Dutch Hits the Dust
Back in 2015, I limped back to my house after having a roaring good time outside chasing squirrels. By the time I got home, my leg was so sore I decided to just carry it and not use it at all. I don’t know exactly when my leg began hurting. Maybe it was when I missed that cheeky red squirrel as he scrambled up the tree chattering at me all the way, or it could have been when I skidded into a fence because I was going too fast before I put on my brakes. Nevertheless, my left rear leg hurt and I didn’t want to touch it to the ground anymore, so I carried it. Mom looked at my leg when I came in the house. My toes, knee and hip were moved back and forth but she didn’t see or hear anything unusual. I wasn’t bleeding anywhere. She had me rest a bit, but it didn’t matter. I wasn’t going to use that leg. I was very stoic- you’d be impressed. I didn’t cringe or yelp one time. Ultimately, it made it hard to determine where I was hurting. Still, I refused to put any weight on my leg. So off I went to Cornerstone Animal Hospital, where my doctor would look at me. After watching me walk, he looked suspiciously at my knee. Usually I am very good natured, but that guy knew exactly where to put pressure on my knee to get me to react- my secret was lost. My knee was causing me to have excruciating pain. I was suddenly very willing to make my opinion known to them. A tentative diagnosis of an anterior cruciate ligament rupture was made. Radiographs and further examination under a sedative confirmed the diagnosis. I didn’t even know I had an ACL!

TPLO surgery
Stem cell therapy was performed on my left knee after a few days. The procedure was a total success! Afterwards, Mom leash walked me for a while until my doctor told me I could play as I wanted. Today I can still chase squirrels, but I choose to be more selective in my choices. No need to run after every nut cruncher I see.