Not the brightest of dogs...but he sure is handsome!

Kepler, did you have a nice swim today?

No, why not?

Oh thats right, because you fell through the ice into a freezing cold lake and couldn't get out! Idiot! He sure is lucky that he's so good-looking!

I love Kepler, but today he definitely showed me today that he's not the sharpest tack in the box. We were snowshoeing up on Mt. Seymour and he was having a great time running and playing in the snow. Suddenly I realized that my boy must have wandered off because I hadn't seen him in a couple minutes. I tried calling him and calling him. Nothing. Calling again. Nothing. Then I heard a dog whining and barking, it sounded like it was miles away, and it definitely didn't sound like Kepler but I started walking back on the trail anyways. As I was walking I realized that the barking dog sounded much closer, and very frantic. I quickly ripped off my snowshoes and ran back on the trail as fast as I could. There I saw him, and I will never forget the panicked look on his face. Kepler had fallen through the ice on a lake beside the trail and was struggling to get out. I ran down the snow-covered embankment grabbed his collar and dragged his soaking wet body out of the lake.

My poor boy! He was terrified and completely drenched in ice cold water. I looked through the hole in the ice and couldn't see the bottom of the lake, it was a very deep drop off from the edge of the lake and there's no way he would have made it out on his own. It was a very scary experience that luckily had a happy ending.

On a side note I think that this experience may have made me a bit superstitious. I had gone to the shelter this morning to renew the boys licenses. They had asked me if I was comfortable taking tag 0666 (apparently a lot of people wouldn't take that number). I have never felt that certain numbers are lucky or unlucky so I said sure, why not. They assigned that tag to Kepler, and Tycho got a much higher number since so many people refused to take 0666. Maybe it's a coincidence, maybe not, but next year if 0666 comes up I might pass!

On a final note, I finally X-rayed Kep this week after noticing some lameness recently in his right hind leg. Of course I've been paranoid that it's a hip problem and had convinced myself that he will be needing surgery (don't worry, he has insurance). But luckily I was only partly right. His hips look okay on x-rays, but upon exam it turns out he has a luxating patella. His right knee is "looser" than his left and could account for his wonky gait. Hopefully as he grows and gains more muscle the knee will tighten up and it will cease to be a problem. Worst case scenario it could worsen and require surgery, or leave him more prone to ACL tears and arthritis of the knee. Ugh. I'm sorry Karma Gods for whatever I have done. For now the vet is saying just to let him be as active as he is used to being and just see how he does. But of course now I'm worried about starting agility with him an exacerbating the issue. Lets hope that Kep grows strong and this is never an issue for him!

Vacation without the dogs blues

I'm in Arizona right now visiting my parents. It's beautiful, relaxing and best of all DRY here (sorry to everyone back in rainy Vancouver). But I definitely miss my boys. This is the first time I've had to leave Kepler ever, and I haven't left Tycho since he had his hip surgery. Luckily they have their favorite uncle (my brother Stephen) staying with them.

In Arizona I always do a lot of shopping. I've been to a couple malls already. Got some shoes, some nice tops, but my best purchase of all...

...a little chocolate chihuahua.

Yesterday I took a page out of Jody and Erika's book and made a trip to the local animal control. This shelter receives anywhere from 100 to 200 dogs and cats a day! Unfortunately because of lack of space, money and other resources this means that they do routinely euthanize animals that don't get adopted. That is where I came across this little guy.

I sprung him from the joint and I'm planning on finding him a great home in Vancouver. It was hard to pick just one dog to take home, there were so many to choose from. He is currently being called Sketch, but that changes almost hourly. Definitely taking name ideas. Other names on the list are Rico, Sanchez, Oakley, Corona, Durango, the list goes on. He's about a year old, chihuahua mix. He's the chocolate version of Paco, one ear up, one ear down, and only 9 lbs.

Of course a trip to Arizona isn't complete without a trip a local Good Will store (my parents favorite place to get good deals). I got a small dog kennel, dog dishes, a dog towel, dog toy and blanket all for about $10 at the Good Will.

Today I also went to see my house in El Mirage. My tenants were very nice, but also a bit crazy. They have two 30 lb cats, and a 30 lb shih tzu mix dog named Princess. Need I explain more. I took lots of photos that I will post another time.

This is not the time of year...

...to have a bare hind end! Brrr it's been chilly lately. Snow. Rain. Ice. Not fun for a half naked German Shepherd, right?

Wrong!! He loves it!!

Tycho can't help but have a fit of puppy zoomies when in the snow. Of course all that fun probably isn't good for a healing hip, but at least we are 6 weeks in now. In fact he has an appointment tomorrow for his repeat x-rays. If all looks good he can start going for short walks. And it would be nice if I could stop carrying him up and down stairs, my back would certainly appreciate it.

Look at that fuzz he's got growing in!

Of course Kepler is enjoying the snow too. He's dying to play with his brother again, who knows when that will be allowed.

Mmmm snow is yummy...

Oh my God this is AWESOME!

All that playing in the snow is exhausting.

Some X-Rays of Tycho

I got a disc of Tycho's hip X-rays from the surgeon so I thought I would share them. First off for comparison this is an x-ray of good dog hips.

And Tycho....ouch

But alas he is bionic now, and soon he will be better than new!

His recovery is going well, but we need to wait until his bone grows into the implant before he can get back to any sort of an active lifestyle. 6 weeks after the surgery (we're 2 and 1/2 weeks in now) we will repeat the x-rays to assess how quickly his bone is fusing with the implant. He is going stir crazy from cabin fever and I'm sure he is packing on the pounds thanks to grandparents who are giving him more treats than ever! Luckily the grandparents are leaving town next week and we get get Tycho on a proper diet.

Tycho update and pics

Tycho has been home from the hospital for 4 nights now and he is doing very well. Almost too well. He's no longer thrilled with the idea of being locked in a pen all day and wants to get back to his usual job of patrolling the house. Unfortunately, he needs to be confined and only taken out on leash for pee/poo breaks for the next 2 months! Towards the end of the 2 months we are able to start incorporating short leash walks. He is walking very well, the right leg was operated on, and he even stands on it while lifting his left to pee! (I cringe when he does that). Tyke is still a bit grumpy with Kepler (who incidentally will be a patient himself next week as it is time for his neuter) but other than that his is pretty happy.

At home his first night.

The shave job seems a bit excessive, I guess they wanted to make the left side even

A sleepy drugged-up Tyke

A look at his incision (remember Tyke, chicks dig scars!)

Unhappy in his lock-up

The Bionic Dog!

Good news to report. Tycho had his surgery today and everything went as well as could be expected. After a sleepless night, Tyke and I had an early morning. I dropped him off at the specialty hospital in Langley at 7 am. Around 3:30pm I heard the good news that he made it through the 2 hour anesthetic and surgery well and was finally recovering. He will stay at the hospital overnight for monitoring, and should be ready to come home tomorrow afternoon. It will be a lonely night without him, but I am so relieved that this surgery is finally over. Thank you to all his aunties for all your support and good wishes.

Why does time go so slow...

...when you're really worried about something.

It's official! Tycho will be having his surgery on Monday, October 18th. Yes thats right, 5 days from now. This is what I wanted for him, I should be (and I am!) thrilled, but of course now that it's happening, all I do is worry. I haven't slept well the last few nights because it's all I can think about. I'm worried about his anesthetic, I'm worried about how well the operation will go, I'm worried about his recovery... but, by this time next week, he will be back home with me, new hip and all! Please everybody cross your fingers, send out good thoughts and think of Tycho in your prayers over the next week so that everything goes smoothly for him.