5.......... back to Mac, rehab

It's been a long week, a  v e r y  long week. Was easier to put myself under “house arrest” with Mac and catch up on financial year ends for clients. The weather certainly hasn't played along and there were some beautiful training days. The only “person” who really minded was Emma - does she not know what retirement means? Oh yes, that’s right: “long leisurely walks with Mom - what the heck happened to them”. I am now so ensconced in my daily routine; I even put on training pants today, after all who’s going to see me when I pop down to Shoprite? I certainly don’t do tea parties!

It took Mac 5 days before he put weight on his bionic leg and today was his first rehab session. Dawn Jones was in Hout Bay to treat horses, so bonus - she came to the house. Mac liked her immediately and loved the hour long session. I was reminded that we need to take rehab  s l o w l y. Still 3 more weeks of house arrest, a further 4 weeks of being on lead and then gradually build up stamina and strength going with his own comfort zone. 6 months before taking up agility was the number?

And so the routine will continue: up at 6am - snow gear on - alarm off - unlock and open door wide (so I don’t jam a leg of his when I carry him out) - take collar off - carry him outside - watch him wee - carry him back upstairs and into our room - collar back on - back into bed for that precious extra 10 mins. Once up and in the kitchen I put him onto the EMT mat. Once I’m at the computer he lies at my feet, collarless. Out for another wee mid-morning - collar back on – close him in study - dash to shop for bread and milk (not on water yet) - collar off - back to computer.

Bonus having an “accepting” Border Collie and one that only weighs 15 kg.

My back tells me the days might get longer. Thank goodness this isn’t a double storey house, a 2-step split level is enough. It took only 2 days for me to figure out that carrying him up the driveway to the cul-de-sac was not a good idea and that the 6 steps to my own lawn was a better option.

He has been so tolerant with this cumbersome collar. I downsized it so he could at least lift his head up and lie comfortably. When he’s in eyesight, I leave it off. A grunt from me stops any licking of the stitches. He has taken to lying at Charlie’s feet;  very out of character, him being a man, but then if he lies at my feet, I might put the dreaded noose back around his neck! Having Chantal and her “girls” to visit  when I had to go out on Mother’s Day outing was the hi-light of his week - both of them:  Mac having visitors and Charlie having a wife able to go out on a Sunday. I don’t think it would sit well if I had replaced competing time with injury time.

Best he makes the most of my downtime - I'll be back on the course some day!

Mac and Me

C’est la vie