The week before Christmas

Happy Sunday everyone! It's very cold this morning, a chilly -12 Celsius. The snow we got last week has mostly melted and what's left makes for a very icy backyard. Russell is not about to venture out anytime soon.

This past week was good. Russell is making excellent progress. He had his first physiotherapist visit last Monday and she was impressed. His knee flexion was at 95 degrees after just five days post surgery. In 2019, the measurement was 81 after 10 days. This is greatly due to the use of the Game Ready cryo-compression unit, which we decided to keep for another few weeks. On Friday, he saw his surgeon who was equally pleased. She is 100% behind the use of the cryo unit...she said, the more the better. 

Russell is able to go down the stairs with a cane, which he does a few times a day. You know what this means, don't you.....he can resume grooming LOL! My friend Linda thinks that I got off easy with the grooming 😂 Having said all this, there is still considerable pain at times, especially when Russell gets up in the morning. Being immobile during the night is not good. Each passing day gets better though.

Meanwhile, our boys and I are doing well. Yesterday, Merlot graduated from Level 1 Obedience. I was a proud doggy mommy. Sherlock stayed home with Russell and kept him company in the TV room. Russell did a few tricks with him. Both Merlot and Sherlock are enjoying their daily trips to the basement. When I get ready to take them downstairs, they know something good is about to happen. They are such good boys 💕

On Thursday, I got my Christmas toes done, a little bit of "me time". The weather was such that I was able to walk out of the salon with flip flops. 

It is the week before Christmas. It doesn't quite feel like it this year, perhaps because of the weeks leading up to Russell's surgery and now his recovery. Nevertheless, we are having my brother, nephews and Julie over on the 25th. I have to start thinking about that day 🎄

Those are my little news for today. Russell has physio again tomorrow, Merlot gets his rabies shot on Tuesday. We are expecting rain on Wednesday. Crazy weather we're having.

I leave you with a few photos taken this past week. We call the main photo "Past & Present",  Cooper & Spicy's past ornaments and Merlot & Sherlock's new ones. Our most treasured Christmas decorations 💖 Have a great week everyone!

The tradition continues with the ornament tree...
the tree dedicated to Cooper and Spicy is full,
Merlot and Sherlock have started their tree with
lots of room for more ornaments.

Merlot, the newest Level 1
Obedience graduate and his proud Mom.

Lamb chop on the run....catch me if you can!

Whatever goes up must come down or so Merlot
thinks....another squirrel escapes.

The perfect Christmas treasure...
Sherlock under the tree.

Merlot loves his spot under the tree, 
he thinks the tree skirt is comfy.

Spicy and Cooper picture perfect at the 
Christmas photo shoot - November 11, 2023.