The Dude abides

The steady succession of onward-and-upward pep has stalled. Guy is taking the Big Lebowski for his model today.

Want to go outside? Practice using your hind legs? See if you can hold a sitting position? Bark at the woods? Drag yourself over the stump to sample the smells?

This aggression will not stand, man. Get away from me with that harness. (Guy rolls onto his back in a fine instance of nonviolent noncooperation.)

Milestone--an unassisted stand

No photo, but this morning Guy was able to maintain a standing position for about 20 seconds. No support, no hands. He began listing to one side shortly, but this is the first time in six weeks that he has stayed aloft on his own four paws.

O brother, where art thou?

Guy is at physical therapy, an hour's drive away. A heron landed to dine on some frogs. A pair of ducks paddled by. In his absence the yard feels empty and haunted.

Patience

From around the world, the messages are coming in: Where's Guy? Why aren't there more posts? When will Guy have his own movie? Where can we participate in Guy's arduous and inspiring recovery? May I give Guy a treat? May I give Guy an organic dog treat from Whole Foods made with quinoa and bulgar wheat? Will Guy attend my art opening? Would you ask Guy if he will endorse my iPhone app/ screenplay/ novel/ pathbreaking piece of performance art? Where does Guy think commodities will be next quarter?

The answer to all these questions is, cool your jets. Here at Team Guy we have our hands full. Guy's photo staff, his physical therapy staff, and his scheduling coordinator all overlap 100%. It's hard to carry his rear end around and get a good angle with the camera.

More training

Yesterday, Guy returned to Top Dog for a refresher course in the flotation tank. He's not quite as thin as before, though his palpable bones are a shock to those who haven't seen him for a while. He can stand for about 15 seconds on his front paws, while his hindquarters still need plenty of support. When I straddlewalked him into Top Dog, as soon as he had an audience, he braced his front paws and stood proudly to show off.

Apology accepted

I forgive you for the pills. (See below)

Interspecies tete-a-tete

I certainly have no intention of taking any more pills. Disguising them in something tasty is a shabby trick, and guess what -- it doesn't work.

Thinner than Verushka

He was lean before the mystery illness, but now, he's looking bony indeed.

The hero returns

Thirty days after being stricken with flaccid paralysis, Guy is back home. He can crawl around military style, and when I hoist him up in a special carry harness he can place his forepaws pretty well. He can even support his front weight for a few seconds. His hind legs are less coordinated and much weaker. You can see how much muscle mass he's lost.

A bit of occupational advice

I know the physical therapist s supposed to work my muscles hard so I can recover, but seriously, he needs to chill out.