The long road to recovery

“I’m not telling you that recovery is going to be easy; I’m telling you it’s going to be worth it.” – Art Williams

First, thank you for your thoughtful texts, emails, and comments of support for Coco and our family. I’ve never received this much mail for any column or post I’ve written. Along with your support, you’ve shared hope-filled stories about your own pets and how they’ve recovered from illness and trauma. It proves that our pets are family, not accessories. When they hurt, we hurt.

As promised, today’s post is an update on what’s next for Coco after the accident.

Yesterday morning, several veterinarians at the animal hospital consulted on Coco’s case to determine whether or not she needs surgery. (Her hip was fractured in several places and two ribs were broken.) It was decided that Coco would be better off without the surgery, to avoid nerve damage, so we were able to bring her home yesterday afternoon. But it’s going to be a long, slow road to recovery. 

She came back with a bagful of assorted pain drugs and sedatives, which are a challenge to give her. The usual tricks of hiding pills in treat pockets or sprinkling them over food aren’t working — because she doesn’t have much of an appetite. But we’ll keep trying.

For the next eight weeks, Coco will have to be crated unless we are supervising her. She must be kept quiet. No walks; no jumping up on furniture; and no running to the door when the mail and package carriers arrive. We must take her outside on a leash for peeing/pooping, and not let her run loose in the yard. 

All of this is to avoid risking paralysis — which we were told could occur if she doesn’t heal properly. The next few weeks will be especially critical, so Doug and I will be limiting our holiday plans and giving our full attention to Coco’s healing during this difficult early phase. 

In the waiting room at the veterinary emergency clinic on Saturday night, it occurred to me that trauma throws everything into a different perspective. Suddenly, the national news and my post-election angst don’t matter nearly as much. All the toxic political sludge that plagued me before Coco’s accident isn’t renting as much valuable space in my head anymore.

Love wins. What we love matters so much more.

Thanks again for your caring, and I wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving. Doug and I are so very grateful that we’ve been given more time to spend with Coco. ~CL