pupdate: sad (but not that saddest) news

Our Cookie has a torn ACL and needs surgery. Surgery itself brings worry and concern and inconvenience, and of course, massive expense. But none of that is the worst part. The worst part is Cookie's future. Her days of running free on the beach are over. For me, that is heartbreaking.

This is our third dog who has had a repaired knee. Our first dog, the amazing Gypsy, had a busted ACL. The surgery was cutting-edge at the time. We had to borrow a car to take her to a specialist in the suburbs north of New York City. We were about to leave for vacation in Alaska, when she developed a post-op infection. I remember being at a baseball game in the Kingdome in Seattle, calling our dogsitter from payphone. So many ancient words in that sentence!

A few lifetimes later -- six months after moving to BC, after we had adopted both Kai and Cookie -- Diego tore an ACL. He was still recovering from the surgery when the other knee gave out; the repaired knee wasn't strong enough to hold him as a tripod. Apparently this is very common. He was an older guy, and we felt the only viable option was to say goodbye. (Story here, here, here, and finally here.)

Our beautiful Tala developed degenerative disc disease. This was very similar to what we're about to go through now. There was a long period of rehab, after which Tala's life could never be the same. No more running at the dog park or on the beach. On-leash walks only. It was heartbreaking. 

There are some great pics of Diego keeping Tala company while she was confined: first here, then here. (That second link was super hard to find! My stupid cutesy titles are not search-friendly.)

And here we are. X-rays, bloodwork, surgery, meds. Confinement, rehab, new life.