What a couple of weeks..... an update from Shelby!

[Christine & Shelby]

Hi Doods.... Shelby here! It has been a crazy couple of weeks at my house and thus - I haven't been able to blog in a LONG time. On Tuesday the 9th.... my mom got up super early - I think the clock said 4:45am - she got in the shower, gave me some loving - lots of loving - and told me that she was having surgery and that I would have to be gentle and careful around her for a while. I didn't quite know what she meant she had been saying this for days now, but I listened - gave her love back and then she fed me and left while it was still dark out. Later a friend came and took me to play care to play with my doggie friends, it was awesome.

After a long day of play... another friend came to pick me up and take me home. We came in the front door which was a bit weird 'cause we normally come in through the garage. Then I saw my mom sitting on the couch. My mom looked so happy to see me, but she couldn't get up to pet me. I tried to run to her, but I still had my leash on. Everyone kept saying "gentle Shelby", "be careful". Finally they let me get near her and I pawed up on the couch so she could reach me and pet my head. I could tell something was different - she smelled different and it looked like it was hard for her to move. I was a bit confused about what was going on - but then I remembered my mom telling me about the surgery and how things were going to be different for a while. After a few minutes, a friend fed me dinner and then I got sleepy and decided to take a nap. I wanted to be sure to be a good girl, so I slept in the kitchen - way back in the corner out of the way. Mom was suprised... because I never sleep there - ever!

After I woke up - everything became more clear. I remembered mom saying she was having back surgery and it would be difficult for her to play, walk, bend, etc. for a while. She also mentioned that lots of people would be at the house to help her and me (take me for walks, take me to and from play care, etc.). Even though it was hard for my mom to get up and down, she had to get up and walk a little bit every 20-30 minutes. I would walk with her (and the friend helping her) to make sure she was ok. I usually stayed in front and would look back, but sometimes I stayed behind. Mom walked really slow at first, but she is moving faster now (it's been almost 2 weeks).

We had friends staying at the house for a whole week. Different people every couple of days - and then there were people with mom all day too. I have been going to play care 3 days a week and while it was hard to leave mom at home, I felt better knowing friends were there to help. When I got picked up each day - I was really excited to get home and check on my mom. She always smiled when I came home and wanted to pet me right away.

After about a week - mom got to the point where she could stay home alone and have people just drop by to help out and check in on her a couple times a day. The very first day she was home alone - I stayed with her. I felt good knowing that I would be with her the first day she was alone. She still got up and walked every 30 minutes, she took her medicine and slept - a LOT! I dozed quite a bit, but not as good as normal as I felt a great sense of responsibility to make sure my mom was ok.

I recently was given couch privledges (about 2 months ago) and I occasionally sit on the couch with mom, but I much prefer my big bed in the living room. Well, I knew my mom needed some extra love and care this first day on her own so I got on the couch and snuggled up with her for some personal doodle therapy... she loved it and told me it made her day. Here are some pictures she took with her phone... she is under the pink blanket - as you can see.... I made myself comfortable and really snuggled with my mom.

Above: Getting comfortable at the beginning of the Doodle Therapy session!

Above: I started getting a head rush, so I plopped my head in mom's lap!

Above: Decided to put my head on the pillow under my mom's knees. Much better

Above: Settled in for the long haul. Mom says it looks like I am in a recliner. She took too

many photos.... she should have been resting.

Mom is doing better but still isn't going to work. She still can't bend or twist.... so we can't play or go on walks alone. We have gone on a few short walks with someone else holding the leash. Mom says I still pull sometimes, so we have to wait to do walks on our own. There have been a lot of changes in my routine, but my mom is awesome and has arranged for me to go to play care, get walked by friends and I've had playdates with some of my Doodle and non-doodle friends. I've had play dates with Tucker almost every night before bed time (we live only 5 houses apart), Knox, Malu and my non-doodle friends Macy and Bailey!

I've got to go now.... Mom needs to get up and walk. I'll try not to wait too long until I blog again! I hope you all are doing awesome. Give your humans a big doodle hug and kiss.... and LOTS of love.... it really makes them happy, I know this to be true more than ever after the past 12 days!

[Carol and Banjo]

Shelby, You are sooooo cute....love your pictures! Keep taking good care of Mom!

[Donna K & Quincy]

Shelby, what a good doodle you are to take such good care of your mom. When I lay down with a blanket Quincy tries to steal it, he is not such a good doodle then. Glad your mom is starting to feel better, hopefully soon everything will be back to normal. BTW you look really good against that pink blanket, pink is definitely your color.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Well I guess the good news is that this is now behind you and Shelby....it's just going to keep getting better now. Our Doodles are so very intuitive and special....especially at times like this. I was happy to see this post because I've been wondering....

[cheryl & oliver]

wtg Shelby, helping your Mom get better by being such a good doodle. I hope she gets better really soon....

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

Shelby you are doing a great job of taking care of your mom. I hope her back feels better quickly.

[Camilla and Darwin]

These pictures are so adorable. Shelby, I hope your mom gets better quick, you keep being a good girl!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Glad to hear you and Shelby are coming along so well. I hope things continue to go smoothly.