Thanks for the encouragement Karen and Laurie, it's truly appreciated it's just such a unique circumstance given that I have no experience (thank god) and I have no idea what to expect day to day, but I guess if I step back and try to look at this objectively I would have to say she's doing great after only two weeks. Right now the triple rum piña coladas haven't hurt either...lol...some really good food and family here not only to support us but Ava as we'll was a wonderful way to spend the day. So I'll sleep well tonight knowing that each day gets better and that we have people like you and so many others to support not only us as a family but Ava as we'll.
Thank you for your words and understanding it means everything.

Steven

What an interesting day yesterday was. Ava was up and out he door for a 20 min walk bright and early and did really well, she was visiting neighbors and generally just getting around quite well. She went into the house and walked right over to her food bowl and finally ate the whole bowl by herself without us coaxing, and hand feeding her. She was a bit more active with the other dogs nothing crazy so walking around with them and barking. The funny part was at one point I see the bushes moving all around, and was wondering what she was doing in there. So before I tell you, a quick backup to about a month or so. Jerry had directed me to a few videos of Tripawd Great Danes, one of which was Moose the Harlequin Great Dane, and in this video Moose was digging with his single front leg and I was absolutely amazed at what I was watching, I believe it was also one of the things that helped us decide to make the decision to amputate. Fast forward to yesterday, I'm watching the bushes moving all over the place and I walk over and what to my surprise do I see Ava digging a hole with her single front leg. My first reaction was shock just a little over two weeks post surgery, but then I just started to laugh and I know she's going to be great. She was digging to make a bed for herself under the bushes it was truly a site to see. I wish I had my phone with me so I could have recorded her but then again I'm sure she'll be digging again so I'll catch it at some point.

So today is three days off all pain meds and antibiotics and i think it really does make a difference with regard to her eating, after all 6 antibiotics a day has got to do something to her stomach. So we introduced the probiotics a few days back and hope to get her digestive system back in balance. The good thing is that she's lost some weight and that should help with her getting around.

Today is 19 days post surgery, and things are moving forward more positively than I could have imagined. It's all good.

Steven 

Day 24 (I think...lol...it's all a blur) I think Ava realized yesterday for the first time that she will be able to run again!!! it was amazing to see. (I wish I had my phone with me to video it but it all happened so fast) We were having a barbecue and we had family and friends over so there was a lot going on. My niece decided to come in through the side yard entrance, well when that happens all the dogs will usually bolt off the deck, down the stairs, across the pool patio, down those stairs, and run across the yard to say hello to whoever just showed up. Well thats exactly what happened and Ava did it all with the other three (I almost had a heart attack) it happened so quickly I don't even think she had time to think about it she just reacted as a dog, and she flew down the stairs, across the pool patio, down the stairs again and ran at full speed across the yard, it was like stunned silence for a minute before everyone was like...WOW...did she just do that???  I think Ava was even a little surprised at what she had just done, but she also seemed to be very proud of the fact that she was greeting someone in the yard with her entire pack. It seems to me that dogs once they realize what they are capable of doing it's just a matter of time before they do it again...instinct...so we went for a walk this morning and she was very quick on her feet again, so I'm just waiting now for her to realize that not only can she run but she'll be able to keep up and play with her pack again, it's coming I see her interest picking up every time they're playing now. So just like she instinctively flew across the yard one of these days she's going to instinctively start playing and that will be a crazy emotional moment for me and my family. She is obviously progressing really well, still not eating as much as we'd like (but the good thing is that she has definitely lost weight, and that will help her out a lot) still not playing with the other dogs (Yet) and is still generally just laying around a lot (but she was always a lazy girl). I don;t believe we could ask for anymore given the time frame post amp, so I just wanted to keep up the posts as I said I would, and again let you all know how grateful I am for all your support.

Steven, Ava and the entire pack