Lutz, FL

Much has happened in a hectic and anxious week.

Sunday (the 13th) morning one of the members across the street picked Bobbi up and took her along to Scott's church -- while Lew volunteered to dogsit. He also used the time to clean he interior of the Airstream. Smokey continued to limp, but otherwise seemed his normal, playful self.

Monday (the 14) in the morning Bobbi phoned the office (in Maitland) of the vet whom our friend had recommended. Luckily, she was able to get an appointment for Wednesday at 1 PM. Then Lew phoned the social work student who was following one of his Dayton patients and made recommendations for increasing the intensity of her service. He followed this up with a confirming email and snail mail. Bobbi and Scott spent much of the day talking shop.

Then in the evening we were invited over to the home of two of Scott's parishioners who live almost across the street from him. He was deeply attached to his two dogs as we are, so the trials and tribulations of dog care occupied much of the discussion that evening.

Tuesday (the 15th) we were in a holding pattern as we awaited our chance to get Smokey seen. So while chewing our fingernails, we caught up on domestic tasks: laundry, showers, shampoos, etc.

Late wednesday (the 16th) morning we drove Smokey over to Maitland (just NE of Orlando). To do so we had to travel I-4 for the first time, and discovered it was a madhouse easily rivaling the more widely renowned mess in Atlanta. But despite 100 miles of the unremitting dense traffic, we arrived early for the 1 PM appointment.

The clinic looked much like any suburban orthopedic clinic for humans. The intern and Dr. DeHaan each went over Smokey independently and carefully -- and surprised us by telling us that, rather than dislocating his hip, he had torn his anterior cruciate ligament. They asked to keep Smokey for a couple of hours for lab work and x-rays. So we decided to go to lunch. We drove south on US-17, passing up several fast food stands. Before too long Bobbi spotted an Olive Garden and asked to eat there. Lew was only too eager to oblige. Of course we gorged ourselves on our favorites.

After lunch we returned to the clinic, where Dr. DeHaan reviewed Smokey's x-rays and lab work with us. He described the indicated surgery -- and we consented immedately. He told us he had an available spot on Thursday's schedule, so we jumped at the chance to simply leave Smokey and get it over with (and incidentally eliminated the need for two more trips across I-4). They told us we could pick him up anytime on Friday -- assuming there were no complications. So we drove back to Lutz, this time in rush-hour traffic, and survived.

Early on Thursday (that is, about 9:30 on the 17th) morning, just as we were waking up, one of the vets from the clinic phoned Lew to report that Smokey's surgery was finished, that he had done well, and that he was resting peacefully. With that, we relaxed, and decided to do get out and see the neighborhood. Scott took us all (that is, including Saphire) to a clergy supply store north of the church and Wal-Mart, where Bobbi replenished our larder. In the afternoon Lew ripped CD's from Scott's collection.

Friday (the 18th), after getting up at the usual late hour, we did our normal morning routine, loaded Saphire into the van, and made our second drive over to Maitland to pick Smokey up. At the beginning of the trip Bobbi confirmed (by phone) that Smokey was indeed ready to go. When we arrived there was a little waiting around for a room, but soon we were in one, the intern brought a sleepy Smokey in, his left forearm, the lumbosacral area of his back, and almost the entire left leg shaved. She proceeded to review the surgery and his status -- including x-rays of the joint with its new supporting plate held in place by a bunch of big screws, then gave us the home care instructions. So we paid our bill, walked Smokey up the ramp we had purchased (at first it confused him a bit), and once again headed down I-4 towards Lutz -- not in rush hour this time.

That evening went uneventfully, though we watched apprehensively. Smokey went up and down the ramp and did his elimination unevenfully. Fortunately he left his sutures alone, so we had to put the protective collar over his head only while we both were asleep.

Saturday (the 19th) we took turns watching Smokey. In the afternoon Scott took Lew to visit with his member across the street -- another dog lover who discussed in detail Smokey's surgery as well as the past surgeries of his own dogs. In the evening Lew dogsat while Bobbi watched the Green Bay-Seattle game.

By Sunday (the 20th), baby-sitting a large dog who wants to be more active than prescribed was getting tedious -- and we still have weeks to go. Scott had committed Bobbi to help with confirmation class, so she had no choice but to accompany him to the church until mid-afternoon. Then she spent the evening watching football on Scott's projection TV. This left Lew to dogsit alone, and amuse himself surfing the web. Lew is pretty accustomed to doing that, but nevertheless by evening it got old. And once when Lew turned his back just momentarily, Smokey jumped up onto the bed. Obviously, vigilance had to be redoubled..

But there was one advantage to this slip. In order to get him down off the bed at our bedtime, we had to bring the ramp inside. Lo and behold, this turned out to be much easier than we imagined. We got him off the bed. outside, and back in without trouble, put the collar on, and had a pleasant sleep while the mercury was in free fall outside.

Monday morning (the 21st) dawned bright and cold, but warmed rapidly in the sun. Lew walked both dogs while Bobbi set out breakfast, and soon we were in shirtsleeves. This time we took the initiative of immediately putting the ramp up for Smokey to climb up into the bed, where he stayed until now (that is, mid-afternoon) while we both did email and surfed. Very relaxed, he snoozed away the day -- as did Saphire.

We go back to the clinic on the 31st to have Smokey's stitches removed, and again 2 weeks later for x-rays. Oviously, if we stay here for those procedures, we will be unable to make it over to Texas for the second straight year. Smokey also is supposed to get a second set of films done four weeks after that, but obviously we will be back in Columbus then. Fortunately, OSU has one of the premier vet orthopedic programs in the country, so we don't anticipate any trouble.

More later.