Day 1934

I enjoy going to the vet with Dot on Thursdays. It gives me a chance to talk with some real people instead of just sending e-mails back and forth. Even more importantly, I can get an objective opinion on whether Dot is actually improving. It's hard for me to tell sometimes. She is definitely better than when we brought her home from surgery, but she still has good days and bad days. In my mind, everything in life should be a steady, even progression, but of course life isn't like that at all. I tend to get alarmed about the bad days, so it's nice to get an objective opinion.

I'm glad Dot's vet confirmed what I'd been thinking. She felt that Dot was definitely stronger than when she saw her last Thursday. We did a little more strenuous workout in the underwater treadmill today and everyone seemed pleased with her progress. We're still a long way from the finish line however. Dot has already lost over two pounds of muscle mass. That might not seem a lot for you or me, but it is quite a bit for a dog. We're got to slowly build her muscles back with exercise and physical therapy. Without strong leg muscles, she'll never be able to walk normally. So far, we're doing all the right things. It's just going to take time.

I understand the process all too well. I've been faithfully doing my own physical therapy exercises for months now and have still only managed to add a few inches to my bad shoulder's range of motion. In my case, my physical therapist told me that it could take up to a year before I noticed any substantial improvements. I hope it doesn't take that long for Dot. I think I've got a lot more time to get back to normal than Dot does. I could be wrong though. Dot is amazing. She may outlive me.

I was sleepy all day today. The combination of lack of sleep and acting as Dot's rear legs have taken their toll. I guess I could sleep in tomorrow, since it is a holiday, but I'll probably get up early anyway. It's Friday tomorrow and my desire to get out of the house will override any thoughts I might have about sleeping longer. I've been looking forward to my special breakfast all week.

It's amazing how quickly the vegetation has returned this Spring. A few weeks ago the park was still in the last grips of Winter. Now, there is new life everywhere. The trees are green. New flowers are popping up in the meadows every day. I'm even starting to see some baby ducks. I find it comforting that nature is so consistent and predictable. The same flowers and baby animals appear every year at almost exactly the same time. Humans are continually trying to reinvent themselves. Ducks and flowers seem content to stay as they are. I like that.

Miracle is today's Dalmatian of the Day

Watch of the Day