Mojo and family,

We are very sorry to hear of Mojo's accident but you have found a community filled with wonderful people who will share their collective experience base, give helpful suggestions, and provide support as you head down this journey. As you will hear over and over again, the first two weeks can be difficult and some react to the pain meds very badly, but you can expect Mojo to return to an excellent quality of life.

A few things that may help you prepare for Mojo’s return from surgery.  Stealing from a recent Jerry posting, I would suggest:

What to Expect Part 1:  http://tinyurl......tToExpect1

What to Expect Part 2:  http://tinyurl......tToExpect2

Also, there are my usual suggestions:

1)  Remain as positive as possible around Mojo.  They will pick up on your feelings and if you are down, it will only make it harder.  I often left Cherry, left the house, and then totally lost it before regaining composure and returning with a smile.  It will make a difference.

2)  Remember to treat the spirit as well as the body.  Find something that they love and can still do during recovery.  Then exploit that love to give them purpose.  For Cherry, it was her trips in the truck/car.  It was the first and for a long time, the only place that she would willingly take food when offered.  As the time when she thinks that she is going for a ride approaches, you can see the excitement grow.  Jake's mom would probably tell you that for Jake it was the swimming pool.  Once Jake saw the pool and was allowed back in, the improvement appears to have been remarkable.  View the Fun!  Doug and Heidi will tell you that for Molly it continues to be canoe trips.  Watch her celebrate her one year anpuversary!  Finally there is Calpurnia who loves the life filled with the outdoors and sledding and has survived the amputation for more than two years.  View the fun!  Help them find a purpose to fight.

3)  Consider keeping a journal.  I kept a journal and posted much it on-line.  It allowed me to go back days/weeks/months and make a good comparison.  The detail that you keep in this journal is more than I would ever put into a blog ,which is also a great idea.  This very detailed journal really helped to make honest assessments of Cherry's progress during the ups and downs of recovery.  Our oncologist actually used these journal postings to keep up to speed on Cherry's condition.  I have a page of thumbnail photos (with links to larger versions) covering from just after the diagnosis, first days home, chemotherapy treatment, through recent days.  View Cherry’s TriPawd photos.

Wishing you the very best and a quick recovery. Sending Pawsitive Thoughts,

Spirit Cherry's Dad

Our paws are crossed surgery goes well!!

Excellent news.  Our thoughts are with you. 

Good luck Mojo - we wish you well.

Maxwell

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