Aneta's 65th Turkey Barbeque!

 We'd made plans to make the trip to Aneta, ND for over a year.  Aneta hosts an annual barbeque & this year was the 65th!  Butch's Uncle Sanford & Aunt Yvonne were founders of the event.  Butch's father grew up on a farm just outside of Aneta & his cousins Ward & Russell still farm there.  We'd been invited often over the years, but the timing never worked out.  It was a long drive from WA.  Moving to IA, put us closer to ND!  Uncle Sanford was one of Butch's father's brothers.  Butch hadn't visited or seen his cousins since he was about ten years old.

283 Turkey's roasting!

When I had my accident, the first thing I thought of - was missing the trip.  I decided I'd do everything I could to recover enough to go & if I couldn't, Butch would go without me.  It was close timing - I was still hurting a lot & not very mobile.  If I could stand the ride, I could always rest once we got there.  My x-rays on the 17th; looked good - everything was in place & healing.  

We left for Aneta on the 19th. Finn & I insisted on stopping at the rest areas & Butch agreed!  He still made amazing time, we passed by Aneta on the way to our motel in McVille & arrived at 7 p.m. We had dinner at a little bar, the only place in town to have a meal.

A. Yvonne's backyard~

Saturday morning, we drove the sixteen miles back to Aneta.  We were met by Butch's Aunt & Cousin Ward!  We were just in time for the community breakfast held in the original Auditorium Building.  There was a small open top elevator right inside the street entrance - very handy for me with my walker.  We were introduced to many of the local residents.  I was happy to meet a lady who had attended high school with Butch's Dad.  

A. Yvonne & Connie touring town~

Aunt Yvonne's new golf cart was wonderful!  I could tour the town & not have to walk!  Russell took a break from his duties at the barbeque (where he's training the next generation of cooks).  He & Butch had left earlier on the old golf cart & took their own tour of the local attractions.  In the museum Butch found many photos of his dad on the high school basketball team that took second place at State. Butch called to tell me I had to go visit the Community & Botanical Gardens!

Aneta Community & Botanical Gardens~

We picked Butch up on our way & I was so amazed at the variety of trees, shrubs etc. thriving here.  The entire area was surrounded by a high fence, keeping deer & other critters out.  One of the local residents had the idea for the gardens.  Obviously, it was very successful.  Extra produce was placed in baskets at the entrance of the garden for everyone to share.

I took a break while the parade was going on.  Butch attended & took pictures for me.  Finn & I took a nap.  Butch & Aunt Yvonne came to get me in time to go to the park for dinner.

Crockpots & Casserole dishes ready for supper~

At the park, things were perfectly organized.  The turkeys were beautifully browned & being carved to serve the ever-growing lines!  There were homemade baked beans, potato salads & rolls.  1,736 people came to enjoy the barbeque! 

The welcoming turkey at the entrance to the City Park~

I wish we'd thought to get a picture of all the people at the park with their plates full, but we were too busy enjoying our own!  Watermelon for dessert, along with Ice cream bars!  Aunt Yvonne had brought homemade Rhubarb pies for our family!

One of the many decorated "floats" in the parade!

I was sorry to have missed the parade, but the rest gave me time to recover for the evening's entertainment.

Replica of a Civil War Cannon

The above Cannon was fired at the start of parade!  The loudest cannon I've ever heard!  Again, Aunt Yvonne's golf cart was our mode of transportation to go see the contest below!  It was perfect, since it also provided comfortable seats to watch the show!

The local volunteer Fire Departments stole the show though with their contest between stations.  The winner was the team who could push the empty beer keg to the opposing team's side first!  Needless to say - there was hardly anyone who didn't go away soaked!  The kids loved it!

The Smaaladen Farm ~

Sunday morning Butch drove to Aneta to attend the church service in the park with his aunt.  Afterward he came back to pick me up & we enjoyed brunch - again in the Auditorium building.  (This is the same building where Butch's dad had played basketball in high school.)  

Ward took us on a tour of the different parcels of land owned & farmed by the family.  I was especially looking forward to seeing the farm where Butch's dad had grown up.  The house was still standing, but just...  It's now too dangerous to go inside & I was in no shape to hike around anyway.  From there, Ward took us to the property where Aunt Yvonne had grown up.  The house & barn are gone now, but the property was beautiful.  The trees planted by her mother were still thriving. 

Butch's Cousin Russell, Aunt Yvonne & Butch ~ 

Sunday evening, we were invited to Russell & Marilyn's farm just outside of town for barbeque ribs!  Ward met us there.  The meal was outstanding & seeing Butch's family all together was a joy for me.  It had been many years since they'd visited WA & Butch had taken me to meet them for the first time.  All of Butch's father's brothers & sisters have passed on now, but Aunt Yvonne still keeps the family memories close.  It was a busy & wonderful weekend!  I've never seen my husband laugh so much!  

Good News Week!

 Finn & I are very happy!  We both received Good News in the last two days!  Yesterday, marked two weeks since Finnigan had his TPLO surgery.  Siris requested a short video of Finn walking, taken from behind. He had been required to wear a lick sleeve over the left hind leg & a collar of shame to keep him from taking the lick sleeve off.  Well, Mr. Smarty figured out a way to get it off even with his collar on!  I worried constantly he would get to the incision.  (Contrary to popular belief, a dog licking at a wound can cause infection.)  We moved one of his beds right by ours so I could hear if he started making unusual noises.

Finn is only at the two-week mark & it's amazing how well he's doing.  Much better than me!  He won't be allowed any freedom for six-more weeks.  Butch takes him on walks several times a day.  He's made a cable system where I can attach another cable to his harness.  That gives him room to go down the hill & access a large area of the yard where he'll be able to do his duty.  Butch has been working on all the things necessary to leave the two of us on our own when he pulls out again.

Then - there's me...

Hardware~

Today marks six- weeks since my second surgery to repair the Tibial/Fibula fracture of my right leg.  Butch took us to my appointment with the surgeon & intern at UNMC yesterday.  Dr. Thomas came in & we both smiled!  She was so instrumental in overseeing my care while I was in the hospital.  The first thing she said was; "You look so much better!"  I've felt better too.  There have been some days when I didn't think I'd have the strength to endure much more.  Thankfully, with Butch's help - this mark finally came & with it, a reduction in the severity of pain.  I had marked this date during my recovery from my last injury & had hoped the timeline for this recovery would follow the same path.

Side view~

The x-ray technician had quite a time isolating the current new hardware, from all the existing hardware from the old injuries.  It was almost laughable, but it wasn't.

The results were all good!  Healing of the bones has started; everything has remained where it's supposed to be.  I will be able to start PT this week.  I was told it will be four-weeks before I can start walking with assistance.  I'm not sure how long after that I'll be able to walk on my own, but I hope not long.  Once I'm walking, I would think I'd also be driving.  My next appointment at UNMC is mid-August, unless I have an issue before then.  Dr. Siebler & Dr. Thomas both were impressed with how far I've progressed.  I can stand flat footed & am constantly working on flexibility.  I can even walk (walker assisted - with a decent stride.) 

If all goes well, both Finn & I will be enjoying our daily jaunts in the woods about the same time.  At least I hope so.  I had everything pretty much caught up when the accident happened, but with all the rain, I'm sure the weeds have taken advantage...    

Finnigan's Story~

 I'm a little late with Finnigan's story.  With both of us recovering from surgery, Butch has his hands full.  There's little I can do to help which is not my usual MO.

On the 15th of May, both Butch & I noticed that Finn was favoring his left hind leg.  He would do a little hop as he walked & when he was just standing, he wasn't putting any weight on that leg.

5-16 Finnigan~

We called his vet, Dr. Darnell right away & Butch took Finn in that day.  Dr. Darnell prescribed some dog aspirin & told us to wait a week & see if the limp went away.  It didn't...  The next step was to be referred to Siris Veterinary Orthopedic Center in Omaha.  Their first opening was June 1st.  Butch & Finn met with Dr. Karlin who gave Finn a thorough examination.  The news wasn't good.  He had managed to tear his CCL.  This injury would leave him lame for life, with a high probability of arthritis as he gets older, unless TPLO surgery was performed.

Diagram~

The "V" in the above drawing is the section of bone that was to be removed.  It's a very expensive surgery, the estimated cost was twice what Dr. Darnell had expected, but neither of us hesitated.  After his heroic escapade to find me after my bike accident on the trail, he's proven himself the most loyal of companions. Everyone who knows Finnigan, knows what a special dog he is.  We don't know his exact age, but he should still have many good years left.

6-2, Finn, post-op~

It was heartbreaking for us both, Butch had to drop him off & I had to sit at home & worry.  The staff at Siris were super in keeping us informed on how Finn was doing.  The surgery was scheduled for later in the day & it was late in the evening when we received the above photo.  To see his bright little eyes & that expression meant the world to us.  It meant that our boy had survived & was staying strong.

The next day, Butch brought him home!  He had a bag full of goodies!  His own Finn sized ice packs, a lick sleeve, a collar, lots of drugs & a folder with pages & pages of directions & information on how to care for him.  This included exercise routines, massage therapy, etc.  I told Butch, Finn had more thorough post op directions than I had!  

He was so happy to be home & the two of us started our new routine, sitting together on the recliner.  He was kept under a low dose of sedation, to make it easier to keep him from doing something he shouldn't.  

6-8 A very unhappy Finnigan~

The two of us are limping around the house together now.  Finn easily keeps pace with my walker & will stop to wait for me if necessary.  He loves being pampered & looks forward to his walks around the yard with Butch.  

Tomorrow is the two-week mark, when we send in photos & a video to Siris.  If they approve, Finn can ditch the collar of shame & the lick sleeve too!  It will be six more weeks before he can return to his usual lifestyle.  That said, I'm going to do everything I can to slow him down a little.  He loves to run, to jump, slide across the floor after Hedgehog & do his sit up tricks.  All of those things are very hard on the rear legs.  As hard as it will be for us, if he can take things a little easier, it should help him from injuring himself again.  He is back to playing with Hedgehog (no sliding!) & doing his easier tricks!