Arthur continues to do well after his surgery, sometimes I have to slow him down because he acts like he didn't just go through major hip surgery. If I would let Arthur loose outside he would try to chase his foster sister, Ginger 04-229, around the yard and rough house with the resident dog, Copper. Arthur is also not too happy about having to sleep downstairs by himself when the rest of us go upstairs to sleep at night. This morning he did his usual barking when he heard the radio go on upstairs, letting us know he was downstairs and not happy about it. Before I could get all the way down the stairs he managed to knock down the baby gate and started up the stairs before I could stop him. Poor Arthur, he looks at you with those sad eyes when I say good night to him, he can't understand why he has to stay downstairs when he used to come up and sleep in my room with everyone else.

Because of Arthur's surgery last week, he'll have 6 to 8 weeks of recovery before he can be let loose to run and jump like his canine sister and brother. For the first 4 weeks, he is to be let outside with a leash on, no running, jumping and not a lot of walking either and no climbing stairs. We have rubber backed mats in the house so there are no slippery wood floors for him to fall down on and hurt his hip. No rough housing with the other dogs and I can't allow the other dogs to jump on him. After 4 weeks, Arthur can then start going on walks, up to a mile, but still no running or jumping or climbing stairs. After six weeks he can then go on longer walks and we can gradually start to allow some running and playing - after 8 weeks he should be free to run, jump and rough house like a normal dog . He well even be able to come upstairs and sleep with all us - YEAH !!

While at the Univ. of Mn for Arthur's checkup before his surgery we did get some good news for him. They took another set of x-rays of Arthur's hips and decided that Arthur is not going to need surgery on his left hip. Arthur does have some hip dsyplasia in that hip but the Doctor said it was not severe enough to warrant hip surgery. At this time there is no arthritis and no wear spots in the left hip like there was in the right hip. Dr. Kramek did say he will end up eventually getting some arthritis in that hip and only time will tell how severe it will get. It is recommended that Arthur would not make a good agility or running dog because of this hip, but he shouldn't have to be curtailed from any of the activities that a normal dog does, like chasing balls, running after a canine brother, swimming or taking long walks. It is recommended that Arthur be on Glousamine for the rest of his life, Glousamine helps in keeping joints strong. Right now is costs me less than 13 cents a day for Arthur's Glousamine.

Arthur is ready to go to his forever home. He will need some time to heal from his surgery but don't let that stop you from bringing him into your home and giving him that loving home he so deserves. Arthur is such a sweet, gentle, loveable boy, he'll melt your heart the moment you set eyes on him.

Arthur's surgery at the University of Minnesota cost $1900.00. If you would like to help Ragom pay for Arthur's surgery, please send your contribution to:

Retrieve a Golden of Minnesota

P. O. Box 5567

Hopkins, Mn 55343-0492