Convalescing, COVID, & coffee
As of today, my human companion (HC) will be 20 days post-op on his partial right knee replacement, and by most standards he is making great progress on both his ROM (range of motion) and right leg strength. He saw the surgeon and got the post-op imaging done. The new partial knee is working well, and I learned that the surgeon also realigned his leg so it is less bull-legged.
He has been moving around the house without any devices, but he still carries the crutches with him on outdoor walks just in case he has a balance issue. I want to send out special thanks to Karen and Dan Platt for being part of the midday walking team. She keeps the lookout for squirrels, cats, and other dogs, and Dan is the big guy that keeps me in check and has control of the treat bag.
HC is now up to walking a mile a day, and I cannot believe he wore out the rubber tips of the crutches in just two-plus weeks. WTF! (What the fur.)
He isn’t a big gadget person, but he was totally into the cup holder that LP gave him for the morning trek to Starbucks.
Since he is still mobility-challenged, I am more aware of the condition of the sidewalk and amazed at how many obstacles I have walked over without even giving them a second thought. I have a much greater appreciation for my mobility and can empathize with those folks that are mobility-challenged. I am reminded of the saying, “Walk a mile in my shoes,” which totally applies to this situation, both figuratively and literally.
I was not around in March of 2020 when the nine-county bay area “shut down” due to a virus outbreak, but in looking at Bear’s reports from that time, I realize just how devastating it was for everyone. Park Street was empty on a Saturday night, and there was nobody in the Peet’s Coffee seating area at 9 a.m. on that first Sunday of the closure. This is the five-year anniversary of that shutdown, and the five-year anniversary of the beginning of the Bear’s-Eye View of Alameda. Did you know that this is how the BEV got its start? Bear wanted to let people know what was going on in Alameda.
This is a rather short report, and I must apologize for it being so brief. However, it’s not my doing. Mister “I will be back on the street in a few weeks” had no idea of the recovery time, and looking back, it was unrealistic for him to think he would be back walking me in just three weeks. I am making a note to myself about the recovery time, so I have something to go by when the left knee gets scheduled.
I did manage to check out the big daisy bush on Central Avenue that is in full bloom right now and my hero Snoopy waving from the trunk of a car at South Shore Shopping Center.
Finally, I still have the five pounds of ground decaf coffee and coffee filters available to someone who would make a $30 donation to FAAS. Please email my HC at [email protected] if you are interested. We will deliver within the city of Alameda.
Wishing everyone an early Happy Saint Patrick’s Day.
Mouf, Roving Reporter
Bear’s-Eye View of Alameda
Mouf and his human companion can be reached via [email protected]. Their stories are collected at AlamedaPost.com/Jeff-Cambra/. All photos and videos by Jeff Cambra.
