The Big (Surgery) Day

7:30am on Monday, March 15, 2010
Here we are at the Veterinary Surgical Center of Portland. Koda has no idea what is about to happen. He has no fear of going to the vet's office. Everyone is always nice and there are always treats.

To prepare Koda for his immobility after his surgery - we started camping out in our living room, using the furniture to make blockades and corral everyone in. Our master bedroom is on the second floor and requires 16 stairs, so we would not be sleeping there for the next couple of weeks.

Koda would have surgery and spend the night at there, so that he could receive care overnight and into the next day. He would be getting injections of Codeine (for pain) via the IV they used for his anesthesia. It's also a good idea to have the professionals look after your pet post-op because they can better handle a groggy dog that needs to pee and is feeling quite out-of-sorts.

At 12:20pm - I called and the nurse told me Dr. Munjar was putting the metal plate on.

At 4:00pm - Dr. Munjar called and said that the surgery went smoothly and Koda did well. There were no complications. He did comment that it was a good thing we decided to go ahead and have the TPLO done, as the CCL was 20% torn and would have continued to tear if we had not surgically intervened.

Koda was awake and resting.

At 7:30pm - I spoke to Laura, who said Koda had already hopped outside on three legs to pee and poop. Wow!

At midnight - Robi, the overnight technician, said Koda was going out to pee again, but had no interest in his food.

Just a few (well, 15) more hours and I'd be able to bring my baby Koda home! My appointment to pick-up Koda was at 2:30pm on Tuesday.

Koda needs surgery?!?

It seems a bit surreal. My perfectly healthy running dog now needs surgery? How did this happen?

Oct. 31, 2009 - Koda runs 6 miles of trails with me. He is completely sound and happy. In fact, when he finishes, he has energy to spare and would enthusiastically go run a few more. (He's run 10-13 miles with me on previous runs, so 6 miles is a piece of cake for him.)

Nov. 22 - Koda was running full tilt at the dog park when I hear a yelp and he comes up lame. I immediately take him to the vet - but it's for the FRONT left paw he's limping on. We get a round of Rimadyl and instructions to take it easy.

Koda's front left paw sprain appears to clear up and everything is back to normal.

Dec. 24 - Koda and I go out to a trail for a little 5 mile Christmas Eve run. But 30 minutes into it, he starts to slow down and his gait is uneven. Pretty soon, he is really struggling on the uphills, so we take breaks, and alternate between walking and jogging to get back to the truck. This has never happened before. I'm thinking maybe he's just having an "off day" - so I decide to not take him out for runs for awhile.

Jan. 7, 2010 - Koda and I head out to a trail, after 2 weeks of no running (and leashed walks only). Again, after about 30 minutes, he starts slowing down and eventually stops completely and sits down to rest. On our way back to the car, I notice he doesn't seem to have problems running down hills, but the uphills are a struggle.

Jan. 15 - The day of truth. On a regular neighborhood loop walk, Koda starts "hiking up" his REAR left leg. We are about 30 minutes into the walk when he just pulls over and sits down. He refuses to walk any more. It's heart-breaking, but now I know it's his left hind leg giving him the problems.

I have the vet do a comprehensive exam on him, to rule out anything else that may be going on. Koda is put on Rimadyl for the second time and he is only allowed short walks on flat streets only.

Jan. 22 - Follow-up visit to the vet. He's still limping a little, but we want to see if he will improve over time. Another third round of Rimadyl and continued short, flat walks.

Mar. 5 - Now 6 weeks later, Koda is not showing significant improvement with this conservative treatment of Rimadyl and restricted activity. I get a referral for a surgical consult.

Mar. 9 - Koda is seen by Dr. Munjar of the Veterinary Sugical Center of Portland. The doctor does a manual examination as well as a set of xrays. The xrays reveal signs of CCL damage, with the start of calcium growths around the joint. He recommends the TPLO surgery for Koda's early stage CCL tear.

I am leaning towards the TPLO surgery because it seems like the only definitive solution. The insignificant improvements using conservative treatments would never allow Koda to resume his normal activities. They would only continue the cycle of Rimadyl, rest, and temporary improvement. Dr. Munjar said because Koda was athletically fit, not overweight and only had an early stage tear, he stood a good chance of returning to his active lifestyle after the surgery and recovery.

But this TPLO surgery is not only very invasive, requiring 8 weeks of complete inactivity, it is super expensive. The estimate I received was about $3400 - $4000 (including the initial set of Xrays and the consultation fee). Yikes!

After doing some more research (see links at the right), I wanted to explore an alternative to surgery. I was getting cold feet after reading about how all-consuming the long recovery period is. I'd found an article from OSU's Canine Rehabilitation Center called "Research shows that therapy and rehab can prevent ACL surgery for your dog" - which sounded like a viable option to check out.

I spoke with a surgeon there, Dr. Tom Smith, but found out that this alternative method is really only recommended for smaller dogs (under 35 lbs.) who are not as active as my 60 lb. running husky. He said if it were his dog, he would do the TPLO surgery.

Mar. 15 - Koda is admitted for his TPLO surgery.

Adoptiversary Fun Runs

Every May, I would celebrate Koda's Adoptiversary with fellow running buddies by having a Koda Fun Run. We'd all get together, run a 5-mile route, then share a meal together at Panera. It's a tradition. And I have such great friends, they still celebrate in LA while we celebrate here in Portland, every year in May.

One year, a dear friend, JeannieXOXO, brought a special cake for Koda's Adoptiversary Fun Run & Party. I was so touched that someone would do this for a dog - someone else's dog!


And every year, I design a special limited edition collectible Koda Fun Run fridge magnet for party favors. It's almost time to start working on the magnet to commemorate Koda's 7th Adoptiversary.

Running buddies gathering before one of the annual
Koda Adoptiversary Fun Runs. We really have the best friends!

Doing the Koda Fun Run 5-miler!

For dinner, Koda got a special meal with extra sharp cheddar cheese and warm roasted chicken. He is always excited to eat his Chicken & Cheese meal.

Koda, the Running Dog

The great thing about 4-legged furry running partners, is they are always ready to go when you are, they are great motivators for when you don't feel like running, and they never complain about the pace or the weather. And doggies are just great company. I love how happy my Koda looks when we're out romping in the woods.

But we didn't always run on forest trails... we did road races, too...

In sunny SoCal, Koda was not only my faithful weekday running partner, he also did 5ks, 10ks and half marathons! That's 13.1 miles. Here we are getting ready for his FIRST HALF MARATHON, the Pacific Shoreline Half in Huntington Beach, CA. I even made him his own bib—D3302—he's in the "dog" division.

Koda running strong at mile 10.
Click here for more pictures of Koda's FIRST MARATHON,
as he tells it in his own words.

Here we are after Koda's 2nd Half Marathon, at Pacific Shoreline, the following year. The kids at the finish line even gave him his own finisher medal for completing the distance. I think we finished in about 2:10.

Koda relaxing on the beach with his finisher medal,
after completing his 2nd half marathon.

Koda around mile 8 of his 3rd Half Marathon - again at Pacific Shoreline. We ran with one of his favorite running buddies, Aileen. The kids loved giving him water to drink from the little cups. But he also knows how to let me know he needs water from my bottle, as well.

Now in Portland, OR - Koda enjoys the cool, shady trails of Forest Park. Here, Koda joined me for 6 miles of my first 50k run on Wildwood Trail in October 2009.

Another Saturday, another trail run. Koda doesn't mind the mud at all - feels soft and squishy under his paws.

I don't want you to get the wrong idea, that all this running is what caused his torn ligament. When Koda first started running with me, we started gradually and built up his mileage, just like a person. So after nearly 7 years of running, he has a great base and is well-conditioned for running. And since we moved to Portland, a lot of his running is on the joint-friendly trails - which is good for both of us.

His torn CCL was most likely a result of tweaking it while running willy-nilly at the dog park. But I'll write more about that in another post.

After Koda recovers from his TPLO surgery, we hope to get back out on the trails again. He is so happy when we're out there together, just enjoying the fresh air and dirt beneath our feet.

Koda's Story

May 2003
This is Koda, before I named him Koda. The shelter said his name was "Snow." He was a sad and mangy pup - underweight (43lbs), with his hip bones sticking out of his back - who'd been in and out of the shelter like a revolving door. Two weeks in a home, then back to the shelter. Five weeks in a home, then surrendered to the shelter. After two weeks back at the shelter and no one desperately looking for him (since his owners gave him up), he was to be destroyed the next day.

A kind man named Michael, rescued him from the shelter and snuck the unwanted dog into his apartment. But he couldn't keep him. Michael brought "Snow" to a pet adoption event, where I saw him and immediately wanted him. I just knew he was the one. I took him for a walk, filled out some papers, Michael came over to do the house check and then left him with us. I have a dog! I have a dog! My very own dog!

"Snow" made himself at home... after throwing up on the floor and licking it back up. Poor guy had kennel cough. That was just the start of our rough beginning. True to his Nordic breeding, my new dog would not walk nicely on a leash - he would pull me all the way down the block. And I mean PULL. It was impossible to walk him. He chewed shoes, books, boxes and personal belongings. Shelter dogs have so many ghosts in their past, it's hard to understand them. Our first month was very challenging. I was afraid I couldn't keep him.

At wits end, I enrolled us in obedience school for 8 weeks. I couldn't stomach the thought of returning him to the shelter because he was basically uncontrollable. I told "Koda" (the new name I decided on because it started with a "K", was 2-syllables and easy to yell across a field) that he had 8 weeks to shape up or we'd be making a really hard decision.

At the same time, I started reading Pack of Two - The Intricate Bond Between People ad Dogs by Caroline Knapp. I think this book was really instrumental in helping me persist and not give up on him. It made me long for the bond that she describes. I've always loved animals, but the idea of this canine companion was so endearing. I wanted it. I wanted Koda to be my special furry companion.

Koda shaped up and became such a well-mannered dog, that we receive compliments regularly about his good behavior. I am so glad I adopted him. And it's not just Koda who is lucky because he now has a forever home. I count myself equally lucky to have Koda in my life. Dogs add so much to life. Koda is living a pretty charmed life, too.

Koda in hot pursuit of pretty Luna at the dog park.

He likes to spend time in the snow (naturally!).

Koda training to become a Therapy Dog.

He took First Place for Best Looking at the Atsa My Dog contest.

Koda walked the runway at the Boutiques Unleashed Benefit -
Fashion for Both Ends of the Leash.

One happy Beach Husky at Cannon Beach.

Navigating the A-Frame at an agility course open house.

Now, almost 7 years later - here's our beautiful Koda! He enjoys the parks, trails and snow and all the attention an "only fur-child" could ever want. We want him to live a long, long healthy life.

December 2008