The nightmare begins!

We have confirmation from the vet that Quade does indeed have severe hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is graded on a scale of one to five with one being the least severe and five as the worst case. Quade is a grade 5. As I type this we are still in complete and utter disbelief that we are now facing one helluva decision.

Do we proceed with the costly surgery or do we put him down. It's not easy and at times I think would putting him down be easier then the road we have to travel. It's not just our journey...it's Quades too. There will be a lot of pain endured by our boy and my heart aches knowing if we go with surgery he will indeed be suffering during recovery. The vet assured us that he will be given medication during the first two weeks which will be among the most painful.

The long term benefit is that we will have a dog who will be able to live pain free for many years to come and will be able to live life as a dog should. To be able to jump and hop and run like the wind, to dig holes, swim, go fishing with Hal, come camping with us, go for truck rides and most of all to never remember the pain he feels today as he tries to play with his big sister Cleo. He will be able to tug on that toy with all his might and may actually be able to get it away from her and to be able to chase her around like she wants him too. She gets the zoomies and he'll try to chase her for a bit but you see his leg swing a bit and he staggers and then must lie down. She runs to him, sniffs him and gives him a gentle kiss and even begrudginly gave him her stuffed baby tonight.

My heart is aching for Quade and feeling like a negligent owner/mommy because he's been in pain since we got him but he's been so stoic and it's only been recently that he's displayed just how much pain he is in. We were told that he knows nothing different as he's most likely been suffering with discomfort from before we even got him, to him it's just normal.

We have been given a quote from an orthopedic surgeon in Vancouver and are now waiting for one from the University of Saskatchewan. Dr. Elorza and his staff have been amazing and I feel confident when they say that they are here for us and for Quade. Call with any questions or concerns even if we think they are silly.

I want to say 'THANK YOU!' to everyone who has been on this journey with us over the last two years as we waited to get this handsome fellow. For listening to our incessant chatter and excitement, the awesome surprise puppy shower, allowing us to bring him to your homes and for being a part of his life so far.

To Kelly Ruff of Diamonds In The Ruff Canine Training, 'THANK YOU!' for your generosity, concern for our boy, all the information you've provided and for modifying the obedience class for Quade so that he may attend.

I'm the type of person who has to be informed and learn as much as possible about something so the last few days have been spent devouring all the information out there on hip replacement surgery, recovery, hip dysplasia and the like. We are a cautious with what we find as quite a bit of the information out there is not always correct as we have found out!