We are grateful for the compassionate skill of the mobile surgical specialist with the letters DVM, MVetSC Diplomate ACVS after his name; for the sensitive surgery he undertook on behalf of our beloved little Riley, extending for him the quality of life at his age of thirteen years. The EKG taken as a security precaution prior to surgery, interpreted by another veterinarian specializing in canine cardiology out of Texas, relaying his report that it was safe to proceed, the bloodwork assuring there were no unseen issues that could lead to complications all worked in the favour of a good outcome.

Now, three days post-surgery, he is recovering remarkably well. That first night of his surgery was an absolute nightmare. Despite having been treated with pain-relievers, our tiny dog was wracked with pain, and he whimpered constantly in an expression of his bewildered misery. We slept as little as he did, knowing his plight and hearing his complaints of sheer unadulterated fear and pain. Before dawn that night more pain relief medication was administered and food as well.

Gradually, as the morning hours wore on into full daytime his plaints become less insistent, his little body less wracked, and he found some peace allowing brief periods of sleep before he was overtaken once again by tides of pain.

We feared physically handling him, but my husband who has always been exquisitely capable and sensitive to such needs, was able to devise a method whereby he could manage to bypass touching that extensive incision site, and manoeuvre little Riley about, taking him out to the backyard to relieve himself when required, re-buttoning the little onesie he wore to give him warmth and comfort over his now-hairless body, and devising a method whereby his leg with its sutures and two drains could be covered  to keep him from licking the constant accumulations of blood and bodily fluids draining constantly.

We change those little outfits as they become saturated, for new clean ones, wash the old ones and put them out to dry in the sun, along with towels used to catch excess fluids as he wanders from place to place, looking for comfort before finally settling down. He has been drinking far more than he would ordinarily, but not to excess, replacing lost body fluids nicely. And he is eager to eat now, anxious not to miss any meals or opportunities for treats.

Supplementing his high-value kibble, he is now eating creamed cottage cheese, chicken soup, shredded chicken, chopped broccoli and red bell peppers and cooked carrots. The raw vegetables form a part of a daily salad he is accustomed to having served to him after his evening meal. The opioid tablets are given him rolled within cheddar cheese. This is his menu and it is one he anticipates avidly, along with scrambled egg several mornings weekly. All in small portions to suit the needed nutritional intake of a very small dog.

The area where the shunts are located on his leg has been washed with clear cool-to-warm water and he has been made as comfortable as possible under the circumstances. His recovery phase will be considerably longer than a few days, but he has embarked on the longer period extremely well. He may not know enough to be grateful for nature's healing properties in a healthy animal, but we most certainly are thankful for the relief.