The good news is that Carmie is much better. The really good news is that she is really much better.

There is no bad news. Yay!

Over the last 10 days we've been struggling with Carmie (see my post on the Continuing Saga here), since she slipped on our front steps Sunday the 7th. She gets SSSSOOOooo excited when we get her leash out, she goes a bit bonkers. Well, Sunday the 7th, she barrelled down our front steps, indoors - we live in a split-level house, and ended up sprawled on the floor.

Over the next few days, we had to help her get up and down, in and out, while worrying that she might have done real damage. Yes, we called the vet, but because she could walk fairly easily once up, the vet said to give her aspirin twice a day and watch her.

To be honest, she still wanted to go for her walks. So, we gently helped her down the stairs every morning and afternoon, and took very short walks. And, every day we saw improvement, we walked another half block, and when we got home, she gingerly walked up those carpeted steps.

Yesterday, in the afternoon, I took her out and walked all the way around the block...and she was tired when we got home, but she did it. And did it with personality! She even chased squirrels!

This was after her vet visit. She went in for her yearly check up and had blood drawn (at her age, we check her levels every year) and she acted so good, I felt very cheered up. The vet agreed that her fall probably was typical of a human turning an ankle ... and rest (which she got a lot of) was the best thing.

Today, we have our happy-go-lucky Carmie back. The one that thinks she should get some of my toast today because it has jelly on it. The one that prances around the neighborhood like she owns it. The one that greets people with a wag of her tail and a poke of her nose (never mind where she pokes people; it's a dog thing!)

We're so happy. My vet bill is not small, and if we had pet health insurance, it would be. But, that isn't the point, is it? If I'd been able to insure her as a pup, and had that benefit all along, the cost of her care (surgeries, etc) might be less, but the love would not be less. I'm delighted that Purina is offering pet health insurance now ... and that pet owners everywhere have options, today.

You never know when your pet is going to get sick or be injured. Carmie did this IN the house, just rushing down the stairs. We are making sure it doesn't happen again...but, what other injuries might come along...? I don't know. Whatever they are, we'll deal with them. Carmie has at least 2 or 3 more good years in her. And that's saying something for a German Shepard mix!