A bit battered but unbowed, Gus came  home tonight. Maria and I went to pick him up at the Cambridge Valley Vet. We had our post-op briefing from Suzanne. She put a soft hood on Gus and reversed it, so that it flows back from his head and doesn’t impair his vision.

This works beautifully, and he can keep it on for a few days, probably not the five days she wants it kept on. The incision is small and very clean, it should heal well.  Gus is a little fuzzy from the anesthesia, I imagine he will sleep through the night tonight.

He came home and eliminated as usual, and then had some dinner and went happily into his crate.I am always grateful for a grate, it is a wonderful training tool and helpful in times like this. Fate and Red did the appropriate greeting and sniffing. I doubt Gus will change very much, certainly not for five or six weeks.

He might mark territory less, and hump toys less, but he will otherwise be his active, affectionate and imperious self.

We have some pain killers for him tomorrow, and for the next two or three days. The operation is not a big deal, he has self-dissolving stitches, he doesn’t need to come back  at all unless there is a problem. Dr. Fariello said we could call her tonight if there was a problem, but I don’t need to call her or bother her at home.

I spend some time at the vet’s this afternoon, and was struck by how happy the employees and staff are there. Lots of animal people are suspicious of vets, we live in a paranoid and cynical world, these are not people who live for money or even make much of it.

Nobody becomes a vet or a vet tech to hurt animals or get rich. Gus was happy to see us and the dogs. He will sleep well tonight, and since I got sick this morning with a rip-roaring cold, so will I. I find a nice bedtime cold medicine that will give me some peace.

Maria is at her belly-dancing class tonight and then going out with some friends. She has turned from a recluse into a social animal, and it is a sweet thing to see. She is making some beautiful work since returning from New Mexico, new colors in her head and her work.

I have some chicken soup to eat and a piece of Haddock, and a good mystery if I can stay awake.