Just a Quickie About Bogey and My Back

I've been taking him in the truck when I have errands, and he's adjusted very well. He whimpered when I left him to go into a store at first, but after a few times he knew I was coming back.

He has room to sit, stand, and lie down so he's taken to the seat belt very well. He's very smart. He actually steps into the harness without any problem at all--I suspect it's because he's walked on a harness. After Michael divorced, it became so difficult because if Laura wasn't in Atlanta he had to either leave Bogey alone, get a dog walker, or leave him with me. I can't emphasize enough what a good job he and Laura have done with this pup. He's no trouble. He doesn't even go in the garbage any more.

He does pull a little when I walk him, but when I stop he comes back to me and continues to walk, nicely, so he's learning very quickly. I know that when Michael and Laura have him, he gets to go on nice long walks, but I can't do that. He enjoyed his short walk, though. Except for the rain this week, if Susan's hours permit, she walks him for exercise as she used to do with Lizzie and Jack.

I went to the doc, yesterday. I was surprised that I got in but Susan happened to be working with the doctor who did my ablation a year ago last June and knows the young woman doctor at the pain clinic (she's actually the one who diagnosed the problem for what it was after the back surgery). He told Susan to tell me to have her call him because he had done things a little differently because my left SI joint is so deformed. They know each other because they used to work at the pain clinic he worked at before it closed. I found out he actually sent her a text and when I spoke to her she said she would also talk to him. I have an appointment for the 20th, the day after I get home. As far as my thoracic pain, she examined me and gave me a strong muscle relaxer--she said I was probably right that the cast and sling may have caused the problem. I told her it felt muscular. She said if the muscle relaxers don't work, there are trigger points where she can inject steroids and lidocaine that will definitely do the trick. So, I'm hoping that this ablation will last as long as the last and the muscle relaxers work for my upper/mid back.

One good and different thing about this pain clinic is because I declined sedation, I don't have to have anyone drive me and stay with me throughout the procedure like the last clinic. I don't like talking about my back, but I think if it helps just one person who reads, it's good to do. Had I known about SI joints before back surgery, I could have avoided a lot of pain and the pain of recovery.

I'll leave with two cute pictures of the Bogster. Jack and Lizzie wouldn't mind, I'm sure. :)