End of the 4th Week Home

This weekend will mark the end of the 4th week Cleo has been at my house. She is really starting to fit in well. I think she was feeling everyone out at first (as she should have). But now, Stewie is being an idiot around her (doing his silly boxer pounce) and that really ticks her off! When the boys are playing, if they get too close to her spot on the couch that kind of ticks her off too! And they both back down from her, even if she is 25 pounds less and about 3 inches shorter. They are so funny to watch. I can’t wait until she has her surgery and is better so she can really run and play with them without worrying for her. They do all run the fence together with the boxer behind us, and the lab and chihuahua next door; even if she does it three legged! I’ve noticed that she does NOT like any slick surface whatsoever. I think I might need to get a couple more rugs for the kitchen and maybe the bathroom. What’s one more thing?? HA

With the money I got for Christmas, I think I’m going to buy the ex-pen and possibly a child safety gate. I found an inexpensive bolt-on gate at Walmart.com, so I should be able to get both for under $100 with shipping! Then I’ll have to get my dad out here to help me take the door off and put the gate on.

Since it was rather nice yesterday, the dogs were in and out of the house a lot more (they and the cats really had cabin fever). I noticed last night that Cleo was really packing her leg a lot and this morning, she really isn’t putting a lot of pressure on it. I sure hope the surgery is towards the beginning of the month, but the 19th would sure make it easier on me. Although, if the surgery is sooner, I might be able to bribe my mom to come sit with the dogs for the evening of the board meeting. It’s a good thing she loves me!!

Quick update

I got to visit with Dr. Smith for a short time yesterday evening while I was picking up meds for my old girl, Nikita. He hasn't had a chance to talk with Dr. Sherr (the Ortho vet) yet. Probably due to Christmas, then New Year's. Darn holidays! HA Anyway, he said he would be getting back to me. I told him I anticipated the middle of January (for the surgery, not talking to him about it - hopefully)!! Actually, it would be rather nice to have it on the 19th of January, because I have a board meeting that night. Cleo could spend the night at the vets, then I could potentially have the rest of that week and the following week off, or work from home for those two weeks.

I still need to get the craft room cleaned out. I think that is going to be my best option when I am not here. I think an ex-pen would be nice when I am home because the boys just don't pay attention. They step all over her, and when I try to stop them, then they SIT on her! UGH. What was I thinking getting two boys so close in age?!?

Cleo fund update: I have received $45 more dollars! Thanks to those that donated!! I appreciate it very much. Cleo might like it NOW, but come the middle of January - she will not be happy with you. HA

No New News

Nothing new to report. Cleo's surgery hasn't been scheduled yet. With the holidays, I would expect it to be the first part to middle of January. Since it's been winter here the last week (and it's not even winter yet) it should be a very interesting time of the year to have surgery done. At least that will give me more time to save more money for the surgery. The less I have to make payments on, the better!

Today I started preparing Cleo for 'dressing up' to go outside. She was not impressed! And she would not be impressed with me posting pictures of that embarrassing moment for everyone to see. Ah well, the joys of having four-legged kids.

Here she is with just 'shoes'. Luckily, I had some for Cheyenne. Cleo is a bit bigger than Cheyenne was, but they seem to fit. And she didn't walk tooo funny except at the very beginning.

And these were Dakota's 'jammies'. Why I've kept them, I don't know, but I think with the legs, these will actually work pretty well for after surgery!

Start of Week 2

I have started to research about the TPLO surgery and what I need to do to prepare. I do know Cleo will need at least 6 if not 8 weeks of strict confinement, then about 4-6 months of moderate confinement. UGH! This will not be fun for Cleo OR me! Her first day at home, I had to take Nikita to the vet for her annual visit. I left Stewie out of his kennel, and put Cleo in his, since I had no idea what she might do to the house, in case she decided to dig or get out of the yard, etc. I was gone for not quite two hours, and both Stewie and Cleo were in the back yard. She busted through the gate of the kennel, parts were everywhere! Thank goodness was able to fix it so Stewie could be locked in again. Of course, Cleo got her way and is loose in the house!

Since she does NOT like a kennel, and she MUST be confined after surgery, I’m thinking either an x-pen (inexpensive, since I won’t need it long) or an attached kid gate on my spare room. Either way, I’ll need to clean! I would like to get the x-pen now, so I can see if it will work for her before the surgery. I also would like to get a No-Bite collar, or Neck’s Best Thing. I hate those Elizabethan collars, and I’m sure she wouldn’t either. I guess I’m lucky that I already have rugs throughout the kitchen since I got them when Cheyenne had her surgery. I will need a couple more, since Mack has destroyed a couple! I also am looking at getting a couple more kongs and something called an Everlast ball. Just something to keep her mind off not being able to go be free without me here.

If anyone knows where to find a used x-pen, or one I could borrow, that would be really nice. I think it should be at least 36” tall, if not taller, so she doesn’t try to jump out.

Update on 'Cleo’s Fund' – she currently has $10 from one of my co-workers! Another co-worker suggested a bake sale, but not sure when at this point in time. I’ve opened a separate savings account at First Liberty CU just for her.

Cleo's First Week

This is my first attempt at blogging, and it figures it will be about my dogs...

I adopted (rescued, inherited?) Cleo on December 1, 2008. She is a 6 year old, Boxer. I think I'm her third or fourth family, but I will be her last! She seems to love her new 'brothers', Stewie - 18 month old Boxer and Mack - almost 2 year old? AmStaff mix, and her 'sister' Nikita - almost 15 year old Husky mix.

When Cleo came to me, her former owner said she would probably need surgery, as her ACL on her left leg was torn. I took her to my vet on Thursday, December 4th, and was told that it was most likely ruptured from the time it was first seen and now. He also suspects a torn(?) meniscus in the same leg. This means that the previous owners 'quote' of $1000 just doubled! Eek! The reason it doubled? Instead of just the traditional ACL surgery, which my vet would be able to do, Cleo has to have TPLO surgery, which has to be done by an orthopedic surgeon along with my vet.


Unfortunately, I don't have the $2000. The sooner I can have her surgery done, the sooner her rehab and pain free life can begin! If you could spare a couple dollars (any amount would help) both Cleo and I would appreciate it. If you can't, that's ok, but be sure to stick around and follow Cleo's journey.


Isn't she just the sweetest thing?