Dylan's home again

On Friday morning, before I travelled down to Croydon to Karen and ultimately to Gatwick airport, I popped into the AHT again to see Dylan. He was brought out to me to a consulting room as the ward was too busy at that time of the day. He was happy to see me wagging his tail and I spent some time with him. He was very settled and walking well on his bad leg. It was such a relief to see him doing well and I was able to travel to Switzerland with a slightly less heavy heart.

Whilst in Switzerland, I talked to Jody on the Saturday and an intern on Sunday, who updated me on Dylan's progress. As the Recuverya wore off, they put him on the normal pain medication again. He started limping again, but was brighter and settled.

On Monday, I talked to the intern again, as well as Davide. They did the radiotherapy and all went well. I was able to pick him up on Tuesday after they kept him an extra day for observation with regards to pain management.

On Tuesday, I drove up to Newmarket, though it took me almost 4 hours to get there from Fulham (where I went to see my parents-in-law Josie and Con after leaving from Karen's). Earlier that day there was a serious accident on the M25 at the junction for the M11. So we were stationary on the M25 for a while, and then got diverted via the A10. I finally got to the AHT at 4 pm.

I was absolutely stunned how well Dylan looked when he walked out towards me with Davide. He didn't notice me at first, but when he recognised me I got a big tail wag. He was walking really well and looking very happy. I was thrilled seeing him look this well. I was dreading what was going to expect me, and it was such a lovely surprise!

Davide talked me through the meds he was on now (one new pain medication - Symmetrel - in addition to Metacam, Pardale V and Tramadol, and an antibiotic, as there was a bit of bleeding from the wind pipe).

When I left with Dylan, he followed me straight out without trying to turn back towards the kennels (like he normally would). And he walked straight up to the car. It was as if to say "yep, mum, I am ready to go home. I am all better now." It was amazing! I was crying on my way home, but this time, it was tears of happiness!

At home he settled straight away, went to the garden for toileting and ate his dinner well. Here are a couple of pictures I took when we got home.

Today Dylan has been resting a lot. He didn't eat all his breakfast, and also left some of his dinner. I think though that this is due to the herbs that he doesn't like hugely. (That's the Heal! herbs that I give him to help with digestion as his motions are not very good). I will leave them out from now on and hopefully he will be back to eating well from tomorrow.

When I got home tonight from classes, he was up in the kitchen and wagging his tail furiously! He hasn't done that for a while and usually just stayed in his bed as it was too painful to get up. I am well chuffed at how well he is doing.

Yes, he is still limping, particularly when he tries to run, but he just gets on with it and is overall in a happy mood. Tonight I took this video... can you believe it. From what happened last week where it looked like there was no way out of this anymore, to this where he is playing again! I just can't quite believe it, but am so grateful to Davide and all the staff at the AHT for all they have done for my boy. Today Davide even called to ask how Dylan is doing. And when I told him that he was using his leg pretty well when walking, he said "It seems to be working then" [the radiotherapy]. How kind was that of him to call and check on Dylan. :-)

Here is the video that I filmed tonight whilst he was waiting for his dinner: http://youtu.be/0xZSoVtJeCs

And a picture from tonight.