Ted E. Bear

Mom here, this is such a wonderful sight. I really never dreamed Ted would be able to do is favorite past time. I know he mentioned it before, but now I have caught him in the act. He is quite loud, so you really may hear him in East Tennessee.

Whaoooo!!! Woof Woof Woof!!! I celebrated by getting Mom up at 5 AM. I was a good boy and did not bark when she let me out. I am feeling really good and am ready to go for a walk whenever Mom wants to go!!!

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!!!

Last night my sister, Izzy, went to get Mom. We heard the wind pick up, the rain begin, then came that nasty thunder. Mom got up to see what was the matter. She quickly found out when she opened the door to let Izzy out. It had started to rain and there was a flash of light. Izzy would not go out, only stick her nose out.

We have the best Mom in the world!!! Mom stayed downstairs with us and slept on the floor to keep us safe. I just love her. Izzy cuddled up next to her and I hid my head in the couch. Mom stayed with us for 5 hours. The storm passed and we were all safe and sound.

Thank you Mom,

Love,

Ted E Bear and Izzy E Bear

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.

Ted reporting in on this Monday morning. Last  night Izzy decided she wanted to sleep upstairs. Well, I did not want to sleep downstairs by myself. Not that I am scared or anything, but why be a loaner.

I navigated the stairs just fine. Dad brought up my special bed, at least I think it is special. I made my bed hopping and moving the blanket Mom puts on it for me. Then PLOP!!! I was comfy.

We all slept soundly until 5:30. Time to start the week, woof, woof, woof!!!

Mom and Dad were headed upstairs to change out of their church clothes. I decided that I would join them. I was not graceful going up the stairs, but I made it. Once upstairs I jumped up on the bed. That is my spot you see when they are changing clothes. I am soooo lucky, Mom and Dad sit with me and give me all kinds of attention.

Now it was time for me to get off the bed. I know Mom wanted me to use the ottoman, but I just could do it. I thought it was not manly. I jumped over that stupid thing and landed just fine. Hmmm now it was time for the stairs. No big deal, I took it slow and was at the bottom before I knew it.

Just maybe I will sleep upstairs tonight. I have not decided. I think I will take a nap and ponder.

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.

Well, yesterday was a great day for me. Dad got up at 6 to let us all out. Mom has to go to work, so we are all up at 6 by the way. I went  out into the yard and said, “Hello!!!” to the world. I just love doing that. Then Dad decided to do some laundry. Such a silly man to think I am going to stay out of the way. When he went upstairs, I had a chat with my brother and sisters. The plan was to get in his way when brings the laundry baskets down. Woof, Woof, Woof!!! We all did a really good job because I heard him talking to Mom  on the phone he complained about it. Woof, Woof, Woof!!!

Mom came home and I got my motor running for her. I am soooo happy when she gets home, she gives all of us all kinds of hugs. She also knows I need to go outside to say, “Hello!!!” again. The snow is real slippery now as we have had rain and there is ice out there to slip and slide on. I am doing great sliding and not falling.

After dinner, I decided the world needed to hear me again. This time I ran and ran in the yard. It was sooo much fun!!! Izzy was looking at me like I was a crazy brother. I had soooo much fun.

My sister and I slept downstairs all alone. I was so comfy and I didn’t have to go up and down those stairs. I did miss hearing Mom and Dad breathing. Oh yes and Dad snoring, woof, woof, woof!!!

This is one more step back to the way it was. I know it will never be the same, but it is getting pretty darn close. My fur is even coming back. Mom says it is about a half inch long now!!! Woof, Woof, Woof!!!

I wish these keys on this keyboard were a bit bigger. My paw is pretty big you know.