And yes, tatespeeps, I am really interested in meeting up with the Chicago group the next time you all get together.  Can't wait to meet all of you and your tripawds!  

You guys weren't kidding about the lack of sleep!  For Dixie's first night home, I brought some blankets to sleep by her (I know that goes against general advice... sorry, I have no excuse...)  but it didn't matter because she was very active all night.  If this is what having a baby is like, my mother in law will be sorely disappointed in the grandchild department.

The night, in retrospect, went well.  But as it was actually happening, I was definitely anxious.  Dixie would get settled and then sit upright with no warning and just stare at me.  Kinda funny now, but not then.  She'd settle down for about fifteen minutes and then do it again.  Midnight through 5 am she kept trying to get off her bed and lay down in random places in the house.  She would do this right as I was drifting off to sleep, so I didn't catch her until she was several feet off her bed. I definitely wished I had more towels and sheets on hand in more places than her bed because I couldn't keep her on the bed, yet her drains were making our carpet look like a heinous crime was committed.  

The tramadol effect was interesting. She didn't really pant as I was expecting - she was just really spastic in her behaviors. I kept waiting for her to try to dance with the pink elephants that she must have been seeing. 

I got up once to go to the bathroom.  I even left the door open so I could watch her.  In the amount of time it took to quickly wash my hands, she had gotten up and actually walked down the hallway and into the bathroom.  She was too tired to walk back though, so we slept in the bathroom for about an hour before we tried to go back to her bed.

She hasn't been whining, she has the same appetite as before the surgery (though she didn't want her regular dog food until we added some chicken), she peed several times, and did a sort of quasi-poop.  I don't think she knew she did it, so I'm not really counting it.  I'm cautiously optimistic but am kinda concerned that she'll hit a low before she gets better.

What have you all encountered in terms of walking?  Did they do it right away?  Was it only in short bursts at a time, or more of a gradual process?  Although she's technically walking, she gets tired and stops after about ten steps.  I don't know what "normal" is.

Also - did a sling inhibit their ability to relieve themselves? She seems to be hesitant with it.

Lastly - how do you post pics?  I am feeling pretty technologically ignorant - I see the "insert image" button but it looks like I can't just add them from my computer... or am I confused?