This past week Keith had leave and we spent the time up in Killeen, TX fixing our new home.  We changed out carpet for laminate in most of the downstairs areas that were not already tile.  Here is a photo of the finished great room floor as seen from the loft.   

Hours before leaving for Killeen and the new house, Merlot jumped off our bed, as he has every morning since he was 6 months old.  However, this time it left him shaking, stumbling, and crying out in pain.  I was afraid he was having a seizure since he was shaking all over.  Keith was home, thank goodness, and was able to get him calmed and check all his reflexes. He felt it was an extreme muscle spasm, possibly a herniated or slipped disk.  I gave Merlot pain meds, pretty much knocking him out for the day.  Monday morning we took him a vet in Killeen, TX.  They x-rayed him from head to toe and determined the same thing as Keith.  He was given a large supply of anti inflammatories and muscle relaxers.  He could barely walk and would not make it more than 10 feet before collapsing.  It didn’t seem like pain, but more like numbness and weakness. 

Photo taken about 3 hours post injury. You can see he is mentally fine.

Having hurt my back about 7 months ago, I could relate all to well.  We have been limiting his activity for the last week.  Each day I see small improvements.  He can now walk outside to pee without collapsing.  He wobbles but recovers.  He jumped up on the bed last night.  I wasn’t happy with him, but he flat refused to get off the bed.  It took me and Keith dragging him gently to the edge and lifting him off.  I sent him in the ex-pen we set up next to the bed.  He hates not sleeping in the bed, the new rules about no jumping are crapping his style.  🙂  Today will mark the first day of rehab.  I will take him out front with a tasty treat like grilled chicken and see if I can start walking him for physical therapy.  A week of bed rest is hard on an old dog.  We have a lot of travel this week, picking up pups from Julie, a trip to AR, etc.  Special care will have to be taken as we travel with Mr Merlot.  🙂  He is worth it!

Today is Easter day.  I do hope all of you have enjoyed your time with family and/or friends.  We had a lovely service at Church, grilled out burgers, and hunted eggs at the house in San Antonio.  Here are a couple photos I took today while outside with the kids and dogs finding eggs. 

Keith, Kenzie, Aiden, Merlot, and Flash. My family!

Aiden, Keith, and Kenzie. Post Egg Hunting

My 3 year old twins and Professional Puppy Socializers!