2015 update

Oscar will be 13 this year. He's not doing so well - he's definitely showing his age these days. We're preparing ourselves for the unimagineable. Sometimes he doesn't want to eat and occasionally his back legs go from under him. Each time, we think "this is it" and then he picks himself up and carries on. Some days he's like a teenager - bounding ahead of us on his walks. Other days he dawdles behind us. We just keep reminding ourselves that he's a very very old man and that it's ok to be picky and to behave a bit strangely! As long as he's still getting pleasure from life ...  

2014 update

Oscar is nearly 12. He's feeling his age but still enjoying life. He gets a clean bill of health every year at his annual check-up ... Except for arthritis. We keep him on a good grain free diet so he doesn't have much inflammation. He's happy and healthy. Without the hip replacement surgery there's no doubt he wouldn't be with us still.

Booboo in Brittany!

Couldn't resist posting this one. Oscar had a great day out in the Golfe de Morbihan yesterday. Refused to get out of the sea - he loved it!

Nine months later ...

Here I am enjoying one of my favourite spots this summer. As you can see, absolutely no sign of the hip replacement surgery I had last December. It probably took about six months to completely recover - especially for my fur to grow back. I definitely have my mojo back now ... there's a real bounce in my step again. I feel good as new!

Went back yesterday to the see the specialist who did the operation - Dr Haudiquet in Angers. He's moved into a big posh new clinic of his own. I can't say I was as pleased to see him as he was me! I'm just glad we all came home together afterwards (as opposed to me having to stay with him for two days like last time)! He took some more x-rays which he said were 'perfect' and I can get back to normal activity - running, etc. Yippee! Had a good run this morning. The owners were a bit terrified still but I was really happy and bounced about like the old days. There was talk of when the other hip is going to be done though ... and I STILL have a patch of skin that won't heal (because I like to lick it when I have a quiet moment). The recommendation was honey and so I've been having a honey and lavender oil poultice put on ... I smell nice! It looks better today too - after just two applications.
We've asked for some of the x-rays to post on the blog so watch this space ...

Had the stitches out this morning. What a relief! They were pulling and bothering me so I kept licking the middle section of the scar. I should have had them out last Wednesday but it hadn't healed enough. The vet said it's because of the electric scalpel the specialist surgeon uses. It doesn't heal as quickly as a traditional one - the upside is it doesn't cut through the muscle though. So, it's finally healing although it looks a bit red where I've been licking it. We've got to keep an eye on it for a few days yet. I might have to have some steroid cream on it ... wish I hadn't licked it now but I'm just a dog and that's what I do!
Been out for slow little walks on the lead down the lane ... finally got to leave the garden and have a wee somewhere different which is great. I'm pretty bored on the whole ... no running, no ball to play with, no climbing on the sofa or going upstairs. The vet this morning said I'm walking well and putting my weight on my leg. I think I've got a bit of a limp but it's hardly noticeable. Going to have x-rays to confirm everything's ok in a couple of weeks.

As you can see from the video clip, I'm looking really good! Went to my local vet yesterday to get the dressing changed. My owners say the scar is very long but looking really clean and neat - no problems there and I'm on schedule to have the stitches out next week. My digestion problems have settled down. The vet said it was probably the anaesthetic, stress, drugs ... who knows. Temperature normal still so no sign of infection. Walking well - in fact, I desperately want to go on one of my usual walks. When I was put in the car yesterday I thought we were going somewhere exciting - I was actually even excited to see the garden outside the vet's! Somewhere different to wee!
I'm sleeping better and feeling calmer. My owners probably won't have to sleep with me at night after tonight. I'm not licking myself obsessively any more. My owners gave me the homeopathic remedy Chamomilla and that seems to have helped calm me down. I had Arnica just after the surgery, of course.