hips (she's part Goldie and part Collie, I think). She tended to carry one leg when she walked, and she couldn't really run or jump at all. When she was full-grown (on the vet's advice) we submitted her to a radical osteotomy on the hip she was carrying: that's a procedure whereby the actual ball of the femur is sawn off, and the leg inserted into the hip-socket where, after a while, scar-tissue holds it in place. As far as I know, she has never experienced any more pain or discomfort from her poor old legs (she's 13 now). It was pricey, and we, too, had to coddle the girl for a coupla weeks, but she's so fine and feels so good, it was well worth the expense.

that's a FINE collection of furry friends there. sadly, i cannot get a group shot of my 'pack,' cuz there are unsettled antipathies among the more dominant members (which is three of the four). You're totally right about the love thing.

Me? A Quick Study, But A Slow Learner

is ardently hoping for his swift recovery. It must be really hard for a dog, and especially Chauncy, not to play...

We. Are. Going. To. Die. We must restore hope in the world. We must bring forth a new way of living that can sustain the world. Or else it is not just us who will die but everyone. What have we got to lose? Go forth and Fight!—Xan

Mr. C sends his thanks as well.

Woody: Dixie Belle is lucky to have found you, and vice versa. Also, that pic reveals my wife's determination more than anything else. Sometimes, when we're walking the whole group, we'll look at the five canine fannies & tails in front of us and start singing "Staying Alive." Our neighbors shutter their windows and dim their lights.

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As Jack Aubrey might say, "Give you joy of them."

Me? A Quick Study, But A Slow Learner

One of our dogs had a plate put in her knee at age 4. This was done at our state's university vet hospital, VERY expensive but worth it. She is now 8 & runs at a pretty fast clip when she feels like it.
It was a long recovery, several months. We didn't let her do anything but bathroom breaks but she cooperated seeming to understand perfectly, an excellent patient. When she was ready for more activity, we took it slow, very short walks with gradual increases, taking no chances on screwing up the surgery.
She is one happy dog today, enjoying chasing squirrels & long walks.
Best wishes for Chauncy's recovery. All your dogs are gorgeous.

Chauncey looks to have a little bernese in him?

Me? A Quick Study, But A Slow Learner

Luna was rescued in North Hollywood in 2000. She has a grape (and I do mean Kool Aid grape) tongue and a chow tail, with little ewok ears. Rudy was rescued a little farther north in the San Fernando Valley (in 2005) and has no signs of any chow ancestry (his tongue is pink and his tail is straight). Both of them have brindle coloring (with Luna having a more grayish hue). Luna is the better jumper and Rudy is the more determined climber, and they play together like nutcases in a Best of Nutcases movie.

I have a pic (on a disc somewhere) of Chauncy sitting next to an actual Bernese Mountain dog, thereby disabusing the Chauncster of any claims to Bernese lineage (the Bernese dwarfed Chauncy, who weighs in at 60 lbs.). We believe Chauncy is a Border Collie mixed with Pit Bull, and his face has suggested St. Bernard and Bernese to more than a few who have commented. I like to think of him as a snub-nosed border collie.

I just got back from visiting him at the clinic. He is a little grumpy and hasn't completely forgiven me for taking him there. He has a dayglow yellow soft cast on his leg, and half his rump is now ready for porno closeups ("Ask not for whom the dog's ass is shaved, it's shaved for Rick Santorum"). I explained everything to Chauncy but he pretended to not be listening. He looks good, and if all continues to go well he will be home tomorrow where I trust his mood will improve.

As ironranger shared, it is imperative that his movement be limited to allow the bone time to heal. I hope to see him run again. It is a thing of joy.

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Yes, canines are capable of great violence--they do sometimes work things out in rather vicious ways i.e. You're dead, I'm the winner! Speaking of dog bites, I have scars on my left hand, right wrist and on my right calf (from when I slipped on a wet floor during a dog fight [before Chauncy's time] and my leg went up into our 120 lb. German Shepherd's mouth, something neither he nor I intended).

We have a three dog limit here in L.A., so we say we have three dogs and the others are classified as Critters. Speaking of critters, below are two pics of our most recent rescue: the Great Luigi! He's a 22 lb., one year-old corgie mix who needs a home!

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and may your people have the patience to ensure you get all the way well before you're playing too hard.