Cody has torn his cruciate

Last Tuesday, we took Cody for x-rays at the vets, as he'd been limping intermittently for a few weeks, despite resting and painkillers. It was discovered he had a torn cruciate ligament. The vet suggested TPLO surgery (due to his size this was the best option) and referred him to a specialist vet an hour away, for the following week. We re-searched as much as possible about cruciate problems in dogs, TPLO surgery, rehabilitation etc. When we got there, we took Cody in (muzzled as he was so nervous he was shaking; although he let them pet and examine him). We decided to go ahead and we left him at the vets. It was a long day (this was about 9.30 am, we picked him up around 7 pm). He used the ramp to get into the car. At home, Daddy made him a pen, big enough he can stretch out but not too big he can jump around or anything. For that first night Cody was panting a lot and whining a little. He settled down though and seemed okay with the idea of the pen. The other dogs greeted him through the pen, well he wasn't really noticing but they were all doing lots of tail wagging, which was so sweet!

The next morning he ate his breakfast and we took him out for a toilet break. He is allowed to go out about four times a day for 5 to 10 minutes, which we can progress to 10 to 15 minutes in two weeks. He was limping on three legs for the first little while, then slowly putting more weight on his other leg and now at three days after surgery he is almost walking like usual, which is great!

He is starting to get bored, so we are teaching him new, calm tricks (chin rest, hand targets etc) and lots of kongs! He is also getting lots of attention from us, which he enjoys.

It's going to be a case of slowly building him up to more activity over the next three months. We are also planning to do hydrotherapy in a few weeks time. We are just hoping his other leg will be okay!

Zara's First Show!

I haven't been good at updating the blog yet again! Anyway, we took Zara to her first show yesterday; IKC All Breed Championship Show. Gilbert was also entered. This was the first day they could be shown, as it was their four month old birthday.

The day didn't begin as we had planned though. We got up early and we're ready to leave pretty much on time but the van wouldn't start. After trying different things to solve the issue, eventually at 10 we were ready to leave (we were supposed to leave at 7!). I texted Gilbert's owner, she said the judging was taking ages so we should still make it.

As soon as we arrived we got the dogs out and headed to the outside ring (it was originally to be inside, but we got moved and I was happier about that). Zara to being with was a little nervous as it was crowds of people and dogs everywhere, although she is very confident with people (so far) she can be shy with new dogs. We saw Gilbert, and the three dogs he lives with, one of whom is Gandhi, the puppies sire. I think Zara & Gilbert recognized each other (this was their second time meeting up after Gilbert left us). They were still judging the Doberman's so we sat down on the grass. Zara said hello to many lovely Bernese and we met Saphy's owner, although she didn't have Saphy with her. Zara also met two of her cousins!

Zara did really well at showing. She was happy with the judge handling her and moved nicely. She got Best Baby Puppy Bitch. We also got to see Gilbert in the ring and he was Best Baby Puppy Dog. They went in together then and when they were moving they were trying to play - Zara was trying to chase him! Gilbert got Best Baby Puppy in Breed. Gandhi was Best in Breed!

We then watched the Agility and Holly & Wilson had a go. Zara enjoyed that. I am really pleased with how well she did :)