Maybrie is now back home, and the first day was okay.  She ate twice, drank and went outside on leash with me 3 times to do her business.  I will try to add pictures later.  

She possibly has some nervitis in her foot, as it is not as sensitive as her other paws, and she folds it under itself when she rests it to pee.  Vet says it should be fine, as they didn't cut anywhere near the nerves.  The swelling is causing some issues.

This morning she was in her kennel lying on her right side...the bad leg, and as soon as she saw me got excited and tried to get up.  Upon pushing herself up, she let out the biggest and longest cry I've ever heard.   Her bad leg was actually under her as she sat on it an rolled on it, pulling on her thigh and knee at the same time.   She hasn't been the same since.  She just wants to lie down.  She has gone out twice, and she isn't crying anymore, and she ate a tiny bit and drank a very small amount.  I gave her pain meds, and we will see the vet again tomorrow morning.  I think the good stuff they gave her at the vet...injection...wore off.  Now she is just on the Rimadyl, Pepcid, Tramadol, Clavamox.  

Spoke with the vet last night, and he said this would be a very long and arduous recovery.  He said hope for 50% by  3-4 months, possibly even 6 months. He cautioned that it MAY be up to a year before we see 85%.   I'm really trying to avoid the "time" calendar and take it one day at a time.  She has to completely re-learn how to walk using that leg with both new joints....one of which is now completely absent and needing to be built up with scar tissue and bribrous connective tissue to form a "false joint."    The pool will help tremendously.  I found a warm water therapy center, but it is an hour away and costs 80/hr.  She doesn't need an hour.. She will start with 10-15 minutes twice a week.  For now, she will rehab in an indoor, room temperature pool....so 70.  The vet says that should be fine. He wanted me to start her on an indoor treadmill/water only, but it's only offered at A&M and is super expensive...like 400/hr.  It's ridiculous, and impractical.  So the indoor pool will have to do.  Hopefully that water won't be too cold. The hardest part is the watching and waiting.   I may end up purchasing a small kiddie pool and filling it with warm water and walking her around it.  

Maybrie misses her brother SO much.  They have seen each other only through a glass door.  It will be like that for at least the first 8 weeks.   I hope they don't forget the close bond they share.   

I purchased nonslip booties "ultra paws" indoor slippers!  They are PERFECT for her.  She hasn't slipped at all, and they are staying on her feet perfectly.   

 There are a couple of animal rehab places in Austin (www.ctvsh.com/services/rehabilitation-conditioning) that have the underwater treadmills. They run about 85 and hour.  You might want to look them up and call them and see if they know of anyone closer to you than A&M. You might also want to call Brittmore clinic in Houston. They may know of one too.

Not sure exactly where you are, but here are some other possibilities in your area.

topdoghealth.com/Canine-Rehabilitation-Directory/tag/tx/

Good luck and one day at a time. 

 Hello Texas Belle,

Thank you SO MUCH for those.   I called the one in Houston, and it's 115 for a "session."  Lol!  That is, if she is seen for 5 minutes, or walks for 5 minutes on a treadmill it's 115!    It's sort of however long a "session" takes, up to an hour.  She did say that the therapist could show me some things to do at home.  I would pay 115 for that session!

I also called the one in Austin/ Round Rock.  They charge 50/day!  100/wk is expensive, but doable.  They will work with them twice per week, and board them for free.  I could drop her off on Monday night and pick her up on Wednesday night.   I am nervous about not being with her though, so I don't know about that one. It's going to be a very prolonged recovery time, so I  don't know how practical that would be to be away from home for 3 days, for 6 months.  I will think abou it for sure and talk with my vet about it.

 Thanks so much for the info Texas Belle.  I hadn't thought of it that way...after I factor in the gas, it's about 200+per week, as opposed to 110 per session.   If this could have waited until May, I would have.. We have plenty of warm swimming holes to go to here in Houston.  That's not to say that we won't take every advantage of those warm swimming holes when the summer roles around.  It will greatly enhance her strength and healing. 

 Thanks Kpwlee for reminding me that Maybrie is on HER TIME schedule, and no one elses!!  One day at a time, watching for any abnormal signs and doing the rehab exercises we are supposed to do, is all we can do....and the BEST thing for Maybrie. You are absolutely correct.  This surgery embarks into uncharted territory. There is simply no literature, and the vet says he is just "guestimating."  So you are correct. ONE DAY AT A TIME....slow, gentle, and on her terms.   The last thing I want to do is end up with another TPLO of FHO in the other leg from pushing her too hard or expecting too much...hence the reason, I really want to find a therapist who works with these types of injuries.  That being said, it's going to be IMPOSSIBLE to find a therapist who has worked with BOTH at the same time!    Again, Maybrie will have to show us all, what she can and can't do, on HER timline!   Thanks, again.  I needed that reminder.  I REALLY did! 

A swimming alternative in Houston that is available year round. I have friends that take there dogs and highly recommend the place.

Rummy's Beach Club: rummysbeachclub.com/index.html

I agree with the recommendation one day at a time, but for me it helps if I have a plan and know my options.

 That's great to know that others have been satisfied.   I left a message this morning, and emailed them for more information, regarding their rates.  They charge 80/hour.  Not too bad, but I live an hour away.  Also, not bad, but I don't want to pay 80.00 for 5-10 minutes.  I will DEFINITELY take her up there when she builds up her stamina.  I called this morning and left a message to find out what my alternatives were. Haven't heard back yet.  They probably don't want to be bothered over "5 minutes!"   I also don't know if I want to drive all that way for 5 minutes!   I would be more inclined to pay 110 for the "session" with the underwater treadmill and helpful hints for home once a week!   That facility is about 15-20 minutes away from my house!    Thanks again for your reccomendations!!  I'm so happy to hear that they are open year round.  By summer time, I will DEFINITELY bring her there!  You can pay for 10 sessions ahead of time, and go as many times as you like.

I have to get rich between now and this summer, because she LOVES swimming!

 Thanks for the added resources.  Kpwlee....yes, my vet recommended swimming ONLY with a life jacket for quite some time.  He also recommended the underwater treadmill FIRST...and swimming with a life jacket if the underwater treadmill wasn't an option.  

My question is, which comes first?  My vet says she can begin the water treadmill as soon as the stitches come out, and water swimming with a life jacket a week after that...so, the 3rd week.   However, don't I need to wait until she is weight bearing, or will the water help her to LEARN how to begin bearing weight again?   According to the Rehab person I spoke with in Austin, they can begin the treadmill as soon as the staples come out...(conquers with the vet), but he also said that most are weight bearing, or at least trying to by 14 days.   She is a different case and may not bear weight by then....I just don't want to put her in a rigorous and expensive routine if it will cause more harm.   My vet told me last night that the water would help her, but that it would take a long time for her to relearn to walk.....but to put her in ASAP.  I am inclined to believe that...but have read from others that they should be weight bearing prior to hydrotherapy.  Any ideas?