Wednesday, January 24, 2007

cold toes




The oddest thing.

The world was softly spoken we woke this morning. Too quiet even for duvet deafness, the snuggling in between eiderdown and pillow, the space where warm slumber meets the new day, where we test the air with our nose and allow those other senses to slowly emerge from their repose.

Today, instead of the insistent rumble and throb of hurly burly morning progress there is a hush of traffic as if through blancmange...and children’s voices too, usually drowned by the din of violent cars, are plainly audible laughing and shrieking beyond the window.

It’s cold on my nose as I burrow back into the covers. The window behind me radiates cold, and beyond the shutters, beyond the window pane, the sky’s cool grey is tinged with amber.

It’s snowing outside.

Normally I would be ecstatic. Even the grey humdrum of the city looks better for a sprinkling of snow – but mostly, because we so seldom have a reasonable fall. It is exciting to walk with the dogs, to watch their excitement at a new terrain. It’s exciting for me too, having grown up in the countryside of Scotland, to slip out of urban thrall after work - back into the wellie boots of youth amongst snow laden trees, with my boys, on a quiet, frigid night.

I wish it were that simple. Unfortunately one of us, Toffee, is still not well. He had his stitches removed last night along with further x-rays and a thorough examination. (He makes me proud, and rather humble. Whilst other dogs are causing chaos in the hospital waiting room he sits or lies, watching the world go by with big brown placid eyes. He’ll tolerate no end of pulling or twisting, man handling of an obviously sore joint, without a murmur of protest. I didn’t teach him these manners, they’re in his nature).

So for all that has already been done, while not wasted has neither worked. He has arthritis in his knee it is still too weak to support the load of any normal exercise. The surgeon spoke to us about a solution which involves removing a wedge of bone to change the angle of the knee and consequently the strain on the surrounding ligaments. The whole is then put back together and reinforced with pins and plates.

Apparently if it works, it works well. And if it doesn’t, (which is unlikely but possible) it can go very badly wrong.

Toff and I had a good long chat about it and we decided that he’d rather run again than spend his life walking on a lead. So…..next Tuesday.

There’ll be other snow falls.

16 comments:

Megan said...

Poor Toff. Have you discussed using glucosomine and chondroitin as well? They are supposed to be excellent at managing arthritis. I believe the practice even started with dogs.

Good luck. And enjoy the snow.

Daisy said...

Toffee sounds like such a brave dog. I hope he gets what he needs and will be up and about soon.

Anonymous said...

Poor Toffee, but what a trooper, Blaise is mental when he gets to the vets he gets too excited and jumps on everyone!! Hope Toffee is up & running very soon x

Jenn said...

Reading about that procedure gave me shivers. But then I'm wimpy about that stuff and really, who cares...as long as it works. Toffee is such a champ.

Yep...other snowfalls there will surely be.
x

leesepea said...

Keeping my fingers crossed for Toff.

And you, too.

I know it's hard to watch your children be in pain and feel as if you've no immediate way to make it better.

Seven said...

Best wishes for the tolerant Toff.

Melissa said...

Oh Toff. Sweet boy. He'll be good to go, Col. He can pull through. There WILL be other snowfalls. Nice brisk walks through that fresh fallen snow will make all the worry and stitches worth it.

Monogram Queen said...

Ah you make the snowfall sound so magical and peaceful .. which it is.
My best wishes to Toffee. I think Reilly and I would make the same decision. He is such a handsome boy

Minnesota Nice said...

I will be thinking of Toffee. If there's any karma at all, this time will be the one that gets him up and running again, he's been too patient and good for it to go any other way.

Stacy The Peanut Queen said...

You have my most sincere well wishes for Toffee. It's SO frustrating when you want them to be well and be "back to normal"...but YOU are the one who has to make the decision "do it" or "not do it". (Believe me, although a different scenario is happening at Palace Peanut, I had to make a decision for my pup too).

You know, I love people (my husband, my parents and brothers, etc.)...and I love objects (my books and my coconut candles and the like)...but there is no other love quite like I have for my dog. I'd do damn near anything for my mutt...she's my baby.

You can bet I'll be thinking of you and Toff on Tuesday and sending healing thoughts your way! :)

Wendy said...

All my best to both you and Toffee. Please keep me posted.

Jessica said...

Keeping Toffee in my thoughts....

30-Something Girl said...

Well I'll be dammed. Look whose back. You've been missed!

Amy said...

Ahh, here's to Toff, on this fine Tuesday. Hoping he's well. His brother and dad, too.

Jenn said...

x for Toff.

Unknown said...

Sending good thoughts your way and it is good to see you back.