Welcome to this week’s edition of Follow-Up Friday, the post where I highlight reader’s comments, answer questions and generally just wrap up my week.

You Make Me Smile – March 9, 2014

Donna said, “Really??? That works??? She doesn’t just climb over him???? LOL!”

Good point Donna!  It worked this time.  No future guarantees.

In Case of Emergency

So some of you have emergency bags packed.  That’s a good thing!  Some of you have far more things packed then I do, but thanks to all of your comments, I have a pretty good idea of what I need to pack.

Reilly and Denny said, “We have small signs by the front door and garage to let emergency know there are 2 dogs inside and we have spare leads and harnesses for them in the car etc.”

Excellent point Reilly and Denny!!  I have one of those stickers at my front door and one on my bedroom window as well.  This is so important if something happens when you aren’t home or if you are unconscious when they arrive.  It lets emergency responders know to get to your pets.

Genevieve said, “I have a backpack with copies of important household papers and dog records in it. There’s also a first aid kit and a few days worth of: my medicines, power bars, dog food, and underwear! I’m not going commando in an emergency…

I commend you my dear, but in an emergency going commando is the least of my worries.  Besides, it’s kind of freeing if you know what I mean. 😉

I found this post with easy camping tips and thought numbers 13 and 21 would be perfect for emergency kits.  I think the post title says it all.  Some of these tips are really borderline genius, especially if you are really roughing it.

Conservative Management

Well most of you know, this went out the window Tuesday night, but some good questions here.

Jackie Bouchard asked, “So, does a full tear mean the conservative approach is out?”

Basically yes.  Jana at Dawg Business had a post explaining it and she can do it better than me. 🙂  You can read her version here.  This is how I understand it, of course after today I may have a far better idea.   The ACL is a ligament that holds the knee in place, if it partially tears, you have the opportunity to isolate the ligament and give it time to repair itself.  I had a torn ligament from a car accident many years ago and I wore a brace for months, until the ligament healed itself.  BUT when the ligament fully tears the knee is unstable and cannot support the leg and is incredibly painful and to my understanding it is unable to heal.

Sue asked, “Is there any possibility of water therapy near you?”

There is Sue, and we were scheduled to start that tomorrow.  I also discovered the vet we are seeing today has physical therapy in their office and I’ll be checking into that as well.

I Jinxed My Dog

As many of you pointed out, I couldn’t actually jinx him, and truthfully I really feel like we gave it our very best.  Sadly it happened in spite of that and I can’t change that.  All I can do is move forward.

Emma said, “He will have to go eventually, but bring one of those 40 gallon Hefty trash bags out with you for when it finally happens!”

He actually did go!!  He went yesterday morning and he went again last night, twice!  

Jan K said, “I have a lot of regrets when it comes to my pets, but we just can’t know.”

Me too Jan.  But you are right, we just can’t know.

Again I want to thank all of you.  For the phone calls, the e-mails, the, texts,  private messages and comments.  It helps.  It makes me feel like I’m not alone and for that I am so grateful.  This is an amazing community and I couldn’t ask for better friends.

I will update my personal Facebook page as well as the blog page after I get back from the vet.

Have a great weekend my friends!