It’s funny how you’ll be bopping along in your life, wondering what would happen if you substitute quinoa for couscous in a recipe, when out of the blue, you learn a handful of important new words.

For example, last Tuesday night, Winnie, Rick and I learned the meaning, impact, and cost of three doozies: torsion bloat, gastropexy, and splenechtomy. Here’s a helpful one-size-fits-all article on how these topics relate, but the short story is that after a big hike, full dinner, and probably too much water, Winston suffered a bloat so severe that it flipped his stomach 180 degrees, ripping his spleen off.

The good Dr. Don Betts of Driggs Veterinary Clinic saved his life with a 1 a.m. surgery, and said that in 30-years of vet practice and on average 10 cases of bloat in dogs per month, he’d never seen that spleen-ripping business before.

We’re big fans of Dr. Betts. Big, big fans.

Experts agree that deep, narrow chested dogs with thin waists are most at risk, and while Great Danes, Weimaraners, and Irish Setters are all excellent candidates, my suspicion is that Standard Poodles may be even more at risk, given what  delicate and particular eaters they can be.

Winston, for instance, makes it a habit to eat with his supermodel figure in mind. After checking his bowl for poison (this is accomplished by carefully selecting one random piece of kibble and spitting it out on the floor for TSA-worthy scrutiny), he’ll pick his way through a meal, stopping as soon as his hunger is satisfied and he recalls he has a photo shoot early the next morning.

We figure that on some days, he must be surviving on cigarettes and Chardonnay behind the garage.

That is, of course, unless he’s surviving on excellent vet care, rest, antibiotics, pain relievers, easy-to-digest prescription canned food, and the TLC of family and friends.

Did you know that flowers and a sweet card really do help with the healing process?

Anything that brings a smile to the face simultaneously lifts the heart…

… and there’s nothing better for the constitution than feeling loved and the anticipation of better days to come.

BTW, these are Winston’s buddies featured in this slideshow of a recent fishing trip with the Sordahls. He has asked us to relay his gratitude, and, LeRoux? You’re on!

I know the thoughtfulness and beauty made Rick and me feel a whole bunch better.

And as of last night, Winston was insisting he was feeling much better, too.

We’re glad for that shaved spot where the catheter was. It reminds us of Dr. Betts’ words at the post-op check-up:

“Winston will insist that within three or four days, he’s all better. DO NOT LET HIM LIE TO YOU. The stitches don’t come out for another whole week, and until then, no long walks, no excitement, no stress, and no ball chasing.”

So we focus on the leg…

… while Winston focuses on the ball and drools.

Hang in there, buddy.

It won’t be long before you’re back to your glamorous, elegant self.