Ted E. Bear

Mom loves to take me for a walk. We walk a variety of distances. No matter how far we walk, I always stop and start when we are almost home. At first she thought we had gone too far, so she shortened the walks. LOL Then she decided that we would stop and rest periodically on the walk. I do love that as she pets me all while we are stopped.

Now, as soon as we are on our property, she takes the leash off me,  I decide to lay down for a few minutes, then I decide that I should follow her. Of course we go into the house or on the porch. She is just too smart, she figured me out, I just want to stay outside. Actually I just want to be with her, outside is just a bonus. Mom will sit on the porch with me for hours, she keeps the door open to my pen so I can go in and out anytime I wish

Izzy has been limping for a while. Mom decided she better get her to the vet. Mom took the normal samples. They found out that Izzy has a UTI, caught early, and meds given. Mom insisted Izzy have x-rays. So, today Izzy goes to be photographed. Her x-rays are all normal, no signs of anything abnormal at all.

The cause of her limp is still a mystery, but we are going to start with a month of intense rest. For 1 week she will be given Meloxicam to releave the discomfort. After a month of rest, she will begin short walks again. It is hoped the rest will allow the ligaments, tendons or whatever is causing the pain to heal. If it does not, she will be re-evaluated.

Izzy had a lazy evening and night. She was like a drunken soldier. I just had to laugh at her, but brothers can do that. Mom and Dad slept downstairs with all of us last night, just like they did for me (I thougtht they would only do that for me, guess I was wrong). Izzy went out in the middle of the night, but only to get fresh air. I noticed that she was steadier on her legs each night. This morning Mom was very happy to see us all. Izzy was almost her back to herself. She did part of her business, then Mom took her back inside. I  just know something special happened in there, I just know it. When I got inside, all seemed normal, but I just know something happened. Oh she was probably fed her breakfast by hand. That is ok, I am glad Izzy had a good breakfast.

I told Mom that I would continue to lay beside Izzy to comfort her today. We would rest together. I am such a good brother.

It is 44 degrees with no wind. Mom, Dad, Izzy and I went for a walk around the block. It was great to be out and about. New smells are always good. Missy and Hank had a treat of their own, then had a big milk bone. Missy was not done when we got back (she only has a few teeth, but she manages very well).

I sure hope it is nice tomorrow so we can go again.

Oh man, it seems like Mom and I get in a routine of a jog around the neighborhood and Mother Nature has different plans. It seems to have been raining, snowing, and wind blowing for a couple of weeks now!!! I know Mom is not happy with this type of weather which in turn does not make me happy. Sooo, Mom and I play games inside instead, but it is not the same!!!

Oh, all of the monkey dogs and I have been sleeping with Mom and Dad upstairs. I stay on the floor as the bed is too hot. Izzy is soooo spoiled, she snuggles right up to one side of Mom and Hank is on the other side of Mom. Missy is sleeping by the door. We all have our special spots.

OH Dad is doing very well. If you all remember, he was quite sick just before I became a tripawd. Mom had her hands full taking care of us. We are all taking it easy and try not to do too much at once.

Woof, woof, woof!!!

Last night we, Izzy, Mom and I, went to walk with a friends of ours, Jen and Dakota. Dakota is another golden retriever. He is a good boy, Jen adopted him from the SPCA July 13, 2010. We are great friends. It is always fun when we get together. The five of us walked for a while then sat by the St. Lawrence River chatting. I nuzzled next to Mom, Izzy and Dakota got attention from both Jen and Mom.

Tonight Mom and I went for a jog again. This time we went around the block with only a few stops. I am getting my stamina and so is Mom. I knew it was the right distance because when I got back in the house I ran to see all my siblings. They fooled me, they were outside. I heard Mom talking to Dad and I think we will stay with that distance for a week or so, depending on the weather, then increase the distance a bit.

Oh yes, I also know I will be going to softball games again. Last night, Mom went to a game and told me I could go next time. That will be fun. I think we will probably jog to the game, visit people, then jog home. The field is not very far from the house. The total distance will be less than what we did tonight, but I am sure Mom will not want to be lax about my exercise.

Mom decided it was a nice evening and wanted some fresh air!!! Izzy and I were attached to our flexi leashes and we were off. Mom has learned that I move much better if we trot, which means she has to do more than stroll. We all did great.  Mom kept up with us, she really surprised me at how fast she really is. She did have a smile on her face when I stopped to smell some good stuff though. On the way home, it was me that needed to stop for a breather. Mom encouraged me to get moving again and keep moving. I bet if we do this on a regular basis, I won’t have to stop so much when we are almost home. It sure is fun to be out and about.

Oh Mom stopped to talk to our community librarian. We have been invited to the library to talk with the kids. I just love kids. I guess my purpose is to show the kids that even thou

Mom must have been really bored this evening!!! Izzy was outside so Mom decided to take me for what she thought was going to be a walk. Woof Woof Woof!!! With my harness on and flexi leash attached, out the door we went. I started out at a slow hop and Mom at a slow jog!!! Well, I upped the anti, I sped up!!! Mom did not let me down, she sped up too!!! I stopped to let her catch up, she spoke nice things to me and off we went again!!! Mom did really well, I am sooo proud of her!!! I know she was proud of me as she said she would not run for just anybody!!!! Good job Mom!!! Woof Woof Woof!!!

Before I was a tripawd, one of my favorite past times was to look at the ground, jump, dig and bark. This drove my mom nuts (that is always a short drive, woof woof woof). Yesterday, I picked up my favorite past time again. Woof Woof Woof!!! I am sooo happy I can jump, dig and bark again!!!

This morning Mom was petting me while she had breakfast. She found 2 more staples. I was very, very, very brave. She was as gentle as she could be. She wiggled the staples out with her finger nail, then Dad gave her a pair of pliers. I stood real still and Mom popped those two staples right out. No wonder I kept getting shocked when Mom rubbed and fluffed my fur. Static electricity must like those little buggers.

After I was soooo brave, I got great big hugs from both Mom and Dad. Oh yes, a little biscuit too. I know, I know, I am suppose to lose some weight, but I was soooo brave.

Mom here!!! I have been watching Ted and his progress. I am sooo happy!!! Wow what a wild ride my year has been so far. Quick summary of what 2011 has been like for me. The weekend of January 8, my husband started not to feel well and he thought he was coming down with the flu. On Monday, he worked half a day and called the doctor and the agreed he was coming down with the flu. By Thursday the 13th, he was not feeling any better. I made an appointment for him at our local clinic. From there he was sent to the emergency room and was admitted to the hospital. On January 14th, he had part of his colon removed and a temporary stoma for a colostomy in place. On the 23rd of January he was released from the hospital. On the 24th, Ted had a vet appointment with our regular vet. We were referred to a specialist on the 25th and Ted became a tripawd on the 26th. On the 31st of January, my step-son had his 3rd operation on his ear. Throughout all of this, I prepared lesson plans for the substitute teacher who would take over my class. Whew, what a January.  Now it is Febraury, my husband and I have been the oncologist and we have decided the best route to go for my husband is for him to have chemo. That will begin in another week or so.

Ted is doing very well through all of this. As we see him improve each day, my husband is also improving, as well as my step-son. I believe that everything happens for a reason. My husband needed to regain his strength and Ted helped with this by having to be monitored each and everytime he went outside. No matter what the weather, blowing and drifting snow, or bright sun, one or the other of us needed to be outside with Ted. Thank you Ted for getting us all through this.

Ted’s fur is growing back nicely. The incision is all covered with fur and the skin is not as loose as it one was. He looks really good. I told Ted he will go to visit the groomer as soon as his fur is closer in length.

I can also see his body posture improving. He looks like the beautiful golden that hs is. As he lays watching TV, he is holding his head up high and smiling of course.

To all pawrents who are about to go through this life changing operation. Listen to what people have to say on this site, you will have a new normal and let your dog heal naturally. I know I wanted to really baby Ted, but I also understood if I did, he would depend on my constant help. In the long run, I could not baby him. Ted needed to be Ted. He did slip and bump his chin a few times, I felt horrible. Ted was fine. I think he was more embarrased than anything else. Now I have a tough time slowing him down. He knows what he can and can’t do. He let’s me know what he can not do and I listen.

I will be back another time to update you on how things are going. Ted will have to learn how to navigate the motorhome steps. I do have a plan for a ramp though.