Behren!

(This picture cracks me up! I don't even remember what Shane and I were saying so that he would look at us, but I know we were saying two different things, and Behren was probably confused.)

We went to my parents house for lunch today so we could spend some time with the pup! He's doing ok. Still limping 2 months after surgery. Went to the doctors on Monday and the doctor said he wants Behren to lose 10 lbs and was hoping he'd be farther along than he is now, but he said that everything seems to be in place. He said Behren can go on mile walks now, but to just make sure we keep him on the leash. Behren got loose a week ago or so and ran like crazy, which is why he is probably limping so much. I just feel so bad. I hope his leg heals so he doesn't limp any more.

Behren's One Month Checkup!

Well, yesterday was Behren's 3rd Birthday and his one month checkup from his surgery.

He got his last laser therapy (it stimulates the cells to help them heal faster and reduces swelling), and we talked with Dr. Sliker (from Camboro . . love it there!). Dr. Sliker was very impressed with Behren and said he was very happy with the results so far. He was moving Behren's knee all around and said it felt great and very stable. (The whole time Behren was giving him kissies). Then I walked Behren around so the doctor could see how he walked, and said that Behren is using the leg ~70% of the time and said that was good!

Dr. Sliker said that Behren can start going for short walks in two weeks, working up to about 1/2 mile each walk. Yay!

For Behren's birthday, we went back to our house and we sang and Behren got a piece of a cupcake with a doggy bone on top (he's still on a diet so we didn't want to give him the ENTIRE cupcake)!

Behren - Post Stitch Removal!

Well, Behren got his stitches out yesterday!


The doctor said Behren is doing really well!! Still not allowed to go for walks (which has been really hard for Behren . . he gets so anxious when he doesn't get exercise!), but he can bathe now, which is a biiiig plus cause man he is stinkkkkkkkkkkkkyyy!!


He seems to be walking better every day. I just hope he can eventually run on it again!

Big Boy!

Got to see Behren in the morning, at lunch, and after work! He is doing ok. Still limping a lot and carrying his leg up. After he takes his pain pills, he is outtttttt. And his eye lids stay open when he "closes" his eyes. . . it's kinda freaky (this isn't a picture of him doing it. . I really should try to get one though).

He still plays with his toys off and on though! I just think he's so frustrated that he can't run around the yard and the house. I feel so bad for him!

Can you see all the toys on the fire place behind him??!?! He is so spoiled. But rightfully so. Still so nervous about his rehab and recovery.

He's Home!

We picked up Behren today! It was so great!

First off let me say that we took Behren to Camboro, and I cannot say enough good things about them. They made us feel so comfortable and always seem to know what they are talking about and don't care how much we bother them. They tell us to call as much as we want. I really like all the staff and doctors there, and completely recommend taking your pets there!

When we first got there we went in one of the exam rooms and the one assistant told us about the meds that he needed to take (inflammation, pain pills, antibiotics). Then the doctor who did the surgery (Dr. Sliker - Orthopedic Surgeon for 17 years or something like that . . a very nice and very educated guy!) came in and we got to talk to him about questions we had and about what to expect and what Behren can and can't do. Pretty much . . he has to stay in the house for the next month and can only go out (on a leash) to do his thing and then has to come back in. No running, no jumping, no climbing stairs, no digging. After a month then he can start going for walks on a leash again.

So after we discussed all that, Dr. Sliker took us to the xray exam room to show us Behren's xrays (and they gave them to us on a CD . . how fun!).

Pre Surgery
(you can see on the right how much farther his knee is separated . . this is because his cruciate ligament was 75% torn, and the rest was just stretched out)

Post Surgery
(you can see where the metal clasps are . . if you look really good, you can see a darker line where the "tunnel" is that they drilled)



When we were in the xray room, they took him past to do some laser therapy (which he goes back for once - twice a week for five weeks) . . this is supposed to help stimulate cell growth and help him heal faster. He saw us when he walked by and did a double take. When we finally got to see him, he did his normal smile and wagging of the tail and was so excited to see us. You could tell he was definitely ready to go home though. He was very anxious.


Here is his suture on his leg. He goes back in two weeks to get the stitches removed.


They shaved off so much hair! He looks naked!


After a while at home, he seemed a lot more content and started playing with all his toys. We fed him and gave him his pills, and then he was passed out. (p.s. - Our 20 year old kitty is behind Behren).


It is so great to have him home again. We have a long road to recovery, but we just hope we can get him back so he can painlessly run on all fours again.

Thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers. We greatly appreciate it!

Behren Update! - 19 hours & Counting!

Well, the doctor who did the surgery called me today and said that Behren is doing really well. He said that he's up baring weight on the leg and eating like nothing happened. The doctor said that he flexed and extended Behren's leg, and Behren didn't even look at him. . didn't even phase Behren! He said we can come pick Behren up tomorrow!! Yay! :-)

I will definitely post some post-op pics! I can't wait to get him back!!

Behren Update - Only 1 More Day!

Talked to the vet again!

They said Behren is doing well. They said he was up and walking around and was excited to go outside. They said he was putting weight on his leg when he was just standing there, but when he walked he still limped a little.

They said he is going to get some laser therapy later today.

I am supposed to call around 9am tomorrow to see how he is doing. They said if he stays the way he is, he should be coming home with us tomorrow! Yay!

Behren Update - Post Op

Well, the vet just called me! They said Behren got out of surgery 1/2 an hour or so ago. They said he did very well and handled the anesthesia fine. They said that the good news was he had no complete ligament tears, but that his cruciate ligament was 75% torn, and the remainder of it was stretched. The doctor said he had no stability what so ever.
They did a "tightrope" procedure (somewhat like the above pic). The vet said that they believe they did a great job stabilizing the knee. They took post-op x-rays which the vet said he was also very pleased with. He said it was good placement and he was very happy.

I will probably call later to see how he's doing (they said I could). And the doctor said he will call me tomorrow morning sometime to give another update.

We don't get him back until Thursday after 3 though!! Ugh. I just hope he doesn't hate us.

Behren - Pre Surgery

This is such a terrible pic (taken on my camera, then taken by my phone, then sent to my email), but this was Behren right before we went in for his surgery. He knew. He is so smart. I mean look how scared and sad he looks! :-(

It was absolutely terrible. And of course, the two most emotional people in the world (my mom and myself) go to take him. I was trying to stay strong for both Behren and my mother, but it was so hard to hold back tears. Especially when they took him "behind the big scary door" (aka - out of the waiting room) . . . he just did not want to go. He was backing up and had his claws dug in the floor so hard! It was so sad. My mother and I then walked out reluctantly and cried in each others arms for a couple seconds (I know, we are pathetic . . . we just love our dog too much!). We know (we hope) that this is going to make him better, and we just hope that we are making the right decision.

We still have not received the call from the vet to see how he made out. They said some time between 2 - 4 pm.

I will let you know what they say.

Behren's Surgery Day

Well, my little pup, Behren, is getting surgery tomorrow. He tore his cruciate ligament in his knee and limps a lot. . .pretty much has been running/walking on three legs. He his only 3 years old (not even) and it makes me so sad that he has to get this done already. It usually happens on older dogs, but for some reason it happened to Behren. The doctors claim that it's not even an athletic thing that he did. . . they seem to think it's arthritic. 3 years old and he already has arthritis!

Well . . . after the VERY expensive surgery, Behren has to rest for 3 months! No running, no jumping, no climbing stairs. Which is why we (dad, Shane, and me) built a ramp this past weekend to help him get in and out of the house. I know . . . I know . . . "You built that ENTIRE ramp for a dog?!!" Yes. He means everything to us, and I'm sure all pet owners understand. Right?! Ugh . . maybe we are a little crazy, but we will do anything for him, and just want the best for him, and we hope he can heal fast.

The first day of the ramp. We built this entire thing in only two days (and didn't even work a full 2 days on it).

My dad cracks me up. When he is really concentrating on something, his does this funny thing with his tongue.

Shane and Behren testing it out.

The finished product! This is only temporary (3 months worth), so we didn't make it super fancy, but I think we did a good darn job on it! Especially considering we didn't really even have a plan of how we were going to do it. . .just winged it!

My daddy looking at what an awesome job he did!

So please everyone, keep Behren in your thoughts and prayers. We won't get him back until Thursday. I am going to be so worried. So maybe pray for me too. Ha! I will keep you updated.