This blog is such a special place for our family. Lily has recently really tuned into it and loves telling people all about it. I have been far less than on top of it this year as our lives have been turned upside down on a regular occasion. Its so hard to find routine in story telling with life right now. There is so much to say and yet all the things are so different. But I digress.
2020 has brought to light so many challenges not just in our family, but in everyones. I suppose it stands to reason, when you are faced with daily obstacles, and changes that it just makes everything seem bigger, harder, and more difficult. Death by ducks is what Bob and I always say.
Last month our sweet puppy Ellie decided to chase a bunny right into the side of a moving car. She ricocheted off the car, knocked herself out, and ended up breaking her hip. After an examination at the best pet clinic around (Blue Ridge Pet Clinic), the vet determined that she needed an FHO operation to repair the leg. Long story short the hip socket broke causing the hip to remain unlocated. The surgery required that the femoral head be cut off so that the bone would sit flush in the hip and a new "joint" would heal as a result of muscle and scar tissue.
The surgery was going to cost around 1500 per the vet in the mountains and I would have to wait a couple of days. Wanting to get the puppy home, I drove up to get her and found a surgical center down here in Peoria that would do the surgery the next day. We woke up and arrived at the surgical center the next day only be be given a quote of 4500 for the surgery. Bob and I made the tough call to take our puppy back, cancel the surgery and call for a better quote. After an hour of phone calls we contacted the Blue Ridge Pet Clinic and Dr. Norman who, even though we had left, offered to come in on his day off to do the surgery.....for under 2000. It was a no brainer, so the girls and I packed up again and headed back to the mountains with our little puppy.
The day of the surgery I took Ellie in, met the doctor, and left her in capable hands. I went running and got a call from the Doctor that all had gone well and that we could pick Ellie up at the end of the day.
Ellie did amazing and thanks to our amazing vet, our bill was 1645......not 4500. I will forever be grateful for Dr. Norman.
Ellie came home very subdued but well. Our first night was rough as she was navigating a sore hip and having to wear a cone. The next morning Memaw and I made the call to see if she would get a long all right without the cone, and she did. That thing is a pain in the butt.
And just spent her first days of recovery sleeping in her favorite spot under the bed.
The girls and I had a wonderful few days enjoying the cool mountains, hiking, and getting out of the heat.
Ellie is such a little fighter and we are so hopeful that she will make a recovery. One thing is for sure, keeping her down and convincing her to rest has been a hard task (no wonder she is my spirit animal).
Evie had a super blast up in the mountains because she met a new friend who had not only a bunny, but a pony, and a trampoline!
Our little puppy is down, but certainly not out. Over the past month she has made great strides and is no into physical therapy and swimming (she is so much drama) but every time she cries and wags her tail I remind her that there are so many trails to run!
If there is one thing my little pup has taught me through this is to continue being resilient. Her spirit has not wavered once and she doesnt see herself as crippled. What happened that day, has not shaken her joy. She has picked up 3 legged life without pause and keeps looking at me with those big blue eyes. Ellie lives wholly right now, she doesn't look back, just continually moves forward.
I am so grateful for her and the smile she always puts on my face.
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