DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Everything Else... Bella Update

Thanks, Dawgs.

For a pic of my beauty, click the link below:
(for some reason, I can't seem to post fb pics directly by the usual means...)

https://scontent-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphoto...amp;oe=56043645

How could you not love her?

I stand by what I said on the other place you and I interact. She's thinking " Clemmy, do you have any idea what they did to me? Take me home and let me tell you all about it."

Bella is so, so, fortunate to have your love. God Bless you and Bella. May she inspire you for years to come.

Praying again right now Clem

Any further updates Clem? (hopefully good things)

Thanks for asking, YTown.


I've been silent on this thread for 2 reasons:

1. My Momz was superstitious, and had strict rules about "good/bad news"
2. I've been too exhausted to do the story justice.

Guess I needed a nudge.


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Last week, when this all happened, I HAD to go to work. Last major concert of the year/last major rehearsal. My Better Half drove B the 1.25 hours to the surgical center (DEEP guilt that I wasn't there...). During rehearsal that night, when both My Girls were almost an hour and a half away from me, when I'm feeling the lowest I've been in years.... I said to my "trench mate' BetsieK9: "I know My Girl. If the surgery is successful, this dog will walk again. They don't know her like I do." That was said before she even went into surgery. HOURS before.


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I picked My Girl up Monday afternoon.

I hate waiting rooms. They exist world-wide because it's an existential given that you will be made to wait. And wait.

After meeting the Tech2 attending ( a bubbly 20-young-something who gushed about Bella, how she'd charmed the entire staff, and dropped details about her night of surgery) the Tech1 (who was all bidniss about getting them financials squared away...), I got to see My Girl for the first time.

Tech2 opened the door, and Bella [b]walked into the room[/b]. Under her own power. On a leash. With no underbelly sling support. Now, granted- this was one profoundly wobbly, unsure gait... but it was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen in my life.

I could try to count and name the various emotions I felt in that minute, but I'd just get lost in the numbers. It felt- indescribable.

__________________

Met Dr. Moeser for the first time that day. He was the surgeon on-call when B was brought in. When B's MRI's came back, Dr. Wolfe (chief of neurosurgery/owner of the clinic) was called in to assist. My girl had the 2 top neurosurgeons and #1 attending team on her case that night. They worked on her from about 11PM 'til 5AM.

Dr. Moeser described the salient points regarding the specifics of her operation, detailing how they had to navigate the scar tissue from the previous operation, just to get to the injury site. He then admitted that he could never have predicted this strong a recovery at such an early stage.

Then, he showed me the MRI scans. Lateral view. Transverse view. Dorsal view. I saw the difference between a healthy spinal section, and what they encountered at the injury site. When I saw the scan of the T-12/T-13/L1 section, I kept a poker face... but inside, my gut was churning. That scan looked like a 5-car pile-up on the interstate.

Then he said: "These are better results than I could have hoped for, when I saw her pre-op test results. We just did what we were supposed to do. What you see here is because of the dog herself. I've never seen anything like it."

BIG shout-outs to Dave, who said:


I'n starting to. If we get thru this next weekend, I'll start breathing a little easier. And your assessment seems to be ringing true. B is at least 3-4 weeks ahead of where we were last time.

____________________

10% of me is cynic. That 10% of me wonders if The Ace #1 Team might have cleaned up a few things that might have been missed by the Resident's team during round one- so different is her recovery this time- but I'm not going to listen to 'my inner cynic' on this one. Instead, I'll be pushing ahead with her rehab, and not worry about what I can't change. This isn't a time for even a hint of negativity, you know?



Right now, Bella's 4-6 weeks ahead of her previous recovery schedule... and I couldn't be happier about it. Daddy's on the case- and there's nothing he won't do for his girl.

That sounds like prety darn good news.



The power of prayer. God does some utterly amazing things sometimes. I am so glad that she seems o be doing so well. I can tell how much she means to you.

Keeping you both in my prayers Clem.

Very positive news to this juncture Clem. It's wonderful to hear. Continued good thoughts and prayers coming You and Bella's way!

Wow! You are one great companion for Bella. Don't underestimate the role your love and devotion had in her recovery.

UPDATE:

Tonight, we played our last gig as a full group for the season: a Memorial Day-themed concert, with lots of schlocky, overly-arranged patriotic music that always gets the audience out of their seats. I don't mind doing these gigs... they pay the bills so we can continue to do groundbreaking stuff in our Classics Series. We do at least 30 of these gigs in a 9-month season. After tonight, we'll see each other only sporadically for the next 3 months... on freelance pick-up gigs.

Tonight, a fellow 'grinder' from the percussion section walked over to our stand, where Big TeK and I were warming up. He handed me an envelope with my name on it, and said:

"Clem- you HAVE to take this, and you can't say no. Them's the rules. We're a bunch of animal lovers here, and we all love you, Clem... so we won't take no for an answer. Put this in your pocket- and shut the [hell] up."

In that fat-azz envelope was a free-will offering of cold hard cash, collected from the ranks of My Peeps in the period of downtime between the rehearsal and the concert.

I was rendered speechless... and reduced to actual tears right there, in front of a paying audience. Five minutes before showtime.

__________________


I've been truly blessed in my life.

I've found a voice that expresses who I am to the world. I've been blessed with teachers who saw some potential in me, and busted their azzes off to help me become someone who feels worthy enough to share himself with anyone who would accept him. I was blessed with Parents who adopted me, and raised me with more dedication and earnestness than many of my friends who were raised by those who bore them into this world. And now, I find myself a member of an extended family who takes care of its own, in real and tangible ways.

Blessings, yo.
Blessings that humble me tonight.

I feel no less love and regard for My Dawgs here at this website we share. Your expressions of concern and support mean more to me than I could ever express. We truly are a Community here.

I gotta sign-off now, before I lose it entirely... and that's something you DON'T want to witness.....



Thank you all.
Your words give me strength I need to 'be what My Girl needs.'

I couldn't do this thing without you.


Deepest Regards,
Clem.

Tonight, we took our first substantial walk since the end of the "6-week strict confinement' quarantine, version 2.0.

Her official post-op recovery protocol says: "slow, gentle walks of 5-10 minute's duration."

Tonight, My Girl walked with a sense of purpose. Up-paced. Assertive. She seriously wanted to cover some ground. I suspect that it's because her movements were so limited for the past month and a half.

Dawgs, I gotta tell you- Bella's recovery pace from this 2nd surgery is MONTHS ahead of her previous recovery time. Tonight, her gait was as steady (at 7 weeks post-op) as it was after 4 months of recovery, following the first procedure. (Dave: I think you were right. I took your words to heart, and did my best to show Miss B only positive vibes.)

One week before her relapse/re-injury, we visited a therapeutic rehab facility. The Doc spent almost 2 hours with me, outlining the various treatments they provided. In addition, she took at least 45 minutes to train me on how to administer deep-tissue therapeutic massage. We have at least 3 extended sessions per week, and My Girl LOVES them. I have no doubt that they've speeded her recovery.

Girlfriend is rocking some new wardrobe, as well. The Rehab Doc told me about a total-support front/back harness called: Help'emup. It's a 'mobility device' primarily designed to take the weight/pressure off the pet's limbs while walking, but I've found it most effective at keeping Bella's spine straight while entering/exiting our CR-V (...the 'back-grab' handle on the hip section of the harness is especially useful when she tries to bolt at wildlife).

She'll probably never enjoy a couch or bed again... and jumping in and out of a small SUV is definitely out for her. However: I still have My Girl... and she's still 100% down with taking walks with Her Dad. That's my (ongoing) blessing.

No dog I've ever lived with has given so many memorable moments in so short a period of time.... and no dog has ever required so much of me as its custodian. I wouldn't have it any other way.

My Grrrrl is living her life "all-in."
As her "Life Custodian," it's my job to give her the best life she can have.

In return, I have a Lifelong Partner who has pledged the entirety of herself to me... and our pack.

As her 'Pack Alpha," how could I pledge any less to her?

In the past 14 months, I've dropped over 20K on my dog. I do it because she's family... and numbers don't mean s#!t where love is concerned.

Don't believe me?
Ask any dying man at his bedside, and I can guarantee you that he WON'T say:

"I wish I'd spent more time making money than I did making memories with my loved ones."


Miss B is truly 'The Comeback Kid.' I'm "all-in" for her recovery/rehab. I'm looking forward to many good years of sharing Time and Space with Ella Bitchgerald.

Very happy to hear that your "little girl" is on the mend. Good job by you and your Mrs making the time and effort - not to mention the money considerations ($20K, yikes!) - to get her on the road back to health.

That's great news, Clem. I'm happy for you.

Man that's great news.. Good luck B.

Give her a hug for me Clem

Glad to hear that she's coming along.

Can she climb stairs? My dog had trouble jumping into my bed anymore, and was really unhappy laying down beside the bed ..... so I built him a set of stairs to use, and he understood how to use them right away. I got a 3 step pair of stringers, and built steps for him. It took about half an hour. (this assumes that you even want her on the bed) He is too heavy for the commercial units, so this was a good solution.

It has worked well for my dog.

Great news, my friend!!

I know just how precious she is to you Clem. My Tanni Bone passed a couple of years ago and I still miss her very much. Nothing could ever replace her.

I'm so very glad to hear the wonderful news in the latest update. You are both very blessed to have each other.

Very true, Clem! This is good news indeed...

Wise dog...

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=8d3_1436720616

smarter than many people I've seen...

thanks for the clip!

My dog knows to come in out of the rain.

My dog doesn't drown looking up at the rain anymore.

He drowned before?

Just once.

My condolences.

Disappointing. I had taught him everything I know.

Disclaimer:
No Dogs were hurt in the making of this funny.

What wonderful news Clem. You and Bella exemplify the essence of the words ”compassion" and "love" . Enjoy every minute.

On the day we met Bella, she shared a large kennel crate with her two brothers. Three adorable little black & tan carbon copies behind one gated door. We came looking for a female, so I was giving instruction to the Humane Society attendant as she was attempting to open the door. Our targeted efforts were totally unnecessary. The instant that gate became unlatched, she nudged her bros aside, crashed through the gate, flew across the room... and dove upon my feet. As she was chewing my shoe laces, I thought to myself: "Well- I'm done looking. Where do I sign?"

The attendant took the three of us to the bonding room- where that little ball of enthusiasm immediately stole our hearts. She attacked our shoes, chased balls about the room, and pawed obsessively at a hole in the floor. Such unbridled spirit in such a small package.

Her accompanying paperwork stated that her name was 'Katie.' That simply would not do. I have held this tradition: my dogs have been named after Jazz greats from the Golden Era, and I'm also a fan of groan-worthy puns. Our previous pups were Tillie Howliday and Dizzy Growlespie. This one: Ella B!tchgerald (we decided to contract the name to avoid endless explanations. Besides: 'Bella' is Italian for beautiful... and she was certainly that, in no small measure).

I asked the staff if she'd take to a different name. They said yes.

On her first night in her new home, she found herself cradled in her Dad's lap, as he quietly repeated: "Bella, Bella, Bellaboo... Bella, Bella, I love you..." until she fell asleep. We slept together on the floor of the master bedroom that night.

A mere 2 days of this little evening ritual and I could shout, "Hey, Bella!" ...and she'd come flopping/bounding to my side. So smart.

That milestone/lesson learned didn't keep her Dad from continuing the ritual well into her first year. He did it for himself, as much as anything else. The feeling of contentment that came from watching her melt into sleep- safe, secure and satisfied- was a balm unto his world-weary soul. His words, his touch, his scents and sounds could make another 'abandoned/adopted one' like himself feel safe and loved.

His little baby empowered him.

And his little baby grew into a 110 lb. powerhouse of affection, exuberance and protection.

Canine behavior experts assert that dogs are not big fans of hugs from their humans. They bond, communicate and show affection/dominance/submission through body language, but mostly they speak through direct eye contact. Dogs hug you with their eyes. From Day One, that little baby gave great hugs with her fire-fueled chestnut-colored eyes. She also informed me when school was in session- when she was ready to learn that next command, that next trick, that next wrinkle in our deepening relationship. She hugged me repeatedly on our innumerable walks together... by simply looking up at me as we bombed our way down another path in the woods.

________________


Today, she looked up at Her Dad with chestnut-colored eyes that had seen the fullness of Life. The fire that he had always known and taken for granted was now a mild, glowing ember. And she said to him with those eyes: "Thanks for everything, Dad. It's been wonderful... but I'm really tired now."

He held her beautiful, symmetrical face in his hands, and he made certain that the very last thing she saw was his smiling face- held firm, while stinging tears burned molten rivulets down his cheeks.

And as the I.V. drip delivered her into Sleep, the very last sounds she heard were her Daddy's voice, cooing to her:

"Bella, Bella, Bellaboo... Bella, Bella- I love you."

Didn't take me reading more than your first sentence til I knew where this was headed. But, of course, I read the whole post anyway.

Sorry bud.

You've apparently been there before. But it doesn't make it any easier, I know. To look into your pets eyes at a point like that...........

Bella, by all accounts, was a lucky girl to have you in her life. And you as well, were a lucky man to have had such a good dog in your life.

Dude, I can feel your pain. Non pet owners may not 'get it', but I do. My best to you.

My condolences on the passing of your dear friend.

Man, they just steal our hearts, but offer their loving hearts in exchange. I am glad you have such beautiful memories to comfort you.

I'm saddened by this news. You've always shared how wonderful a companion Bella has been, well, she had a wonderful companion too.

Beautiful and sad Clem. Sorry for your loss.

Non-pet owners don't often understand how they become like children to us. It's hard to lose them, very hard. But it's also better to let them go on their terms, when they are ready, then to watch them suffer for our needs.

Sorry to learn of this loss. We need to remember to love 'em while you have them. This was touching to share. Nothing is easy about this, but we only share a path. Prayers for peace for you and Bella.

Sad news, Clem. As another poster said, they become our kids.
Hard to let go, I know cuz I've been here.

Touching story. Bella truly was beautiful.

I am sincerely sorry for your loss, Clem. I love dogs, they are the best.