Emily was released from the hospital a day earlier than expected so my husband and I both had to work her first day home.  I came home for lunch to check on her and she was fine.  We, too, have steps.  She had to go down steps to go outside.  Going down steps seems easier on back leg amputees and going up a bit harder so I imagine it is the opposite with front leg amputees.

Of course that is assuming no complications.  Try not to over think everything.  (easier said than done!)

Keep all of us updated.

Debra & Angel Emily

Hi Angie!! I'm so sorry to hear about Ella's diagnosis, but so hoppy that you found our wonderful family. We will be thinking about you on Wednesday (Zeus had his done on a Wednesday and he did WONDERFULLY!!! that's a good sign :-))

It's great that you're able to take a week off of work..it's very helpful. The first night home (Zeus came home Thursday evening) was really ruff. Though he was doing well, he was still coming off the sedative and he sat there and panted all night long staring at me while I tried to get some sleep on the living room floor....needless to say, I didn't get any sleep and I had actually questioned my decision by the time Friday morning rolled around. I called my Vet (and best friend) in tears and she came over and showed me how to use the sling to help him get around. I had hard wood flloors and I covered them with a mismatch of rugs from Target before the surgery (later, I ended up getting some decent looking ones to at least match the furniture because he could manouver the floors so much better with rugs down). She showed me how to get him down the stairs from the deck to go potty and back up again. God bless her, she hung out with him for about 3 hours while I got some rest.

Before she left, she made sure I had the hang of the sling and Zeus and I ended up hanging out outside most of that day in April. I put a blanket down in the backyard and brought my book out and he slept most of the day. I had another dog, Buddy - but he stayed at my sister's house for a week while Zeus recovered - that ended up being a good call actually as much as I hated to send Buddy away.Zeus could get used to everything and so could I without taking anything away from Buddy.

My dad came to stay with me for 10 days to help...another godsend. We set up a mattress on the living room floor and boy did Zeus get even more spoiled than ever! My dad and I took turns sleeping with him in the living room. I found that rest was key in dealing with the recovery. If you and your husband can take turns...that would help out a lot! These next two weeks are going to be very emotional - so rest will surely help you deal with the emotions better...at least that's the way it was for me.

Honestly - by the time day 4 rolled around, Zeus was doing really well considering the surgery he went through. Still needed help, still panting from the pain meds, but resting too. The stitches came out after 2 weeks (and we stopped the pain meds) and yes, I did take him about 3 times to just be "checked out" during that 2 weeks because I'm neurotic when it comes to my boys, but he did fabulously! Once

As for leaving Ella alone and when its a good time - you'll know. The first time is the HARDEST - but just run an errand or two and be back in an hour. You'll quickly learn that they adjust better and faster than we do and that all is well. Put some baby gates up to block the stairs until the stitches come out. I took the baby gates down after the stitches came out because Zeus was good in that he knew his limitations and he didn't push it. He actually handled all the stairs in my townhouse really well - he just took his time and I walked closely beside him just in case probably for about 3 weeks (again - more because I'm neurotic than because he couldn't handle it)l. I'm not sure what to recommend about the crate - Zeus never used one so I obviously didn't introduce it to him at this point.

Zeus was 10 years old when we did this surgery. He did incredibly well with it, with the chemo and with life on 3 legs. Except for that one Friday morning after the surgery when I was tired and he was too, I have never ever regretted walking this journey with him. He beat the cancer, survived for 18 more months and if it hadn't been for the sudden onset of kidney failure, I'm sure he would have hung out with me for many more months...maybe even years. He was a happy, happy boy.

I wish you as much success as I had with the recovery - we hardly had any complications. I wish you many wonderful days, months and hopefully years with Ella - live it one day at a time and focus on the here and now - she will quickly teach you that each day is a gift to treasure and focus on...not yesterday and not tomorrow. That's one of the many lessons that I learned from Zeus.

Much love and best wishes - please keep us all posted and ask tons of questions along the way - someone is always here to respond.

Hugs,

Heather and Spirit Zeus