July 28, 2014

White Dog and the others rushed to the closed door to greet their brother through the glass. Steve and Taiko had just returned from Dr. Julia's where our Tender-Hearted Boy spent the day getting a dental. The WDA paused for a moment as Steve started to unleash our boy on the sun porch but thought again and opened the door with Tai still harnessed at his side.

"I wasn't sure if Taiko was stable enough to not get overwhelmed by everyone wanting to crowd him," Steve explained. Taiko, still groggy, tolerated the nosing and nuzzling but stayed firmly pressed against Steve's side. He was doing MUCH better than I had feared.

"Only lost 7 teeth," Steve explained, "and Dr. Julia was happy to still have all 10 fingers." Apparently, even drugged our boy is a fighter when it comes to protecting himself. He was not, said our vet, an "easy" patient.

The WDA, including Tai, sat and were politely waiting for celebratory treats. "No food until after 6pm," Steve dampered the party, "and he must take two kinds of meds to help him heal." Taiko was making clear his demand treats (he had not eaten since last night). I cupped his chin, "Sweet One, I promise just as soon as the clock strikes six, I will be sure you get treats...and dad is grilling turkey for your dinners this week." "It will be a nice easy to chew mix of diced turkey, rice, pureed kale, beets, carrots, green beans and blueberries in broth," Steve shared his menu plans.

Taiko looked into my eyes. "I promise. I am glad you are home but I bet you are still sleepy from the drugs. Why don't you go lie down on your bed and rest?" He checked to make sure that I would not disappoint him and then slowly ambled into the bedroom.