Sunday, March 18, 2012

A new addition! otis is a big brother!

Well, we have added a new baby to the household. She is perfect, and just enhances our already perfect family. :-) It's definitely tough to be a mom--I don't think I can think straight just yet! I'm glad I have excellent parental leave because trying to do research right now or teach a bunch of college kids would be a tough row to hoe.

Anyhow--on the Otis front, he's fabulous. Last fall he got a bit hefty and started to limp--the vet came out and observed him, and told us that he needed to lose about 10 pounds. A couple months later (and 8 pounds down) and he's good as new. Jumping high in the air, running around like crazy. He's great. In fact, he likes to run into the stream next to the house and get muddy--so we have to bring him to the lake to rinse off. Even when it's freezing outside! We just had him at the lake and he cut his foot on a zebra mussel. Awesome. Comedy of errors, that one.

How does he like the little one? He's not sure exactly what to think. But he licks the milk off of her face and lays next to her during tummy time. We think they'll be the best of friends. Don't you?

4 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for posting your journey with Otis. We are facing the same surgery on both hips with our new 5 month old Golden Sadie. I am so sad and only hope I can be as strong for her as you were for Otis. I will do all I can for her and I am so grateful you posted on this blog. I had so many questions of what to expect and I can't tell you what this means to me.

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  2. Ditto. Thanks for all the work you put into this blog. It has been very helpful in knowing what to expect during the first year to set our expectations. Our 7 month old goldie Riley will have his first TPO on Wednesday. Second to follow in approximately 6 weeks. He is very floppy with low muscle strength and has panosteitis in his front right shoulder. Vet is concerned about rehab going slow. We were struggling to find a vet for 3 months, we knew something was wrong but just couldn't find a vet who cared, kept hearing that nothing could be done. NOT acceptable. So we kept on it. The 5th vet and the surgeon she recommend will be great. Qualified surgeon and rehab with the vet. We need the support of the whole team. Nutrition, PT, etc.
    Thank you
    Riley's Mom

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  3. Rhonda:we were super lucky to have a vet who is both a consummate professional and a great friend. We also work at a university with a world renowned vet hospital/school, so they diagnosed Otis immediately. Rehab is super important. Please please please do the exercises and keep up with the physical therapy. It really took a long time, but now, almost three years later. He is perfect. He runs, jumps, plays with our daughter and chases everything. He almost caught a fawn the other day. :-) We have to keep him somewhat skinny...if he gets too heavy, he limps and gets sore. Good luck, Riley's mom, and please keep me posted!! --Otis's momma

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  4. Hi, just wondering if Otis is fine ? is everything okay? please, keep us posted!! thks,
    Denise, from Brazil

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