Bocán - Spot Magazine Cover Dog ?

This fall, we're happy to report that Bocán has completely recovered from both TPLO surgeries last year (October and December).

He's running, chasing balls, catching frisbees and jumping onto the bed, as well as in and out of the car. His run is a little funny looking; he occasionally sort of "skips" to reduce weight on his more recently repaired leg, but at least he is running.

He still slips a little sometimes, when rounding corners indoors, but recovers fast and deosn't even seem to notice.

He'll no longer set any Border Collie speed records, and he won't become an agility athlete, but he's having lots of fun just being a dog again.

A couple of weeks ago we took him to Doggie Palooza, up at the World Forestry Center, where he got lots of treats and got to meet lots of other dogs. He also got photographed, along with many dozens of other dogs, by a professional lensman, and is in the running to be on the cover of "Spot Magazine", a local publication. A drawing will be held to select the winners.

Wish Bo luck, and thanks again to everyone who has expressed interest in him this past year!

Never thought I'd see THIS again!

Bo's progress this summer has been amazing. His life is pretty much back to normal. He's running, jumping, chasing and catching the frisbee and balls.

His run is a little funny, he slips when going around corners sometimes and he's not quite as fast, but he's having fun being a dog again.

We put the dog door back in the laundry room, so he can get out to the dog run whenever he wants.

I thought I was done being amazed by new signs of progress, until last Sunday. After his bath, he was snapping at flying bugs in the backyard, when he suddenly got up on his hind legs and started walking around, snapping at them! He stayed up on his rear legs for quite a while, and he did it several times. I suspect that the TPLO surgery actually makes this easier for him!

Looking forward to taking him on his first camping trip since his first injury, nearly a year ago.

Two more big milestones today!

Last night, I was trying to figure out some sort of way to provide an intermediate step up, so Bocán could easily get up onto our bed. This is something he hasn't been able to do since his first injury last September.

This morning, he went over to Ann's side of the bed and put his chin on the edge, and Ann said: "Do you want to come up?". She was ready to get out of bed and boost him up, as she's done a few times the past couple of weeks. But he crouched a bit and jumped, and MADE IT ON HIS OWN! It was a little awkward and he barely made it, but he made it. All three of us were pretty surprised, and the look on his face was priceless! It was a combination of "Is this OK?" and "I DID it!".

Later this morning, I removed another depressing vestige of his injuries and recoveries. We'd put up a barrier in the dog run, severely limiting his access to the immediate area by the laundry room door. We did this so he wouldn't chase squirrels back into the corner of his yard. Now that he's able to run and jump and pretty much do whatever he wants, it was time to give him full access to his dog run once again.

In a couple more weeks we'll put the dog door back in, so he can go outside whenever he wants, and it will really, finally be over!

Time Sure Flies!

SIX MONTHS AGO TODAY was Bo's first TPLO surgery.

Ann and I had a chance to take him to the park this afternoon to celebrate.

We threw the Frisbee and he ran and ran - still runs kinda goofy, but he had a blast.

Seeing him run, and even start to jump a little makes it all seem an even more distant clump of memories.

When we got home, he crawled all the way up onto Ann's lap.

Another big milestone

On Friday, we removed the enclosure that has surrounded his bed for nearly six months. We've kept him confined at night ever since his first injury because we did not want him to try to jump onto our bed in the middle of the night. He'd slept in our bed ever since his puppy training was complete, but our bed is pretty high off the floor, and he could have hurt himself trying to make the leap.

He's still not quite ready to jump up onto the bed, but we're strengthening his back legs with work on stairs, hills and the playground equipment at our local park. The surgeon says he'll try when he's ready, and he's no longer in danger of hurting himself by trying. We are looking into building a step for him, and getting a ramp for the car. That will help mitigate the premature arthritis he's likely to develop.

It was nice to remove one of the last vestiges of his confinement, giving him the choice to sleep where he wants, and go get a drink of water in the middle of the night.

Sometime later this month, we hope to reinstall the dog door, so he can get outside whenever he wants.

You can see the fur regrowth on his right rear leg in the photo at right (click on any of them for larger versions). His left leg looks even better; they only shaved part of it for the second surgery in December.

This is the playground equipment we're working his leg muscles on...

It's been nearly 6 months!

Bo's initial CCL rupture occurred 28 weeks ago today.

His first TPLO surgery was almost 6 months ago (that anniversary is a week from Monday), and he's been recovering from his second TPLO surgery for nearly 16 weeks.

The fur on his left leg has nearly grown back out, and the right leg is getting there. He's running on leash for short sprints and jogging for long distances. He still runs oddly; when he breaks from trot to run, he begins using both rear legs in unison, almost like his "three-legged-hop" before the surgeries, but he can move REALLY FAST that way (faster than me!).

We let him run off leash very briefly, adding a little more running each time. Perhaps he will begin to run "normally" at some point, but we'll take what we get. Six months ago we didn't know if he'd ever walk again!

We've worked a lot of outdoor stairs into his long walks, and he's hopping up and down some raised platforms (about 10") in a playground nearby. He cannot jump up more than a foot; his leg muscles are still pretty weak. We're slowly building them up so that he can jump up on our bed once again.

Unfortunately, we still have to enclose him in a pen at night, so he doesn't try to jump up onto the bed when we're asleep. We are so looking forward to allowing him complete freedom again - perhaps it will coincide with his 6 month anniversary...

Don't tell the surgeon...

...but we actually took a FRISBEE to the park today!

I only threw it a few times, because one throw caused him to try to jump, which is still sort of a new concept for his re-aligned tibias and healing stifles, but the look on his face when I pulled it out of my pocket, was PRICELESS.

Pocket? Yeah, it was the "indoor" frisbee, made out of nylon cloth - it folds down to pocket (and backpack) size. It also doesn't damage furniture, knock over lamps or break windows. We've been playing indoors for a couple of weeks now, but I could not resist bringing it today. The last day of winter feels more like mid-spring - sunny and breezy and trees blooming and field at park NOT (too) SOGGY!

We'll work on jogging and short sprinting for a while before we do any more outdoor frisbee, but it was indescribably wonderful to see his face when I pulled it out of my pocket and tossed a few to him!

Looking forward to some camping and long hikes!

This photo was taken last summer, when Bo and I accompanied Ann to a horse show in Yreka, CA.

It was triple-digit heat in the valley where the horse show was going on, so Bo and I explored up the Klamath River into the northern wilds of Del Norte County, where we crossed back into Oregon.

It was only in the high 80s, up in the woods.

We went on a few hikes together and had a blast.

I sure look forward to more trips like this with Bo this year!

Where do the weeks go?

24 weeks ago yesterday Bo ruptured the CCL in his left rear leg. That's the equivalent of the "ACL" in the human knee. In dogs, it cannot be repaired with any long-term success, but there is an osteotomy procedure that can help them regain the use of the leg.

In mid-December, on the eight-week anniversary of the TPLO surgery that allows him to use that leg again, he ruptured the same ligament in his right leg.

It's now been nearly 11 weeks since the TPLO surgery to repair the second leg, and he is doing GREAT. We walk at least a mile, once or twice every day. Some days we walk several miles.

We jog at least twice a day, too, and we also do hill work - walking up steeper and steeper slopes, at various angles, to further strengthen his leg muscles. Today was another oddly warm and sunny winter day here in Portland - we did an extended walk around the neighborhood and Ann took a lot of pictures of the blooming trees. At right, Bo and I pause in the shade of a magnolia.

In early April, we'll start running on leash, and by May (hopefully) he'll be able to run off-leash.

It's looking good to be back to ball thowing and possibly even frisbee by summer!

Bo Accompanied Me on a Site Visit, Then We Hiked Today

I took Bo out to the Columbia River Gorge today to do a site investigation, and then we enjoyed a quick hike along an abandoned stretch of the old Columbia River Highway. Much of this historic old highway, one of America's first publicly funded rural highways, has been converted to a hike 'n' bike trail.

In the photo at left, the viaduct we're on clings to a sheer cliff, and it's nearly 100 years old. Those three trees behind Bo are over 60' tall, that's how high up the viaduct is!

We walked about 2 miles, and jogged some of it in both directions.

He's resting here, on the way back.

He's still not very comfortable sitting, but we jogged more after this and he held up well. He slept in the back of the car all the way home, though.

A bit overcast, but over 60 degrees and dry. Great afternoon!

Bo's right leg has healed perfectly!

Today the surgeon examined Bo and concluded that his right tibia and meniscus have healed faster than the left,
back in December. The bone looks great and the hardware can remain in place the rest of his life.

We have the green light (again) to ramp up his activity level!

Tonight and tomorrow, we will go on short jogs, and then begin mixing jogs
with longer and longer walks!

We BOTH need it! I'd like to back-pack this summer, and losing 15 pounds of flab
will allow me to carry 15 more pounds on my back with about the same effort.

It will be many more weeks before he can jump into the car, or onto the bed.

Keeping him from jumping, now that he feels better, (but before his muscles have redeveloped),
is our biggest challenge now.

Frisbee, or some tennis ball chasing in April?

Perhaps, but definitely some LONG hikes this spring!

Gorgeous Sunny Sunday

Today, we took Bo on his longest walk since September, when his first injury occurred.

There was not a cloud in the sky, and Ann and I both had the day to enjoy.

Walked over four miles, a short one for me, but a real milestone on Bo's recovery!

Nearly 8 weeks, again!

WHERE does the time go?

Bo's 8-week post-op anniversary is Monday. Today, we walked about a mile, with a little uphill work.

Another first; I bounced a tennis ball for him a few times last night, and again today. I can't let him jump for it yet, not even a little. So, the game depends on MY skill at getting it to his mouth.

He was so happy, and so bummed that the game was so short...

Tomorrow, a little more!

Hill climbing, now!

We've worked hills into our walks now, that will help develop different leg muscles and also help him regain his balance and coordination.

Had to make his 8-week X-ray appointment for the ninth week (2 weeks from today), because his surgeon is traveling abroad. A trip we helped pay for!

Six Week Update

It's hard to believe it has been six weeks since Bo's second TPLO surgery.

He's doing very well, recovery from the second has been faster and easier than his first surgery in October. We're now walking about a 1/2 mile, 3 - 4 times each day.

This morning, we went up a moderate hill; his first since early December.

Last week we trotted once each day. This week, we will alternate hill work with trotting every other day, and slowly increase distance to one mile by the end of next week. By his eight week anniversary, when he gets his X-ray to ensure the bone has healed properly from the osteotomy, we hope to get the green light to ramp him up to normal activity (again).

Saturday, he had his first bath since September - we're all happy about that!

His first CCL rupture occurred 130 days ago (Sept. 25th).

The Vernal Equinox (March 20th, 2010) will be the weekend after his 12 week anniversary, and 178 days since his first CCL injury. We're hoping he will be running again by then!

The weather has permitted, lately!

LOTS of sunshine and mid-fifties again today (California is getting much of the rain we typically get in January), so out with Bo on his fourth walk today, and hopefully a little more trotting.

I think I'll start using a pedometer soon, so I can keep heading different directions to keep it interesting, while controlling the distance increases. We're up to about 15 minutes of very slow walking with some brief trotting in the middle.

...weather permitting...

Well, we didn't get three walks in yesterday, hard rain and high winds.

Today marks Bo's fourth week post-op, and he's starting to get really impatient.

The sun is shining and it's in the fifties, so we'll try to get out three times today!

Three Walks per Day - Up to 15 Minutes Each

We're up to about 15 minutes of outside time, three times today.

It's improving his mood a lot to get to go out and sniff around in the front yard, and along the trail.

Still doing the warm, moist heat on his right leg, and passive range of motion/stretching. We'll start doing sit/stand exercises next week to increase muscle mass and joint flexibility.

Monday is the half-way point to his eight-week post-op X-rays on February 15th.

Last of the Antibiotics

Bo's last dose of antibiotics was last night. The yoghurt kept his intestinal probiotics healthy!

He's still limping a little once in a while, and his walk is still pretty wobbly, but he rarely hops on three legs anymore. I am sure looking forward to never seeing him do THAT again!

We're adding a few more steps to his "walk" every few days, and continuing with the physical therapy...

The next big milestone is February 15th - his eight week X-ray to see how the right tibia has healed.

Lazy Sunday in the Back Yard

We set up the portable enclosure in the back yard today so Bo could hang out with us while we lounged in the hot tub. Moments before Ann took this picture the sun was shining on us. It didn't last long, but it was relatively warm and dry all day.

Thanks again, Martha, for loaning us this enclosure - we'll use it a lot in the next couple of months! He loves to be outside, but it will be quite a while before he'll be able to do that without a leash or an enclosure. One squirrel is all it will take for him to damage his repaired legs, until he's fully recovered.

Later, Bo and I walked a few more steps onto the trail.

Last night, he got lots of company when we had some friends over for dinner. He really enjoyed the attention; he's been pretty lonesome.

Back on the Trail

We made it a few steps onto the Fanno Creek trail again this morning.

He gets sore quickly, so we're only adding a few steps every other day, but we'll be back to a mile by mid-February, I predict!

Warm compresses, massage and lots of passive range of motion therapy are helping, as they did last time.

We're both working on patience...

Baby Steps

Last night, I leashed up Bo and we went out the front door together for the first time since December 13th, when he suffered his second CCL rupture. We only went as far as the mailbox and back, but it was a huge milestone!

This morning, at dawn, we went to the trail head at the end of my driveway, another 10 feet from last night's big trek, but progress is wonderful. At lunch, we'll repeat that and late afternoon we'll get the mail again. Baby steps toward a grand goal...

Incisions healed well - infection in check

Bo's two-week post op exam showed his incisions have healed properly, and no outward signs of the infection. He has one more week on the antibiotics, and everything indicates that it will wipe out his bone infection. He is incredibly resistant to medication side-effects - the strong antibiotics have not seemed to mess up his digestion. He loves yoghurt; hopefully the active cultures in it are keeping his pro-biotics healthy...

He's still walking very gingerly, and resorts to 3-legged hopping once in a while. When he does walk, it has an odd wobble to it. He's still learning how to use BOTH rear legs. He had just started getting used to his new left leg when he tore the ligament on the right, so we'll have to start all over again with very short walks out to the front yard in the coming weeks.

In a few more days we hope to let him walk wherever he wants in the house. Until then, we're now keeping him confined to one room at a time.