Welcome Home Brie!

I know you are all wondering how Brie is making out and I do apologize that I have not updated my Blog sooner but things have been much more difficult than I expected :o( DH and I are running low on fumes but at least I can say that this experience has removed any doubts about whether we should have had children or not :oS

On Monday morning we took off for another long drive to PEI and this time I brought my camera and got a few shots of the Confederation Bridge despite the fog -

When we arrived at the hospital, DH and I got to finally meet the new student that had been looking after Brie. Meeting her in person only solidified my opinions of her personality and it's not one that should be dealing with people or animals. We were displeased that she had not prepared Brie ahead of time for our visit. Taking her out to use the bathroom would have only taken a few extra minutes of her time and would have decreased Brie's anxiety level :o(

As it was, Brie was extremely upset that she could not run to us or jump into our arms. My heart just sank when I saw how listless her hind end was but the doctor still had great hopes for her. Poor peanut looked like a skunk with the long, wide, white bandage down her back ;o)

I can't tell you how relieved I was to get her out of there. She was very happy to see the two of us but still very confused as to what was going on. I think there was a bit of resentment that we had left her there for so long but we quickly got back into her good books when we all stopped for some Cows ice cream :o)

Brie's first night home was a nightmare...for all of us! She was very scared and off a schedule she had been on for almost two weeks so that equalled a very sleepless night :o( The second night DH and I became smarter and put her bed beside ours :o) She seems very happy with this new arrangement and so are we. LOL!

We are having a bit of trouble controlling her urination and starting the medication that was given to us just made things worse :o( We have since stopped it and she is gradually getting better. The second night she was up twice in the night. That was the night we saw her tail wag for the first time :o) Last night she was up only once.

DH and I are doing doggy physiotherapy with Brie :o) We do the leg movements during the day and at night we do swimming. Finally, we've been able to use the life jacket that we bought her last year! LOL! Although they are only baby steps, Brie has made remarkable improvement since we brought her home. Last night while talking to my dad on the phone, Brie walked unassisted for about three feet! It was amazing :o) She can even stand on all fours for longer period of times as well.

For the most part, we use the sling when we go out for walks. It keeps her hind end up off the ground but today I noticed that she is starting to swing her back legs to walk. In the house, she just scoots around and when she hits carpet, she can actually pull her hind end up.

So, between the dirty pee pads, learning to walk, the extra laundry, play time and nap time, it's like looking after a newborn baby. No wonder we're both exhausted! Not to mention other things that have been going on but I'll update you about that later....

I have doubted myself a lot during these past three days. There were many times when I thought I couldn't do it. But then I look at that sweet, little face and remember all the times that Brie has been there for me, to lick my tears as they fell and to sit on my lap and comfort me. Now it's my turn to look after her and I don't regret, even for a second, the decisions I made. It is going to be a long road but we brought up a fighter...a girl that never quits and that doesn't know the meaning of the word "No". :o)