The Ginger introduction has already been up under beyond cancer, assuming that's been pretty much caught by the regulars.  For blog readers I've been keeping a very detailed blog with pictures going so probably not much new here, but also posting a mini update for the forum....first off I haven't had a lot of time to respond or post as I am really stretched right now, going on a whole week now with little to no sleep, anticipating a catch up this weekend if Ginger will let me.  You guys have been awesome, I will catch up on some thank you's this weekend, but being able to come here and learn both informationally and a little normalization of all my emotional swings as I vent has helped preserve those few shreds of sanity I have left :).

So for Ginger news she had her surgery Weds and I got the call that afternoon she did fine.  Mild anxiety issues as vet informed me that would like her to go to 24 hour emergency vet for monitoring, etc.  I was fine with the plan, and ultimately glad it was done that way after emergency vet explained it in more detail that it was more a pain med drip issue and making sure she didn't have bad med reactions and made it through the worst part of pain.  The main trauma I guess came from hearing about it after the surgery as opposed to part of the standard care plan BEFORE the surgery, it is possible it was mentioned and I didn't grasp it at the time but seemed to come in as a last minute thing.  Totally kicked off my paranoia that something had gone wrong and they just weren't telling me.  As I've said all along I do trust my vet and love the vet clinic but in less rational periods while dealing with all the doggie drama it gets easy to turn the smallest communication glitch into almost sheer panic.  And not always adapting well to change I only had about 20 minutes to wrap my mind around the "go pick her up now, on day of surgery and transport her 30 mins away" vs. see her again in 2 days with more anticipated progress.  So here she is zonked out after her surgery, they gave her a sedative before loading her up, I probably could have used one also, lol.  I have to say while very difficult in some ways there was some relief in seeing the shoulder area as I had no idea what to expect, drainage, oozing blood, or what.  But looked very neatly done which was a relief.

So yeah drove zombie dog down to clinic, thankfully had friend with for distraction and moral support, not sure if Ginger recognized me or not but was nice to look into her somewhat stoned eyes and do some sweet talk, I know she heard me, some eye movements but no telling what filtered through.  Had another round of I'm a horrible pet parent grief and loss that night - but Thursday morning when I picked her up she was already bouncing back, coming through this so far like the champ she is, already eating, drinking and they were able walk her to car vs. her initial trip in on stretcher.  She is obviously still working out some anxiety as she learns but she keeps trying.  She seemed quite happy, though slightly drugged to be back in my car riding "home".  This pic the ears are perked but what clued me into the drug state is for much of the ride they were hanging flat, not a normal look for her but kinda cute.

When I got her out at vets office her enthusiasm diminished greatly, this girl is ready to go home.  While we got her in car at emergency vet with little extra help, back at clinic the vet and I had to practically drag her out using the quilt and even walking towards the front door she kept pulling to go back to car vs. into the office though we kept assuring her they wouldn't take any more legs off.  

Have to say she wasn't dragging me off my feet like she has practically done before but she surprised me all things considered at strength exhibited.   But we have wonderful vets and staff and they finally got her cajoled back into the office and she plopped down on the floor.  Report this morning that she did wonderfully again by all accounts on everything from eating, drinking, bathroom and pulling staff around, so had a good night and ready to come home.  I know we will have some down periods and think forum has helped prepare me for that, but it's getting a little easier to not freak out quite as much for now and focus on what promises to be a strong recovery.  Already having the feeling I will be sitting on her vs spoon feeding her as I read on another posters account.  Think she's got the tripod stance going for her, even though it doesn't take much to cause that anxious look right now but heck it's only been 2 days now.

Here's her tripod walk so far, she refused to look at the camera for me, think she's getting tired of me considering everything she does a photo op.  Or else she was just a little preoccupied with "hey kind of focusing on staying upright here".  

Not yet mentioned on blog.... $200 of shopping at petsmart last night for everything from big supportive foam bed, pillpockets (she caught on fast to the hiding it in a treat trick and managed to start separating the two), treats and canned food (something she dearly loves despite not having issues with dry food), elevated food/water containers, etc.  And long ago I swore I would never be one of those people that bought clothes for their dog, but yep totally caved and got her one superman type outfit that looked like the fastenings would work without depending on both legs, not necessarily going to dress her all the time but while missing so much hair and the wound, don't want to draw unnecessary attention from those who will be distressed at seeing that, and also thought it might be cool when the day comes that she can do 5ks with me again to dress her up a bit as my superdog, we'll see.  I am also going to try some t-shirts to see how those work.  Also did the pickup of some ace bandages (vet suggested some wrapping with those would be helpful) and hot and cold compresses, nonslip rugs, a new collar, and so on and so forth.  So pocket again lighter but do believe I have almost everything ready for homecoming.  I am still hoping she will stay calm enough we can both catch up on some sleep this weekend though, I am at point of being able to sleep face first on hardwood floor I think.  

Anyway so that's where Ginger and I are at now - thanks again to all those in the community providing support.  Word about tripawds group is definitely out there, I've received at least 3 referrals to this site from various animal personnel and good to be able to respond, yep, already found them and they are indeed awesome.  So probably add a couple more updates this weekend, both to blog and this thread, imagine I will get a little less verbose as we finally settle in.  Hope everyone and their tripawds are doing well.