Hinckley is fortunate to have so many friends, near and far. They have been sending toys and treats, and lots and lots of love. He is reveling in the attention (and eagerly awaiting the yummy treats at every turn)!
But sometimes even our four-legged pals need to lean on their friends. Yesterday afternoon, his best bud Grace came to hang out and swim with us. Apparently, he had relayed a request to her in that pitch only true dog lovers can hear … and she arrived with these beautiful flowers for me.
Thanks Grace! And big kisses to Hinckley for having such caring friends to help him out.
Hard to imagine that two weeks ago today I was in surgery, with Dr. Covey and the UF team fighting for my life.
I spent yesterday hanging out in the water at the Tiki Bar, picking up all the chicks. I tell ya, playing the “I don’t walk well, but I sure get along fine in my H2O environment” card, did well for me. And today … I swam in the pool, not even wearing a life jacket (although, my Cotswold Help ’em Up harness did give me a bit of help). Did I mention, I used all four legs? Pretty cool.
We spent our first week at home getting acclimated to a new routine and celebrating the little victories. Our top five ‘paws’ forward:
Hinckley is off all of medications (we think he’s lamenting not having the blue bunnies and green unicorns anymore; he liked his new hallucinogenic friends)
The Frankenstein staples/sutures are out! Which most importantly, means …. swimming!
Swimming w/ the UF Rehab team
He is running on all fours in his dreams (the first week he only jerked his front legs when dreaming)
The U of Fla team is pleased with his progress. (We went back on Thursday for PT — and they saw signs of the deep pain returning, as well as some definitive leg jerks and movement.)
Hinckley is back on the bed, which means…his bladder control is back! To be honest, it was the only way Alex and I were ever going to get any sleep. Hinck is VERY insistent he should be up there. We tried to ignore him like a new puppy, but both failed miserably. Especially when this happened…
Remember E.T.? The scene where he’s dressed up, wobbling around the house drunk? Well…that’s sort of the new Hinckley style of moving. He pushes himself up and pulls himself along using his front legs. Now add the cone of shame. So. He’s in his dog bed. It’s dark. He begins the groans and whining. Then goes on the move.
Shuffle, shuffle, bump (cone runs into wall). Shuffle and big sigh. (We peek at Alex’s side of bed. All you can see is the cone and his big head leaning on edge of bed, as if to say…”well, I got this far. Help me up!”) He doesn’t get desired response. Goes on the move again.
Shuffle, shuffle, bump…(gets caught up on jeans on floor). Regroups, and continues shuffle over to my side of bed. Cue slow rise of cone over side of bed and insistent eyes drilling holes into me. Then, attempted jump to get up.
That did it. He won. Alex lifts him onto bed and Hinckley promptly falls straight asleep. Victory was his. Sleep was ours (well…sort of. Hinck is a total bed hog).
Did I mention Hinckley can go swimming?!
First time back in the pool
We have a new guardian angel to thank as well. Cotswold! Story coming on that soon, but in the meantime my heartfelt thanks to Megan (and Kellee for connecting us) for being a terrific support, generous new friend, and inspiration all around. THANK YOU!
LAURA MUMA 