End of Blog?

Hi all, Just a quick note to say that this blog thing is not happening so well so I think I'm going to move everything over to Facebook. This will allow us to publish photo albums and network with the FB world. Does anyone see problems with this plan? Does anyone know if people who don't have a FB account can access FB pages? Thanks and links to follow!

What do you think...

Really quickly, please give me your suggestions. I'm wondering if I should close this blog and just start a page on Facebook. Does anyone have a comment? Can people access Facebook pages even if they don't have an account? That's my one worry because I want basically anyone to be able to have access. Thanks!

Charity Date Night

Steve and I had a moment (or a few hours, really) of inspiration and on an impulse went to this weekend's Utah Animal Adoption Center's 14th annual Fur Ball. Since it was date night, getting all dressed up with heels and even perfume was pretty fun. The charity itself was hosted by X96's Radio From Hell Show and the three hosts/hostess did a great job. We didn't take Hope or Maude even though they were invited because Hope seemed sore and we didn't want to leave her home alone. The silent auction was very sizable and it was fun to watch people get pictures taken with their pups.

A few constructive criticisms that I'd like to make:
I would have liked to have seen actual animals that were up for adoption AND bullies were definitely not well-represented. Oh, and what's with not altering your animals? I can get past the fact that they aren't adopted (barely), but c'mon! At least spay and neuter. Anyways, enough with my rant. People donating to this cause are people after my own heart. Thanks to everyone who went!!

Speaking of Hope's soreness, I was thinking of getting her one of these:
http://www.bellaspainrelief.com/bellas-hot-cold-2039-prd1.htm

Does anyone have a review that they'd like to offer? Maybe you "made" one of these for less than 40 bucks plus shipping and handling and you'd like to offer me an idea or two. Or a pattern.

Anyways, Hope has definitely been getting stiff so it's got to be time to take her in for some physical therapy. She still runs and plays like a maniac but at the end of the day, I can tell that she just doesn't want to go up the stairs (so I carry her) or jump on the bed (so I lift her up). We both feel bad for the little chunk head so we need to help her as much as we can. Your advice is appreciated.

No pics this post, but don't panic -- they're coming!

Outings!

Once I started to feel better, my foster family and their friends took me bouldering at Joe's Valley.  I didn't boulder, of course, but I did do some running, sun bathing, and relaxing.  Check out the pics!

Not too sure about this desert thing...

Strike a pose!

Ahhh... love chewing... especially love chewing sticks!

My foster sister must watch on, jealously I'm sure.

See how I use my claw foot to grab on to it?  This is a fantastic technique for kong-chewing as well.

And it is reduced to bits!

Ahhh... belly rubs!

Kisses!

Love.

Love love!

Me and Mary (my foster mom). xo

Desert dogging is tiring stuff!

Belly rub... anyone? Belly rub?

Thanks!

What a great day!

My trip to Joe's was fantastic.  There's some footage of me somewhere running for the first time with three legs.  It was a huge turning point for me and everyone who knew me was excited to see that I'd progressed to the next step. Of course, to see me run now is really not much to folks and I get better and stronger every day.

Another outing that I took shortly after the amputation was to the Salt Lake County Animal Control building.  It's kind of gross, but the picture below shows my wound in all its gruesome detail.

Not too sure about my perch....

How many stitches is that? I'm so hard core!

Mary also took me to the park down the road for a Pit Crew event.  It was early on, but you can see that I was loving all the attention and I especially loved being outside on such a nice day! Have I mentioned how much I love kids?

We're such cute ladies.

Love squeeze!

Sunshine and kidlets -- perfection!

Post Amputation

After weeks or months of dragging her left leg around in pain, Hope had surgery and her leg was amputated. She was living in a foster home at this point and it's safe to say that Mary and Rocco saved her life by being so attentive, loving, and supportive. Feeding her by hand was just one way they helped Hope get through these sad and dark days.

Recovery Begins 

Yes, I'm hurting. 

Hope's foster sister keeping her company. :o) In pain.

After the surgery, Hope started retaining water and wouldn't eat. Rocco and Mary fed her by hand and kept a close eye on her. After about a week, she started to feel better....

Ahhhh.... stick chewing in the sun!

T-shirts are wonderful post-op protectors... but they still give us the itches!

Sunshine = healing

Early Photos Before Amputation 3

Many thanks to my foster parents, Mary and Rocco, for taking me into their home so I could feel safe and comfortable for my surgery.  Foster families are the greatest thing ever!  *lick* *lick* I got to spend several wonderful weeks with them and my foster sister, Asha.  Playtime with her was so much fun I forgot about my hurting leg!

Gotta love bunnies. We're so tough!

Ahhhhh.... Perfection!

Early Photos Before Amputation 2

A big thanks to the Best Friends Staff Photog, Sarah Ause, for also photographing me in my early days.  This was the day that I met Cat Whitehill, the US Women's Soccer team captain.  She's a wonderful animal lover and a celebrity! You might notice that I'm reluctant to put a lot of weight on my left front paw.  Of course, that didn't stop me from having fun and enjoying the park and kids!!!

Me and Skye -- she's the best trainer in the world!! *lick*

[Photos by Sarah Ause]