Week 16, Day 4: Look Ma, I'M FREE!

We spent this past weekend letting Maeby run around and hike like crazy for the first time in a LONG TIME. Gosh it's so great to see her so happy!


at the park


hiking at runyon canyon






Maeby's on top of the world! (or at least, Los Angeles)




I guess this is the end of our blog. So it might be appropriate to end with a big fat

"AND THEY LIVED HAPPY EVER AFTER.
THE END."

Best wishes to all those with recovering doggies. Time flies by faster than you think!

16 Weeks: WE MADE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh my sweet baby Maeby, YOU DID IT!!!!!
Thank you sweet Maeby, for all your patience these last 16 weeks. Thank you for letting me shove antibiotics down your throat (not just one round, but two!), for letting me lift up your naked chicken leg for daily incision photos, for tolerating that stupid plastic lampshade, for waiting so patiently in your ex-pen for weeks on end, for even stopping your running when I yelled "STOOOOOOP RUNNNNNINGGGGG!!!!"

Thank you for looking at me with your warm wet eyes every day, letting me know that everything was going to be okay. Thank you for understanding that this surgery was for your own good. And thank you, my dear girl, for healing so fast and healing completely!

And lastly, I want to thank those reading for following along with us on this incredible journey. I never imagined I'd go through surgery like this for my dog. And I certainly NEVER IMAGINED that I'd be keeping such a detailed experience of it! I hope you've found this information helpful, entertaining, and a source of hope for you if you're about to undergo surgery too.

Before Maeby's surgery back in March, I spent a lot of time reading up on TPLO stories. There are some GREAT websites out there. But I wanted to do something a little different by keeping our story pretty detailed, with lots of consistent updates, pictures, and videos. I know seeing lots of photos and videos would have been helpful for me, so I hope this blog has helped you!

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I took a video of Maeby walking every week (except Week 8) and have compiled them all here. Stay tuned for one last blog entry with some TPLO tips!

DAY 6


WEEK 1, DAY 2


WEEK 1, DAY 5


WEEK 2


WEEK 3


WEEK 4


WEEK 5


WEEK 6


WEEK 7


WEEK 8
[NOT AVAILABLE]

WEEK 9


WEEK 10


WEEK 11


WEEK 12


WEEK 13


WEEK 14


WEEK 15


WEEK 16
[COMING SOON!]

Week 15, Day 4: 3 MORE DAYS UNTIL THE END

The countdown is officially ON!!! We only have 3 more days left until Maeby is free and clear with her "romping papers!!" Since week 13, we've been steadily introducing her to jogging and running. I've been taking her on short runs in the morning and she's been doing fantastic. No signs of limping at all.

So this past weekend, we took Maeby to Dog Beach in San Diego for what'll probably be the last time for awhile. She spent a good hour or two just running around the beach and having a good time splashing around in the ocean. She was just having too much fun and I couldn't bring myself to stop her, even though it might cause her to limp later from all the playing.

WELL SHE NEVER LIMPED AT ALL. Not even her weight bearing changed. I think she'll be ready for a leash free weekend by the end of the week -- I'M ECSTATIC!


After running, this is Maeby's next favorite activity

Week 14: Video Update

I had an incredible stroke of luck in my professional life: I resigned at my last job and gave 2 weeks notice, only to have my (now former) employer tell me to take a 2 week paid vacation.

I don't know when the last time I had a paid vacation was! (Maybe never??) And this coincided PERFECTLY with Maeby's recovery process. I've been taking her hiking every other day, on slow jogs through the neighborhood, to dog beaches in LA. Maeby's leg is getting so much stronger, and I've been getting a nice tan!

You can see how well Maeby's walking now in our latest video -- she's just zipping down the sidewalk. And if you could see my face, you'd see a very happy and well-rested me.

Week 13, Day 4: These paws were made for hiking

Finally took Maeby to Runyon Canyon for her first hike ever!!

She stayed on leash the entire time, per vet's instructions. And we really didn't hike that much, maybe just 20 minutes. But she had such a good time!! I think the last time I saw her so happy was when we went to the beach and she dug to China.

I was worried that she'd be limping later in the day, but she never did. I think her 2 hours of walking everyday has helped tremendously. Again, I can't stress how important it is to increase walks GRADUALLY, and CONTINUOUSLY!

Can you find Maeby in the sea of doggies?

Running on leash!

Week 13, Day 1: OUR LAST CHECKUP!!!!!

So the end is FINALLY near!

The vet told me to bring Maeby back 6-8 weeks after her 7 week x-rays. I was going to bring her back next week at 14 weeks but because she was 100% healed at her 7 week check up, I was able to get an appointment today.

The great news is that Dr. Owen was EXTREMELY pleased with Maeby's progress. She didn't tell me this before, but she was a little worried at how the surgery would turn out because of all the orthopedic problems Maeby has in her hips and pelvis. (We think she may have been run over by a car in Mexico, where she was rescued from). So Dr. Owen thought that she might still walk a little funny. But she doesn't! Maeby looks great!

So Maeby is now freeeeeeeeee! Well, not ENTIRELY free. Dr. Owen said we shouldn't introduce her to high energy acvitivity immediately, but gradually introduce her to it. She's allowed to run on her leash, go hiking, and do all those kinds of things, as long as they're on leash. Over the next 3 weeks, I'm to keep increasing high energy activity and then she can be off leash and REALLY be free!

Wow. I can't believe it's almost over. I'm really really happy this all went by so fast. Back in March, June seemed light years away. Gosh, it's already mid June!!

Week 12, Day 5: Video