We started yesterday thinking that the day would end
with Sammy having surgery.
He did not.
After several veterinary consultations with several vet/surgeons, X-rays, and exams,
we have decided to forgo having his cruciate ligament fixed.
This was not an easy decision, however we have peace with it.
Sammie is an unusual dog.
He does not like to be messed with... even if it is to help him.
He totally falls apart emotionally... stops eating and drinking, etc.
He has to be totally sedated in order to have his nails cut.
He hates to be confined in any manner,
(he destroyed a metal crate when he was younger).
He is old and arthritic and has slowed down considerably this past year.
The surgery is a big deal with a very long recovery.
Just the two weeks of wearing a cone around his neck would be impossible for him.
He would be the dog who destroyed his cone...
and then destroyed his surgery.
After his surgery, his leg would not feel normal to him,
and so we fear he would refuse to walk on it anyways.
The Vets have assured us that he is not in pain...
his leg just feels unstable when he puts weight on it.
They have also assured us that walking on three legs will not cause the other leg to break down.
Our old boy loves to ride on the gator and accompany us wherever we go.
But once he arrives he prefers to lie in the sun, or the shade depending on the day.
The limits that his injury place on him are in line with his current lifestyle.
Surgery would be torture.
So, after much consideration and much research,
we have decided to just let Sammie live with his inconvenient handicap.
Perhaps with time the ligament will scar down and give him a more stable feeling.
Yesterday afternoon, Annie was very interested in this flower box.
I thought perhaps there was a bunny nest somewhere in it.
Instead, I found Ethel nesting in the middle of my flowers.
We had a little discussion about this location for nesting...
I suggested she might want to find an alternative.
We are in the midst of a heatwave.
Keeping everyone cool as cucumbers is part of my daily chores.
I filled a small pool for the Nellies...
hoping that they might enjoy splashing around a bit.
As you can see... the water remained clean...
with the N's giving it wide berth.
Part of the reason that I plant the flowers that I do
is so that I can cut them and bring them in the house...
The heat gives me the opportunity to get some indoor projects finished.
Yesterday I sewed a fitted sheet and changing pad cover for the newest member of our family.
The theme of his room is cars...
the pattern of this fabric is tire treads.
And lastly...
it's cucumber season!
Marinated cucumbers are one of our favorites.
I hope wherever you are spending today that you are cool as a cucumber as well!!
Comments
The heat has hit here as well, but not quite as stifling as down south. We are glad to be out of that.
The ducks must be close enough for you to take their picture! And it's not blurry! Progress! ;0D
Hope you have a nice, big glass of watermelon lemonade to refresh you. Enjoy!
His lifestyle will blend in well with his leg situation.
And he will adapt, I am sure.
Cute fabric patterns for the new little . . .
I like flowers in my gardens so I can bring them inside to enjoy as well!
Based on your description of Sammie you picked the absolute best option.
Love your farm and all your farm family! Blessings to you all. Lisa G in TN
Your photos reflect a beautiful day outside.
Velva
YOur flowers are lovely, Enjoy, Janie
I think you made a wise choice. And thanks for the cucumber marinade recipe! We've got them growing like weeds, this is better than putting italian dressing on them.
"There's a wild streak in this fellow [...]" - I just re-read the lovely post about "Sammie through the years" (Nov. 2015) and am reminded of our last cat, another free spirit who could not bear to be confined in any manner. For two summers we treated her paws every day for grass mites. She didn't actively fight us, but she hated it to the point where she lost trust and avoided contact with us. So we stopped messing with her; result: Happy and relaxed cat (despite no-fun-at-all grass mites) - and humans!