Five weeks post surgery!

We are almost there!! Next week Darby will go in for her x-rays and start swim therapy again. She is healing beautifully and fully using both legs. She has just learned 2 new tricks as well...to give "10" and to weave in and out of my legs:) She comes home with me almost every night now...I do allow her to walk slowly up and down my stairs, she also always manages to sneakily jump up on the couch (little brat;). I, however, always lift her in and out of the car and make her walk, never run. The vet informed me, when I picked her up after surgery, that she may not use her leg for quite a while and to not expect the same results as last time (since last time, the other ligament was torn, she didn't have a choice). However, little turbo here started gently placing her foot down 2 days after surgery and within a week was fully using both legs!! She defies the odds and I love it:) Here is a picture of her nestled in front of the heater in the coffee shop. Too darn cute!

Darby the barista!

Welcome to Paws Here Coffee Shop...can I get you a coffee or perhaps a snuggle? :)

Lounging in the spa

Darby is quite the little helper, although she apparently needed a break while Mom continued to work:)

Snuggle time at home!!

Some free time...

Gettin more loves from auntie Corey and clearly proud of her tennis ball:) Also lounging with Lilly, our office dog. Happy happy!

Hamming it up in the sun!

Darby didn't waste any time soaking up some loves, hugs and snuggles with Paradise Pet Lodge staff members Corey & Jackie. She's loves her girlies!

Time Flies...

It's been almost a week since Darby's 2nd TPLO surgery. She is recovering really well and feeling good...too good for her own good!!:) She had some minor swelling and bruising, a little more than last time, but all normal stuff. A few sessions of icing really helped, as well as being confined to a crate. If I could give only one piece of advice to anyone with a dog recovering from TPLO surgery, it would be to use a CRATE!! It is crucial to limit activity as much as possible during the first few weeks after surgery. I think it really speeds up recovery time and allows the knee ample rest/healing time. It is really hard, emotionally, for an owner to confine their beloved dog to a crate, but it really is the best option in the long run. Stay strong! I must also AGAIN, give a much needed THANK YOU to all the amazing staff at Paradise Pet Lodge, who have helped me beyond what words can say. They have been so caring and attentive to Miss Darbs and I don't think she would be recovering as well without them. THANK YOU!!

Time heals all wounds...

She's back folks!

Darby, the day after surgery, on the ride to Paradise Pet Lodge:)

Successful Surgery!

Dr. Misseghers gave me a joyful call this morning at 11am to tell me Darby came through surgery beautifully. She again, fully ruptured her ACL and tore her medial meniscus. She is currently under the care of Puget Sound Animal Hospital, who are extremely wonderful with Darby and all love her! I can't wait to see my little gimpy nugget tomorrow afternoon and take her back to Paradise Pet Lodge for some V.I.P. recovery.

Pool time!!!

Darby did great for her swim session yesterday! She made momma very proud:) She had lots of fun with the ball and I made sure to give her endless praise and encouragement. The approach for Darby was to make it as fun as possible and to boost her confidence by setting her up to succeed. I found out very quickly with her, that the calm/slow/cradle in the water approach was not the right fit for her. Some need slow and steady, while others require a confident therapist to show them how much fun swimming can be! I'm so glad Darby was able to burn off some energy and lift up her spirits because tomorrow is surgery #2. Please send us your best wishes for a speedy recovery!!:)

Good girl!!

Roll over Darby!!

Darby's training

I have mentioned in prior posts about Darby embarking on a new training adventure with Got Sit? Dog Training. You may also have noticed a black collar on her in some of her pictures. The collar being used, is NOT a shock collar...I repeat it is NOT a shock collar. It is simply a remote collar designed to divert her attention from a negative state of mind to something positive. She has had some issues with men and young children. She has never bit anyone or attempted to, but she's definitely scared some people and of course, made me very nervous and confused, as she is such a loving and affectionate dog. Since starting her training, she has really increased her confidence and is in the process of overcoming some of those fears. Darby is simply in a fearful state of mind, not an aggressive state of mind. With the collar, I tap a few times on the remote (mind you, she is at a level 15-20 out of 100) that in turn gives her a little "hey you, pay attention to me." This level, is literally like a little vibration...if you had your hand on the collar, it would be more of a tickle than anything. By tapping on the remote, this pulls her out of that negative state and diverts her attention to a positive action, such as sit or lay down or come, and then give her positive reinforcement for that behavior! Lots of praise and pats and treats and toys is super important in the training process. We want to boost her confidence and let her inner superstar shine! I cannot believe the progress she is making, it makes me SO happy and especially now that she is really starting to understand the concept of the collar. I just walked through the office the other day with her and a gentleman with a hat on was standing right in front of her and he looked at her and said "hey there" and reached down to pet her, she wagged her tail and sat down while he gave her loves. I couldn't believe it! She is really coming around and will continue to do so at her own pace. My goal is to instill confidence in her and to always remain calm and confident myself, as feeling anxious or sorry for her is only going to hinder her progress. The best is yet to come when she gets through her 2nd surgery, heals completely and is able to really shine in her training. At that point we can really allow her to jump around and have fun and be playful like I know she wants to be. Right now it is absolutely crucial to avoid any running or jumping and not get her too excited and rambunctious. If anyone ever has any questions regarding the training feel free to contact Marvin Versteeg at http://www.gotsitdogtraining.com/. He is ready and willing to answer any and all questions regarding this type of training. I do understand that this is not the method for everyone, my hope is that skeptics will allow themselves to be educated and informed by a professional trainer and at that time they can formulate their own opinion of this method after doing so. I, myself, am a believer:) And just look at her new trick (see picture above)...ROLL OVER...:)

2nd surgery is scheduled!

Darby is all set for her 2nd TPLO surgery next Thursday May 3rd. I am excited to get through both of these surgeries and get her back to being a normal, playful DOG again. I can't wait to be able to have her back home, which is truly what makes her happy and makes me happy as well! Darby has beautifully handled this situation, better than I could have ever imagined. There is a pot of gold at the end of every rainbow and we're halfway there! I can see it Darbs, I can see it!

We can look, but we can't play...

Darby is exhibiting very good behavior as a group play attendant:) The day will come when she can join the fun once again, but for her it can't come soon enough. Hang in there Darbs!

My inspiration for her name...

Great winery, great dog!!

I mean, really...

Doesn't get much cuter!! My little turbo is winning the hearts of all the dog walkers here (she is the favorite, so I'm told...shhhh;). She is also demonstrating her impeccable training abilities. Who knew?!? She's beauty and brains folks!

Toys toys toys!!

"place Darby"

Darby is learning quickly with her new remote collar and loves to go to her "place". She is always eager to please and be the best student possible:) Marvin Versteeg has been wonderful in helping me with her. Darby will really be able to excel when we can use lots of fun toys to get her excited and playful during her training...right now we have to be so careful as to not overdue it and put a strain on her knee in recovery. She is finally starting to limp slightly on her left knee, meaning her right knee is getting stronger and stronger! Yay!

Apparently three is a crowd...

Basking in the sun...

Home sweet home!!

I stole Darby from the kennel for a Friday night girl's night in. She is so happy to be home and I'm loving it too:)

Sharing is caring!

Darby affectionately gives Andrew, one of our dog walkers, a kiss of gratitude:) This past week she has been given a 15 minute nature walk, once daily...she is now up to 2-15 minute nature walks every day. She is loving it! Of course she would rather be off-leash, at a faster, more appropriate "Darby" speed but this will just have to do! She also gets to start her training next Tuesday with Marvin...she's ready to shine!

New Supplement

Darby is starting a new supplement from the Total Pet Health line of products called Hip & Joint Maximum Strength. She is receiving 1 tab twice daily with her food. It is a really good quality supplement, so hopefully her poor joints will get some extra TLC!

1st walk:)

Christa, one of our lovely dog walkers, took Darby out for her first nature walk. The sun even came out! Oh the life!

6 week x-rays!!

Darby is healing beautifully and Dr. Misseghers gave her the OK to go for daily walks and swim therapy!! Her 2nd surgery is coming soon, therefore, the focus is to get her surgical knee as strong as possible. During her morning adventure to the doctor, she very much enjoyed the car ride and lounging with me at home. The sneaky bugger even jumped on the couch when I wasn't looking! She looked so happy, I didn't have the heart to tell her to get down. Back to the kennel she goes, but she received a much needed snuggle session with her momma, that was long overdue:)

I love my...

Bully stick, bully stick, BRAIDED bully stick!!!!!!

Another one bites the dust!

Apparently the word "indestructible" does not apply to Darby. This is the 2nd atomic indestructible kong she has gone through...hence the little red pieces; mere remnants of what once was. Lets try a hard plastic treat ball to truly test her intelligence, intellect and jaw strength;)