In My Lap

Sometimes when you think that Diggie Dog has changed, then you see him doing something that he always did, and wanting you to do as he used to do. I have him in my lap, across my legs with his head down on the side. He is comfortable and relaxed and he is happy. I would imagine if a dog were uncomfortable he'd seek a place to lie down, but not want to be in someone's lap and so I feel like he's ok.  I was tempted to begin the regimen of pain killers because I feared that he had been suffering all this time and we just didn't recognize it. But tonight, just as I anticipated his need for the pills, he did something so like his old self that I'm pretty sure he doesn't need the pain killers.
I have noticed a kind of lethargy though, but that might still be the residual effects of the surgery. He's been knocked out so many times in the last three weeks that it's probably still coming out of his system. He has a weakening in the back legs, but he had that prior to the surgery so that isn't new, but I've decided to take him to the veterinarian hospital in Gainesville to visit his surgeon for a one month follow-up and see what they think of him. I also wanted to have them check out his stuffed up nose and ask about it from their perspective and the fold in his face that "appears" to be completely folded into itself and does not provide us with a way to clean it. He won't be able to have the hairs cut from there and most especially if he's sensitive to anyone touching that area. I wonder what he'll be like with his regular groomer if I can't even come near him with scissors? His groomer hasn't seen his improved state and we are excited to hear from the surgeon when he sees the photos I've been sending.
I would have thought we'd have heard by now from the surgeon but I have a feeling he went away for a longer visit than most vets are allowed since he works for the university and students are probably not back from their break yet.  He will have tons of emails to answer and my email has probably been relegated to the bottom of the pile. I just hope he hasn't left the university after having done the surgery on Mack, I'd like to have some continuity with his care.
He is in my lap and that makes my world so much like it was pre-osteosarcoma. He was always seeking out a place to be with me and he's here just as he used to be. That makes the beginning of the new year special to me. I pray that this is not short lived, that 2013 is a year full of health and longevity for him and that we have vanquished this horrible cancer. I believe we have.  I believe that he is the miracle dog of 2012 and 2013 and so on. I just feel in my heart that he is cured.  Maybe we're fooling ourselves, but I don't think so. The world looks brighter.  Mack is back.