My Leg, Part Three

Mommy took me to the doctor Friday. I got good news and I got bad news. The doctor came in the room, patted me, and asked me how my leg was feeling. I was surprised she asked me a question. I was surprised that my doctor didn't know that I couldn't answer her question. I wonder why she doesn't know that dogs can't talk. I turned and looked at Mommy and drew my eyebrows together to show Mommy that I was a little confused. Mommy chuckled and answered the question for me.

"Ethel Frances is doing much better," Mommy said, "but her leg still hurts. She doesn't cry anymore, but she does limp." The doctor held my leg, squeezed my knee, and moved it back and forth. I wanted to tell the doctor that after she got finished with my leg, my knee hurt more. But, as I already said, I can't talk so I couldn't tell the doctor how I felt.

Mommy and the doctor were having a long conversation. Mommy always asks the doctor lots of questions. Here are some of the answers: "Ethel Frances still should not go up and down steps. Ethel Frances can walk fifteen minutes, three times a day. Ethel Frances can go back to visiting residents at the nursing home."

All of that sounded pretty good, but the doctor wasn't finished answering Mommy's questions. The next thing she said made me sad. "Ethel Frances should still stay in the kitchen when you are not home." Mommy said, "I am pretty sure my dogs sleep when I am not there. We live in a little, tiny house. I confine the dogs to the living room and dining room. Isn't that good enough?"

The doctor replied, "Ethel Frances just went through a painful surgery. Why take a chance of her re-injuring her knee when you are not home? She and LuLu might decide to play rough and you won't be there to stop them." Mommy looked at the doctor and said, "You are right." Then she looked at me and said, "Ethel Frances, you will have to stay in the kitchen for four more weeks, but you can go visit your friends at the Home in two days. OK, honey? I want you to be safe and I want your leg to heal."

Oh well. I still have to stay in the kitchen all alone when Mommy is gone, but at least I could go visit my friends. This morning, Mommy called out to me. "Ethel Frances, come. Come here girl. Let's go bye-bye! Want to go see Valentina?" I was so happy and excited. When we got to the Home, we were talking to some friends and Anita and Valentina walked in. Valentina was wearing her harness because she was working. She was taking Anita to visit her mom, Sophie. Valentina is not allowed to play when she is working. I remembered that so I stayed away from her until we got to Sophie's room. Anita took the harness off. We played a little, but I remembered that the doctor said I am not allowed to play rough so I lay down on the floor.

Valentina and I totally understand each other. I stay away from her when she is working and she stayed away from me because I had surgery. No one even had to tell Valentina. Anita said that Valentina and I understand each other because we are friends and we love each other -- just like our mommies do! I am grateful for my friends and my mommy.