PERSPECTIVE FROM THE 19^TH HOLE: This is the title I chose for my personal blog, which is meant to give me an outlet for one of my favorite crafts – writing – plus to use an image from my favorite sport, golf. Out of college, my first job was a reporter for the Daily Astorian in Astoria, Oregon and I went on from there to practice writing in all of my professional positions, including as a Congressional press secretary in Washington, D.C., an Oregon state government manager in Salem and Portland, and a private sector lobbyist. This blog also allows me to link another favorite pastime – politics and the art of developing public policy – to what I write.

Good question.

But I know the answer – and it is yes. Emphatically

I know this because our dog, Hogan, a miniature poodle, not to mention a multi-sport athlete, incurred a torn ACL recently. Yes, a torn ACL, which in the dog business, is called a “cruciate ligament.”

Not quite sure how he did it, other than the report from our very competent dog sitter indicating that, one morning, on a rain-soaked driveway, Hogan slipped and begin limping badly. We were out of town and, when we got the report, we advised our dog sitter to do what she would have done anyway, which is to get an x-ray.

She did and it showed a tear.

When we got home, we arranged for an appointment with a vet surgeon who explained the corrective procedure to us. It would take major surgery to put the two joints in the knee back into alignment, along with insertion of a piece of metal fixed to the leg bone to help the knee heal.

The alternative was not good – let the tear heal on its own, which would not be likely.

We were not sure about whether to proceed with our 11-year-old dog who, as a small dog, probably has five, six or seven good years left in a normal life span.

Eventually, we elected to have the surgery done, so we left him at the vet’s office overnight for the procedure which, by all accounts, went very well, including the fact that he had to be under for the procedure.

But, what was especially tough was the first two weeks after surgery when we had to keep Hogan mostly immobile.   To be sure, he was not inclined to move around much on his recovering leg, but, still, it was up to us to stop any movement.

And, no need to give this too much thought, but immobility included on trips outside in our arms to do “his business.” Enough said.

Let’s just say that, to endure the two-weeks, it was a lot of TV.

Now, we are reaching the end of the third week, with one more week to go before the month-out follow-up visit. After that, we presume Hogan will be allowed to get a little exercise and learn again how to use his now surgically-repaired leg.

All in all, a day in life for dog owners. For us, it was not an easy decision to have the surgery done because it was a major procedure. But one of the factors was NOT how much it would cost. For a member of the family that is not a deterrent. Let’s just say it was a big number.

We have nothing but respect for the surgeon, Dr. Steve Peterson, who works at the VCA Specialty Clinic in Clackamas, Oregon. From the beginning, it was obvious he knew what he was doing, including giving us all the information we needed, but giving us room to make our own decision without any pressure.

He performed the surgery, then gave us his personal cell phone number and said, “Call anytime.” We did and he answered after only a couple rings.

Great professionalism. Great service. And, so far, great result.

And, yes, dogs have knees and tears are one of the most common injuries. Here’s hoping that this is our last one.