A Bad Ending

We're having a bad ending to our time at home. After 2 busy, but uneventful weeks home, we are all set to leave for work again. Or at least we were until yesterday morning.

It all started early in the morning as we were preparing to haul a load of open cows to the sale barn. I thought, rather than leave the girls home alone all day, I'd let them come with us and stay in the semi like they are used to doing.
In their excitement, Carlie Jean caused an incident.

You know how she loves to run. And in her running frenzy, she tripped me. And as I fell, I dropped Paris. As much as she screamed I knew instantly there was something wrong. So as soon as I got my breath back from falling flat out on my back, I scooped her up b/c Carlie and Ella were intensely interested in what was wrong with her. Her little leg was just flopping around, so it was obvious what the problem was right away.

Because we're in ranch country, it's hard to track a vet down on a normal day, but try and do it in the fall on a weekend. We ended up just having to take Paris to Belle Fourche, SD with us and to a vet there, 2 hours away.

When I picked her back up the nurses had french braided her hair and told me they tried to match her outfit and so gave her a pink cast. She was obviously very well pampered while at the vet.

Turns out her little tibia is snapped and fractured further down so that a simple splint and cast won't do long term.
The temporary fix has made things...complicated.

She is being quite the trooper, not crying and seems not to hurt unless she turns it wrong. But she is sad to not be able to bounce around like normal, and it's hard to keep her confined but that's the only way to keep her still and quiet.

Brief little visits to her grand-people's house have cheered her and I think she's liking all the extra attention.

But tomorrow morning, we have to drive back to Belle Fourche early and she has to have pins and wires put in her leg and stay over night.
Malcolm and I may, if it will work out, stay a few more days. But a load is already lined up and if it can't be rescheduled, we'll have to leave Paris behind and she'll be staying with her grand-people for an unknown length of time.
I'm doing ok with the break, but the idea of leaving her is upsetting. I know all our bloggy friends would want to know about Paris and her situation. I'll keep you posted and fill you in on the good parts of our home time later on. In the mean time, thoughts and prayers are appreciated for tomorrow. I know she's just a dog, but for me, she's my baby, and even though I have three, Paris is my first and favorite. She has a special place in my heart. I'm not looking forward to the days to come!