Murphy Update

Well, if it's a blog, I watch for it....so keep blogging away. 
 
I wish I could see Murphy and offer you a personal opinion here. Actually, I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels that way.
 
But, I asked before, and I don't think you answered...does Murphy seem to walk pretty good?  Forget the sway...the sway is just a sign of loose hips, and I would imagine a dog with an FHO, has a loose hip. Forget the leg length, does he walk without limping? If he's walking OK, I'd just forget about all his HD issues for awhile.  He's a lot better off than he was this time last year.  Ask him,  he'll tell you!
 
Murphy is still a young dog, and you should have many years together, so try not to make HD the focus point.  Blog away........
 

Nancy i'm reading your blogs too
I wish I could see him as well. Honestly if he can walk ok, if he can lay in a patch of sun, enjoy good food and petting and doesn't seem to be in incredible pain, just shelve all of this and enjoy the spring together as wll as the rest of the year!
I understand more than you know about getting used to the reality of a dog with a "problem" and possibly more problems down the road, as well as how it affects my lifestyle. I know it can make you sick and crazy especially if you really care about animals and want to do the best for them. Heck, we make ourselves sick because we care....the physical manifestation of stress is real. If Murph or Oliver lived with someone else you can be sure there would be no sleepless nights for them. sometimes it feels like a curse to care so much.

After I had my good news about Oliver being allowed to get out of the crate and also made the decision that we've just done ENOUGH regardless of what happened I felt so incredibly much better. Do what you need to do to take care of you, so that you can be there for him. Accupuncture sounds great Take walks, go out, buy shoes if it sits you , pamper yourself, eat chocolate do whatever it takes to forget for a while about surgery, and dog problems.
Screw x-rays... just pay attention to him, he'll tell you if he needs something.

I also didn't realize about his personality.. thanks for explaining that makes a lot of sense now two why yo'd be hesitant to stick him in a crate, I don't blame you. I'll bet he comes around to you even more as time goes by.

Nancy, I'm so sorry you are going through this.  I don't know anything about HD, so I can't offer you any advice...but just know that you are in my thoughts.  I hope you had a good time on your trip out of town and that you were able to clear your head a bit.