we will both be out of the crate. I cannot wait.
