Finally

We finally have some insight into what is attacking K’s paw bones. The preliminary biopsy results show a truly nasty bacterial infection that is resistant to many kinds of antibiotics.

My first reaction was “Woo hoo, it’s not cancer” (and I still feel that way - K has a better chance of beating an infection than osteosarcoma). My vet quickly tempered my emotions by telling me that the infection was extremely serious. The infection worries her and the specialists immensely. She told me that she feared that further amputation might be needed if the infection continues raging unchecked. And, her very greatest fear was that the infection could become systemic - a horrific thought. For right now, our goal is to slow the bacterial growth with a cocktail of antibiotics.

K seems slightly more subdued since the infection started making an ugly mess of the surgical site. In fact, the infection at the amputation site is purely a result of the infection eating away at K’s paw bones and other tissues inside her paw. So, it’s not a typical post-surgical infection because the surgery didn’t cause it.

She's obsessed with trying to lick her paw.  Our schemes to stop her are getting more outlandish by the day. An E-collar doesn’t work so we’ve gone to a breathable wool sock or mitten pinned to a t-shirt to keep it on her paw. Poor K looks humiliated by the get-up.

One other piece in the puzzle fell into place. K’s tendon rupture that happened about 8 weeks ago was probably caused by the infection. So, it makes sense that the tendon repair surgery didn't hold.

I am watching K like a hawk for signs that the infection is spreading while I await the final biopsy report. My vet has warned me that this battle will be a long haul. In fact, if we can control the infection, K may be required to take a cocktail of antibiotics for the rest of her life to prevent the virulent infection from recurring. That statement made it clear to me that I cannot expect immediate results.

In the meantime, K and I still take our tiny little walks around our clearing each morning. We don't travel far but we enjoy each minute.

K is as alert and excited about animal scents as ever. Indeed, our little walks seem to be the only time that she's not obsessed with licking her paw.

Yesterday morning, K and I saw bobcat tracks all around the house. The bobcat had marched into our clearing.

Then, he stalked rabbits endlessly. I didn't see any signs that he was successful. However, his tracks did appear right next to rabbit tracks in several spots.

I love these little wanders with K. I hope so very fervently that she recovers, and we have many more years of walking in the forest side-by-side.

Throughout this ordeal, R has continued to be my high energy whirlwind of laughs when he joins me for mountain bike rides. We visited a high point, Hug Hill, today, amidst a furious wind that whipped the snow into drifts. Atop the peak, R’s ears twirled like a weather vane in a gust and his hunter-orange vest stood straight up caught in the wind.

His ears flopped hilariously during a recall.

But, when I requested it, he stood regally atop snowy boulders.

I spotted a glittering peak in the distance. It glowed so brightly compared to the dark forest that I pedaled through. The snowy peak looked like a beacon, promising a light at the end of the tunnel. It represented my deep-seated belief that K will recover and even romp again someday.

The beauty around me inspires me to believe that anything is possible.