Stewie update

Stewie is doing great, using all four feet, playing,
and keeping everyone at Spay Maryland
very well entertained! His owner has
not yet been able to move back into
his damaged home, so Stewie will be
staying at Spay Maryland
for the time being.

handsome in purple (Wednesday, May 6)

I was able to visit Stewie yesterday and today to be with him during some of his time-out-of-the-cage time. Sweet! Doc says that given how well his back feet have healed, she's ready to re-introduce the litter box and see how Stewie does with that. In terms of mobility, Stewie has not been especially eager to walk around, test his feet, and build strength in his legs, so Doc is thinking that maybe some physical therapy is necessary to get Stewie used to walking around, using the litter box, etc., again. It'll be a learning curve for Stewie given the damage to his back feet, but we're guessing he'll acclimate to the change!

sun-day for Stewie (Tuesday, April 28)

This was, hands-down, one of the best Stewie visits ever, as i was able to sit with him for an hour or so on his blanket by the front door at Spay Maryland. This allowed Stewie to enjoy the sun and a change in perspective! In the month-plus I've been visiting and photographing Stewie, I've yet to have the occasion to take images of him in natural (i.e., sun) light, so this was, from a photographer's perspective anyway, huge! Normally, I'm taking images under fluorescent lights with the front door of his cage open.

When the doc first placed Stewie on his blanket on the floor, he was eager to walk around--he was even fixin' to jump up on the chair next to where the doc was positioned before she corralled him and settled him back on the blanket! As he moved around the blanket, it seemed clear that putting weight and pressure on his still-very-tender back paws was uncomfortable for him but it seemed like he was willing to deal with the discomfort, at least for a bit, in order to satisfy his desire to move around and explore. I've posted more pictures here than usual, primarily because (as I said to start) I was really happy about being able to photograph Stewie in natural light!

stewie unwrapped! (Saturday, April 25)

I was able to visit Stewie Thursday, Friday and Saturday this week, and as of Saturday am, he was totally unwrapped--that is, bandage-free! Doc reports that before the last foot bandage came off, Stewie had been attempting to stand (although briefly) while trying to eat.

time out, new friend! (Sunday, April 19)

Stewie got yet more loving from a kind and generous new Oella friend, Amanda. Chris, as ever, was on hand to help Stewie enjoy this brief time out of his cage while his bedding was being changed. . . shortly after it was changed, he wet the bedding and got more time out of his cage. smart guy! With his back legs nearly free of bandages, Stewie is eager to be up and about on his own. Everyone is equally eager for the time to come when his body is healed enough for him to be up and moving about like he used to!

quicker and craftier (Friday, April 17)

the great news is that Stewie's condition continues to improve! the more challenging news (at least insofar as it concerns my efforts to document Stewie's recovery) is that the doc tells me that Stewie has a tendency to want to dart out of his cage when he sees it has been opened! His back legs are still bandaged--as is a portion of his tail--but his front legs keep looking better and better! The doc also tells me that Stewie enjoys sleeping underneath his soft fleece blanket and that he loves the smell of fresh laundry! The video clip shows Stewie playing a bit with his new toy before he settles down for a nap.

stewie's tuesday lovin (Tuesday, April 14)