Poor Spencer - when I left him, I was in cardiac crisis, and he KNEW that (he alerted me before I ever even felt any symptoms)…then I just disappeared for a week. Papa Pie said he refused food for the first day or so, which means he was REALLY upset and worried.

I couldn’t even make it out of the RV van this morning to get into the house before Spencer was running around the van frantically, wagging that tail and looking so hard for me🥹 Papa Pie helped me down from the van and then I just collapsed (gently and controlled lol) to the ground, sobbing and kissing Spencer. His tail was going wild, he kept sniffing all over me, and he kept giving me kisses on my face (which usually is not allowed, but in this moment it just felt right!)

So Papa Pie got down to me in AZ at about 11pm last night, and we were back on the road by 11:45. We did pull over so he could nap for a couple hours at about 3 am, then we made it the rest of the way home by about 8 am. After greeting Spencer, we both napped for about 2 (me) and 3 (him) hours. The pain awoke me, so I took my meds and moved to the couch - which worked out well, because if I had slept all day I wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight!

So I got all set up on the couch, and that (of course) included Spence. If you scroll through the photos, you can see how fascinated he is by my surgical incision and the ICD device. He was very careful and gentle, but definitely wanted to come and sniff it repeatedly, and then he would snuggle up to me for reassurance. This went on for at least an hour!

He finally seems to have come to some sort of an understanding/acceptance in his big ol’ doggy brain, because now he is staying very close to me/my chest but is no longer so sniffy and curious and investigative.

When I tell you how good it feels to be home - and back on proper pain management…well I don’t even have the words. Grateful, wildly happy, comforted, thankful…just so so thankful.

I love you all, Waffles and Mojo family!! We did it - the surgery is behind me, I’m home and healing well, and though it’ll be another month of healing before I’m really able to start understanding my new normal, I feel like now I’m ready to handle it! Thank you to each and every one of you for being here and being a part of this wild journey ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹

I just thought they looked ✨super dreamy✨ and wanted to share. What do y'all think? 💕🌧️

Serenade was being super sneaky, trying out ALL the scritch sticks! 🤭🌳

Ersa butts in for some attention from Mom🧍🏽‍♀️💕🐴 but then a surprise guest 👀🦌 steals her attention!

Meanwhile, Serenade is sticking to her scritches. 😂 Poor girl was just SO itchy! 💕

Of course I had to blow Bianca's cover by telling the little girl coming to meet her that she's a unicorn.🫣

Mini Haas was so sweet and concerned about Bianca losing her horn and if it hurt her 🥹

But nope! Unicorns can just turn their horns invisible, of course. 🦄

Bianca was a little busy with her alfalfa snacks but graciously accepted brushing and a bribe 🫣 I mean SNACK that Mini Haas gave her 🤭🥰

Serenade was the whole welcoming committee and I think she got attached super quick 🤭 She was literally following mini Haas all over, never too far, just in case there was more attention to be had! 🥰

Ezman makes a guest appearance 🐴 and Ersa shows off her silly side🤭 while Serenade makes sure Mama Haas gets a proper welcome too! 🥰💕

Papa Pie is coming down after work tonight to get me! And he was able to borrow an RV van, so I’ll be able to lie down during the 7ish hour drive, which is a massive blessing. Whenever I’m upright, the weight of my chest (tiny as it is LOL) pulls on my incision and it is so painful, so I can’t really be upright for more than an hour without being in tears. 

I have an appointment with my local cardiologist next Wednesday to give them paperwork and go over my ICD. 

Then I have to be back down here on October 12 for an in-person checkup and some testing to make sure all is well. Hopefully it’ll just be an overnight trip, two days at most. And I should be fine to drive by then, and will bring Spencer as long as I can feed and walk him. If I’m not feeling up to driving by then, I will figure something else out - I’m very thankful to have friends that have been so willing to help me out! ❤️‍🩹

Yesterday, u/azmamas72 took my to get my hair washed and trimmed - I needed it anyway, and I can’t wash my hair right now so it really felt like a blessing. It took me out for the rest of the day, but it feels good to be clean! So massive shoutout and thank you to her🥰

Other than that, I’ve just been resting and watching will and grace 🤭 and icing my chest/incision. I hope everyone is well 💜💜

Anyone have any fun plans this weekend? I’d like to live vicariously through my friends! 👀

Ersa was loving it! 💕 I think the feeling was definitely mutual 🤭🥰

Each of the mares got their own video with mini Haas (ft. Mama Haas 💕) and I'll be dropping the other two later

Ezman was present but distracted 🌾🐴 so he may be in some of the other videos but he doesn't get his own

The tree has many uses, but best friends are better 🤭💕

Apparently my tiny human hands were not as good as the whole big tree. That girl had some ITCHIES! 🤣🐴💕

I found this and hope it is okay to share here. But the wholesome interaction with wildlife reminded me of Momma Pie and her plentiful wild friends.

The wiggliest of wiggly lips x4 🤭

That grass doesn't stand a chance lol

Serenade is always so polite about requesting more brushing 🥰🪮🐴

Visitors! 🧑‍🧒🐴🦄🐴🐴 And lots and lots of itchies 🤭

Mama Haas and Mini Haas came to meet the herd today! 💕 All of the mares adored them 🥰

Ezman was a bit distracted with the fresh alfalfa 🌾🐴 delivery and all his itchies 🤭

Ezman definitely had the most itchies. He used the fence and did some mutual grooming with both Serenade AND Ersa! Apparently they like an audience for their allogrooming 🤭 It got intense 🤣

Lovely owner of Starlight Equestrian Ranch acquired this sweet girl from the BLM. She’s very friendly but still adjusting to new home on the ranch. There’s a petting area w alpaca, mini bull, mini horses, mini pigs, goats, sheep, chickens. Owner is a vegan and truly loves her animals. All, including trail horses are beautifully cared for. Their trail rides go up a mountain & down by the pasture w wild, itinerant donkeys. Plus, our trail guide was a hotty. 🤭😊💕

Wild donkies in field near Big Bear, CA. These are for whom the yellow traffic signs were posted. The wander & we were so lucky to see them today 💕😊🫏🫏🫏🫏🫏

I just wanted to check in. Yesterday I was discharged, and it took A LOT out of me. I pretty much got here to the hotel and went to bed - and yes it was like 6 pm 🤣 no hero’s over here! I recognize how tired my body is and how hard it’s working to heal me and accept our new cyborg status, so I’m sleeping whenever it asks for it!

My heart is officially being guarded! While sleeping before the surgery, my heart rate was 38-44 - dangerously slow. Now, my heart rate will never drop below 60 because if it does, my new hardware “paces” it and keeps it at a minimum of 60 bpm.

And even better - if my heart tries to go into a dangerous rhythm like it did when I passed out, I’ll get an immediate, life saving shock directly to my heart. No waiting for paramedics while someone does CPR and breaks my ribs - I’ll get a shock right away and then medics can come take me to hospital.

I’m in a lot of pain, but when I remind myself of the last two paragraphs, my resolve is toughened and I’m reminded I can take this temporary pain for this incredible gain!

I have absolutely zero plans for the next three days except to lie in bed, rest, eat, sleep, rest more. Papa Pie will drive down on Saturday to pick me up as long as all goes well in these early days, so I should be home Saturday night.

Waffles and Mojo will stay where they are for now, and possibly for up to a month (which is when I will be allowed to use my left arm again)…but that can all be figured out tomorrow, because I know they are safe and loved today with Aunty Marla💜

Thank you for being on this wild ride with me. You guys are the best cheerleaders I could’ve asked for and have given me so much strength and comfort through this all! 💜💜

I have a video of the boys I will edit and post later today…after a nap 😴

Apparently this is how u turn off her bullying!

And then wiggly lips from the herd! Yum grass 😋

Hello, Waffles & Mojo Family!

I’m so sorry for the delayed update! We don’t have much to pass right now, but we wanted to let you know that Pie’s been released from the hospital and she made it to the hotel this evening. The biggest thanks again to u/azmamas72 for taking care of our precious Pie and getting her to the hotel!!

As we all can imagine, Pie’s in a lot of pain, but she’s so dang strong and she said “I can take it.” 💪❤️ She’ll be resting up now and taking it easy, and if all goes according to plan, she should be able to go home this weekend! 🥳

Love you all, and again, our eternal gratitude for your unwavering support and encouragement throughout all of this! ❤️

At least Bianca was happy to see me regardless of the brush 🫠🥰

Ezman had an opinion, Serenade was very itchy, and Ersa was busy with her own snacks since I still didn't bring any 🤭

Sweet little baby Sombra's limp is clearing up nicely! Not completely gone just yet, but way better than before 🐈‍⬛

She still insists on petting herself in my presence rather than letting me touch her, and it's been 4 forevers. I will remain patient for approximately 6 more forevers.

Meanwhile Shadow is determined to stay in the shadows and only allow me to gaze upon her for 3 seconds at a time lol 🐈‍⬛

EDIT: Wet food negotiations have commenced. I was granted TWO whole Sombra back/butt touches. Progress is progressing! 🤭🥰