I Have A Baby Brother

Mom brought home something today that I was not expecting! A baby brother! He doesn't do anything but sleep. I like to watch him sleep. I keep trying to get him to do something but he just lays there. At first I was a little scared of him. I wanted to see him but I just wasn't too sure. I have never seen a baby that little bitty before. His name is Benjamin. 
Now Mom tells me I am going to have a little sister, too. Her name is Sally Jane. Mom says she will be here in a couple of weeks. Wow - but Mom says I am still the baby. I am just now a big brother, too.

Note from Mom: I got my first Reborn Newborn today. Benjamin Wyatt arrived at 1:30 p.m. weighing 5 1/2 pounds and 20 inches long. (If you don't know what a reborn is - google it) His sister will be coming in a couple of weeks. Isn't he precious?

Happy Mother's Day

Tomorrow is Mother's Day but dad and I celebrated with mom early today. We got her some beautiful big roses. They smell really good, too. She was really happy. My mom loves flowers of all kinds. Tomorrow she and dad are going out to eat somewhere but I have to stay home (not fair!) I hope they bring me something home!

Note from Mom: What a beautiful surprise they were! I do love all flowers, but roses especially. These are enormous roses, too. He did good! He is so funny how he has to smell them. Love my Opie! 

My Mama's New Tattoo Redo

My mom got the coolest tattoo today! She says it is in honor of me. You know that means I am really special. She didn't put my name on it, but she still says it is because of me.

Note from Mom: Many years ago I got a hummingbird and a yellow rose tattooed on my shoulder and after too much time in the sun when we had a pool without sunscreen, no less, it had faded pretty bad. You could barely even tell what it was. It no longer had yellow in the rose or green and red in the hummingbird. So I asked an artist if he could redo it with something new. (Honestly, I would preferred to have it removed all together, but that is very costly, takes many many trips to have it removed and you still never completely get rid of it)

So when I got to his studio he had drawn up what he thought would look good. All I knew is I wanted a pawprint included. 

So here is the before picture and the after picture. I like it!

My X Rays

My mom got all my X Rays from the first orthopedic surgeon I went to and they are pretty cool pictures. (They don't look anything like me) She says she isn't too sure she likes this first surgeon and wants to take me to another for a 2nd opinion. 
I still limp a lot even though I take my medicine. I like to run and play and then when I do I hurt for a few days after. 



Note from Mom: According to the orthopedic surgeon, he sees hip dysplasia and suggested Opie have left hip replacement. I am not sure I agree with that. I still think it is his knee. It won't hurt to get another opinion. I don't want them operating on him if it isn't absolutely necessary. 

I am a member of a Facebook page called Orthodogs and I shared these X-Rays on there and every person posted back agreed that a 2nd opinion is needed and they see no signs of hip dysplasia. There are people who are vets, vet techs & even orthopedic staff,,so makes me wonder!

Hip Dysplasia

I was diagnosed with Hip Dysplasia earlier in the year and the plans to have a hip replacement are in the works for June. BUT mom and dad have decided to try a few things first to see if we can make things better and avoid the surgery.

1. I am going to go on a walk every day - but just a short one.
2. I am taking Fish Oil
3. I am taking a high dollar glucosomine tablet with Omega 3 and Green Lipped Mussel
4. Daily Massages 
5. Probiotics
6. Rimadyl (anti inflammatory Rx)
7. Grain free Diet
8. Organic treats
9. Decrease exercise outside of walking

Note from Mom: We have pretty much done all of these things to some degree but we are now going to diligently try every single one together daily and see if we can note any improvements at all. The muscle mass is what we are most concerned about and want to see if we can gain some of that back through the daily walking and eating better.

If there is any possible way to avoid the surgery or even be able to put it off a year or two - then I would like to. If we do not see any change at all over a 2 month period then we will go ahead with the surgery.

We have also decided to get a 2nd opinion. I plan to make an appointment next week for a different specialist to see him. We will update after that visit.

Mom's 1st unOfficial Client

I have a new friend. He came over this week and spent the whole day.  He was over so mom could work with him but we played a whole lot, too. His name is Samson and he is a one year old Goldendoodle. We had so much fun. He is bigger than I am, well, taller. I have a lot more muscle, tho.

His mom brought him over to our house and 6:45 in the morning and he stayed until 4:45 in the evening. By the time he left, I was limping like crazy! I was so tired! Mom says she was tired, too. We stayed outside the whole day. It was such a pretty day - not hot at all. It was just right! You should see Samson leap right over me like a frog!

Note from Mom: Samson is a pretty hyper pup, but he is just one year old and full of energy. We worked on sit, down and stay. We worked for about 10 minutes ever 45 minutes the entire day. On breaks he and Opie played until they dropped and needed a few minutes of down time. It was a lot of fun working with him. However, his mom messaged me today and has decided to rehome Samson. I was really sad to hear that. She just doesn't feel like she can give him the time he needs since he is a high energy dog. I know he will calm down in a few months and he is so smart and will make a great companion. I hope someone will want him and love him the way I love Opie. He deserves that. I was really looking forward to working with him and having him over for playdates.

My Mom's Business Cards

My mom is getting so legit! Aren't her business cards pretty? Well, how can they not be with MY picture on them? Right? I look pretty good if I do say so myself. I think the colors are pretty cool, too.

Note from Mom: I was a little worried I was jumping the gun but then decided what the heck - they were only $9 for 500 cards. Now that they are here, there are a couple of things I would have added but too late now. Maybe next time.

I also got a tee shirt, too.