Not much change tonight, but at least she is resting. She did finally decide to eat about half of her usual dinner (that is all we gave her for tonight, with a little bit of diced baby carrots). I was planning to sleep on the floor with her, but the hubbs' rational side came up with a plan B and pulled the ottoman up next to my side of the bed. Much lower to the ground and gives her her own sleeping space tonight. She was OK until I climbed in bed and she kept giving me the "please can I come up too?" which were killing me lol. She finally settled in. Thanks everyone for all of your thoughts and kind words.
(a few quick phone snaps)

soooo groggy

 Awww!!  She's SOoooo cute!!  I remember covering all of mine with blankets afterwards because of the anesthesia, and also the increased obsession with going to the bathroom!   It's good that she wanted to eat too! It appears is going well so far. You will see, she will be almost back to normal by this time tomorrow night!  In 2 days, aside from having to keep her on the leash to walk her, you won't know she had surgery!

 Sorry.....for some reason it double posted, so I erased the words!  Does anyone know how to delete a post altogether?  I can go back in and erase the words and write something else, but I cannot get rid of the entire post.  Just curious....this isn't the first time I've double posted on accident!  I hit submit twice thinking that it didn't take the first time!

cynthiarose, both of mine bounced back real quickly! Just thought I would pass it on in case you have to use a cone when he has his surgery. I've suggested it to some of my co-workers whose dogs have had to have surgery and it has worked well for them also.  Zoe did not lick but Archer had a tendency to and when I first put the cone on him he tried everything in his power to take it off and would just cry and howl in his kennel and it just broke my heart.  I went out to Petsmart the next day and picked this thing up that attaches to their collar and you blow it up and he did not mind it one bit - it kinda looks like a donut - I've attached some pics of Archer in it below:

How's Bella?  I'm hoping she's good as new again!

She is TOO good as everyone said she would be " border="0" src="/DesktopModules/NTForums/themes/blue/emoticons/wink.gif" /> We had a bit of a snow storm the past couple of days and keeping her from doing fresh powder zoomies after she goes out to potty has been a challenge lol. We had people over tonight for a holiday gathering and her tail was constantly wagging. She was so excited to have some activity of sorts. Her stitches and incision look good. Hoping we can keep it that way until the 28th! Hope Maybrie is doing well!!

 Lol!!  That's GREAT news!    Yes, keeping the activity level down is the hardest part!   Maybrie was famous for standing leaps that were impossible to stop in mid-air!  She also LOVES to sit on her throne (a dog bed on top of her brother's kennel, next to the couch), and on top of couches.  She also wanted to RUN tear up the yard and make splashes through the puddles.  That was the most difficult part of having her spayed!  The  actual procedure and woundcare was a piece of cake!  Just can't keep those GSP's down!

Maybrie is doing quite well, (no pain unless she sits on the injured leg) and 3-legging it.  She is now demanding more frequent walks!  She will bring me her leash, or I will find her standing at the front door with her leash in her mouth, whining to go out!   The vet says the walks 3-4x/day are fine, but to keep them slow. 2.5mph to 3mph.  Maybrie's speed is about 11mph, so I have to keep her on a heel command constantly!   She is 3 legging it, so there is no weight bearing going on, and therefore no danger of injury unless she falls, hence NO FURNITURE!    I am super excited to get her in the pool so she can begin to regain muscle.  I read an interesting article today while researching muscle atrophy in dogs.  Supposedly, for every one day of muscle non-use, it takes 3 days of use to compensate.  So, if a dog doesn't use her leg for 14 days, it can take 42 days to see muscle begin to rebuild.   Maybrie hasn't used that muscle for6-8  MONTHS....hence the atrophy prior to surgery and the very poor condition of the  knee.  So, for Maybrie, musle building is imperative to her recovery.  Prior to surgery, I would say Maybrie had 40% of that right hindquarter muscle left. Now, it's probably down to 20%.  It's almost concave.   However, I really am excited for this journey because I believe Maybrie is going to do very well!!  It is encouraging  to read articles such as this to realize the muscle growth doesn't happen overnight and that slow and steady is the name of the game to prevent reinjury, as well as undue stress on the remaining 3 legs!   I also read a similar study on a great dane.  They followed the same advice my vet had....water first to get him used to using his leg, then when he FINALLY started to ambulate, they put him on the water treadmill.  It took that Great Dane 3 or 4 months just to get to the water treadmill therapy!  Maybrie is going to be just fine!  I'm sure of it!   Worst case scenario, I saw some incredible doggie orthopedic braces that would work great for her!  She WILL RUN AGAIN!!   I know it!  Lol!  

Glad she is doing well! No doubt for anything but, with a doggy mom so dedicated to help her along in her recovery!

Speaking of Maybrie by the door begging for walks, the neighbor girls stopped by yesterday with a little Christmas present for us and were all dressed to play in the snow (snow day #2 for them). Bella wanted to go play with them so bad, but of course couldn't (the neighborhood kids LOVE Bella, and she them. I feel like she is just another kid on the block they come to see if she can come out to play). So, after they left and I shut the door I went back to cleaning. Soon realized she was in the room with me so I went to go see where she was. I found her still sitting by the door....giving me THIS face. This is what we call pouty face. Pitiful girl, such a rough life she leads.

 Hahahahha!!!  Lol!!  She's like, "Mom, Really?"  "You can't be serious!"  That is so adorable, "just another kid on the block!"   

Awww!  Thanks for the kind words of encouragement!   I will continue to keep everyone posted with any exciting updates!   The first several weeks to months will not reveal anything big and exciting, however, with the first toe touch and attempt to bear weight, everyone on this forum will know it!  

I'm so happy you posted this picture of Bella!! What a character!!  A picture is worth a thousand words!  Lol!!

Cone of shame?

Raz was fine with her stitches for three days, then on fourth day she started picking at them and pulled one loose. Freaked me out, I'll tell. Cleaned it up, checked that there was no serious damage and plopped the cone on her. She was not impressed and spent the rest of her two weeks in exile shoving that cone into our legs, on purpose!

If it's red you gould probably put some neosporin on it to make sure there's no infection.