Day 12 Tuesday  June 27.  Nicholas mostly rested. He almost shut himself in his "cave" half bath, but we caught it and covered the door plate so it won't shut on him! I forget how big he is until things like this happen! but he greeted friends all day and even went down to the gate with them and explored around. He gets really tired in the evenings, so that he's just standing and wondering what he wanted to do, but I think that is partly the Gaba. We'll be reducing it gradually soon. I read here on tripawds, that it takes about a month for them to move more fluidly and that's good news.  He just expends so much effort when he hops. We'll be going to Seattle for the Yale vaccine in two weeks and I hope the 5 hour car ride works for him. He has really mastered the steps to our bedroom though. He got a big cheer tonight! He needs to have space to approach the jump, like a horse.

Thank you so much for the nudge to the next steps. Your comments have always helped me plan what's best for Nick even when I was so disoriented by all this.

I found a good vet rehabilitation clinic for Nicholas and also a place for him to swim weekly (you'd think that would be unnecessary in Oregon, but the blue green algae situation is bad in the summer). I hope insurance will cover the swimming because he could swim with other dogs, partially replacing the dog park. Nicholas was kind of the activity director, peace officer, at our dog park and I'm not sure he will still have the authority he expects! One glance or WOOF would do it and everyone would calm down. He taught puppies how to play gently by batting them with his paw.  I'm kind of sad about all that but we just have to find an alternate.

Also time to order the gear so he can go up and down the steps to the main level of the house and help me cook! I'm going to order friction tape with a glow in the dark strip for the wider front porch steps and a very sturdy Pet Loader 18"  5 or 6 step stair for more gradual rise and run between kitchen and family room, a staircase he uses a lot. (a present for Nicky from my daughter)

I also realize Nicky needs and wants a predictable schedule now that he's feeling better. This is the dog who told me to start dinner every day at 5:28. Much more organized than we are! So we will do pills, breakfast, pee walk, more pills, a little walk around the farm, massage, a nap etc. and I'll have to stick to it!

Day 13 Wednesday, June 28  Not much happening, Nicky just rested. He puts so much love and energy out for visitors that he's always tired and groggy by evening and sleeps the next day. We have musician friends coming through the state on Friday, so I'll just know to expect that.

Day 14 Thursday, June 29,  NO MORE TEE SHIRT!!  The vet says the stitches are probably absorbed and Nick has shown no interest in scratching them. He looks so good! Now I can give him a really good grooming. I'll post a picture.   We'll also begin cutting down on the meds, ordering the next batch of Gabapentin in smaller pill dosages as suggested here. I just want to keep a little in his system going in case the drive to Seattle for the Yale vaccine on July 12 is stressful and I need to increase the Gaba temporarily.

Day 15 Friday June 30 Nicholas was on a roll all day long minus a few naps. This boy just loves company! The only time I've heard him whimper is when he can't come up in the kitchen to be with everyone. He has a good view of us, but that's not enough.  I gave him a good brush out. He's rubbed the bottom corner of his incision when he lies down and there's a little red place. When I put Neosporin on it, he notices it and starts to lick, so sadly the tee shirt has to come back on and I'll call the vet Monday if the raw spot doesn't get better.

Day 16 Saturday Resting all day, but I know to expect that now after he's had a day of being a grand host. He's all set with his vaccine on July 12, his rehabilitation appointment on July 18, and swimming beginnng the next week. I asked my vet to give us some ideas about chemo before we return to OSU since he understands this boy so well and seems as up to date as they are, (he assures me that he is not) So that's all the scheduling, not my favourite part of this.. Looks like we'll have some pretty intensive weeks driving around in the car, but I hope that will help strengthen and readjust Nicky's muscles and balance so everything is not such an effort. And Nicky likes car trips with us.We'll try the dog park just a bit at a time to see how it goes. He's got lots of good friends there, people and dogs. They are in for a surprise!