So it has been 3 months since Blossom tore her cruciate ligament. She has improved some lately. I took her to a vet today my friend swears by and says in 40 years he was never wrong. Ok, so I thought the vet would say that if she is healing surgery is not necessary but he watched her walk and said she isn't bending her knee, also in response to me observing she was rotating her hip apparently when walking. He said he felt some grinding in her knee and said she had medial buttress arthritis (hope I said this right). Shocked, I said ALREADY? He said it is best to get them repaired within a month. I guess I messed that one up waiting so long. He said that the knee will never be stable without the surgery. The rehab vet I took her to in early July said the scar tissue would not stabilize the knee like an implant. Vet today said if all I want her to do is mosey around in the yard or house then I could get away without doing it but she would limp her whole life. I said Blossom likes walks and I want her to be able to go for walks also good for her overall health. So it looks like I may be back to surgery. I had canceled twice already and have it scheduled for next week. I had thought I would be canceling it but now after today, I think maybe I should do it. Even in july when the surgeon examined her there was arthritis but he never explained it like this vet did today. She is about 6 but seems older with her slowness. i did not realize time was of the essence. my arthritis developed over 20 years---a dog's is 3 months??? Gave her supplements the whole time but maybe they did little good. The vet today said another 3 months of no walking is what he found gives the best surgical result so that takes us to november and her sniffy walks will not be as satisfying once the snow falls. It is heartache to see her young years disappear because of this never to be fulfilled like the other dogs had.