August 11, 2011

White Dog and I watched out of the window as Steve carried Quinn down the stairs and set him firmly on the ground. The Other White Dog took a few tentative wobbly steps but then seemed to find a cadence and slowly walked down the driveway and back without stumbling. He listed a bit on the turn and Steve took him down the drive once again.

TOWD is at least somewhat mobile once again. He can get up and down from a lying position, although he struggles sometimes before gaining footing. He walks better than he has in a week once he get going but he does not have much stamina. The changes Dr. Julia has made to his medications have made a difference there.

But the adjustments seem to indicate that right now we are choosing between correcting Quinn's leg issues and controlling his manic behaviors. As Quinn walks better, he has been pacing more, turning in circles endlessly, and trying to fit into tight spaces that he cannot get out of. He frightens easily and stands staring into a corner or off into space often.

These, of course, are things we will review with Dr. Julia as we talk across the coming week and when she sees him at its end. But for now, it is far better that TOWD is back on his feet and able to move about. The White Dog Army is confident that they can make their brother feel safe and can calm his demons. We hope that as we adjust and tweak and reassess his treatments that we can find a balance that leaves our Mighty Quinn healthy in body AND in mind. 

On a brighter note, the White Dog Army, sans Quinn who stayed home to sleep after pacing until nearly 3am, had a Saturday field trip to Santa Fe. Steve and I were meeting with new supporters Veterinary Cancer Care about setting up a possible roundtable discussion and the Army was invited to meet their yellow Lab, Maggie. WDA had perfect party manners, accepting treats graciously and lying quietly as we talked. After, we stopped to pick up a picnic snack and drove up to the Santa Fe Opera House to show our pack just where we had gone every Saturday in July. Hope your weekend is full of fun and free of excessive weather.