This wasn’t really a question of if, but rather when. Brock had made enormous progress but it became quite clear he wasn’t going to regain function of that left hind leg. I took him back to see the Neurologist and didn’t take long for her to agree surgery was his best option. I was concerned about putting him through more trauma and added risks of major surgery, but the benefits absolutely outweighed the risks. It really just came down to quality of life versus longevity and that was a fairly easy decision.

All the trauma he’s suffered in the last 7 months will shorten his life, there’s nothing I can do about that. However, what I can control is the quality of the years he’s got. There’s no telling the toll all this has taken on him. He doesn’t play like he used to, he can’t go for 3 mile hikes anymore, and he sleeps a lot more. But, he still loves to snuggle and never lets me forget it’s time for dinner. He’ll still grab a toy and play keep away and he still barks at the wind.

You hope and pray you’re making the right decisions; that he’s happy. My real hope is this gives him the best chance at just being a dog again. I hope this will give him the freedom to run around and play without limitations. He had no feeling in that leg but you could see the frustration in his face when he moved around. The leg would get caught up on doors and dragged causing continuous open sours. It was tough watching him struggle.

I also had high hopes this surgery would help other areas affected by the spinal stroke, but no such luck. It’s unlikely Brock will ever stop pooping in my car or wag his tail. I hate it but he doesn’t seem to mind…