On Sunday, Bao was well enough to do lunch at a restaurant -- of course, he can't have little bits of bread and butter (which he loves) because he's still on a strict diet, but he could enjoy the ambience of being out and about. And yesterday (as you can see in the photo) we did Happy Hour at our local wine bar.

Slowly, he's getting his strength back.

Each morning, we walk a little further. I don't want to push him. He's been through so much! But he loves his walks and here in Southern Arizona, this lovely weather will only last for another month or so before it starts getting seriously hot. I'm thinking we should take advantage of it.

Today, we're going to start practicing going up stairs -- just a few steps at a time. I'd like him to build up the muscles in his haunches, so that he can once again jump up on the couch and the bed by himself, the way he's always done. At the moment, I'm having to lift him up and down. And up and down. And up and down.

Never mind -- I'm just incredibly grateful that he's still here with me.