I am so pleased you've decided on this. If I may say so, I am certain that this is the best option. I didn't want to come on to strong about the grafts and stuff because every case is different, I'm not an expert and I obviously don't know the full facts of yours anyway, but skin grafts in any situation carry a considerable risk of infection. In a case like this in a large wound resulting from trauma, and when Archer needs his strength and healing energy to be focused on his other leg, it would seem particularly dicey. My Meg's graft failed, as did her skin flap. After months spent trying to save it, a chronic infection set in, and she ended up losing her leg in any case. 

This is by far the best option for Archer. Yes, it will be tough for a while, but you'll come through, and Archer will be absolutely fine and have a fantastic quality of life. We are all here to support you. All posts, however long or short are absolutely and always welcome.

Big hug,

Meg, Clare and Elsie Pie xxx

Archer's coming home! He's coming home! He's coming home! YAY for Archer! YAY for all of you!

I love the preparations your kids are making. Just adorable!

Ditto everything Sally says. Make sure you have got the traction issue covered. You will need to place non slip rugs/runners or yoga mats etc. on any hardwood floors or tiles to which Archer will have access. Obviously you will need to keep him calm and quiet. It's hard to know how mobile he will be, but certainly you do not want him slipping. When Meg fractured her elbow, I was told that bearing weight on it stimulated the bone to grow and aided healing. You will obviously be given advice by the vet. Make sure you ask them absolutely anything you want to know (and get a number to call for anything that comes up, or anything that, in the joy of your reunion with Archer, you forget to ask). Don't worry about asking 'stupid' questions. There is no such thing.

If you haven't already, I would personally ask to see the X-rays of his leg, post op. I think it can be helpful when caring for them to know exactly where the plates and pins are. Just helps to picture it, I think. Maybe that's just me.

They will advise you re the level of confinement required. Personally, I didn't crate Meg, but I removed all furniture from the room and slept on a mattress with her on the floor. I work largely from home, so was able to be with her all the time. If I had to go out at all, I got a neighbour to sit with her. We were very lucky to have these options. Had I absolutely had to leave her, I would have crated her.

One thing I found useful, when she started to get a bit fed up, was setting up a small pen outside, so she could get some fresh air safely. To be honest, I generally sat in it with her, which kind of made the pen a bit pointless, but it might be an option for Archer.

She also loved doing food puzzles (I'm not talking about the first few days, to be clear. At that point she was mostly asleep, but as she got stronger, but still needed to be confined). We still do these a lot (her favourites are the Nina Ottosson ones), and they really eem to satisfy her, and tire her out, which is great.

Archer will probably have some sort of cone to stop him worrying at his incision. It is absolutely critical that he doesn't lick the incision on his healing leg in particular. It is very easy to introduce infection this way, and with the implants (pins/plates etc) this would be a very serious issue, as implants store infection and make it impossible to get rid of. Meg much preferred an inflatable buster collar to the plastic cone of shame , as she could rest her chin on it, and it did prevent her reaching her elbow. Of course, it depends how far Archer's incision stretches. If you do use one, just be absolutely sure to thread his collar through the loops and check he can't wriggle it round.

I'm sure much of this is stating the obvious, but hopefully some of it is helpful. If anything else occurs, I'll let you know.

Oh, one more thing... for us, liver pate was invaluable for smuggling meds down without protest. Stick the pill in the middle of  nice fat lump, and down it goes no questions asked.

Most important of all, stay connected. We are here for you, cheering Archer on. Any questions or concerns just ask. 

Big hug,

Meg, Clare and Elsie Pie xxx