Teddy is finally home again, after a week in the hospital where he managed to baffle all of us with a quick rebound and no apparent explanation for what sent him back to our vets in the first place last Sunday. Long-time friends of the ranch, Janet and Hal H. from Helena, were kind enough to pick up Teddy on Saturday morning and bring him out to us on their way to Seeley Lake. (Thank you, Janet and Hal!)
Our vet Dr. Jennifer Rockwell did Teddy's dental on Friday, which included a tooth extraction and other yucky stuff. He came through the sedation in great shape, and his mouth is now in great shape as well!
I took the photo of Teddy in our living room a few minutes ago, and then he followed me into my office. He's lying on a bed on the floor behind me as I write this. He is very happy to be home ... and we're thrilled he's home, too!
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I've had daily phone calls from the WSU veterinary teaching hospital, and Gabe is doing fine. In the best news of all, yesterday when they put some food in front of his face, he actually smelled it -- his nose twitched -- and then he moved toward the food bowl and began eating heartily. Getting him to eat was always a bit of a challenge ... we had to work at getting him interested in food because he couldn't smell it ... and the WSU vet staff had told me last week that they were also having difficulty getting him to eat. (I had given them a heads-up about this before I left WSU.) So to hear he's actually able to smell food and motivated to move towards the dish and eat ... well, that's a sure sign the surgery alone has already improved his quality of life. If all goes according to plan, Gabe should be on his way home towards the end of this week.
Yaa Teddy! Yaa Gabe! Teddy looks great. The news about Gabe is fantastic. I can only imagine how happy he now is to be able to smell and taste his food. What a miracle. They are lucky dogs.
Posted by: Evelyn | September 04, 2009 at 02:42 PM
The Ted-ster is looking very handsome indeed......it won't be long before he has a little lady friend I am sure. Thanks for the good news on him and Gabe.
Posted by: Marla | August 31, 2009 at 05:27 PM
Hurrah for Teddy and Gabe... and little Callie too!
Posted by: Penny Heinrich | August 31, 2009 at 04:50 PM
I absolutely adore Teddy. The minute I laid my eyes on him I fell in love. This picture just makes me want to reach thru the computer screen, pick him up & give him tons of kisses & hugs. What a cutie pie he is. I'm sooooo happy to hear he is home & I know he is too. I wish he was laying in a bed behind me at my desk. I'm jealous! He looks like he is putting on some weight & I bet now that the teeth are fixed & cleaned he will eat me even better.
I'm thrilled for Gabe too. I bet he is feeling like he won the jackpot being able to smell his food now. Happy, happy for him!!!
Posted by: Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin | August 31, 2009 at 04:01 PM
WoW! What a beautiful little dog! Glad he's home with you all and So happy to hear that Gabe can SMELL again (imagine the loss of that sense as well).
Thanks for keeping us all in the loop!
Posted by: Libby | August 31, 2009 at 03:27 PM
Yea for Gabe! Wouldn't that be cool if he came into the kitchen to investigate because he could smell you cooking dinner! Now there's a reason to give out snacks! As for Teddy, maybe he'll regain pleasure in eating because his mouth won't hurt any more. Wouldn't that be sweet to see a tubby Teddy!
Posted by: Miranda Brooks | August 31, 2009 at 02:16 PM
What good news this is for Gabe; I'm so happy for him! Now if only someone would make and sell Teddy dolls as cute as the real thing, I'd be thrilled.
Posted by: Moon Rani | August 31, 2009 at 12:09 PM
Is it just me, or is Teddy starting to look like a different (healthy) dog? Great to see. He must weigh almost as much as that big blankie he's perched upon & deserves every comfort after all he's been through, :)
I had not thought about Gabe's sense of smell... that is AWESOME! Phew!
Posted by: Margaret | August 31, 2009 at 12:07 PM
Hooray for my pals Teddy and Gabe! - and hooray for all you guys for hanging in there - Teddy is looking like a regular little pup now and not an ill one - I'll keep my prayers coming. I think they are working. :)
Posted by: Angela | August 31, 2009 at 12:04 PM
I wonder if Gabe is also tasting now too? You know how you can't taste when you have a stuffed up nose?? Wow. What happy news.
And would ya look at Mr. Teddy?!!
Posted by: Lynn (in Louisiana) | August 31, 2009 at 11:21 AM
Wow, Teddy is looking noticeably better! You go, little man!
Posted by: Heidi, Emmett, and Moxie | August 31, 2009 at 11:05 AM
Teddy -- you are just the cutest boy! We are so happy that you are home again. You look very comfortable and peaceful.
And what a great image of Gabe with the twitching nose! He must be feeling so much better now.
What a great start to the new week!
Posted by: Chloe | August 31, 2009 at 10:58 AM
How nice that Janet and Hal could pick up Teddy...thank you for that huge help!
What a thrill for Gabe to smell his food (and breathe)! His life will now be a lot easier and enjoyable....great job WSU...thank you!
Posted by: boundforglory | August 31, 2009 at 09:49 AM
Teddy is getting so cute and glad to hear Gabe is doing well.
Posted by: gayle | August 31, 2009 at 08:49 AM
What a precious picture of Teddy. I'm glad to read such good news.
Posted by: Lynda | August 31, 2009 at 08:31 AM
I'm so happy they are both doing better. If a dog could be a little teddy bear, Teddy is it. (Teddy Dog?)
The recovery of Gabe's sense of smell must be a huge gift for him. I remember in a past blog post that you mentioned how important a dog's sense of smell is and far more so for a blind dog. Gabe probably feels as if he has reentered the world. And the cessation of what must have been a blinding headache is another big gift.
I'll continue to hold Teddy, Gabe, Helen, Callie and all the rest in my thoughts.
Posted by: Lynne Parker | August 31, 2009 at 07:59 AM
Such good news for both boys!
Posted by: Janet in Cambridge | August 31, 2009 at 07:03 AM
Dear Steve & Alayne, I can't tell you how happy I am to hear (and see:-)) that Teddy's back home once again and feeling much better! I'm also delighted at the great news about Gabe.:-)
Hallelujah!!!
Posted by: Carla Polastro-Nigro | August 31, 2009 at 05:09 AM
Oh Teddy, you make my heart beat with such gratitude! And Gabe well what can we say, welcome to the dinner table my friend!
Posted by: Joanne | August 31, 2009 at 02:29 AM
I'm thrilled to read that Gabe is able to smell his food! That's fantastic! What a wonderful experience for him! I'm so grateful that he's doing so well & is expected to be home by the end of the week. I've been pulling for you, sweet Gabe!
Teddy, I know it's great to have all that yucky stuff out of your mouth & you got a nice ride back home with Janet & Hal. Looks like you are well on your road to a great recovery.
Big hugs to all,
ginger, Tobias & Tlingit
Posted by: ginger | August 31, 2009 at 01:41 AM
Hip Hip Hooray for Teddy and Gabe. That picture of Teddy just melts my heart!!
Posted by: Shirley * James/Portland, OR | August 31, 2009 at 12:25 AM
It's a good day for Teddy and Gabe!
Posted by: Mick | August 30, 2009 at 11:17 PM
Oh don't you look a picture little Teddy! Glad you are home where you belong!
Good to hear Gabe is doing well too..
Posted by: Maree in NZ | August 30, 2009 at 11:09 PM
What amazing progress Teddy has made. Welcome home little buddy!
Posted by: Kate and Luke | August 30, 2009 at 10:20 PM
So glad to hear Teddy (the cutie)is home and it doing so good.Miracles do happen and I guess for now he is a walking one. He is one cute little boy. Also so glad to hear Gabe is doing so well, Imagine finally being able to smell his food..Yea!! Keep up the good work,you guys are great.
Posted by: Diane Bowlin | August 30, 2009 at 09:59 PM
Oh I am glad to see that little Teddy is home and looking a little chubbier! Gabe is such a sweetheart and after going through so much and a huge surgery it is great to hear that he is doing good. It is amazing that little signs, like smelling, mean the most!
Posted by: Shauna | August 30, 2009 at 09:30 PM